Give Thanks for Vegan Thanksgiving!

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- November is National Vegan Awareness Month! In recent years, this entirely plant-based diet has garnered quite a few avid followers, and along with them, it's own share of controversy. We're sure at least one of your loved ones has adopted the zero animal product diet, so we've decided to give you a few ideas for Vegan holiday recipes to create the perfect, inclusive Thanksgiving dinner. Let's hear some thanks for vegan Thanksgiving! 

1. VEGAN ROASTED GARLIC AND HERB DINNER ROLLS

Rolls are an essential component of any holiday feast, they fill the house with that homey "warm bread smell" and are perfect for sopping up gravy and transforming your Thanksgiving leftovers. These vegan rolls from Foodal are buttery, delicious, and animal-product free! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2yG8tRe  

2. VEGAN STUFFING

You just can't have a holiday dinner without stuffing, to put it plainly, it's a major faux pas. This hearty mushroom-laden stuffing tastes just as good, if not better than the turkey version, and the best part? It's guilt-free! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2DdHLDm

3. VEGAN MUSHROOM GRAVY

Gravy is a commonly overlooked dish when it comes to accommodating vegans at holiday meals. It may seem like a simple sauce, but it ties the whole meal together. Substituting mushrooms for turkey is your best bet for veganizing your gravy recipe, they lend such a deep, earthy flavor that you won't even miss the meat! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2zkokUU

4. VEGAN MASHED POTATOES

Think the creamy mashed potatoes of your dreams are impossible without the dairy? Think again. These fluffy taters will have you under their vegan spell. 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2Jvey79

5. VEGAN GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

This veganized version of the classic green bean casserole won our taste buds approval with it's homemade "fried onions" they're so frickin' good you'll want to put them on everything! Hearty and filling this warming casserole is insanely delish! 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2Jv3zL0

6. VEGAN MAC-STUFFED SWEET POTATOES 

Swap out the traditional, sickeningly sweet marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole for this fun and delicious side. Flavorful and smoky, this dish is sure to add that wow-factor to your holiday spread. 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2ERdjQU

7. CINNAMON PECAN ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

These sweet, autumn side dish is like having dessert for dinner. Simple,  and oh, so good. It's sure to become on of your favorite side dishes. 

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2qlhAlP

8. MAPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Easy and delicious, this cranberry sauce is vegan, paleo, GF, and free from refined sugars! The additions of maple and orange lend it a deeper flavor, and it only takes 15 minutes to make!

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2QdTO6F

9. KUNG PAO BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Asian-inspired veggies for Thanksgiving? You betcha. Surprise your guests with this out-of-left-field dish that's sweet, salty and a little spicy. These saucy veggies make the perfect appetizer, serve the leftovers with rice for the perfect "after black-friday shopping" snack

Get the recipe here: https://bit.ly/2gwm4EA

10. VEGAN TURKEY ALTERNATIVES 

Last, but not least...the main event! What can you possibly offer your vegan guests in place of the traditional turkey course? Fortunately, there's a dizzying array of meatless "turkey" and "roast" options for those following a plant-based diet, and you'd be surprised how delicious some of them can be! Check out this list of meatless products that are the perfect holiday dinner meat alternative. 

Click here: https://bit.ly/2gpSgVK

We hope this blog was helpful in giving you ideas for feeding your plant-based guests this holiday. If you try any of these recipes, feel free to comment and let us know how they turned out for you!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. 

Fall Workout Routine to Burn Off All the Sweets The Holiday Season Brings

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,–– Candy, treats, indulgent dishes, and desserts during Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season are hard to resist. Unfortunately, though, all these sweets can make you pack on a few extra pounds. Thankfully, there are plenty of quick and simple exercises you can to do at home to help stay slim during the holidays. We've thrown together a fall workout routine to burn off all the sweets the holiday season brings that does not require any equipment you can't find in your own home. So get a head start on that New Year's Resolution and stay active and healthy through the end of 2017, while still getting to enjoy all of the delicious treats and desserts.

