Healthier Thanksgiving Menu

I am feeling stuck by tradition. I've been thinking a lot about holiday meals and entertaining and how I want to do it differently this year. Don and I have been on a new health plan for the past 6 months, and it's going great. We've lost a few pounds. Have a ton of energy. We're eating less. Feeling great. And want to have a fun holiday without gaining any weight back. But still eat yummy healthy food. 

I think a lot of people want the same!

Traditions are fine. But maybe it's time to start some new traditions. 

I think our ancestors would be ok with us mixing it up with a healthier meal.

So this Thanksgiving, we're going to be preparing a healthy and delicious dinner - leaving out all the starchy, carb-heavy, gluten-loaded items that make you feel so full and blah. It's going to be just as flavorful and delicious. You don't have to sacrifice flavor when cooking healthy. Fresh herbs, lots of spices, and fresh vegetables are key to amazing food.

What are we leaving off the table? Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, pie, home-made rolls, heavy appetizers (aka, no hot spinach dip and charcuterie board!) before the meal. 

Will Don miss his mother's cornbread stuffing recipe? Probably. And the Coconut Cream Pie? Most definitely. But he also knows that he's started new habits and is ok skipping these traditional recipes. I'm totally ok skipping this stuff. I feel so much better that it's not worth it - and even more important I'm not craving these foods. So I have no desire to eat them!

I would love to know what you're serving! Are you going with the traditional menu or mixing it up?

I've seen some amazing recipes from NYT Cooking that I'm going to check out. Stay tuned for more details!