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It’s that age-old question, where do you put the meat thermometer in a turkey?
You may have spent days looking at recipes, brining your Thanksgiving turkey, and finding just the right ingredients for some amazing stuffing, but if you serve raw turkey at your next Thanksgiving dinner, all that effort will be wasted. (Not to mention a lot of good food!) Fortunately, there’s a very simple way to make sure your turkey is cooked properly – just look in the housewares section of your grocery store for a meat thermometer. Follow the instructions below for proper use and rest assured — your bird will be perfect! Oven-safe or instant-read, a meat thermometer is a good investment in great taste!
Whole Turkey
The tip of the meat thermometer should be placed in the thigh, just above the lower part of the thighbone (but not touching the bone!), pointing toward the body. For the stuffing temperature, the tip of the thermometer should be in the center of the body cavity.

Whole Breast and Boneless Turkey Roasts
Similar to the whole turkey, you should insert your thermometer deep into thickest part of the meat, not touching any bone. (Bone conducts heat differently than the meat of the bird, so if it may give a false reading if they touch.)
Instant Read Thermometers
Remove the turkey from the oven and place the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone. It will register the temperature of your turkey within 15 seconds. If it needs more time, be sure NOT to pop the thermometer in the oven with your turkey. Instant read thermometers were not designed to withstand hours of high temperatures.
Oven Safe Thermometers
Insert the thermometer in the deepest part of the thigh before you put the raw turkey in the oven. You can leave the thermometer in during the entire cooking process, and check the temperature dial periodically while it roasts. If the thermometer moves while the turkey is baking, simply reposition it.
What’s the Magic Number?
Turkey and stuffing are safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.  Many like the deep thigh meat temperature at 180 °F.
Even if your turkey has a “pop-up” plastic thermometer, it’s a good idea to double-check with a trusty thermometer of your own.
Happy cooking! If you’d like even more helpful Turkey tips, download our free Ultimate Turkey Guide now:

How to Roast the Best Tasting Turkey for Thanksgiving
Okay, Thanksgiving Day is finally here! The shopping is done, the relatives are on their way, and the table is set. Time to focus on the dinner centerpiece – the turkey. In the past few years, home cooks have tried lots of variations on cooking the Thanksgiving Turkey – barbecuing, smoking, deep frying – but most of us still put it in the oven to bake.
What’s the secret to a well roasted turkey? What are the steps you need to follow for a flavorful, juicy main dish?

Well, we’re glad you asked. . .

1.  De-icing dinner.
First, thaw your bird completely. Not mostly. Not part way. All the way. You can thaw it in the fridge for a few days – up to four, depending on the size of your turkey. What if you don’t have four days? Well, you can cover your (still wrapped) turkey with cold tap water in the sink, changing the water every half hour. It will take about 30 minutes per pound to thaw.  As a worst case scenario, you can also thaw your bird in the microwave (be sure it fits!). Check the owner’s manual for what setting you should use, and for how long.

2.  Rinse, remove, and season.
Once the turkey is thawed, rinse it thoroughly with cold water – inside and out. Make sure you remove the bag of giblets from the cavity, but don’t throw them away! In a small saucepan, boil the neck, heart, gizzard, etc. until they are fully cooked. Then strain and use the broth as the base for your gravy! (You can give the meat to your pet or chop them and add them to your gravy for giblet gravy).  Season the turkey with salt and pepper and rub soft butter in the cavity. Then loosen the skin on the breast and push some butter (and herbs if you like!) into the pocket.

3.  To truss or not to truss?
Trussing your turkey is not required, but it can make the turkey look better, cook more evenly, and carve more easily. Most commercial turkeys come with a metal loop that brings the drumsticks together, and that will accomplish most of these objectives.

4.  What Temperature?
There are competing opinions on whether to roast at a high temperature for the first half hour to get a nice brown skin, and then lower it (no lower than 325°F) for the remainder of the cooking time, or keep the oven at a nice medium temperature for the duration. In our opinion, 350 – 400°F is probably the best temperature for cooking a whole bird.

5.  How long?
Depending on the size of your bird and whether it’s stuffed, it should take anywhere from 3-6 hours to roast.  (See chart below.)

Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature has reached a minimum of 165 °F.  Many like their bird at 180 °F.

6.  Butter the bird!
Baste the bird with butter periodically while cooking to ensure brown crispy skin. (Terrible for you, but fabulous to eat. It’s the holidays after all!) But be sure not to open the oven door too often, so you can maintain an even temperature.

7.  Get stuffed.
It may be tradition, but current thinking is it’s not a good idea. . . Baking stuffing in your turkey can lead to all sorts of holiday misery – namely salmonella – if you don’t cook it until you’ve reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F.  So be careful, be vigilant, and be safe. Or, just cook the stuffing in a separate roasting pan.

