Mashed Potatoes: Rich in complex carbohydrates and with a hefty dose of fiber, potatoes provide energy and move things along down there, of you catch my drift. Potatoes are also an excellent source of potassium, which is key for cell health as well as the health of your nervous system.

Cranberry Sauce: Cranberries have tons of antioxidents, and are well known for their aid in reducing or relieving UTI's. A lesser known benefit of the little guys is plaque reduction -- it's thought that by preventing bactieria from clinging to the tooth they can reduce plaque's buildup.

Pumpkin Pie: I know what you're thinking: Oh, that's a stretch. But hold your judgment for another day, please. While the butter and sugar may not be ideal for a healthy diet, pumpkin pie filling is a good source of fiber and a great source of vitamin A, which helps protect eyesight and the immune system.

And on that note, I'd like to take this opportunity to be thankful for what is about to be not just a delicious meal, but one that is chock full of oft-underappreciated health benefits. Bon appetit.

Lastly, pulling something out from above, I'm thankful for the outdoor surroundings we live amongst. Being in the second largest city in the nation and having access to the Santa Monicas, the San Gabriels, Griffith Park, the Pacific Ocean, the Channel Islands and much more is not par for the course in a lot of other major cities. That cheesy "surf in the morning, ski at night" line is true during some parts of the year. Also true are waterfalls, sea cave kayaking, amazing views, white sand beaches, rocky canyons, curvy roads and a plethora of more. Sometimes it takes a little pushing to get out there; sometimes you have to push your friends to go out there with you. But everything here and beautiful is for you, for us, to take advantage of. I'm thankful we live amongst it and I hope others can appreciate it, too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

But those who believe in freedom of choice when it comes to declawing claim that modern technology allows the procedure to be relatively painless, and permits a speedy and full recovery. And while many groups are outspoken about their opposition to the practice, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) both remain in favor of keeping it legal. Both groups also say that the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis. From the CVMA website:

Veterinarians must be allowed to make qualified medical decisions in consultation with their clients and upon a proper exam and understanding of the pet’s home environment...That may include removing a cat’s claws in a humane manner with proper pain management.

A statement from the AMVA goes on to cite research demonstrating that cats who scratch excessively (or owners who can't train them not to) are more likely to be abandoned or euthanized. It's only in those circumstances, they say, and after every other attempt to teach the cat how to wield it's claws with care has failed, that declawing should be employed.

Many groups who are in favor of keeping the procedure legal also claim that it can be safer for the owner -- who then won't get the shit scratched out of them -- particularly if the owner has a compromised immune system. But according to Conrad, declawing actually makes cats a bit more dangerous.

"Declawed cats bite more," she said in an email, adding that they also "use the liter box less" since it can be uncomfortable for them to paw through the kitty litter.

Regardless of which side of the issue you fall on, now that it's been banned in L.A., you, much like teens from Mississippi seeking an abortion, will have to cross borders if you want access to the procedure. To save you the trouble, here are some tips to help train your cat not to claw:

• Scratching posts: Cats scratch. It's what they do. A scratching post gives them a fine and dandy place to do it. Save the cat, save the sofa.
• Training: Spray the little guy in the mug with water when he's scratching in the wrong spot. You can also put a bunch of pennies or small rocks in a jar and shake it like a polaroid picture when your cat gets close to the object of his desire. Either way, he'll dislike what's happening and eventually associate it with the object.
• Regular manis: Cats nails should be trimmed every one or two weeks.
• Nail caps: They go over the nails and stay in place with glue. Try Soft Paws.

As far as lawmakers go, with a budget to balance, a broken school system, and skyrocketing rates of unemployment, perhaps they could have simply released a well thought-out declawing pros and cons list and called it a day.