NOTE: I am a fan of 30-day challenges, and November is traditionally a time of two: National Novel Writing Month, and 30 Days of Thanks. As I am not a fiction writer, this year I have chosen to publish a daily blog for the entire month, expressing my gratitude. This may not be entirely food-focused, but expect recipes aplenty. Feel free to join me in the comments below. What are you thankful for today?

Today’s gratitude goes to the following:

1. Planks (I started at 45 seconds and skipped the incline and breaks; going to add 15 seconds every few days and work up to five minutes by November 30th)
2. The Restaurant Store
3. Sleepy, warm cats who curl up with you when you nap
4. Pizza

Short and sweet; today I am teaching yoga and rushing to a bar mitzvah. Gratitude needn’t be for something huge and earth shattering. I think a daily gratitude practice forces us to look at the good things that are all around, even on the very shittiest days when nothing seems good.

So if finding something to be thankful for seems a stretch on any given day, I often need only lift my head and look to the little things around me that make me feel at peace, like the red puppy sleeping at my feet or the tablespoon of homemade spicy mayo that is still in my ‘fridge that is going to go really, really well with the tuna fish sandwich I’m planning on crushing later today.

What are you grateful for today? Reply in the comments!