Turkey Day is On the Way!!! ENJOY...

     Good afternoon, Fam...  We have 2 more days remaining before we celebrate Thanksgiving.  There are several things about this Holiday that make it a great one.  This Holiday is not based on religion.  So we do not have to worry about being sensitive to anyone's spiritual feelings.  This Holiday encourages us ALL to be thankful.  We should all have something to be thankful for, no matter how big, small, or insignificant.  This Holiday is one where we usually give to others by donating our time or monies or gifts toward other families who may not have what we have.  And finally, the other great thing about this Holiday is food, food, and more food.

     Now, some of us are probably stressing about ALL the food that is going to be in front of our faces on Thanksgiving and the fact that we are on a "diet", again.  Don't fret...  Sometimes you just have to stop and think and be smart about what you are about to do for the day.   DO NOT torture yourself by walking around the house smelling ALL the great foods and looking at ALL the great goodies and salivating as you watch e'rebody else EAT...  You should ENJOY too...  How???
Well, here are my suggestions...

•      Remember, it's Thanksgiving and there is going to be food.  Unless you are at home by yourself with a glass of water and pieces of Romaine lettuce, you are, more than likely, going to EAT some things that you would not on a normal day!!!
•      Don't feel guilty or bad because one of your loving relatives/friends says, "I thought you were on a diet".  You are!!!  "Tell them to mind what they are eating, not what you are eating".  You are allowed to eat.  You just don't want to overeat like most do on this special day.   
•      Make sure you eat breakfast.  Go for something "lite", like a couple of eggs and some fruit or a protein shake.  This keeps you from feeling hungry and placing your mind and body in the "I'm starving and need to eat it mode".
•      Eat appetizers--load up on the fresh veggies and fruit.  Go for the stuffed mushrooms, shrimp, broth-based soups...STAY AWAY from the sugar laden items and the fried items.  If you need to bring your own, offer to bring the veggie tray.
•      Time for the main meal.  Pile your plate high with meat, then go for  the green veggies.  Leave very little room for the potato salad, mac and cheese, and sweet potato fluff (it's loaded with sugar).  Not saying you can't have any, just go with a very small portion of the carb type items and let go of the bread...You can do this, I know you can...
•      Dessert time--pick your poison and when you plan to have it... I find if I wait until later in the evening, I am STILL full to the brim from dinner and really do not want ALL the dessert I thought I initially wanted. 

     Drink plenty of water during the day.  This will keep you feeling full.  Do not have dessert immediately after eating dinner.  Give yourself time to digest what you ate during the appetizer and main meal.  You will be surprised at how full you feel.  Limit your alcohol intake...Yes, go slow on the fruity drinks.  If you want to indulge, go with the dry wines and champagnes or spritzers.  Remember, alcohol is an appetite stimulant, and is loaded with sugar.  Also, you really do not need whip cream on your pie or ice cream with your cake. 

     Just keep in mind, unless YOU are doing ALL of the cooking, most people are not using low-fat, lite, or no sugar recipes.   Think about portion size as you place food on your plate.  Remember to fill up on protein (meats) and bulky veggies.  Most importantly, remember to ENJOY and BE THANKFUL...  SMOOCHES...