The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to count our good fortune and appreciate the world around us. Instead of getting caught up in a whirlwind of preparations to come up with the perfect celebration, spend some time looking for ways to pay it forward and lend a helping hand. Here are seven ways to offer gratitude this Thanksgiving.

1. Volunteer to Help Brighten Someone’s Day

The holiday season is a great time to give back to the community by volunteering in various community initiatives to help those in need. This could be a great way to bond with your children and show them different ways to be of service. A kind word and a smile can make the difference between any given person having a lonely day or having a friendly interaction.

2. Extend an Invitation

Holidays can be difficult for those that live far from their families and friends. People that live alone oftentimes are not motivated to cook a special meal for themselves or reach out for companionship. It’s amazing how sharing good food brings out the best in people.

3. Make an Extra Meal for Someone in Need

The demands of the holiday season can put a strain on households on a tight budget. This year when you’re planning your Thanksgiving feast, cook a little extra to share with a family who may not be able to provide one for themselves. Foster the festive spirit of gratitude by delivering a whole food, plant-based meal to the elderly or people with health conditions. You may also be interested in organizing a community cooking project to bring people together to feed underserved communities.

4. Be Present! Enjoy the Little Things with Your Family

Sometimes we get so caught up in organizing a nice holiday celebration that by the end of the night we haven’t really interacted much with one another. Take the time to talk to each other, play games, share memories, sing songs, and engage in other activities you enjoy with your loved ones. Spending quality time with each other and sharing a delicious meal is a wonderful experience that creates lifelong memories. Put away the electronics, and any other distractions, and allow yourself to really bond with one another.

5. Contribute to the Well-Being of the Planet

Eating a plant-based diet is a great way to honor the earth and all the beings that inhabit it. In addition to making healthy lifestyle choices, spend some time helping to clean up a park, beach, neighborhood, or any other place that needs special attention. Keep in mind to recycle and reuse whenever possible.

6. Take Time to Appreciate Nature

Go for a walk or a special hike with your loved ones. Take time to breathe in the fresh air and relax. The best way to appreciate the great outdoors is to be in it. If you’re looking for a nontraditional Thanksgiving celebration, consider a camping experience with friends or family.

7. Make a Donation

Donate money, home goods, or clothes to local shelters or animal rescues. Before donating, inquire to see what items are needed the most; sometimes it’s items you might not even think of. Some nonprofit organizations will list needed items on their website.

Plant-Based Thanksgiving Sample Menu

Plant-Based Thanksgiving Entrée Recipes

Loaded Vegan Potato Skins

This is a healthy, mouthwatering version of a classic dish; it's drizzled with creamy vegan cheese sauce, sprinkled with smoked paprika, and piled high with chives and cilantro.

Quinoa-Stuffed Roasted Tomatoes

This is one of those end-of-summer dishes that you can serve to awe your guests, but it’s just as great the rest of the year. Sometimes I make the filling by itself and eat it in tortillas.

Portobello Pepper Steak

With their meaty texture and savory taste, portobello mushrooms make a great meat replacement for the traditional holiday dinner table. This healthy recipe with gravy is packed with flavor that kids and adults will love, but without the saturated fat from meat and butter.

Green Rice (Arroz verde)

Green Rice is a vibrant, nutrient-rich dish that combines a medley of fresh green ingredients—kale, spinach, parsley, and cilantro—to create a flavorful and wholesome meal. With a refreshing taste, it is a great way to incorporate more greens into your family’s menu.

Vegan Eggplant “Parmesan”

Oven baked to perfection, this healthy, oil-free vegan eggplant parmesan is brimming with flavor. The whole family will want to gobble it down!

Vegan Paella

Traditional paella originated in the city of Valencia, in Eastern Spain. There are many variations that use a combination of vegetables, but the key ingredient that gives paella its unique flavor is saffron.

Autumn Harvest Plant-Based Shepherd's Pie

Classic shepherd's pie is made with some sort of meat base topped with mashed potatoes and baked golden brown. It’s as attractive as it is tasty, making it the perfect holiday meal. This version uses the best produce of the season for an alternative that is tasty, filling, and very healthy.

Tofu Steaks With Apricot Mint Compote

Protein-packed grilled tofu “steaks,” marinated, grilled, and served with an easy apricot mint compote and fresh veggies, make a colorful main dish for your Thanksgiving table.

Plant-Based Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Pumpkin Lentil Soup

Caramelized Smoky Brussels Sprouts

Sweet Potato Pineapple Casserole With Pecan...

Mixed Mushroom Bourguignon

Roasted Carrots, Potatoes and Onions

Apple Fig Arugula Salad

Sweet Potato and Kale Sauté

Irish Potatoes With Cabbage

Plant-Based Cornbread Stuffing

Cauliflower Au Gratin

Best Ever Mushroom Gravy

Cranberry Cherry Sauce

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Lemon

Chickpea and Olive Salad

Plant-Based Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Muffin Cups

These fragrant, moist pumpkin muffins are perfect for a Thanksgiving sweet treat. Amazingly, they are gluten-free, sweetened only with fruit, and they don’t have a single drop of sugar or oil.

Banana Bread With Cherries and Chocolate Chips

The stunning combination of cherries and chocolate turns this healthy little plant-based snack into an incredible delight, elevating regular ol’ banana bread from good to superb. From simple, wholesome ingredients comes a delicious indulgence. No dairy. No white flour. No white sugar. No oil. No guilt.

Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake

This plant-based cheesecake is a rich, creamy, and decadent dessert that you can feel good about indulging in. It’s the perfect recipe for a holiday celebration.

Vegan Blondies

If you want a vegan-friendly dessert that's both indulgent and wholesome, try these delectable plant-based blondies! They're rich, fudgy, and irresistibly delicious. All you need are a few simple ingredients, and the recipe can be easily customized with your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.

Whole Food, Plant-Based Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is such a popular holiday dessert and now you can enjoy a healthy one. This pie is so deliciously decadent. It's not overly sweet but definitely sweet enough, and made from only whole foods!

Super Simple Pumpkin Pie Bites

All the flavors of homemade pumpkin pie in a perfect bite-size dessert for a crowd! Even better, all of the ingredients are healthy and plant-based. No dairy, eggs, processed sugar, processed flour, or added oils.

Key Lime Avocado Pie

This refreshing tropical dessert is so easy to make! It has no cream, eggs, butter, or processed graham crackers—just a creamy tart-and-sweet lime pudding atop a walnut and oat crust. Fresh avocados with a splash of coconut milk are the secret to this much-loved update to the traditional recipe.