Repeat this cycle of exercise 2-3 times for a serious workout:

• 20 bodyweight squats
• 10 incline push ups
• 20 walking lunges – 10 each leg
• 15 Hip Raises
• 30 Sit-Ups
• 50 High Knees
• 10 dumbbell rows (using a gallon milk jug or another weight)
• 15-second plank
• 15-second side plank
• 30 jumping jacks

During late fall and winter, it's important to exercise regularly now that it gets dark outside so much earlier and you are naturally less active. Plus, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all the holiday festivities in December, there is just so much candy, food, and desserts to indulge in. Use our fall workout routine to burn off all the sweets the holiday season brings and stay in shape this year. It's also important to take of your vehicle this time of year as well. With the cold winter weather coming in and negatively affecting your vehicle's internal components, it is imperative to complete our Fall Car Care maintenance routine. We'll help you make sure your car, truck, or SUV is ready to brave the freezing temps so that something doesn't break down and leave you stranded on the side of the road. The end of fall and throughout winter is no time to stop caring for your own physical health and the well-being of your vehicle!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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Travel Tips for Thanksgiving With Young Children

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,–– Whether you have a long or short drive to your Turkey Day festivities this year, driving with your little ones can sometimes be a hectic endeavor. While we're sure you have a few tricks that help make long drives easier, we recommend following our travel trips for Thanksgiving with young children. The easier your traveling goes, the more you'll be able to enjoy the turkey and other delicious food!

Allow for Plenty of Travel Time

The best way to make sure you arrive on time to Thanksgiving dinner is to give yourself a little cushion, especially when you've got to load the little ones into the car. Or, you may run in o any number of mishaps or slowdowns that may happen with your kids such a spills, tantrums, or anything else. So, start your trip 15-20 minutes early to make sure the whole drive goes smoothly.

Bring Some Snacks

While your children will be filling up on turkey, potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie at dinner they're likely going to need something to tide them over on the drive. Granola bars, veggies, or some nuts are great snack options!

Have a Road Trip Toy Bag

This is a more long-term solution for road trips and long drives in the future, but a handy tip to keep your kids occupied and happy is to keep a toy bag in your car at all times. This way even if their favorite stuffed animal, action figure, or doll is forgotten at home, you'll have the bag of toys ready to go.

Don't Forget the Car Seat Tray

For snacking, drawing, and just a general way to keep this tidier on you drive, don't forget the car seat tray at home. It will help keep any spills or stains from occurring on the interior of your car!

Bring Along Some Art Supplies

They have the potential to be a little messy, but bringing along some art supplies like crayons, paper, and stickers are a great way to keep your kids creatively stimulated during a long drive. We recommend making sure you have a sturdy car seat tray or a travel lap desk for older kids.

Turn On the Electronics

Bringing your tablet or a portable DVD player to keep your kids engaged with their favorite shows or movies. Nothing has revolutionized the road trip for parents more than modern electronics!

Warm Up The Car Ahead of Time

This time of year can be very chilly and to avoid runny noses and the sniffles, make sure to warm your car up before everyone in your family hops in to head out. Getting your car nice and toasty will make the ride more enjoyable for everyone.

So this Thanksgiving, use these tips to make traveling with young children much easier on yourself. Your whole family will be much happier and ready to talk to your extended family when you reach your destination. You can also ensure your holiday travels go smoothly by completing our Fall Car Care maintenance routine. You don't want your car to break down once the freezing temperatures start affecting your vehicle's internal components.

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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10 Thanksgiving Craft Ideas for Kids

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,–– Looking for something to fun to do with your kids during November? Get ready for the big turkey-day celebration and even make your home a bit more festive with these 10 Thanksgiving craft ideas for kids! There's plenty of fun to be had when putting these crafts together, and most of them are very simple to make.

Turkey Cones

Use these silly and goofy turkey cones as party hats or table decorations this Thanksgiving. Your kids will love this simple craft and enjoy getting to add a unique personality to their turkey!

Pumpkin Placecards

Have your kids help decorate cute little pumpkin placecards to make sure everyone knows where to sit at Thanksgiving Dinner! You can create all sorts of festive designs with paint, glitter, and other crafting supplies

Autumn Leaves Garland

Decorate your house with this beautiful, festive garland. Purchase some artificial leaves, coat them with glue and autumnal colored glitter. Then, use a hole punch then hang them with some ribbon. Simple and elegant!

Pinecone Turkeys

A quick and easy craft that's perfect for young children. Make a googly-eyed turkey using pinecones, popsicle sticks, some felt, some other crafting supplies. Your kids will be so excited to show all their relatives the turkeys they made at Thanksgiving!

Turkey Bowling

Less of a craft and more of a fun game to play with the whole family. Fashion some brown cups to look like little turkeys pins with construction paper and googly-eyes. Then, get some small pumpkins that will act as the bowling ball!

Thankful Tree

Grab a fallen tree branch out of your backyard to start making a Thankful Tree! This simple craft is a great way to have a conversation with your kids about being thankful for the things they have like family, pets, their favorite toys, and more.

Turkey Wreath

Build this beautiful turkey wreath to welcome family and guests to Thanksgiving dinner this year! You kids will love creating this fun and vibrant turkey-day craft.

