By Chris Cosci

Thanksgiving is that special time of year when people get together with their family, sit around the dinner table, and celebrate the historic origins of this country by giving thanks for all that is important in their lives.

Oh, who am I kidding? Thanksgiving is about eating - and lots of it. Sure, there is more to Thanksgiving than eating, like the Macy's Parade and football. But ask anybody what they're doing on Thanksgiving, and you can be certain you'll hear the words "mashed potatoes" before you hear the words "giving thanks."

For most people, the main course of the Thanksgiving dinner is turkey. And somehow, no matter how many people you have over for dinner, there will always be enough turkey left over to feed an army of hundreds. In the days after Thanksgiving, people will find creative ways to finish off the turkey while making it seem like they're not eating the same food for seven days straight. But after a week of turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and turkey omelets, most people will happily wait another year before even looking at another turkey.

Perhaps that's why many people have started to feast on alternative meals. While turkey is still the most popular item on Thanksgiving tables, there's another meal that has gained popularity over the years - especially for vegetarians. Of course I'm referring to tofurkey, the turkey-like soy product that's shaped to look just like a real turkey, but doesn't have that delicious turkey flavor getting in the way.

For those who aren't satisfied with the soy-based tofurkey, or for those afraid to say the word "tofurkey" for fear of being misheard, the company Now & Zen offers a similar product called UnTurkey. Like tofurkey, UnTurkey is shaped to look just like your typical Thanksgiving fowl, but this one is made from wheat gluten. Although neither product can provide quite the same taste as a true turkey, people eating them can rest easy knowing that no animals were harmed - except for those non-vegetarians forced to eat it with them.

But it's not just the vegetarians searching for something new to dine on for the holidays. Meat-lovers are starting to get tired of the same old turkey meal. Enter the turducken. The name "turducken" is a combination of the words "turkey," "duck," and "chicken." If you have never seen or heard of this monster-like creation, the turducken is merely your typical turkey stuffed with stuffing and a duck, which in turn is stuffed with stuffing and a small chicken. It's like those little Russian dolls that stack inside each other. You just uncover each layer of poultry, only to find another bird inside.

Considered a Cajun specialty, The turducken has been growing in popularity over the years, and it has been a best-selling product during the holidays for many stores that carry it. And with more variety than your average turkey, the turducken can bring after-Thanksgiving leftovers to a whole new level.

But for many people, no tofurkey, UnTurkey, or turducken can take the place of your traditional turkey. There's just something about the flavor of plain, old-fashioned turkey covered in gravy that makes people crave it so much. Perhaps that's the thinking behind the latest, limited-edition specialty soda recently released by Jones Soda Co.

Now don't go jumping to conclusions. I know it sounds like I'm about to tell you that they developed some sort of turkey-flavored soda. But that's just disgusting. Really, who would do such a thing?

Actually, that's exactly what Jones Soda did. And not only did they make this batch of Turkey & Gravy-flavored soda, but it sold out in just three hours on the company's Web site. Proceeds from the sale were donated to the Toys for Tots charity. However, no charity has been set up yet to help the crazy people who actually drink the stuff.

So, whether you'll be feasting on turkey, tofurkey, or turducken, enjoy your holiday. And leave room for the soda.