Healthy Thanksgiving Day Tips brought to you by Momentum's Revolution Director, Charlene Hinish

Before Thanksgiving and the other special holiday meals... 
1.Be proactive -  Plan the menu ahead of time and decide if you can revamp a few of your favorites or create some new traditions.  Look online for healthy recipes - a few of my favorite sites are ALLRecipes.com, CookingLight.com, EatingWell.com
2. “Hostess with the mostess” - If you are having dinner at your house, you get to call the shots.  If not, offer to bring some side dishes— all on the healthier side. 
3. Prepare only enough food for the day.  Limit the amount of leftovers especially the unhealthier ones.
4. Add in extra exercise for the week.  Reduce your stress, feel better and know you can at least break even if you are splurging! 

On Thanksgiving:
1. EAT BREAKFAST - Eggs, oatmeal, milk and fruit.  ALL of those foods for breakfast - not just one!  It will keep you full and energized.  You won't be ravenous at dinner and you will be able to make better choices throughout the day. 
2. Decide beforehand what you REALLY want and decide what isn't a must have. Have it in moderation!  This includes the ultra-heavy in calories alcoholic beverages!
3. Your Thanksgiving meal is “carb heavy” (stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green bean casserole, baked corn, rolls, cranberry relish, dessert…) are all “carb” heavy  so get your protein in before, during and after the "BIG" meal. Include snacks like Greek yogurt, low-fat cheese, fruit and veggies if you are having a mid-afternoon dinner.  If dinner is late in the day, add some cocktail shrimp or light tuna salad to add in protein without a lot of calories.  Pick your poison - what do you want - all of it or some of it?  Have a LITTLE BIT OF ALL or a SINGLE PORTION of SOME.  This is the trouble spot - calories add up fast! 
4. Eat SLOWLY - After all the preparation, sit down and enjoy each other and the conversations.  No need to gobble it down. Are you really afraid you won't have enough to eat and you are you eating seconds?     Better savor every bite. Remember, it takes 20 minutes for your body to signal your brain that it is just full and not stuffed like the turkey.
5. After dinner:
- Wait to have dessert.  Try to wait a few hours.   Don't let your eyes (and your thoughts) get bigger than your belly!  Again, think a total of one serving.Are you having a sample of many or maybe just one small piece or your favorite?  
- Instead of sleeping, head outside for a walk or play with the kids.  Don't you just love how they hop up from the table and want to run and play?  How do they do that?  Try it out and start a new active tradition after dinner.  The dishes can wait.
- If your dinner was early, for your evening meal, determine if you are ACTUALLY hungry... if so, some leftover turkey and veggies and a glass of milk.
  

COOKING TIPS:
Let the natural flavors shine:
Have steamed green beans instead of green bean casserole.  Remember to serve them plain w/out  salt and butter.  Bake sweet potatoes and serve plain; they are naturally sweet, or add a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon instead of the traditional candied yams.    

Reduce fat and salt:
For potatoes… use Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes.  They have a creamy texture, so you won't have to add as much butter, milk or sour cream.  Reduce the fat content by using skim milk, less butter and/or reduced fat sour cream.  Chicken broth can also be used instead of milk - Kitchen Basics has a great no salt chicken broth. Increase the vitamin content and fiber by mashing with the skins on.  For added flavor and the garlic lover, add sliced peeled garlic cloves to the water while cooking and mash into the potatoes when they are done.  Add salt to the water while you cook the potatoes rather than afterward when mashing.  You won't need to use as much in order to attain the same taste. (con’t from page 2) 
Everybody has a favorite stuffing & gravy recipe...  Reduce butter used.  Can you use chicken or turkey sausage   instead of pork?  When making gravy, separate the fat from the broth using a liquid measuring cup with a spout which drains from the bottom.  Or use the baster to draw the broth from the bottom of the cup.  If there is time to chill the broth, the fat can be separated and skimmed from the top. OH, did I mention using Kitchen Basics no salt chicken broth for the gravy???


MOST OF ALL:
 - Remember, one day will not undo consistent effort.
 - Decide to enjoy being together with family and friends.  The day is not about the food— it's about  being together and giving thanks for all of the blessings that are in your life— big and small.  Be glad you have choices that you can make for your body, mind and spirit...many are not as             fortunate.


 - For those who are enrolled in Weight Loss Revolution, a sample menu is available from your nutrition coach.  Please pick up a copy at your next visit!  For the rest of you, maybe it is time for you to join!

Enjoy wisely the upcoming holiday season!