Word Vision Giveaway & Pumpkin Ginger Cookies
Thanksgiving is tomorrow—how did that happen! This year I’d like to put more emphasis on the “thankful” part. Isn’t that what the holiday is all about?
My husband’s uncle has a tradition at the Thanksgivings he hosts. They go around the room and everyone says one thing they are thankful for. I think that’s a great idea! I am thankful for my college daughters coming home for the holiday weekend—and I am making Pumpkin Ginger cookies to greet them.
Now besides gratitude, I associate the holidays with sharing, and I do a lot of my charity donations in the last few months of the year. World Vision, a Christian-based non-profit organization, makes this especially easy because you can combine holiday gift giving with a donation. Established in 1950, they initially provided food and shelter for children in orphanages through child sponsorship. Now they also work to achieve transformation by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. They are active in nearly 100 countries around the world, serving all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
While there are many different programs, from micro-loans to knitting items to fund-raising, one that is especially timely now is their gifts programs. I received handcrafted turquoise jewelry (perfect for holiday parties) made by artisans in Delhi who are now able to support their family thanks to fair trade wages.
When I looked at their catalog I thought about the gifts I have made through the years to “people who have everything” like my grandmother. She always asked us not to give her gifts, saying “someone will just need to sort them out when I’m gone.” But she would have loved a piece of jewelry that she knew helped others—or to know her present was to provide funding for something like a goat that might change a life.
As you receive requests for gifts this holiday season remember that not all charities are as reputable as World Vision. Before donating to a new organization, it is a good idea to check them out on an index like CharityWatch. World Vision receives an A- grade and qualifies for their top-rated charities list.
And now for the giveaway. It is for a turquoise bracelet like the one shown above and is open to US residents. Sponsored by World Vision, it closes on Dec 6 at midnight CST. To enter, leave a comment below telling me something you you are thankful for this year. For a second entry, like Art of Natural Living on Facebook and leave a second comment below letting me know you are a follower. The winner will be picked randomly, contacted by email and have 24 hours to get back to me with mailing information or a new winner will be chosen.
And just in case you are looking for a healthful cookie to get you through the holidays, I am sharing the recipe for the Pumpkin Ginger Cookies I just made. Happy Thanksgiving!


- • 1 cup cooked pumpkin
- • 1/4 cup olive oil
- • 2/3 cup brown sugar
- • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- • 2 eggs
- • 2 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (see note)
- • 1 tsp baking powder
- • 1 tsp baking soda
- • 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger or chopped walnuts or mini-chocolate chips or your favorite add-in
- (optional sanding sugar for decoration)
- Combine pumpkin, olive oil, sugar, egg, cinnamon and cloves. Blend with a mixer or by hand until well combined.
- Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix until combined. Fold in chopped ginger or your favorite add-in.
- Drop by spoonful onto greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly and smooth the top since they don't spread a lot. Sprinkle with sanding sugar if desired.
- Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Spoon in the flour and level it when you measure. These cookies are sensitive to the amount of flour used. If you don't have pastry flour, you can use all purpose or white whole wheat flour--just reduce the amount of flour to 1 7/8 cups flour.
- Spiced Cider Syrup (Instant Hot Apple Cider)
- Whole Wheat Gingerbread Scones
I’m thankful for my health improving.
I follow you on Facebook as Angela Saver.
[email protected]
I am very thankful for my wonderful, loving husband & our two awesome kids! I am also thankful for our good health!
[email protected]
I am thankful for my family.
Following on facebook
I’m thankful always for health happiness and family! 🙂
I am thankful for my health and family.
I follow you on facebook as Jayne Hopson.
I like you on Facebook .
I am very grateful for my husband. He is the most wonderful man and even though his health has its ups and downs, we are so grateful or all the time we have together!
I am thankful for good health and good friends.
Finishing my fifth half marathon
I also follow on fb.
This year I really have alot to be thankful for. My normally healthy 12yr old son developed a rare infection this summer. He spent a month at an out of state hospital. For a few days we didn’t even know if he was going to make it. As a mother I was terrified. Now he is back to normal. So this year i’m thankful for his restored health, a God that answers prayers and for praying family and friends. We are truly blessed.
