Yes, absolutely. Your Thanksgiving celebration does not have to be a time of over-indulgence. Making it healthier does not mean having to deprive yourself. With just a bit of planning, Thanksgiving can be an energizing, re-affirming time to enjoy a wonderful meal and to give thanks for the positive things in life. We all have much to be thankful for – including those of us here at NMC who are so thankful for our community’s support of local health care.

There are so many ways to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal a healthier part of your holiday celebration. Be mindful of portion sizes. Start with smaller helpings and only go back for more if you are actually still hungry. Fill one quarter of your plate with vegetables like green beans, carrots, and asparagus. Top your sweet potatoes with crushed pecans and pumpkin spice instead of marshmallows and sugar. Try roasting butternut squash with cinnamon. Pay attention to your beverages. It is easy to drink a lot of calories without realizing it. Make yourself a sampler plate of the desserts to enjoy the delicious taste of each without overloading on any one. After you have eaten, take a few moments for a healthy physical activity. Stretch your legs, take a walk, and enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends. You will feel better – and the dishes can wait!

As you walk, think about why you are thankful. Taking time to give thanks for the positive things in our lives is healthy. It can help reduce stress and focus our minds on the positive things in our lives. Certainly, many face challenges, but more often than not reflection shows that we each should be grateful for many reasons. During the busy holidays, take a moment either by yourself or with friends of family and reflect on what is right in your life. Think of ways to build on those strengths. Who are those special people you appreciate? Take a moment and send them a quick note to let them know how thankful you are for their presence in your life. It will lift your mood as you do and will certainly brighten their day.

At NMC, we are thankful to have the opportunity to care for such a vibrant community. Each year, tens of thousands of people entrust their care to us. We are thankful to have earned that trust. Each and every day, our team strives to provide exceptional care to show our appreciation for your confidence in us. This year, we were very fortunate to have members of our community attend crucial hearings on NMC’s budget and our master facility plan. We are very thankful for their time and the strong words they shared with the Green Mountain Care Board regarding the importance of NMC within our community.

We are thankful to have such an engaged Board of Directors and Medical Executive Committee. Serving on the Board of a hospital and taking on a leadership role within a medical staff is a time-consuming challenge that these individuals fit within busy professional and personal lives. We are thankful for their expertise and perspectives which help guide our hospital as we adapt within the changing health care environment. We are thankful for the Incorporators who elect our Board and serve as ambassadors for local health care; the Auxiliary who works tirelessly to support the hospital; and our volunteers who contribute more than 19,000 hours each year! We are thankful for our community health partners and our business partners. This is such a special community that comes together for so many great causes.

We are also thankful for each member of the NMC’s staff and our medical staff. Whether it is by working directly with them, seeing them in action, or reading the feedback from our patients, their commitment to serve this community is unwavering. I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.

With Thanksgiving approaching, I am pleased to have this opportunity to share some healthy tips and reflect on some of what we are grateful for here at NMC. I hope you each enjoy the holiday and find that there are many things for which to be thankful. 

— Jill Berry Bowen, NMC’s Chief Financial Officer