By the time you read this, chances are you’ll be well into your Thanksgiving hustle, grabbing enough food to feed an army of hungry relatives or friends or starting prep work for the “big day”. This time of year amongst all the chaos at home and at work I try to take a moment to think on the year itself and give thanks for our health, what we have and our business. It’s the time to reflect on all the good choices we made that keep our business going and growing stronger. This time of the year I am most grateful for YOU, all our customers who have shown so much love over the years, as we build our business community. I think about all of those things, but I also think about Eleanor Roosevelt and one of the most remarkable stories of giving I’ve ever heard that you probably haven’t.
It was 1947, just two years after World War II ended in Europe ravaged by war. Food shortages and starvation were a critical issue for countries on life support with infrastructure, livestock and farms in ruins. Drought had struck that summer and completely wiped out entire crops country by country. As yet another bitter winter descended on the already struggling Europe, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt felt compelled to do something to help and get others in America to not forget that our work there was not done. Knowing full well that want creates desperation, and desperation leads to violence, Eleanor had a simple idea: get people to remember as they feasted that not everyone was as fortunate.
Every family in America was asked that year to set aside an extra chair and plate at the Thanksgiving dinner, representing a “silent guest”, one of the many starving people in Europe. This simple act brought their plight right into the homes of every American and kept hungry mouths top of mind. Eleanor Roosevelt, in her New Day newspaper column, encouraged Americans to donate to feed “silent guests.” Eleanor’s idea of setting the extra chair and plate at the table “would remind us of our great good fortune in being able not only to eat ourselves, but to share what we have with others.”
The movement gained steam country wide, as “silent guest” donations poured in, contributing even more to an existing food drive in progress called the Friendship Train. The holiday season that year saw the country joining together to support a massive humanitarian effort that brought food to starving Europe. Eleanor’s message was that at this time of year when want was keenly felt, that lives can be changed by extending a hand of friendship and hope. For all that we have, for the bounty we put out on the Thanksgiving table or during the holidays, it’s also important to find ways to also give back in equal measure of what we receive.
Looking back on the past year, we celebrated our 15th anniversary, a truly great achievement for us. We are so thankful for all repeat customers who have purchased from us from the start and still continue to do so. To all our new customers, we hope to give you the best experience ever with our services and products and at last to finally love your hair.
Post COVID has been as hard for businesses as it has been for all of us at home. Growing inflation has made it tough to keep up with supply chain challenges, rising costs, and unexpected expenses. Procuring raw materials (hair) this year has been particularly challenging, but thankfully we have some truly amazing vendors who support us and customers who trust us to deliver. Through it all however, we have worked hard to provide a consistent and reliable experience for all of our customers. Going into 2023 we are hopeful for a return to normalcy.
The last thing I feel thankful for this year is our team. It’s impossible to run a business, much less grow it without a solid team and ours is truly one of the best. Their passion for hair, for service, encouragement and support is priceless. Whether we are launching a new product, new venture or simply coming up with strategies for marketing…it all comes together because of the amazing brain trust of talented women and men on our team.
From all of us here at Perfect Locks, from our table to yours thank you and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Priyanka’s Tandoori Turkey
I love making the tandoori turkey which gives a delicious twist to our thanksgiving dinner. The Indo - American fusion is always exciting. I usually get a small turkey and like to air roast it in my air fryer. You can also oven roast the turkey!
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
Marination and Prep Turkey
You will have to defrost the turkey and thaw for about 24 hours for every 5 pounds. Marinate the turkey the previous night. In a bowl add 1 cup tandoori masala ( can get ready made powder from store), 1/4 cup chili powder, 1/4 cup ginger paste, 1/4 cup garlic paste, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3/4 cup plain yogurt, 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 tbsp salt. Mix well and set aside. Then take the turkey and remove the neck and giblets. Soak with 2 cups of vinegar. Then wash thoroughly with water. Cut gashes throughout the turkey to allow for tandoori masala marinade to soak in. Rub the tandoori marinade set aside and rub into the turkey. Keep extra marinade in the bowl. Refrigerate both overnight.
Baking Turkey
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Pour 1 cup chicken broth into a roasting pan. Then place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake in the oven at 325°F. Baking time is dependent on turkey weight. See notes. Brush on excess marinade with 1 tbsp of butter every 30 minutes.
NOTES
Thawing Turkey
Thaw in the refrigerator (Recommended) – Allow approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 15-pound bird will take about 3 days to thaw completely.
Thaw in cold water – Allow approximately 30 minutes for every pound of turkey. A 15-pound bird will take about 7½ to 8 hours to thaw completely. Keep turkey in the original package. Change water every 30 minutes.
Turkey Cook Times
Approximate cooking times (325 °F oven temperature)
- 8 to 12 lbs. — 2 3/4 to 3
- 12 to 14 lbs. — 3 to 3 3/4
- 14 to 18 lbs. — 3 3/4 to 4 1/4
- 18 to 20 lbs. — 4 1/4 to 4 1/2
- 20 to 24 lbs. — 4 1/2 to 5
