”Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.”   Erma Bombeck

How can you enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without pigging out?

Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.  (Col. 2:7; NLT)

Will you or won’t you what, you ask?  Will you overeat this Thanksgiving and be so uncomfortable that you can hardly move?  Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, full of memories from the past and making memories for future generations.  Thanksgiving is a time for acknowledging how grateful we are for family, for friends, and for all the wonderful ways we are blessed by our loving Heavenly Father.

Thanksgiving is also a time for FOOD!  Food, food, and more food.  However, we don’t have to plan on buying the next largest size of clothing after eating our dinner on Thursday.  Years ago, someone asked me how they could get through the holidays and not gain weight.  

I reflected on that question and realized there were a number of things that I’ve done naturally throughout the years in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight.  That also made me realize that I hadn’t put on weight over the holidays in many years.  

I am a very “selective” eater on Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season.  Be choosy when you’re filling your plate, even if you’re called a “food snob.”  Choose the very best foods with the most dense, nutritional value.  Don’t waste calories on “junk-type” foods.  

Thanksgiving turkey is one of the most healthful meats we can enjoy.  As I mentioned last week, sweet potatoes are a much better choice than mashed potatoes.  If I’m at a dinner where mashed potatoes are on the menu, it’s easy for me to pass them by.  I just picture all that white starch on my hips and say, “No thank you.”  

I also serve and choose to eat lots of vegetables.  If some one brings a relish tray with fresh vegetables, eat those first, which will help to satisfy your appetite and give you much needed fiber.  

Many Thanksgiving tables lack any “live,” or raw foods, or anything green (other than green Jello, which I don’t consider to be a food).  J  Don’t forget the greens and some raw fruit or vegetables.  

Another food that would not tempt me is white-bread stuffing.  Remember the whiter the bread, the faster you’re dead.  Good stuffing can be made from whole wheat bread, sprouted bread, or spelt bread.  Adding homemade cornbread to the mixture with lots of onions and celery can also add to the flavor.  

And then there are desserts.  Again, choose the best.  Today’s recipe features a pecan pie.  Pecan pie is traditionally very sweet and made with Karo syrup and brown sugar.  I created a recipe using more natural sweeteners.  It is still sweet, so a small piece goes a long way.  

So, remember to choose the best foods and also be mindful of your portion sizes.  Savor every bite with the first helping and make the choice to not have seconds.  Remember there is always tomorrow with leftovers.

Prayer Power
Father, we are so thankful for Your goodness and Your love for us!  We thank You for this time of year when we stop to reflect on the many blessings You have given us.  We thank You that every good and perfect gift comes from You.

Link of the Day
Pecan Pie

Blessings on you as you enjoy your family and friends on this Thanksgiving.