Thanksgiving - What are you eating?

I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave for
Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I don't care
about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year? But this
year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower his
cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast. But I
don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all the
trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the bajillion side
dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to only make a
couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And there's no sense in
having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll probably just chose
one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead of the green bean
casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of butter and cream.

I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I plan
on giving most of it away.

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:lNudnSE4GqXPJdrYnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave
> for Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I
> don't care about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year?
> But this year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower
> his cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast.
> But I don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all
> the trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the
> bajillion side dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to
> only make a couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And
> there's no sense in having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll
> probably just chose one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead
> of the green bean casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of
> butter and cream.
>
> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I
> plan on giving most of it away.

Funny you should ask. Just yesterday, I tried my mother's famous pumpkin
pie recipe with Splenda, and it was rather disappointing. I have had good
luck this year with canning pears and apples in Splenda, water, and
cinnamon, so I'm inclined to try a Splenda apple pie.

Besides that, the usual:
-roast turkey
-stuffing from inside the bird for folks who need calories; stuffing cooked
outside the bird, with no added fat, for folks who don't
-turkey gravy for folks who need calories
-peas
-cranberry sauce (this could be made with Splenda, but I doubt I'll go to
the trouble)
-grilled squash and onions*
-whole grain baguettes from the local bakery

*[footnote] I totally love the indoor grill I got last year as a gift, for
*vegetables* and fish. It makes veggies taste super, especially if you
grill some tomatoes, onions, garlic, and/or fresh herbs with your veggie of
choice. It's one of those "George Foreman" type grills, that opens like a
waffle iron and has a non-stick surfaces. If you want to add olive oil,
it's super, but it works fine with no added fat whatsoever.

One of my guests is a diabetic who can't eat sugar, another has congestive
heart disease and can't eat salt, so there's extra motivation this year for
me to use lots of herbs for flavor (instead of salt) and eliminate sugar out
of my recipes.

ep

determined wrote:
> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave for
> Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I don't care
> about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year? But this
> year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower his
> cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast. But I
> don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all the
> trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the bajillion side
> dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to only make a
> couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And there's no sense in
> having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll probably just chose
> one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead of the green bean
> casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of butter and cream.
>
> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I plan
> on giving most of it away.

My sister and I usually eat out on Thanksgiving. We started this
tradition back in the 80's after our mother passed away. We tell our
kids they can visit their in-laws or join us but there will be no
cooking at anyones house. Overeating has never been a problem when I
eat out. I'll have turkey, no dressing (never did like it), a couple
of vegetables and a small dessert. We often do some stocking stuffer
shopping after dinner then head home. This year I might get a bike
ride in if the weather is decent.

Beverly - who saves the overeating to Christmas

"Edna Pearl" <edna_pearl@BiteMeSpammeryahoo.com> wrote in message
news:enP1h.71$Fi1.21@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> news:lNudnSE4GqXPJdrYnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave
>> for Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I
>> don't care about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year?
>> But this year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower
>> his cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast.
>> But I don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all
>> the trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the
>> bajillion side dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is
>> to only make a couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And
>> there's no sense in having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll
>> probably just chose one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead
>> of the green bean casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of
>> butter and cream.
>>
>> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
>> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I
>> plan on giving most of it away.
>
> Funny you should ask. Just yesterday, I tried my mother's famous pumpkin
> pie recipe with Splenda, and it was rather disappointing. I have had good
> luck this year with canning pears and apples in Splenda, water, and
> cinnamon, so I'm inclined to try a Splenda apple pie.

I love pumpkin custard. I just make the pumpkin pie mix and pour into
custard cups and bake. I have had good succes with splenda in my pumpkin
pie though... Today I made an apple crisp without any sweetener in the
apples - I just soaked them in a bit of spiced apple cider and it turned out
great.


>

Desert could be a walk outside

And then maybe some coffee and a bit of chocolate after that?

Or maybe it is possible to do a crustless pumpkin pie, using eggs in the
pumpkin. They might be baked in muffin tins, if that shoudl suit your
wishes.