8.  Give it a rest.
Let your turkey rest for at least 20 minutes after you take it out of the oven. That will let it cool just enough so all of the juices will settle back into the meat, instead of running all over your cutting board when you carve it.

9.  Deglaze!
Don’t waste the juices and brown bits the bottom of the pan! Pour them all into your gravy separator (or a tall, skinny container). Let the fat rise to the top, skim it off, and use that broth as the base of your gravy. Brown bits stuck to the roasting pan? Pour a little white wine in the pan and stir over medium heat. They will dissolve and add tons of flavor to any sauce!

And finally, as you serve your delectable main course to those who have gathered with you to give thanks, remember this: Thanksgiving comes every year. If things didn’t come out perfectly this time, you will have another shot at it. And another, and another, and another in the years to come. In the meantime, good gravy can cover a multitude of sins. Relax, be thankful and enjoy your turkey with family and friends.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

The gift of a Thanksgiving Turkey to Employees is an American Tradition

Gift Certificates are the Leading Thanksgiving Gift for Employees
“Gift certificates for food items are the Thanksgiving holiday gift of choice for employers, followed closely by the holiday turkey,” says a Bureau of National
Affairs (BNA) report,  “Workers to Enjoy Less Thanksgiving Holiday Paid Time Off in 2010″.   “For eight of the past 10 years, gift certificates for food items have been the leading Thanksgiving gift and 2010 was no exception.”
According to the BNA, while the percent of employers providing a Thanksgiving gift to employees is down from its high in 2004 of 23%, current gift giving levels are similar to other post-recession periods.  Budgets today are tighter for everyone.
Thanksgiving Gifts of Turkeys Reinforce an American Tradition
A New York Times article says some historians speculate that passing out turkeys to workers during the holidays began in 19th-century England with bosses who had read about, and did not want to be compared with, Ebenezer Scrooge.
In this country, Thanksgiving turkey-giving was a way to “introduce immigrants to an American tradition,” says Mitchell L. Moss, a professor of urban policy at New York University.  “It was a way to do holiday spirit for people who weren’t familiar with the holiday.” It’s still an affordable and meaningful way to thank employees and celebrate the gratitude of the Thanksgiving season.
Turkey Gift Certificates make Employees think of You as they Celebrate
A thoughtful gift of a Thanksgiving Turkey puts you as an employer, front and center as your employees celebrate this special holiday with family and friends. And that’s something to be grateful for.
It’s Not Too Late to Buy Your Employee Turkey Gift Certificates
Thanksgiving may be just a couple of weeks away, but there’s still plenty of time to share your seasonal holiday gratitude with employees. Simply order much-appreciated Turkey Gift Certificates from gThankYou!
More About Scrooge….On a related note, Harvard Business Review discusses “The Economic Legacy of Ebenezer Scrooge”  and Forbes names him No. 6 in the Forbes Fictional 15.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

gThankYou announces new Thanksgiving Enclosure Cards.   These new Thanksgiving themed Enclosure Cards are customized with your personal message and Company Logo making your gThankYou! Certificate of Gratitude Gift memorable.

“It’s the traditional time to give thanks to employees for their hard work and a job well done” says Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer of gThankYou.  “American Employers have long celebrated the gratitude of the season by giving Thanksgiving Turkey to Employees and their families.  Employee engagement research has shown us, this makes employees feel valued and helps protect your bottom line”.
gThankYou! Gift Certificates offer company leaders a convenient way to recognize and reward workplace success during the Holiday season, or anytime you want to say “thank you”.   gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude come in a variety of meaningful yet affordable varieties including: Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, Grocery Gift Certificates as well as other popular varieties.
gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are provided free with purchase of any variety of gThankYou! Gift Certificates.  What’s more, gThankYou! Enclosure Cards can be customized with your personal message and company logo.  And, nearly all orders ship same day.  You’ll find these new Enclosure Card designs plus other Thanksgiving Favorites on the gThankYou! website.
New Thanksgiving Themed Enclosure Cards:

gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are available for all seasons and variety of occasions not just Thanksgiving; gThankYou also offers Winter and Holiday Enclosure Cards, Spring and Summer Enclosure Cards, and many More Enclosure Cards.
gThankYou! Gift Certificates are the ideal workplace gift and appreciated by all.  Share your Thanksgiving gratitude today!
About gThankYou

gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the Company Blog – “Celebrating Work”.  Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
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As Marshall Goldsmith of Smith Communication Partners  states in his report “Retain Top Talent”,  “if you don’t modify your HR practices to match tomorrow’s reality you will lose your competitive edge.”  Goldsmith’s premise is that employers have to manage their human assets with the same rigor used to manage financial assets, and goes on to list ways to retain the best employees in today’s environment.  Here are several tips inspired by Marshall Goldsmith’s “Retain Top Talent”.
5 Retention Tips:

1. Clearly identify the people you want to keep.
   In the article, “How to Identify Top Performers”, Bill Gilbert of WM Gilbert Associates says top performers must not only have the right skills and abilities to work in your organization, they must want to work there.  “Fit” is as important as having the skills needed to do the job well.

