My favorite holiday is fast approaching. The photo above was the sun setting over the Pacific right before we sat down to eat during Thanksgiving 2006.
I’ve seen people at the grocery store already laying in supplies, so I think that this Meal Planning Week. How will you approach the holiday?
- Declare it a glorious day of feasting and give thanks, bite after bite, that you live in the gluttonous First World.
- Enjoy a very small portion of every dish that you like. The food will be rich, but you won’t eat much of it. If it still packs a few more calories than usual, a date with your treadmill will take care of it.
- Modify your traditional fare (i.e. cauliflower in the mashed potatoes, Splenda and skim milk in the pumpkin pie, etc.) and load up on salad so that you can eat heartily without too much calorie load.
My approach will probably start out with Option 2, then slide toward Option 1 as the wine sets in and sanity releases its hold on me. That’s OK: An annual gorge-athon, especially a shared one, soothes the soul. Some people go to church; I eat lots of turkey.
But I’m all for healthy gorging. Is anyone out there trying to lighten up family recipes — or is tradition tradition, damnit?
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18 responses so far ↓
1 Kendra // Nov 8, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I will start with option two, I don’t get to cook any part of the meal so I don’t get to lighten anything up on the table. I usually succumb to the wine and the pumpkin pie. Plus, this year the day looks to get longer and longer as we hit two celebrations where we will have to eat at both places. Nor should I forget that on Saturday afternoon my dad will do his own Thanksgiving to share with friends that could not gather on Thursday…so maybe I will buy a new pair of sweatpants. :)
2 Sara // Nov 8, 2007 at 5:42 pm
lol. that’s definitely where the going gets tough - when gorge-athon becomes two or three or a whole week of festivities…month… ack!
3 JavaChick // Nov 8, 2007 at 5:58 pm
My Thanksgiving has already passed (I’m in Canada), but my usual way to go is option 2.
I am all for watching what I eat, but I don’t generally care for “diet” versions of things. I do not like artificial sweeteners at all, they just don’t taste right to me, and there is no substitute for real butter and cream. I would rather have a small amount of the real thing and enjoy it.
I’ll be honest here and admit that it’s not that big of a challenge for me. I know that I won’t like how I feel if I gorge on food. I can only eat so much in one sitting and feel comfortable. I also eat slowly (not deliberately, it’s just they way I eat), I’m always the last person to finish my plate even though I am eating smaller portions. So when it comes down to it, I’m quite happy with my one serving.
Yeah, it’s still higher calorie stuff, but it’s not an every day thing. I say enjoy the day, then hit the treadmill tomorrow.
4 Sara // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:07 pm
My definition of “gorge-athon” has definitely changed over the years. A feast for me doesn’t require a towering pile of food on my plate. But you are so lucky you are a naturally slower eater. The only way I manage that is by doing a lot of talking. Otherwise I tend toward shoveling it in. Terrible habit!
5 Melissa H. // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I don’t like most foods at TDay and I just came from a potluck where I had turkey, the salad I brought, and a bite of dessert. I usually do fine at the holiday meal–it’s the pre-meal snacking I need to be mindful of. But I will be making some lighter dishes, as this is my first holiday I am preparing. Pumpkin fluff for one of several desserts; a spinach pie; sweet potato “fries” vs. candied yams; etc.
I will also probably go for a run that morning to give myself some wiggle room, and will work out as normal the rest of the week.
6 Melissa H. // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:33 pm
To answer the question, by default I think I go option 3.
7 Sara // Nov 8, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I’m doing the morning run, too. A nice long one. But a relaxing one, not super-high intensity, otherwise I’ll feel like I “deserve” to go hogwild.
8 Kendra // Nov 8, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I want to do a morning run too! We will see because I think we have to get on a ferry at eleven a.m. for our first trek to grandma’s house.
9 Sara // Nov 8, 2007 at 7:21 pm
(Am I really going to say something this dorky? Hmmnn. Yes.)
Kendra: Watch out for the big bad wolf!! :-)
10 Amanda // Nov 8, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I;m glad that you mentioned this holiday meal planning! I am trying to assemble an idea and collection of recipes that I can make. It’s just me and my mom and as I have really become the top chef in our household, I am cooking everything besides the bird (thank god!) So I will probably go with option 2, then head into option 1. But I do plan on running in the morning, then heading to the gym friday after shopping in the morning. I always have the best intentions but I hate depriving myself. Moderation is the way, all though who knows if that’ll stick too.
11 Melissa H. // Nov 8, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Wanna make a running pact, ladies?! I am not planning on a crazy one, either. Just enough to torch 250-350 cals (per Cora!).
Amanda, moderation IS key. Awesome point :)
12 Sara // Nov 8, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Liss, i was thinking the same thing - I’ll make a special post about it - we can tally our mileage at the end! :-)
s
13 Melissa H. // Nov 8, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Great minds (coast-to-coast) sure do think alike :) Must be the DC in both of us, putting us on the same wavelength?
14 Amanda // Nov 9, 2007 at 4:52 am
I’m up for this running pact. Its a good way to counteract any possible overeating behavior.
15 Lisa // Nov 9, 2007 at 2:57 pm
We will be attending a potluck for our Thanksgiving — the kind where everyone brings their most gourmet creations — so Option 3 is what works best for me. I modify my own contributions to the feast, take tiny “tasting” bites of items like stuffing, potatoes and desserts, and fill my plate with big servings of all the salads first, so there is not much room left for anything else.
Since there are no leftovers to take home, temptation does not linger around the house. If I am longing for more turkey, I take advantage of the holiday sale prices and cook one of my own at home.
16 Kendra // Nov 9, 2007 at 5:24 pm
I am in for the running pact. DOn’t know if I will get to a computer but I will try, need something to keep me accountable.
17 Sara // Nov 9, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Stay tuned guys - there will be a post on this the week before Thanksgiving! Walkers will also be welcome. :-)
18 Kendra // Nov 9, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Our own “virtual” Turkey Trot”!
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