Cup on the Cob

Aren't these the cutest? Your kids will be extra excited to help make these festive snack containers because eventually, they'll get to eat the popcorn inside! These can also serve a fun snack/appetizer to tide the kids over at Thanksgiving until dinner is served.

Paper Plate Leaves

Another simple craft for young children. Grab some paper plates, paper mache, glue, and scissors, and let their creativity run wild with this festive craft!

Handprint Turkey Hat

Make this adorable turkey hat with your kids to make this Thanksgiving an extra silly and memorable one. You'll really only need construction paper, scissors, and a stapler to create these hats, and don't forget to include the bouncy turkey legs!

Spend some quality time with your little ones this season by making this fun and simple 10 Thanksgiving craft ideas for kids. Additionally, start preparing for the winter weather by completing our Fall Car Care routine to make sure your vehicle and its internal components are ready for the freezing temperatures. Small fixes and preventative measures can help you avoid expensive service bills in the future and remain safe out on the road this season! Visit our Service Center to learn more!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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30 Things to be Thankful for

MT. PLEASANT, Mich., –– As Thanksgiving draws near we encourage you to take some time think about all the things you appreciate in your life. If you need some inspiration, we've come up with a list of 30 things to be thankful for. Feel free to use them as your own!

1. Good health - Not to be taken for granted.

2. Family - You love them no matter what, and they do too.

3. Friends - Could you really make it without them?

4. Shelter & safety - It's a crazy world out there, but many of us are lucky enough to have a roof over our heads and be safe. 

5. Pets - Fuzzy, cuddly friends!

6. Pumpkin pie, stuffing, and all the other Thanksgiving dinner favorites - *Mouth begins to water*

7. Leftovers - Arguably better than the original meal. 

9. Wool socks - If you're lucky, you'll probably be getting another pair for Christmas from Mom.

9. Leftover candy from Halloween - If it's not stale yet.

10. Netflix - Better than air.

11. Books - They're like Netflix, but on paper!

12. Chocolate - Best consumed with #14

13. Sunsets - Fall sunsets give summer ones a run for their money.

14. Peanut butter - Best consumed with #12

15. Vehicle safety - We care about your safety on the road. We carry some of the safest vehicles on the road, like the 2016 Chevy Malibu which was named an IIAH Top Safety Pick! 

16. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate - Hot drinks in a warm mug are unmatched.

17. Laughter - It's the best medicine.

18. The Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving day - They may not win, but they will be playing.

19. The National Dog Show - The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has nothing on the dog show.

20. The snooze button - Hit it again!

21. Blanket forts - You're never too old.

22. Handwritten notes - Making people feel extra special since email was invented.

23. Weekends - No explanation needed.

24. Music - Perhaps life's greatest treasure.

25. Bubble wrap - *pop*

26. Karaoke - SWEEEETTT CAROLINE! BAH, BAH, BAHHH!

27. Movie theatre popcorn - Extra butter please.

28. Pets - Did we say this one already?

29. Our Armed Service members - We can't thank them enough.

30.  Yourself - "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!" - Dr. Seuss 

We hope our list of 30 things to be thankful for will inspire you to not take the good things in your life for granted. Also, as we mentioned in our list above, your safety on the road is our chief concern at Graff Mt. Pleasant and we recommend following our Fall Car Care steps to get your vehicle ready for the harsh winter weather to come. Or, stop by our Graff Chevrolet Mt. Pleasant Service Center for assistance.

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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The BEST Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe Ideas

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – At this point, we're just not sure. Which is better, Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Leftovers? After browsing Pinterest for some ideas about what to do with the leftovers we are expecting to have after Thursday, it's a toss up!

Thanksgiving definitely has it's advantages and is a wonderful time to connect with family and friends – warm turkey, fragrant pumpkin pie, and merriment all around. But when you're exhausted on Friday from Thursday's celebrations and shopping all morning, nothing looks better than these downright delicious Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes! Take a look and let us know if you agree. Or better yet, if you have a go-to turkey day leftover recipe, share it with us!

The BEST Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe Ideas

Rise and shine with a post-Thanksgiving breakfast that you'll want every weekend! These Stuffing Eggs in a Basket are super simple and great for a crowd if you have family staying with you!

Got leftover mashed potatoes? Make them into Mashed Potato Waffles topped with some cheese! Or even better have them along side your Stuffing Eggs in a Basket!

When lunch time rolls around, grab the leftover turkey and cranberry sauce for the most amazing Thanksgiving Leftover Grilled Cheese you've ever had!

Or, if you want to warm up with something a little more comforting, throw it all in the crock pot with this Slow Cooker Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup recipe!