2. Let them know you want to keep them.
   Because talented employees can often find other employment, Goldsmith reminds us that we need to remember to recognize, reward and let employees know they are valued.  MANAGEREVOLUTION  recommends “re-recruiting” your top performers so they stay with you after the economy recovers.

3. Provide recognition.
   Goldsmith says, “High impact performers are leaving organizations for three reasons: lack of recognition, lack of involvement and poor management. Show your best employees you appreciate them. Looking for an affordable and way to recognize and thank Employees, how about gThankYou! Turkey Certificates in celebration of the Thanksgiving season.

4. Provide opportunities for development and involvement.
   The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program says, “By providing opportunities for employee growth and development, organizations can improve the quality of their employees’ work experience and realize the benefits of developing workers to their full potential.”  For more on this topic, you might enjoy our recent post, “Top 5 Reasons to Send Your employees Back to School“.

5. Challenge the compensation plan.
   If you pay for performance rather than seniority, Goldsmith explains, top talent is more likely to stay.  Pay tied to performance is a particularly effective motivator for high-performing employees. BLR.com has tools for compensation planning and an interesting article, “2012 Compensation Budgets Focus on Top Performers,” for more information on coming trends in this area.

Your Bottom Line
Gilbert also offers these statistics:

• Top performing unskilled employees are 19% more
  productive than average unskilled employees.

• Top performing skilled workers are 32% more
  productive than average skilled workers.

• Top performing managers and leaders are 48% more
  productive than average managers and leaders.

He asks, “What would it mean to your bottom line if you had more top performers?”  We’d like to know too.  How do you retain your best employees and what advantages do they bring to your organization?
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Knowing what’s important to employees and meeting those needs helps employee morale, retention and your bottom line!
HR expert Susan Heathfield emphatically believes retaining top performing employees is key to the long-term health and success of your business.  “Managers readily agree that retaining your best employees ensures customer satisfaction, product sales, satisfied coworkers and reporting staff, effective succession planning and deeply imbedded organizational knowledge and learning,” she writes.  “If managers can cite these facts so well, why do they behave in ways that so frequently encourage great employees to quit their jobs?”
Maybe it’s because managers don’t really understand what’s important to employees says Susan Cullen, president of Quantum Learning Solutions, Inc., who cites several important research surveys showing:
the No. 1 thing employees say they want from their employers is….full appreciation for their work!
The first survey, conducted by the Labor Relations Institute of NY, was published in Foreman Fact in 1946, and has since been repeated with results replicated many times since then, most recently ending in 2001.  It shows the top three things managers believe employees want, contrasting with what employees actually say they want.
Top Three Things Managers Believe are Most Important to Employees

1. Good wages
2. Job security
3. Promotion and professional growth opportunities

While those are all in employees’ top ten list  (No. five, four and seven, respectively), they’re not the top three.
Top Three Things ACTUALLY Most Important to Employees

1. Appreciation for their work
2. Being in on things
3. Understanding of their personal problems

The discrepancy, writes Cullen, shows the value of intangible rewards: appreciation, involvement and understanding.   What Bob Nelson, author of 1001 Ways to Reward Employees  calls the the “secrets of successful employee recognition”.   Importantly, the three things most important to employees involve their relationships with their direct supervisors.
Cullen also notes research shows a manager’s ability to communicate with, coach and engage staff has a direct link to retaining top talent in the workplace.  Once again research shows us recognizing and appreciating employees’ contributions is of vital importance to employees’ workplace happiness and business success.
Do your managers understand employees’ need for recognition and appreciation?  What do you do to show employees your appreciation for their work?
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

gThankYou! Employee Gifts is pleased to announce introduction of our first video, “gThankYou! – Learn More About Us” , premiering here and on the gThankYouVideo YouTube Channel.
The gThankYou! Video features founder and Chief ThankYou! Officer, Rick Kiley.  Art work was developed by the wonderfully creative artist and illustrator Chris Gash.  And video production was adeptly managed by local favorite, Paul Ranola of Requisite Video.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy4vSdq1Aqo&w=560&h=315] We hope you enjoy our gThankYou! – “Learn More About Us Video”!  Please visit the gThankYouVideo YouTube Channel to share your comments (we hope you select “like” for the video), and send a link to friends, co-workers and others you think might be interested in learning more about gThankYou!
When you choose to thank employees, we hope you consider gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

