If you are doing the cooking, are you making anything healthier than in prior years?

I hate to admit it but one thing I would never change is the canned cranberry sauce.  To me, having the round log of cranberry sauce makes it Thanksgiving.

And yes, I have often made it from scratch using a recipe for cranberry pie from the LL Bean Cookbook.

You know - it’s funny you would say this.
My son LOVES cranberry sauce.  He would eat it 365 days a year if I would let him.  The rest of the meal - yes.  Cranberry sauce - no.

I’ve always made lighter veggies with Thanksgiving dinner. My family is not a fan of veggies covered in sauces or even with
butter on them, so that’s a plus. Everything is prepared in a healthier way and when company comes, they usually will
bring one of “their” dishes to accompany the meal. LOL, especially the desserts!

This is a great receipe I picked up from somewhere which is good cold, hot, or at room temparture.

Cranberry Relish

1 seedless orange, cut into large chunks (do not peel)
1 apple, cored and cut into large chunks
2 cups fresh cranberries (if frozen, allow to thaw first)
1/2 cup sugar (Splenda can be used)
2 Tbsp. walnuts
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1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and process for 1 to 2 minutes, until finely chopped and mixed well
2.  Can be served right away or chill for later use.
This is really good and totally different from cranberry sauce.
And no cooking!
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Hubby is doing the cooking, but he hasn’t even thought about what we’re going to have yet! Such a difference from last year, I think he was trying out new recipes for a month before the feast. I think the worst thing we’ll be having is the crescent rolls, but we’ll only make one batch. That, corn, squash, stuffing (yuck), cranberry (canned, of course), and turkey. I think that should cover it.

Bree

I am going to use my Showtime Rotisserie and use the vegetable tray that goes on top to steam the veggies.  It always smells so good!

For me, Thanksgiving was in October.  I come from a small family, so eating isn’t such a big deal for me.  I find it easy to manage my food.

However, with the Santa Claus parade today in the city, this is becomes the beginning of the Christmas season.  With the office parties and get togethers, I’ll have to pay more attention to my diet.  There are people out there that will try to drag me off my plans, with good intentions, of course

Thanksgiving will still be the traditional foods for my family - pretty basic ones at that.  I think the trick is to just change your plate composition and eat more lean turkey and just a spoonful of the higher calorie sides if you wish to indulge.  We don’t really eat cream sauces etc so that is a good thing.