Thursday Question-T-ksgiving

Do you have any "survival" strategies for making it through the holiday without gaining? I made reservations for dinner, then realized that was only one meal, so I volunteered to do a healthy main dish for Friday.  After FRIDAY, the holiday eating is finished, it's not a four day pig out. I'm going to stock up on some "special things" that are healthy this week-some soups, etc. to have on hand when I want to feel special with food-special can be healthy.  I love tradition, but I don't have to eat in an unhealthy manner to love and enjoy my family. We aren't doing that many gatherings, etc, so I think I'll be OK.  What about you?

I'm always the cook so will make everything as usual and hopefully by then I will be able to eat a little of the turkey. I am the house that everyone drops in to eat. All of my kids friends have always come by and made a plate or some kind of sweet. Have not  did as many sweets in the last couple of years. If they want tons this year my daughter will have to make them. I think I will just make a pumpkin cake/pie Debra

We will be having several meals for several days with several families. Does it bother me or make me nervous?  NOPE!!! I can't eat that much.  I know in my head what I can eat and I'll take my time eating. I'm sure looking forward to some good eats - and it's nice to know that I can actually sit and enjoy them and not over do!  YEAH!!!!!  I love my band!!! Tonja

Good to hear that from a "vetran".  I've already been thinking about our meal out  and deciding what I want to give "food space" too.

Guaranteed survival strategy:  1.) Prior to the actual holiday, move 1000 miles away from all of your family and friends..... ha, now just ONE meal to think about, plan for, and prepare (of course, you'll be doing all of that yourself) 2.)Then sign up to attend full time classes during the day. (keeps one VERY busy and unable to graze) 3.) For the added security that you won't gain weight during the holiday, take on a full time job working nights!! (by the time you walk in your door - food is the LAST thing on your mind)  ROFL - A day in the life of Laurie But seriously, I didn't even really think about the holiday this year. We don't know anyone, and aren't having any dinners or anything. I'll probably work that night - I HOPE and PRAY that dh will totally just feel so bad for all the work I've done that he'll want to just go out to dinner for Thanksgiving!! .........hhhmm, do you all do that down here???? Are there any restaurants open?????????  If not, we're NOT making a big dinner with all the fixin's. That would be just too much work for me. So if we stay home it'll just be another meal and another day. 

Mimi's is open (that's where we are going).  It's family friendly nice, but casual.   Last year for Uncle John and I I prepared the full monty-whole turkey, dressing, the whole 9 yards, wound up freezing most of it and resurrecting it for Christmas!   Somehow, the tradition became MOM prepared the big spread rather than the family pitched in and a spread was prepared.....we need to look at that again I think.  Many people I know who work, have familys, etc. are just completely overwhelmed by the holiday season.  For me, it was always  money thing too.  I wanted a Norman Rockwell spread on a Ziggy budget. For years I sort of boycotted the holidays-went to Mexico, etc.  But now I realize that WE make the holidays, it's the spending time together that counts, and the accompanying food, presents can be what we decide it  should be.