And maybe using vanilla to enhance the sweetness, so that you can reduce
some of the sugar in the recipe? I am sure Google has options.

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:lNudnSE4GqXPJdrYnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave
> for Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I
> don't care about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year?
> But this year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower
> his cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast.
> But I don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all
> the trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the
> bajillion side dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to
> only make a couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And
> there's no sense in having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll
> probably just chose one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead
> of the green bean casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of
> butter and cream.
>
> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I
> plan on giving most of it away.
>

Well - since you guys aren't coming here - and we had already taken the
whole week off - we are going to the Keys to go diving for the week. <oh
and might hook up with Dally if we can jibe our schedules together>

Anyhow - I don't think we'll be doing a big dinner. I'll have to get a
small turkey and do some basics. Sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing and
cranberries.

I always do a pumpkin pie - and with splenda, you can make it pretty low
fat/lower sugar.

"LFM" <nothankyou@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:J7ydnSs4IaXhetrYnZ2dnUVZ_vqdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>
> "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> news:lNudnSE4GqXPJdrYnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave
>> for Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I
>> don't care about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year?
>> But this year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower
>> his cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast.
>> But I don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all
>> the trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the
>> bajillion side dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is
>> to only make a couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And
>> there's no sense in having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll
>> probably just chose one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead
>> of the green bean casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of
>> butter and cream.
>>
>> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
>> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I
>> plan on giving most of it away.
>>
>
> Well - since you guys aren't coming here - and we had already taken the
> whole week off -

Do I sense a bit of sarcasm? You do know that I would rather be there than
freezing my ass off with the non-english speaking inlaws in germany, don't
you?

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:_s-dnUnEG_IodtrYnZ2dnUVZ_qidnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> Well - since you guys aren't coming here - and we had already taken the
>> whole week off -
>
> Do I sense a bit of sarcasm? You do know that I would rather be there
> than freezing my ass off with the non-english speaking inlaws in germany,
> don't you?

Yes, I'm aware of that.

We still have our disney tickets we could go use, and - since I like the
Keys, <especially for diving and all the water sports> I am looking forward
to the week. I just had to rub in that dig. :-)

we're going to the family gathering and the plan is to just have a half
cup of the stuffing and so on instead of filling the plate and seconds
are not an option and we are making a surgarfree cheesecake that we
have not tried and is said to taste great
determined wrote:
> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave for
> Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I don't care
> about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year? But this
> year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower his
> cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast. But I
> don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all the
> trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the bajillion side
> dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to only make a
> couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And there's no sense in
> having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll probably just chose
> one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead of the green bean
> casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of butter and cream.
>
> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I plan
> on giving most of it away.

In article <lNudnSE4GqXPJdrYnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com>,
"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote:

> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave for
> Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I don't care
> about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year? But this
> year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower his
> cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast. But I
> don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all the
> trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the bajillion side
> dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to only make a
> couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And there's no sense in
> having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll probably just chose
> one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead of the green bean
> casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of butter and cream.
>
> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I plan
> on giving most of it away.

I think we're shaking things up a bit this year--skipping the family
trough (and drama) and heading for our cabin. When I asked the girls if
this was okay with them, they said it was great--and can we have lasagna
instead of turkey?

So--looks like we'll be eating lasagna, green salad, and garlic bread
for Thanksgiving this year. It'll save hours of cooking for a ten-minute
repast, and I won't have to contend with all of the leftovers. Yeah!

Amy
168/120/115 (been slacking...)

