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Amanda Vocaturo's avatar

This year, my husband and I decided we will stay home and have a quiet Thanksgiving just the 2 of us. We are foregoing the long drive and inevitable uncomfortable political talk at the table to instead make our own healthy meal in a no-stress environment at home. We started cooking today and will enjoy traditional Thanksgiving foods all week! Today we made low-sugar cranberry-orange sauce, sautéed kale and a low-sugar pumpkin pie (we’ll make another pie on Thursday as this one came out so well that it will be gone tomorrow). On Tuesday we’ll make the fresh turkey and bought a fresh organic one so the only ingredient is turkey — no brine or chemicals pumped in. Later in the week we’ll make the roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, and fresh baked yams. On Thursday, we can take a nature walk, and then heat up our already-made Thanksgiving foods without worrying about coordinating timing - it will be a leisurely day at our own pace. No alcohol for us, just simple and healthy. It is not mandatory to spend Thanksgiving in a room full of people with the added stress of driving, hosting, preparing, worrying, cleaning. Thanksgiving is giving thanks for what you have, and that may be a healthy, quiet, intentional, low-stress life. (Ellen, I’m looking forward to your January yoga class in Ridgefield, CT — I’m registered and thankful for your light and inspiration — Happy Thanksgiving! See you soon!)

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Ellen Barrett's avatar

luxurious! 💓💓

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Carol's avatar

Hay Ellen, another podcast which I loved but disagree on a lot, lol! Just goes to show how different we all are. Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday and I love everything about it! When I didn’t host, I used to run a turkey trot but now after 2 spinal fusions, those days are over. Now, it is the one day I do not work out, ha! It’s all good as my usual is 5-6 days a week so that is my rest day. I love every single food and I wait for this day every year! The wine flows, the food flows,and I eat what I want and however much I want on this day but also stop when full. I know how to judge and guage. Then on Black Friday, it is back to my workout and routine. Love that carcass to make delicious turkey vegetable soup and I skim off all the fat so it is filling and nutritious. I am lucky as I’m good at control . I chuckled as I have a friend in London who owns a restaurant and she does an American Thanksgiving every year with 3 seating s, always sold out, and takeaway. So don’t go to England to escape, lol! Thanks for sharing your tips and Happy Thanksgiving.

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