Dairy of a BOTTer - Monday, planning the big feast

Hey Everyone 

What a weekend    It was so nice out, in the 60's here.  I live outside of Chicago and we don't get many nice days during the winter here.  I walked the dogs several times and we grilled on the grill.  YIPEE    Now keep in mind, next week it will be snowing I bet  

I was thinking about the menu for Thanksgiving this weekend and making my grocery list.  I wanted to share with you how I try to keep it real but healthier.  I would welcome  your suggestions as well.

Menu                     OLD                                                                NEW
Turkey                   Butter, Butter, Butter                                    Chicken broth and seasonings
Yams                    Butter, brown sugar, marshmallows       Butter Spray, Splenda sugar and nuts
Deviled Eggs       Mayo                                                              Light Mayo
Green beans       Bacon fat                                                       Steamed with seasoning
Gravy                     Pan drippings with flour                            Jar gravy (low fat)
Stuffing                 Butter, meats from turkey                          Chicken broth, seasonings, veggies
Pumpkin Pie       Sugar and whipping cream                      Splenda and LF Cool whip

So what is on your grocery list for the BIG TURKEY DAY?

Take care,
Kathy

What a great post. It looks you have listed a lot of the same things we have on our table and all the suggestions are great. I have been surfing the net the past few days to find healthy alternatives for Turkey Day and have found lots of recipe substitutes to use and I don't think my family will even know the difference.

You can tell I am a southern gal as we loved our butter and fats.  My family really does not taste the difference.  Shhhhhh, don't tell. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

Take care,
Kathy

Although Im not celebrating thanksgiving this week with you all I had to gulp when I read about the gravy.  Yesterday and tonight we had roast chicken with home made gravy - yes made in the roasting fats.  Theres me thinking I was being good making it from scratch and not using store bought, but reading your post made me realise that actually I'm putting all that fat in my mouth!

So home made is out for me, I'll be reaching for the pre-made from now on...thanks for the heads up on that one
Ruth

Here is the calorie count for most jarred gravies:

Nutrition

Per serving, most of the gravies have 20 to 25 calories, very little fat, and 260 to 360 milligrams of sodium. (The exception, Serv-A-Gravy, has 15 calories and 210 mg of sodium.) Many include a little fat, stock, or broth from chicken or turkey, plus a dairy product. Those without meat flavor, fat, or dairy were lowest-rated. Some add a few drops of drippings for flavor but I like the Heinz products.

There is a low fat version but I find the difference is so little and the taste is pretty good. NO, it's not home made but pretty healthy choice.

Here is one example I found of the calorie count for giblet gravy

Nutritional Information
(per serving)

Calories	128
Total Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	2g
Cholesterol	153mg
Sodium	152mg
Total Carbohydrate	1g
Dietary Fiber	--
Sugars	--
Protein	17g
Calcium	--

Man, I am hungry already....

Happy Thanksgiving Ruth!

Take care,
Kathy

Hi Kathy!
I am also cutting back on butter and fats.  It's amazing reading the comparisons of then and now.  I am trying something new this year, brining my turkey.  I've heard that this will make the turkey super moist and that I won't even need to use gravy.  I will have the low fat version hidden in my cabinet, just in case.  I am treating myself to a little present this holiday, I bought myself a smaller plate for my dinner, something that blends with my regular dinnerware  I hope that using these two new ideas will keep me in check.  Gobble, Gobble!