They don't call it Dump Cake for nothing and other Thanksgiving Day Musings.

This was my first Thanksgiving celebration after surgery (Dec 11, 09) and let me tell you, It was not what it use to be.

Anyone else have a food pushing Mother? I use to hear tales of this elusive monster but never experienced it before, or actually, I probably did but being a food pusher back then was okay with me.

Went to the market Weds night to grab a few forgotten items. And my little frail, 100 lb Mom was with me. As we mosied through the bakery section, she wanted to grab a sugar free pie because she's diabetic, she kept grabbing other things...trying to buy us croissants, Pillsbury cinnoman rolls for breakfast, cookies...etc. I'm sure she picked up on my irritation and I felt bad about it. But I almost had to yell at her. "Mom, you're a diabetic!" But she can get manic about it and insist on buying and eating junk. In fact, everytime we've went to the market she tries to buy us junk. So I am the daughter of the elusive food pushing Matriarch. I've only heard tales through whispers and quiet musings. Now I knew that this Monster in the shape of a Mommy existed. How do you explain to your Mother that I know you love me but you don't have to show it with food. I texted my husband in a panic and vented. He texted me back and said don't let her do that, we all had worked so hard to lose weight and we also all knew that even having these things in the house were a "Danger Will Rogers" moment. So I told her no and I could tell she was angry and hurt. But I had no other choice! You don't need to buy us food to tell us you love us! I had already told her you get 2 pies with the prepared pie and I was making a Dump Cake.

Thanksgiving Dinner was so good. It was an evil carb filled monstrosity. But for store bought heat and serve...it was heaven. The cranberry sauce was my downfall. I love it smothered over turkey. But it wasn't until after I ate a lot that I realized a small serving had 26 grams of sugar! Yikes. I had more than a small serving and those super sweet yams! Yep, 30 minutes later I got the racing heart. Sugar overload. But an hour later I was fine and decided to have a small piece of Dump Cake (appropriately named) to which my husband pointed at my slice and said, "Don't you think that's too big?" Well, he was right. It was a smidge too big. I was feeling quite ill and pulled the Bolemia card in the bathroom. I will not be having anymore of that. Period.

So here I sit the day after thinking, "why?". lol. I have carb hangover and I think that is way worse than any "5 Martini in 1/2 hour" hangover I've ever had. Food use to be such a central part of my life. It isn't anymore.

Aw, Melissa!  

I've gotta run, so I don't have the time right now to write a better note to you, but just wanted to tell you that I feel your pain and totally get it! 

You've come a long way, honey.  It takes some folks a while to know what to do with those changes.

Thank goodness for your supportive DH!

Is your mom still living with you?

Thanks so much!

Yes, she is living with us for good and each shopping trip to the market is filled with this. lol

Oh Melissa - sorry to hear about your dumping.  I did push my limits yesterday and did fine with it. I took sugar free pies, and pretty much stuck to them, but did have stuffing and sweet potatoes.  I passed on the white potatoes and rolls. 

Isn't it great how our tool reminds us who's boss?

It sure does Jody!

Back on track today. I am not touching any leftovers!

So sorry you dumped but maybe it will be a help the next time you are tempted.  We did have the clean plate club at home when I was a kid but everyone is gone now so noone to push food on me. 
Sugar free cranberry sauce, 1 bag cranberries, 1 c spenda, 1 jar SF smuckers jam, any kind, 1c water.  Cook on top of the stove, medium, until the cranberries split.
Maybe that will help next year.
Taking the food out of the center of the holiday will be hard for a lot of us.  We need to bring in new tradtions so our children will have healthier lives and holidays.

Hey Melissa....so sorry you had the carb monster attack you and the dumping...ugh, as Jody said, our tool reminds us who's boss...lol

Food was and still is a central part of my life. I chose to make a healthy Thanksgiving dinner. All went very well, I enjoyed cooking and all watching the creations come to life with a newer healthier version. (posted on FB if you want to check it out)

The only thing I didn't have control over was the pie and yes, I took my son's 1/2 inch left over pile from top crust on down and....well, let's just say that was the end of my night. Hehe, not a wise choice at all. 

It's real tough when 'traditions' are filled with fat and sugar. I am on a challenge to change that in my house ~ DH is on board but DS2 is well a picky eater at best. 

    here's to our next adventure.....CHRISTMAS!!! 

Oh yes, it was a hard day to stick with any plans. I don't dump, so I ate everything (of course not in huge amounts), but I got "full" probably three times. I don't like to get full. It makes me imagine my pouch stretching out. Anyway, it's light eating for me today.

I wish the holiday could be centered around something other than food, but at least it's only once a year.

I so feel your pain. I did all the cooking and since I am 7 months out and can eat more I thought I could have a lightly filled dinner sized plate of Thankgiving yummies.  It looked so good and not anywhere near the overflowing monster platter I used to have for my first serving.  It tasted so good too....and I got about 1/4 of the way thru it and realized there will never be an "old school" feast for me again.  I will admit it is the first time I was really shocked by the way my life is forever altered.

I will say that having a sleeve  makes it a little easie/harder...I can have higher amounts of sugar with out dumping....but I can NOT eat and drink together...I so thought that would be the hardest thing to be compliant with but my tool says "nope" everytime I try...small blessings!!!!

So, here is to getting back to the real meaning of Thanksgiving!!!!!

Hi Melissa,

I'm sending mega hugs your way!  Why not offer your mom the wonderful gift of you doing the grocery shopping from here out to ease her burden of doing it.  Come up with a lovely way to say it and tell her you'd love to do it.

My mom was the withholding the food sort because she thought I got chubby when I was 7.  From there out she hid the food.  The funny thing was that I graduated HS at 176 pounds and not too long after leaving her house I weighed in at 143 without ever dieting.  I think that as parents we sometimes just don't understand the damage we do.

The thing about our first Thanksgiving, it was for me too, is that I think it's pretty normal to push the envelope a little, just because.    I did pretty well and ate as I had planned, but I think that there was also a room of friends kind of watching over me.  :)

How is your head healing?