So Many Types of Turkeys!
It’s almost time to make your Thanksgiving shopping list. When it comes to turkey, do you know what you’re buying?  Labels are supposed to help us make good choices about grocery purchases, but sometimes they lead to more confusion.  Here’s a quick glossary to terms that you might see on the packages of turkeys at a store near you.  That way you can focus on buying what you want.
Young
A “young” turkey is a turkey of either sex that is less than 8 months old at the time of slaughter.  Most turkeys reach market maturity at 4-5 months of age.
Hen vs. Tom
Turkeys weighing 8-16 pounds are usually female hens, while larger birds are male toms.  Since supermarket turkeys are normally slaughtered at a young age (less than 7 months old) both hens and toms are about the same in terms of taste, juiciness, and tenderness.
Natural
Natural turkeys may not contain artificial flavorings, coloring, or chemical preservatives. They must also be minimally processed, meaning they have only been handled as necessary to slaughter, clean, and make them ready for human consumption.
Free-Range
Free-range turkeys are produced by a growing number of regional farmers who promote their birds as a higher quality and more humane alternative to commercially raised and processed turkeys.  According to the USDA, turkeys must have access to the outdoors in order to be called free-range. Advocates of free-range birds say their diets are typically more varied, improving the flavor of the meat, and the better exercise improves the texture.
Organic
Organic turkeys are free-range birds that have not been treated with hormones or antibiotics, and were given pesticide-free feed.
Heritage
Heritage turkeys are unusual breeds that were once quite common in America, but fell out of favor as growers concentrated on the specially bred, big-breasted birds preferred by consumers.  Some varieties include Narragansett, American Bronze, Jersey Buff, and Bourbon Red.  They generally have less breast meat and a stronger flavor than conventional varieties.
Self-Basting
A self-basting turkey is injected with a solution to improve the flavor and juiciness of the meat. Some manufacturers treat only the breast meat, while others inject the entire bird. The label must say “basted” or “self-basted” and must list the amount and names of the ingredients used in the basting solution. (Remember, the net weight of the turkey includes the weight added by the solution.)
Fully-Cooked
True to its name, fully-cooked turkey is a whole turkey that has been pre-cooked and frozen by the processor.  After thawing, it can be reheated or served cold.
Fresh, Refrigerated, and Frozen
The term “fresh” may only be placed on raw poultry that has never been below 26°F.  Poultry held at 0°F or below must be labeled “frozen” or “previously frozen.”  So in the context of turkey, “fresh” has to do only with its temperature from the time it was processed until you bought it at the store.  It has nothing to do with how long it’s been sitting in the display case.
So. . .now that you know the terminology, the question is, which one tastes the best?  That is, of course, a matter of taste.  Tell us your opinion. . .which do you prefer and why?
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Employee Gifts leader gThankYou! announces the introduction of “SLOOP”, a web-based order-entry system for customers with multiple locations.  The “System for Large Order Online Processing” is available immediately.
“SLOOP is a meaningful productivity enhancement for our customers with distributed workforces.  The system enables gThankYou! customers to offer a  pre-determined product and Enclosure Card assortment, pricing and order summaries.  This a major productivity enhancement for customers wanting an easy, low-cost process for location managers to place orders,” said Rick Kiley, Chief Thank You! Officer and President of gThankYou!
The SLOOP system is currently in use and can be configured quickly.  Orders can be routed for either local or centralized confirmation; payments can be made using a customer’s purchase order or purchasing card systems.
gThankYou! Gift Certificates are well-suited to companies with multiple locations because of cost-effective, fast handling, shipping and order processing.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any brand merchandise, at virtually any US grocery store or mass merchant grocer.  gThankYou Gift Certificates are available for traditional, favorite foods such as turkey, ham, pizza, groceries, fruits and vegetables, and dessert items.
gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are customized with company logo, inscription and design; they are available free with the purchase of the Company’s Gift Certificates.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
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gThankYou, LLC  is pleased to announce our partnership with the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.  We applaud the Chamber’s commitment to supporting business development and small businesses in the Madison area.
You can find gThankYou! on the Chamber’s online Business Directory.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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The leaves on the trees are turning beautiful shades of gold and crimson, vegetable stands are bursting with pumpkins, gourds, and squash, and corn shocks are decorating farmhouse doors. There’s no doubt about it – fall is here, and with it comes anticipation of the holidays and our family favorite, Thanksgiving turkey dinner.
And if you’re like me, you’re already planning the menus for all the fabulous family get-togethers in the coming months!  As much as I’d like to dive right into Christmas cookies (a well-known weakness of mine), I am happy to contemplate Thanksgiving dinner for the next 6 weeks or so.
Where to start?  With the turkey of course. 
As a kid I remember accompanying my mother on Thanksgiving shopping trips of huge proportions – our cart would be piled high with bags of stuffing, jars of exotic pickles and olives for the relish tray, both fresh and jellied cranberries, at least ten pounds of potatoes, and a turkey the size of my little sister.
Of course back then, there was only one kind of turkey – frozen, wrapped in plastic and covered with yellow netting, from the supermarket. Complete with flimsy strings that were supposed to help lift the turkey from its roasting pan, and a pamphlet about thawing times, it was the only turkey in town.
Now we have options.  So many options!  Thanksgiving turkeys can be organic, free range, heritage, kosher, pre-basted, stuffed or unstuffed, deep-fried, brined or un-brined, roasted, smoked, barbecued . . .or made completely from tofu.
For more information on the best supermarket Thanksgiving turkey choices, you’ll want to check out Epicurious’s Thanksgiving Turkey Taste Test featuring six popular supermarket brands of whole turkey (Bell & Evans, https://murrayschicken.com?cat=turkey” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”> Murray’s , Plainville Farms, L’il Butterball, and Empire Kosher).
We also like The Food Channel’s Thanksgiving Recipes for easy to find and reliable recipes.
My toughest choice used to be whether to have pumpkin or rum cream pie for dessert.  Now we have a wonderful new array of new ingredients and great recipes to choose from!
What are your favorite Thanksgiving recipes?  Have you started planning too?  Do you look forward to trying a new recipe this year, or do you prefer family favorites?
Happy Thanksgiving Planning!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