"A Ross" <aroneeight@cornell.edu> wrote in message
news:aroneeight-E7E5FD.08174401112006@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu...
> In article <lNudnSE4GqXPJdrYnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com>,
> "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote:
>
> > I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave
for
> > Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I don't
care
> > about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year? But this
> > year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower his
> > cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast. But
I
> > don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all the
> > trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the bajillion
side
> > dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to only make a
> > couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And there's no sense
in
> > having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll probably just chose
> > one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead of the green bean
> > casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of butter and cream.
> >
> > I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> > versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I
plan
> > on giving most of it away.
>
> I think we're shaking things up a bit this year--skipping the family
> trough (and drama) and heading for our cabin. When I asked the girls if
> this was okay with them, they said it was great--and can we have lasagna
> instead of turkey?
>
> So--looks like we'll be eating lasagna, green salad, and garlic bread
> for Thanksgiving this year. It'll save hours of cooking for a ten-minute
> repast, and I won't have to contend with all of the leftovers. Yeah!
>
> Amy
> 168/120/115 (been slacking...)

Your idea sounds great, Amy.

I always send the leftovers at the family Christmas gathering home with the
kids. I've been known to dump anything they didn't take home down the
garbage disposal. If it's in the house I would probably eat it - especially
the desserts

Beverly

In article <Tq12h.22395$OE1.17977@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com>,
"Beverly" <bowens@home.woh.rr.com> wrote:

> Your idea sounds great, Amy.
>
> I always send the leftovers at the family Christmas gathering home with the
> kids. I've been known to dump anything they didn't take home down the
> garbage disposal. If it's in the house I would probably eat it - especially
> the desserts
>
> Beverly

I'm terrible (but better than I used to be) about the leftover thing--I
hate to see any food go to waste. It all stems from the clean-plate
mentality I--and many others--was brought up with.

It has taken a lot or work to get past the "gotta eat it, can't waste
it" issues. And I've tried hard not to pass it on to the kids. It's all
I can do somedays not to finish what they leave behind--I have to force
myself to toss it or give it to the dogs. AGGHH. What parents do to
their kids!

Anyway--I don't think we'll do any desserts for thanksgiving this
year--lasagna is so heavy that nobody eats again for three days.

Amy

determined wrote:
> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave for
> Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I don't care
> about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year? But this
> year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower his
> cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast. But I
> don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all the
> trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the bajillion side
> dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to only make a
> couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And there's no sense in
> having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll probably just chose
> one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead of the green bean
> casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of butter and cream.
>
> I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I plan
> on giving most of it away.
>
>
I honestly eat big on Thanksgiving without regard of any consequences
since it's just that, "one day". It's my sister's meal anyway so it's
not like I have any say in the menu.

If I did have a say in the menu I would make the following changes:

Once the turkey pops out of the oven, discard the drippings. Make a
packaged gravy and substitute olive oil where the directions call for
butter.

Carve the turkey then discard all the skin and dark meat.

Avoid fixing dishes that will hit the plate with a "plop". Any
vegetable that could be transformed into a milk, cheese and breadcrumb
concoction. Instead try green beans or asparagus spritzed with olive oil.

Roasted red potatoes instead of mashed.

Whole wheat stuffing w/fresh or dried cranberries instead of white bread
stuffing.

As for dessert, just have a small slice of pie with a small scoop of low
fat ice cream and hit the gym hard the next day.
--

Cheese

http://cheesensweets.com/contacts/cheese.php

i think that's a great idea
A Ross wrote:
> In article <lNudnSE4GqXPJdrYnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com>,
> "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote:
>
> > I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave for
> > Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Usually, I don't care
> > about the sickening amounts of food, what's one day in a year? But this
> > year, because I'm trying to lose, and hubby is trying to lower his
> > cholesterol, I'm going to make an effort to make a healthier feast. But I
> > don't want to sacrifice taste. We're planning on turkey with all the
> > trimmings. Turkey itself is pretty darned healthy. It's the bajillion side
> > dishes that are too delicious to pass up. So my plan is to only make a
> > couple sides, and to cut way back on butter usage. And there's no sense in
> > having rolls, stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so we'll probably just chose
> > one. This year it'll be steamed green beans instead of the green bean
> > casserole, and Promise Light in the spuds instead of butter and cream.
> >
> > I'm still trying to figure out the dessert. What are some healthier
> > versions of the old favorites? I'll still make a batch of fudge, but I plan
> > on giving most of it away.
>
> I think we're shaking things up a bit this year--skipping the family
> trough (and drama) and heading for our cabin. When I asked the girls if
> this was okay with them, they said it was great--and can we have lasagna
> instead of turkey?
>
> So--looks like we'll be eating lasagna, green salad, and garlic bread
> for Thanksgiving this year. It'll save hours of cooking for a ten-minute
> repast, and I won't have to contend with all of the leftovers. Yeah!
>
> Amy
> 168/120/115 (been slacking...)

