Thanksgiving Menu - Part One

Something has changed in me. Because I'm looking at this picture and in the past it would simply say to me, "MMMMmmm Thanksgiving!" But now it just says, "Here's an extra dimple for your fat ass on a plate."

I'm a little crazy about cooking lately. Just check my facebook status, there's always some great revelation about a new recipe or food trick on there. And I'm really starting to get a little crazy about Rachael Ray recipes.

Since I'm back on the Weight Watchers wagon - what? I know, you're all shocked from those sexy triathlon pictures. I have a few pounds to shed. And considering that our cholesterol was checked and one of us in this house has rising cholesterol. I don't wanna out anyone, but it's not me. I'm just sayin, it's not a great time for mashed potatoes and gravy and fatty hams and pies.

The average Thanksgiving meal is 3,500 calories. If you wanted to burn that off with exercise, it would take 12 1/2 HOURS to walk that meal off.

I find it ironic, and I'm not proud that we're an obese nation, but have a one of the highest rates of hungry and sometimes even starving people. The irony of spending a day of lavish cooking with two potatoe dishes as well as four pies, all that. All so we can be thankful for what we have. And this extra meal that we spent $300 and a trip to the er with clogged arteries on. So, lets get this ridiculous binge on, right?

So, this year for Thanksgiving, I've decided - pretty much without asking anyone's opinion - that we'll have a healthy thanksgiving. Stop laughing. Seriously, shut up. Do you know how hard this is for me?

This is very difficult for me to do. I mean, putting my newfound theory into practice is new for me. I've fought for my sweet potatoes AND my mashed potatoes with gravy in historic family fights. But this year, I think I'm trying to keep it simple, low-cost, and healthy.

Someone help me. I think I've got some good recipes. And we're doing a mock triathlon - sprint distance, it should take 2 hours and burn a good 1500 calories the day before, so, that ought to help a little bit.

I've asked the kids what they think we should have and what they remember a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to be.

"To shut up, be still and eat and be thankful, mommy." Okay, no. They didn't say that. Sorry, that's MY Thanksgiving memory. Woops. Anyways, being that my kids have only had 7 Thanksgivings, 5 of which they really got to eat up, they remember pies and turkey.

So be it. I think it's a great time in their lives to teach about healthy cooking, and how its making the meal, and all the fun in the kitchen with family - the contribution to the table that we each bring. So, you serving up some sugar topped with cholesterol and a little dab of fat? What are YOU bringing to the table?

In my quest, I've found some really great recipes that I'm excited to make with Lucy and Max and our family. We will have fun decorating the table and it will still be over my daily caloric intake. Just not as bad. I'll post the recipes if you care to join me in serving up some healthy love this Thanksgiving. And you KNOW it'll come with commentary!

That's how I roll.