As Entrepreneur article “Improve your Employees’ Job Satisfaction” explains, employees who are able to balance their home and work responsibilities are more engaged at work and have better job satisfaction.  And according to Gallup, engaged, happy workers are “more productive, more customer-focused, safer and more likely to withstand temptations to leave.”

Retention Boosts the Bottom Line
Gallup Research shows that greater employee retention is a direct boost to your bottom line.  The Center for American Progress (CAP) reports that replacing an employee with an annual salary lower than $75,000 costs you 20% of that person’s salary.   It’s why attracting the right talent in the first place is important.
CAP produced a report in conjunction with the Center for WorkLife Law (CWL), “The Three Faces of Work-Family Conflict: the Poor, the Professionals, and the Missing Middle”, which addresses the importance of work-life balance for employee retention and other business advantages.  Not to mention the benefit to your employees.
An Alarming Statistic
The report cites an alarming statistic.  The study of manual, customer service, clerical, cashiers, and sales positions shows employee turnover was 20 percent in a single month, or 240 percent turnover a year.
As the report says, “That’s no way to run a business.”  It’s why helping employees achieve work-life balance makes good business sense.
Who Needs Work-Life Balance?
Everybody needs work-life balance. Who finds it easy to get?  Surprisingly, hardly anyone according to researchers.  The CAP/CWL report by Joan Williams and Heather Boushey says that while the wealthiest 1% of the U.S. population is able to achieve it, the rest of us find it very difficult.
The answer to the question: Why can’t most Americans find work-life balance is really three questions, says New York Times writer Lisa Belkin in her “Three Faces of Work-Life Conflict” article about the CAP/CWL report. This, she writes, is why discussion of the subject to date often seems to ignore the needs of most Americans.
The Three Faces of Work-Family Conflict
Aside from the wealthiest 1%, the CAP/CWL report divides U.S. families into three groups affected differently by the need for work-life balance.

• Professionals:  Families with a median annual income of $148,000. This group’s median annual income has increased at a rate of 7% over the past 30 years. They’re the most likely to work up to 70 hours a week and get work conditions that enable them to do so.

• The Poor:  Families with a median annual income of $19,000 and top incomes under $35,000. This group’s median income has decreased 29% in the last 30 years when adjusted for inflation. The families often have jobs with inconsistent or unpredictable hours and get few employer benefits to help balance work and home life. Being late often means being fired. There are some government subsidies to assist with things such as childcare, but they’re sporadic and inadequate.

•  The Missing Middle:  Families with a median annual income of $64,000, ranging from $35,000 to $110,000.  Their median income, in inflation-adjusted dollars, has fallen 13% in the last 30 years.  Neither rich nor poor—not as “vocal and visible” as the professionals or as “desperate as the poor,” as Belkin writes—their problems with work-life balance get the least attention and they receive the fewest favorable work policies or subsidies.

All Have the Same Core Concerns but Require Different Solutions
The report goes on to say, these groups all want the same things: to care for their families and spend time with them, and to keep their jobs.  Because the groups have different specific needs however, they tend to believe the attention and help goes to everyone but them.  This creates animosity between the groups—sort of a divide and conquer effect.
The Solution?

According to the report, we must:

• Recognize that no group has more claim on the challenge of work-life balance than any other; and,

• Government and corporate attention should increase in four critical areas—the authors’ suggested missing keys to widespread work-life balance:

1. Workplace flexibility (“When Work Works,  A Workplace Flexibility: A Guide for Companies“)
2. Short-term and extended time off for family issues
3. Dependent care —childcare, elder care and care for ill family members
4. Elimination of workplace discrimination for those with family responsibilities.