I am thankful for a healthy family.
I am thankful for wonderful friends and family!
I liked on facebook – Aimee Webber
I am thankful for my family, and friends, and my puppy 🙂
I happily follow on Facebook!
I am grateful for my family’s health! We had a big scare this year and things are much better now, so I am very thankful!
I am thankful for my husband and my two boys.
I AM THANKFUL FOR LIFE, HEALTH, STRENGTH, FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
I follow you on FB as Marcia Goss.
I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that my children are still innocence and have not seen the hate that is going on in the world right now.
I am thankful that my husband survived a stroke last year. He has since retired from his job, and his health is good.
I am a facebook follower as Mj Gardner.
This year I am thankful for my children, my home and my friends.
I am a follower on Facebook under Emilee Bond 🙂
This year I am so thankful for being home. I was in the hospital allot during this year, and being able to be home with my family. in my own bed, cuddled next to my amazing husband, Its just so amazing. Thanks for the chance to win!!
I liked Art of Natural Living on Facebook
I am thankful for my awesome soulmate and my two fur babies Luna and Lennon. They are my heart and soul!
I already follow you on facebook under amy tolley!!!!
I am so very thankful for my amazing family!!!!
I am thankful for my family and 5 cats
laurie nykaza likes you on Facebook
I’m thankful that both my kids are here with us one had Lymphoma and the other has a heart transplant so thankful we will celebrate another year together.
I am following (Art of Natural Living) on Facebook.
I am so thankful to have my husband and kids. Everyday that we all wake up and get another day on this earth together is what I am thankful for.
I’m thankful for food in my belly, a roof over my head, love in my life and home, and the opportunity to pave my own path.
Im thankful for family and the blessing of having 2 healthy girls
I’m thankful for all the veterans that serve the country. I think it takes courage to go through their extensive training that includes building up emotionally, physically, and mentally.
I Like Art of Natural Living’s Facebook page- Mary Somerville.
I am thankful for my husband and son. They are so good to me!
After having seizures for all of her 16 years, my granddaughter is now free of seizure activity!! This means she is going off of some very heavy meds- It is changing her life! I am so thankful this year!
I am thankful for health and family.
im thankful for my family
I like your facebook page as Jennifer Heintz
I am thankful my daughter and children have moved closer to me, and that I am now able to see them.
I like you on FB as Mary Beth Elderton
I am absolutely astounded, amazed, and grateful for my successful kids.
facebook fan
I am thankful for my family
I am so grateful for God. He has brought me through so much! He is my rock and my shield! Happy Holidays!!
I’m thankful for my family!
I liked Art of Natural Living on FB.
I am thankful for my family!
I am thankful for my 2 kids.
I am thankful for my health!
I love the idea of the crystallized ginger in the pumpkin cookies…I would love to try them…I hope you had a great and blessed Thanksgiving!
I like the Art of Natural Living on Facebook as Pamela Halligan.
I am thankful for my mom.
I have liked you on facebook.
I’m always thankful for my family and having us all home together.
I am following on Facebook.
I am thankful for my family and friends.
I like Art of Natural Living on Facebook as Dee Priser
I’m so thankful that my husband is (finally) seeing some reward for our two years of work on podcasts!
Happy Thanksgiving – I am thankful for all the wonderful people, like you, who give so selflessly all year long. Thanks, too, for the wonderful recipe!
My family has often given me a World Vision gift for Christmas – a great way to give twice with a single gift!
(Don’t enter me in the giveaway since I’m not American.)
I follow on fb as Mj Gardner
I am thankful for my children, my home and my friends.
Karen Goodwin Delaney likes you on Facebook
I am thankful for my family and friends
I do follow Art of Natural Living on Facebook as Maryann Drapkin
I am thankful that I have a wonderful and supportive family.
Follow on FB – Sindy Murray
I’m thankful for my family’s good health, a job, family and good friends.
I am thankful for getting to spend time with my family
Follow you on Facebook as Ashley Kolpak
I am thankful that I have a new house of my own to live in, with my happy pets! 🙂