In light of everything that has been going on within the past week, we all need to think about the positives and the light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year; the leaves are changing, the temperature is lowering, and the hot coco is coming out of the pantry. Your favorite holidays are coming up as well, Christmas, Hanukah, New Year’s Eve, and, one that people can’t help but love, THANKSGIVING!

I. Love. Food. I love food so much, so Thanksgiving is my time to shine. My mom’s side of the family knows how to cook, as well as my dad’s, so I’ve grown up with some awesome food. How can you decided which food is the best out of all of your options? Rock-paper-scissors shoot? Flip a coin? Bean bag toss? Draw straws?

It’s hard to choose when you have so much food in front of you. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, peas, casserole, and the list goes on and on and on. I CAN’T PICK JUST ONE OKAY!!!

So, with that being said, and my love for food and Thanksgiving out on the line, here are (in my opinion) the top five foods during Thanksgiving.

1. Turkey

This is a no brainer, because turkey is a classic and something that has to be on your dinner table. Who doesn’t love the choice between dark and white meat? But you can also have both! If you’re a vegetarian, I am so sorry that you can’t enjoy this delicious main course.

2. Mashed Potatoes

When I was a kid, this was all I ate, including a dinner roll, because I was so picky. My family would make extra mashed potatoes because it was my favorite, and it still is today. It’s so light and fluffy, buttery, and with just the right amount of salt, taste perfect. It’s a side dish that goes with anything, especially turkey.

3. Carrots with Brown Sugar

It’s still like eating a vegetable, right? We need some sweets in our lives, especially during the holidays. I always think it’s acceptable to eat an unhealthy amount of sweets from October to January. Carrots with brown sugar is just what one wants at the dinner table when they have a sweet tooth.

4. Crescent Rolls

It was always my job as a kid to make the crescent rolls. Of course my mom wouldn’t leave me with the oven alone, but I would pop them out of the car, roll them out and put them all together. When I thought they were done I’d call my mom over to take them out, and I’m proud to say I’ve only burned the bottoms once in my life (at least I think so). The rolls make the meal, and it’s kind of hard to mess them up (unless you do burn them); but usually every kind of roll is a good roll.

5. DESSERT

IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT KIND OF DESSERT IT IS, BECAUSE DESSERT IS THE BEST. My Memere use to make graham cracker pie and would always save me a cup of the pudding filling because I loved it so much. My family makes all kinds of deserts; my mom will make cherry squares, my Auntie Shashi will make rice crispy squares, and there’s always an assortment of cookies.

Honorable Mention by Hannah Leas (my wonderful cousin):

My Auntie Jean (Emma’s mom) is one of the most beautiful creatures on the entire planet. Therefore, SHE MAKES BOMB BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE. IT’S SCIENCE. She is so talented and should honestly have a cooking show with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog. He would love it, maybe even more than me. Just kidding that is actually impossible. I EAT, BREATHE, AND SLEEP BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE. It’s formed into a part of my soul.