In trying to determine the actual first Thanksgiving, one must recognize that the history of our country, started in three places around the same time. Spanish travelers in the West, French and Spanish travelers in the South, and English Puritans all laid claim to different parts of this country without being aware the others were present. That leaves us with not one but three thanksgivings.
Plymouth, Massachusetts
The Thanksgiving most Americans are familiar with happened in 1621 at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, a group of English Puritans who sailed for America to embrace religious freedom, had a feast to thank Squanto, their Indian translator and guide. At that celebration, both Native Americans and Pilgrims celebrated their ability to work together, raise crops and enable the Pilgrims to live in the new land by sharing a meal and giving God their thanks. As historians looked backwards seeking an appropriate event on which to base a uniquely American holiday, the historical records of this event seemed to fit the bill, even though a prayer of Thanksgiving had been offered in Jamestown, VA two years previously. Because it encompassed the spirit of faithfulness and unity holiday makers wanted to celebrate, this Puritan first was proclaimed the "First Thanksgiving".
El Paso, Texas
Almost 50 years before the Pilgrims gave thanks in Plymouth a prayer of Thanksgiving in celebration happened on the banks of the Rio Grande. Residents of El Paso, Texas will tell you that they live in the place of the first true Thanksgiving.
Travelers and explorers accompanying Don Juan de Onate found the Rio Grande Valley in 1598 and declared it El Paso del Rio, del Norte - the pass of the river of the North. According to Spanish records Onate, and his accompanying group, had a feast with the indigenous cultures of the area and created the first Thanksgiving. This festival was not founded on food, although traditional tortillas and chilis were probably present, but founded on a Catholic celebration of Onate's conquest in the New World. On the last Sunday of the month of April El Pasoans gather at the Chamizal Memorial Park to reenact the first Thanksgiving.
St. Augustine, Florida
While New England continues to suggest to their thanksgiving is the first and El Pasoans celebrate their festival with assurance, a third entry into the Thanksgiving race predates them both. In 1564 French Huguenot colonists who were fur traders, combined with Spanish explorers to found St. Augustine Florida, a small colonial settlement near Jacksonville. These two groups coming together, and inviting first nation tribes to share a meal with them is also a first Thanksgiving. The meal didn't feature turkey, bread or corn and was more likely made of salty pork, biscuits and garbanzo beans. However, in terms of time, this gathering of thankful nations truly was the first American Thanksgiving.
The debate over Thanksgiving rages on, with all three parts of the country stipulating their thanksgiving is the most valid one. But for most people, any time you can stop working, share food and be thankful is a time worth honoring
This is a question that I get asked from our most successful members, who are watching everything they eat and are well on their way to "Defeating Diabetes Naturally."
While no answer is simple or short, here are some thoughts on why we are seeing this discrepancy.
The answer is about the intensity of the situation of each Diabetic person and the diet program that is needed to successfully address that situation.
To be overly simple let's divide a group of type 2 diabetics into Three (3) basic categories and we talk about each one. For simplicity, we will limit the discussion to concerns about Blood Sugar and Weight (BMI, Body Mass Index.)
"A Severe Diabetic Diet" For People who display more serious diabetic symptoms (let's say that this group might have very high blood sugar readings, excess pounds and a profound lack of exercise in their program): ?Clearly the list of foods provided by a dietitian will probably be far more restrictive.
"A Strong Diabetic Diet" For People whose medical advisors have labeled them adult onslaught type 2 diabetics and are managing their situation with drugs, exercise and a diabetic diet (typically they might have a fair amount of excess weight to lose, and maybe lacking a strong exercise program): ?Again, clearly the list of foods provided by a dietitian will probably be restrictive, but will invite more foods into the mix in limited amounts.
"A Strong Maintenance Diabetic Diet" For People whose medical advisors might have labeled them as Pre-diabetic or people who have been successful at regaining control of their lives and have lowered their readings through a program of Life Style Management (including a healthy Diabetic diet, weight management and nutrition): ?For this group, what they eat is still critical but the list of foods provided by a dietitian could be far more open to a much greater mix, yet still carefully managing the amounts of these additional healthy and nutritious foods.
One of your best sources of help and guidance is your Registered Dietitian. At Proven Results Health, we always suggest that you find a qualified dietitian or nutritionist with extensive diabetic experience, and work closely with this person.
Many dietitians also suggest that you add natural healthy supplements to your routine. Diabetic supplements, clinically-proven at reputable institutions, show that your diet and exercise results can be accelerated, providing 3X the benefit of diet and exercise alone.
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