We're doing a bit traditional thing with a bunch of my husband's
family. So far I know the menu will include some appetizers, turkey,
stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, some sort of sweet potato
spoonbread (dunno what that is, but someone is making it), a couple of
veggies, a salad, and a couple of desserts. I expect to eat moderate
amounts of everything. I always want to taste everything, but am not
particularly into stuffing myself.

Chris
262/130s/130s
started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

My husband works that night so I'll be home alone. I'll cook dinner
when he comes home. I dunno, just the two of us so I might see if I can
find a couple of turkey thighs or something to roast. Stuffing or
potatoes, one or the other but not both. Maybe corn for side, or
asparagus. He doesn't eat dessert so we have any pie about. I might
see if I can find a couple of the individual pieces of frozen pumpkin
pie. One or two pieces won't blow me out of the water.

--
Annie

As of 11-09-06: 258/182/140 Standing at 5 foot 4.

76 pounds lost. 42 left to go. Started February/07/05

Come visit my weight-loss web site, Annie Takes Off.
http://webpages.charter.net/lenny13/DietFrontPage.html

determined wrote:
> I'm right in the middle of trying to lose the last 5 lbs before we leave for
> Germany Dec 9, so I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving.

I'm cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for 2.

* Turkey - A 2lb breast seasoned with thyme, sage, poultry seasoning,
and garlic... roasted over a mirepoix and covered with fat-free organic
chicken broth.

* Green Beans - Mixed with caramelized onions, apple cider, sea salt &
ground pepper

* Potatoes - roasted yukon golds, dash of olive oil, garlic, parsley,
sea salt, ground pepper

* Gravy - Pan gravy. A turkey breast shouldn't be that fattening to
begin with. I plan to add flour and the fat-free organic chicken broth.
I'll skim excess fat as necessary.

I don't think this will blow my diet out of the water.

I'm making the turkey, stuffing, and this:

Green Bean Casserole - from scratch


Topping
4 Slices White bread, quartered
2 Tbs Butter
1/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper
3 cups canned fried onions

Beans and Sauce
2 lbs Grean beans, trimmed and halved
3 Tbs Unsalted butter
1 lb White button mushroomes, sliced or torn into pieces
3 cloves Garlic, minced or pressed
3 Tbs Flour
1 1/2 cups Chicken broth
1 1/2 cups Heavy cream
Salt and pepper



1 For the Topping: Pulse bread, butter, salt, and pepper in food
processor until mixture resembles course crumbs, about ten 1-second
pulses. Toss in a bowl with fried onions and set aside.
2 For the beans and Sauce: Adjust oven rack to middle position and
heat to 425 °F. Fill large bowl with ice water. Bring 4 quarts water
to a boil in large Dutch oven. Add beans and 2 Tbs salt. Cook beans
until bright green and crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain in
colander and plunge immediately into ice water to stop cooking. Spread
beans on paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
3 Add butter to now-empty Dutch oven and melt over medium-high heat
until foaming subsides. Add mushrooms, garlic, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/8
tsp pepper; cook until mushrooms release moisture and liquid
evaporates, about 6 minutes. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring
constantly. Stir in broth and bring to simmer, stirring constantly.
Add cream, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until sauce thickens,
about 12 minutes.
4 Add beans to sauce and stir until coated. Arrange in even layer in
9"x13" baking dish. Sprinkle with topping and bake until topping is
golden brown and sauce is bubbling around edges, about 15 minutes.
Serve immediately.


Cooking Tips
I made this ahead and refrigerated it. Baked 15 minutes at 350
degrees, added topping, and baked an additional 20 minutes. Came out
perfect. Also used whole milk instead of cream.