Your Thoughts?
Do you think these are the missing keys to workplace balance?  How do you achieve work-life balance at your company?  Let us know what you think!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Fruits & Vegetables Gift Certificates  from gThankYou! Employee Gifts were launched today as the company’s newest Employee Gift.  gThankYou! Fruits & Vegetables Gift Certificates are available for purchase immediately at the gThankYou! website or by telephone (888-484-1658).
“gThankYou! Fruits & Vegetables Gift Certificates are the thoughtful, healthy employee gift alternative” says Chief ThankYou! Officer, Rick Kiley.  “Companies are looking for ways to reward employees for making healthier choices.  Companies that invest in workplace health programs see less sick-days, increased productivity and lower health care costs as detailed by Industry Week.”
Interested in learning more about how your company rates as a Well Workplace?   Look into the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) for a whole range of free resources from sample interviews to case studies to incentive campaign ideas.
gThankYou! Fruits & Vegetables Gift Certificates can be redeemed for any Brands of fruits and vegetables, fresh, frozen or deli prepared, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.  That means recipients choose what they want, when they want it at the store they choose.
gThankYou! Fruits & Vegetables Gift Certificates are perfect on their own as a thoughtful and healthy gift choice.  Combine them with other gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude, such as our popular Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, add Pie and Ice Cream Gift Certificates and give a custom gift certificate gift of an entire holiday meal!
gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are  free with purchase of any variety of gThankYou! Gift Certificates.  gThankYou! Enclosure Cards can be customized with a Company’s personal message and logo.  Cards are available for all seasons and a variety of occasions.  Choose from Autumn Thanksgiving Enclosure Cards, Winter and Holiday Enclosure Cards, Spring and Summer Enclosure Cards, and many more!
Nearly all gThankYou! Gift Certificate orders ship the day they are received.
Show your gratitude today with gThankYou! Fruits & Vegetables Gift Certificates!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Pizza Gift Certificates from gThankYou! Employee Gifts were launched today as the company’s newest Employee Gift.  gThankYou! Pizza Gift Certificates are available for purchase immediately at the gThankYou! website or by telephone (888-484-1658).
“Pizza is a natural Employee Gift”, says Company Chief ThankYou! Officer, Rick Kiley.  “Everyone loves Pizza and it’s now easy to find great tasting frozen pizza at your local grocery store.  Pizza is fun to receive and fun to give!  With gThankYou Gift Certificates, employers can celebrate successes by creating an at-home pizza party for the whole company”.

gThankYou! Pizza Gift Certificates are most often used to reward work-groups and teams for a job well done, to throw an office party, or to thank all employees for their contributions to your business.
gThankYou! Pizza Gift Certificates can be redeemed for any Brand Pizza, fresh, frozen or in-store deli, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.  That means recipients choose what they want, whether it’s a traditional favorite such as Digiorno, an organic variety such as Amy’s Kitchen, a gourmet pizza like California Pizza Kitchen, or a pizza pie from your local grocery store deli, when they want it.
gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are  free with purchase of any variety of gThankYou! Gift Certificates.  gThankYou! Enclosure Cards can be customized with a Company’s personal message and logo.  Cards are available for all seasons and a variety of occasions.  Choose from Autumn Thanksgiving Enclosure Cards, Winter and Holiday Enclosure Cards, Spring and Summer Enclosure Cards, and many more!
Nearly all gThankYou! Gift Certificate orders ship the day they are received.
Show your gratitude today with gThankYou! Pizza Gift Certificates!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog/.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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They say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. And do you really want Jack the dullard working for you?
Wouldn’t you rather have Jack the well-rounded employee, engaged in his work because he has time and energy for a fulfilling family life and outside interests aside from work?
At gThankYou!, we think so.  October is National Work and Family Month, as designated in 1993 U.S. Senate Resolution 210, so now is a great time to help employees balance their work lives and home lives.  David J. Thompson, a noted author and speaker on work-life balance, cites a survey showing 70% of CEOs think they couldn’t remain competitive if they didn’t help employees do so.
Employees’ lives are more complex, hurried and filled with responsibilities than ever today, and you, as an employer, can help ease the burden.
As Thompson says, “Examine what you expect from your employees and what you can offer to help them balance work and personal lives. Consider adopting policies and programs that promote the life side of the equation. A little sensitivity and effort on your part can significantly help with morale and company commitment.”  Here are 25 ways you can improve employees’ work-life balance starting today!
25 Ways to Improve Employees’ Work-Life Balance
Flexible work options

• Flex-time and job sharing
• Telecommuting
• Part-time schedules

Manageable workloads

• Make deadlines realistic
• Use employees’ skills wisely
• Review and improve processes regularly
• Provide needed tools and supplies
• Minimize interruptions

Time savers

• Childcare
• Concierge services
• Shopping services
• On-site laundry/dry cleaning pickup/delivery
• On-site community supported agriculture programs

Quality-of-life-improving education

• Wellness programs
• Financial planning
• Professional development programs

Family-friendly benefits

• Tax-free flexible spending accounts
• Long-term care insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Paid and unpaid disability leave

Gratitude

• Show your employees you value them by offering timely, practical recognition.
• Holiday gifts they can use.
• Everyday gifts to reward peak performance.

