Thanksgiving Countdown

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD November 2010 Chew Your Rope Eat Well, Lose Weight, Be Healthy

THANKSGIVING COUNTDOWN! Only four days until Thanksgiving! For some of you that means an endless list of to do’s, menu planning and food preparation before all the relatives arrive. For others it means preparing a few dishes and going to the relatives and enjoying an entertaining day with family. I have experienced both. For most of my kids’ childhood we traveled to New Jersey to be with relatives. My sister-in-law would cook for about 30 people. We would all bring food. The eating and drinking would last for hours. I usually positioned myself at the sink, ready to wash any dish that came my way. I loved to help and hated to sit still. One year we hosted the holiday. We had 19 people at our house for dinner. Okay, it's not all that many people but those same 19 people stayed for three days! It ended up being a heck of a lot of fun but out of those 19 people, four of us were women and two of those women were under the age of 8. As most of you have guessed by now, I am an organizational freak and always have to make food that I have never made before, in a quantity that would feed the state of Rhode Island and it all has to be home-made from scratch. Before I chewed my rope of this insanity, those foods had to be made of the best quality, mostly unhealthy ingredients possible. Okay, so not all the ingredients were bad to start out with but once you add enough butter, cream and sugar everything becomes unhealthy. No skimping. I was always on a mission to impress. So I made my list of to do’s organized by day, my grocery list and set out to make the best food ever created in modern history. All this food came with a price tag that put my monthly mortgage payment to shame. I took the three days before Thanksgiving off from work, bought my groceries on the weekend before so by Monday I was ready to start cooking. I baked everything that could be made ahead of time and these items were either frozen or stored. I made tons of muffins, coffee cakes, cookies, scones, pies and cakes. I felt terrible because I broke down and bought the bagels. Oh the shame of it all! I brined a monster turkey in a huge bucket, organized all the ingredients for the dinner, prepared appetizers, organized the cocktail supplies and made sure that any condiment that anyone could possibly want I would have and in abundance. I would not run out of anything. As Thursday approached my two refrigerator/freezers were filled, as was my pantry, utility room, parts of my garage and basement. My house looked like a gourmet Sam’s Club. By Wednesday night I was ready for their arrival. Chili was simmering on the stove and the cornbread and condiments were ready. I must admit I was a little tired, my back was killing me and I was a bit crabby but I was psyched for the festivities to begin. Some family arrived that night, some the next day, but by lunch on Thanksgiving Day we were 19 strong. The kids played outside or downstairs in the game room and the men watch football, ate and discussed the stuff that men will discuss, and my sister-in-law and I prepared enough food to feed an army. I have to tell you, 14 guys can really put a hurting on that much food. Everyone had a great time, I was happy with the food and we never ran out of anything (for the next 6 months). It was great and when they went home on Saturday I was exhausted, about 10 pounds heavier (you have to taste everything you serve, right?) and needed physical therapy. The point of all of this is, don’t drive yourself crazy. When families get together it is the conversation, the stories of old, the laughter and lively energy that makes it all a joy. Everyone would have been just as happy if I had made burgers and fries. (Well maybe not as happy…so I tell myself) So make your list and cook what you love and enjoy the people. Do your best to eat healthy food this holiday season. We gain an average of 5 pounds at this time of year and in most cases that weight never comes off.  Choose to eat healthy delicious foods that you enjoy and will make you feel good come November 26. Our memories are tied to the taste and smells of food. Please send me an email sharing your favorite Thanksgiving traditions, foods or family stories. Food is the center of our lives. Remember good health is as close as your next meal. Make it natural and organic - you are worth it. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Quote of the Month "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." ~Mother Teresa   Chew Your Rope Change Your Life! Sign up today for your FREE Health Consultation. I would love to support you with improving your health. Learn how to reduce your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk and increase your energy. Get control of digestive issues and allergies. Flexible appointments are available. Contact me at: Mindy@ChewYour Rope.com or 203-210-7462. I look forward to hearing from you Take Me To ChewYourRope.com We are talking food.... Join the conversation and visit the "Chew Your Rope - It's All About The Food"  facebook page and let me know what you love to eat.  Share your favorite recipes and ask questions.  We all love food.  I want to hear about it.