Christie Macartney on Giving Thanks and Staying Well

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.” – W. Clement Stone

What’s Thanksgiving About Really? It’s About the Food and Family

by Christie Macartney

If you’ve happened to go to a local coffee bar either in Canada or even the US during the leading up to Thanksgiving you can see a barrage of “spiced” or “pumpkin flavoured”, apple cider, cinnamon something’s to attract your attention.

I prefer the Spiced Chai Latte with a dash of cinnamon.

It’s a time to be thankful, spend time with family, take a walk amongst the leaves and the light breeze that says fall is here. Let’s be honest here, it’s also a time when we are forced to be with people who we tend to limit our time with as well.

Yes it’s also about beautiful, flavourful food that our grandmother’s and mothers make. In my case it’s both. My father wasn’t much of a cook nor are many men in my family however, I know of many men that enjoy the contribute and fill the kitchen with great food as well.

In Canada we just finished our festivities. I personally spent about eight hours in the kitchen preparing apple pie from Martha Stewart’s cookbook and a great Turkey recipe from an older cookbook and one of my mother’s, The Joy of Cooking.

The best part of the day is enjoying the company of friends, family, partners and children. Some time it’s more work than ever but I think I had my first love affair with Thanksgiving. Since my recent separation I have taken on most tasks by myself and Thanksgiving dinner made me feel a bit nervous. I have no idea why. I just didn’t want to mess up the turkey even though it’s no different from chicken.

Thanksgiving today seems like an annual sport of eating, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are lots of ways you can avoid the typical weight gain. Today goal is to help prepare you for not going too far with over eating, provide suggestions to counter the big bulge that happens during and post Thanksgiving festivities.

Tips to Curb the Thanksgiving Bulge

The biggest mistake that many people make is to wear very comfortable and loose fitting clothes. It’s like an out to over eat. When you don’t feel the limit of the

Rather than sleep it off, try walking it off or a fun outdoor activity like hide and seek. Remember when that was fun? Going for a walk before or post dinner celebrations. The fresh air helps to encourage energy and activate your metabolism which burns calories

Drink more water than usual so you don’t over eat and limit alcohol. Wine spritzers are a great option – soda and wine

You can enjoy the cake and eat it too. It’s important to fill the plate 80 percent vegetables and 20 percent protein

Switch to white meat as it has less fat as opposed to the dark meat

Skip the gravy and dressing. High in fat and calories

If you are helping with the meal, why not make something simple and light like a fruit salad spiced up with nutmeg or even cardamon.

Get back to basics and start from scratch. Limit “out of the box” foods, sodas, alcohol, bread and enjoy the connections you are making while you are preparing
dinner.

I wanted to find out what it meant to my kids, Jake and Jack. I asked for their opinion. They both said food and family.
Unfortunately in that order. As mothers we work hard to make it about the family and at the end of the evening the food brings family together.

I know that if you follow a few of the suggestions I provided, your body will thank you for it.

Have a blessed holiday with your family!