About Us
gThankYou, LLC  (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, WI and produces America’s favorite meaningful, affordable and convenient employee gifts.  gThankYou!® Certificates of Gratitude™ are one way savvy companies demonstrate commitment to valued employees and customers. The company is best known for its Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates and Grocery Gift Cards.   Other Favorites include our Ice Cream and Pie Gift Certificates.

In the Midwest, zucchini is both a marvelous signpost for summer, and terrifying force of nature. The northern equivalent of kudzu, when the growing conditions are right its vines crawl out of tidy, fenced-in garden patches to take over whole neighborhoods, depositing dozens of dark green squash the size of Volkswagens in its wake.
Fortunately, zucchini also has many wonderful qualities. It is a terrific addition to soup, pasta, and side dishes, and makes cakes and breads moist and delicious. In the zucchini world, remember that the biggest is not necessarily the best: young squash are by far the most desirable– their seeds are still small and tender, and the flesh is firm and sweet.
Little known facts about the humble zucchini:
In 2005, a poll of 2,000 people revealed the zucchini (also known in Europe as the courgette) to be Britain’s 10th favorite culinary vegetable!  Want to try something new?   Try this British no-cook antipasti recipe for “Stuffed Courgette Rolls” from Good Food.com.
In France, zucchini is a key ingredient in ratatouille, a stew of summer fruits and vegetables prepared in olive oil and cooked for an extended time over low heat.  Julia Child’s recipe for this wonderful dish is still a consensus favorite!

In Spain, zucchini are also fried with egg and onions in olive oil to make a Spanish dish called “tortilla de calabacín”.
In Italy, the blossoms are even stuffed and fried – an incredible treat!
Back here in the Midwest, when we have a craving for sweets, nothing beats a good zucchini bread treat; one office favorite is Zucchini-Chocolate Chip Muffins thanks to our friends at Allrecipes.com.  Feel that fall breeze yet?  It’s a good time to try and share them!
Do you have a favorite way to cook zucchini? Tell us about it!
About Us
gThankYou, LLC  (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, WI and produces America’s favorite meaningful, affordable and convenient employee gifts.  gThankYou!® Certificates of Gratitude™ are one way savvy companies demonstrate commitment to valued employees and customers. The company is best known for its Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates and Grocery Gift Cards.   Other Favorites include our Ice Cream and Pie Gift Certificates.

gThankYou announces new festive Enclosure Cards for Autumn.   From fun to heartfelt, these new Enclosure Card designs help make your gThankYou! gift memorable.
“Beginning of autumn is the perfect time to recognize employees and convey thanks for a job well done”, says Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer of gThankYou.   “Research in the field of employee engagement shows a direct relationship between happy, engaged employees and business success.”
gThankYou! Gift Certificates offer company leaders a convenient way to recognize and reward workplace success, anytime.   gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude come in a variety of meaningful yet affordable varieties including: Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, and Grocery Gift Certificates.
gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are provided free with purchase of any variety of gThankYou! Gift Certificates.  What’s more, gThankYou! Enclosure Cards can be customized with your personal message and company logo.  And, nearly all orders still ship same day.  You’ll find these new Enclosure Card designs plus other Autumn favorites on the gThankYou! website.
New Autumn Enclosure Cards:

gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are available for all seasons and variety of occasions; gThankYou also offers Winter and Holiday Enclosure Cards, Spring and Summer Enclosure Cards, and many More Enclosure Cards.
gThankYou! Gift Certificates are the ideal workplace gift and appreciated by all.  Share your gratitude today!
About gThankYou

gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
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The last post talked about the importance of recognizing and thanking your employees, and the value of education as a reward.  It’s clearly an investment that benefits both your employees and your organization.
Here are the top reasons to school your employees:

1.     They feel valued

As Beryl Companies CEO Paul Spiegelman explains in his Inc. com article Deliver Value to Your Employees—Your Most Important Stakeholders, “if you want employees to take a vested interest in the company’s future, you must take an interest in theirs—at work and at home.”  When employers care enough to help employees develop professionally and personally, the employees feel valued.  Valued employees are happier and more productive.

2.     An educated employee is a confident employee

Without proper training, employees can’t fully use their skills and abilities and may become frustrated. With mentoring and education they can confidently serve clients, complete high-quality work, and contribute creative ideas. That makes any employee happy.