Last but not least, use up the rest of your Thanksgiving leftovers while feeding the whole family this Turkey Pot Pie! Perfect for this time of year!

After the big feast is over, if you're ready to shop til you drop on Black Friday, don't forget that we have some exclusive offers for our Pre-Holiday Extravaganza at our two Mt. Pleasant locations! Prepare for the cold winter ahead with a great Chevy or GMC truck.

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com
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The Best Thanksgiving Travel Times According to Google

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Have you started considering a plan for your Thanksgiving travels next week? By now it is well known that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year with major back ups and headaches, but that's no way to start a holiday! Of course the roads are going to be more congested than normal with millions of people heading to and from their turkey day gatherings, but you can make things a little easier on yourself by considering the Best Thanksgiving Travel Times according to Google Data!

The gurus at Google have just examined traffic conditions from the past two Thanksgivings to help us decipher a method to the madness that is turkey day travel. And, there are a few ways you can avoid some of the congestion!

The Best Thanksgiving Travel Times According to Google

• If possible, avoid making your travel plans for Wednesday! It's the worst day of the week to travel before Thanksgiving and according to Google's data, the worst of it is between 3-5pm on that day! If that's your only day to get to your destination, try to leave earlier or later!
• If you can, schedule your travels for Thursday since the holiDAY is usually the day with the least amount of traffic all week! And if you hit the road between 12-2pm, you likely won't hit any traffic since that's when most people are indulging.
• When the feasting ends, don't get the wrong idea that you'll beat traffic by heading home on Saturday, because everyone else has the same idea. In fact, traffic can be up to 40% worse on Saturday, so relax a little longer and head home on Sunday.

In addition to the road, congestion at the grocery store and any other errands you need to run can be a big contributor to holiday stress. Stay relaxed this Thanksgiving by staying organized and getting your errands done this weekend rather than next week when most people will be rushing around at the last minute!

Most importantly, make sure you stay safe this Thanksgiving in a vehicle that is equipped to protect you, which can be a simple as staying on top of your vehicle's routine maintenance. If it's time to upgrade, come into our Buick, GMC, Cadillac, or Chevy dealer serving Isabella County! At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com
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Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipe Ideas

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – It's time to gobble til you wobble! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we'd be willing to bet that for most people it's the most exciting day of the month! Whether your loyalty lies with the mashed potatoes, turkey, or stuffing, no one likes 'hangry' guests so make sure to consider these Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipe Ideas before finalizing your turkey day menu!

With these pre-feast snack ideas we've served up a little something for everyone. Whether you're into savory, sweet, crunchy, cheesy, or a bit healthy, one of these autumn-themed recipes is sure to strike your fancy! Take a look and let us know what you think!

Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipe Ideas

Cranberry is the perfect flavorful fruit to accompany your Thanksgiving meal and it's delicious in this pre-feast Cranberry Pomegranate Bruschetta recipe that is complimented by a bit of cream cheese! YUM!

Thanksgiving appetizers don't get any easier or tasty than this Carmel Apple Cream Cheese Spread! Cream Cheese, Carmel, Apples, and you're done!

If you're looking for something that's a little more savory to serve up before the big feast, check out these Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, Apple, and Gruyere Bites!

Trying to keep it healthy this holiday season? You can still enjoy the flavors of the season without the holiday weight gain with this incredible Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad! How great does this look?!

Wherever your turkey day travels may take you, we want to wish our entire Mt. Pleasant community a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are very thankful for your continued support and truly love being a part of this community.

If you're spending your weekend getting prepared for the colder months ahead, we can help you find a great winter vehicle from our Isabella County GMC, Chevy, or Buick dealer. At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com
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Black Friday Vehicle & Service Offers at Graff Mt. Pleasant

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Get ready to shop til you drop because BLACK FRIDAY is here! While you may be heading out in the middle of the night or waking up at the crack of dawn to score a new tech product or hot toy, grab an extra cup of coffee when you're done because we've got some special Black Friday Vehicle & Service Offers at Graff Mt Pleasant!

Whether you want to kick off the holidays with a new vehicle at the year's lowest prices or save big on vehicle maintenance to make your current ride last longer, you can do it at BOTH Graff Mt. Pleasant locations on Black Friday! Our exclusive Black Friday deals are not only a great way to take care of your own vehicle, but they're also great as gifts, so get ready to shop!

Black Friday Vehicle & Service Offers at Graff Mt. Pleasant
*SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS.

• 20% OFF MSRP on vehicles at Graff Mt. Pleasant's Chevrolet Store AND Buick GMC Cadillac Store!
• $99 Vehicle Detail Packages!
• 10 Oil Changes for $100 – That's only $10 per oil change!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com
Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube