Thanksgiving Planning

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods?  Mine are cranberry sauce (made from scratch), roasted vegetables (especially crispy Brussel sprouts), stuffing, sweet potatoes (without marshmallows), and pumpkin pie. I can easily skip the turkey, gravy, rolls, and most other sides and desserts. 

     The winter holidays have arrived, and food is abundant. Some of the strategies I use to enjoy holiday dinners and parties without gaining weight are: 

1.  I take only one serving of each food I like (including the pie) 
2.  I do not finish anything that doesn’t taste as good as I expected 
3.  I only take small servings of foods  
4.  I stop eating before I’m uncomfortable or stuffed 
5.  I limit alcohol to one glass (or less) 
6.  I pay attention to the people more than I pay attention to the food
7. I don't eat anything that I won't be happy I ate the day after the dinner or party
8. I don't take home any foods I don't want in my house.  If food is "forced" on me, I throw it away as soon as possible

     Are there Thanksgiving foods that you look forward to eating each year?  Plan to eat those foods, and don't eat foods you don’t enjoy.  Enjoy the foods you love, and look forward to having them again sometime in the future. Use Thanksgiving and other holidays and parties to connect with family and friends instead of making them food orgies.  

     It’s also important to remember that Thanksgiving is a holiday for gratitude.  Make a list of at least 10 things you are most thankful for.  Did you include your body or your health?  Do you eat in a way that honors your body and supports your health?  When you love your body, you’re more likely to eat intentionally rather than with abandon.   

     What does eating intentionally look like for you?  For me, it is not overeating and mainly eating healthy foods that make me feel good.  Plan for those holiday meals and parties, and plan to eat in a way that will support your body. If you mark those special meals on a calendar, you will notice that most of your meals between now and the new year are not holiday meals.  Even if you overeat at every holiday meal and party, it is still possible to maintain your weight if you eat intentionally at every other meal.

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                                     BE THANKFUL (author unknown) 

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to? 

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn. 

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times, you grow. 

Be thankful for your limitations.
Because they give you opportunities for improvement. 

Be thankful for each new challenge.
Because it will build your strength and character. 

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons. 

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference. 

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks. 

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!