3.    The work seems more meaningful

The more employees understand about how one workgroup interrelates with other departments, the more they understand their impact on the organization and the value of their work.

4.     It’s fun!

A creative instructor can incorporate games and team-building activities into educational sessions, making even the driest-seeming topic lively and engaging.  You can offer rewards to celebrate successes (ice cream, anyone?).  We spend a lot of time at work; employees want and need to have a little fun.

5.     Education assistance is a popular perk as it can be expensive

Offering tuition reimbursement helps employees prepare themselves for future opportunities, whether it’s a promotion in your organization or a career move.

After all, as business consultant Rick Kilton, President of RWK Enterprises, Inc.,  points out:
“Here’s a familiar question:  ‘What if I train them and they leave?’
There are two answers:
‘What if you don’t train them?  They will leave.’
Or worse:  ‘What if you don’t train them?  And they stay?’”
Education is the best investment you can make in your employees. And they’ll thank you for it.
About Us
gThankYou, LLC  (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, WI and produces America’s favorite meaningful, affordable and convenient employee gifts.  gThankYou!® Certificates of Gratitude™ are one way savvy companies demonstrate commitment to valued employees and customers. The company is best known for its Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates and Grocery Gift Cards.   Other Favorites include our Ice Cream and Pie Gift Certificates.

As summer wanes and kids hit the classroom, meeting their new teachers and learning and playing with friends, new and old, why not recognize and thank your employees by sending them to school too?
What?  Education as recognition?  Unlike some kids that bemoan the beginning of school, most employees see the right educational opportunities as a reward.  And as the New York Times online reports in an article by Teresa Amabile  and Steven Kramer,  authors of “The Progress Principle”,  happier people are likely to work harder.

Being Valued Matters
Decades ago, psychologist Frederick Herzberg theorized that people are motivated most by self achievement, the sense of being valued for what they do, as this article reprint from Harvard Business Review explains. The next strongest motivator is recognition.
Translation:  Show your employees you value them.  They’ll be happier and more productive, and everybody wins.
Employee Engagement
It’s something that’s much needed in today’s workplaces.  The New York Times online article cites the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which has polled over 1,000 adults every day since January 2008.  It shows Americans now feel worse about their jobs—and work environments—than ever before.
The article also has this to say:
“Employee engagement may seem like a frill in a downturn economy. But it can make a big difference in a company’s survival.  In a 2010 study, James K. Harter and colleagues found that lower job satisfaction foreshadowed poorer bottom-line performance.  Gallup estimates the cost of America’s disengagement crisis at a staggering $300 billion in lost productivity annually. When people don’t care about their jobs or their employers, they don’t show up consistently, they produce less, or their work quality suffers.”

What educational opportunities do you offer employees and how do they respond? Let us know!
About Us
gThankYou, LLC  (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, WI and produces America’s favorite meaningful, affordable and convenient employee gifts.  gThankYou!® Certificates of Gratitude™ are one way savvy companies demonstrate commitment to valued employees and customers. The company is best known for its Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates and Grocery Gift Cards.   Other Favorites include our Ice Cream and Pie Gift Certificates.

You say tomato, I say delicious!
Here at gThankYou!, we think some treats are to be enjoyed only in late summer: sipping lemonade as you listen to chirping crickets on a hot, starry night; homemade ice-cream dripping down the side of a waffle cone and onto your fingers; buying sweet corn from a farmer out of the back of a pick-up truck; and the glorious perfection of vine ripened tomatoes!
Although they are available all year-long, the waxy, dull tomato of January is no match for the real, locally-grown heirloom varieties, with their irregular shapes, and variegated colors.  From bright yellow cherry tomatoes the size of gum balls, to enormous red orbs the size of softballs, the time to enjoy tomatoes is right now– they are undeniably at their peak!
For the best produce, look in your grocery store for signs that say “locally grown.”  Buying from nearby farmers is great for the environment, your local economy, and your palate!
Celebrate the tomato by:

• Chopping them up with onions, cilantro, fresh jalapeno peppers and a squirt of lime juice for fresh salsa!

• Alternating slices with fresh mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil, and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and make your own Caprese Salad!

• Cutting off the top, and stuffing with your favorite chicken or tuna salad recipe.  Simply remove the seeds, hollow out the center, and let the tomato drain on a paper towel before filling.

Seize the day! Seize a tomato – and enjoy!
What’s your favorite summer tomato recipe?
About Us
gThankYou, LLC  (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, WI and produces America’s favorite meaningful, affordable and convenient employee gifts.  gThankYou!® Certificates of Gratitude™ are one way savvy companies demonstrate commitment to valued employees and customers. The company is best known for its Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates and Grocery Gift Cards.   Other Favorites include our Ice Cream and Pie Gift Certificates.