Good Morning and Happy Sunday!
Thanksgiving a few short days away and I thought I would share my tried and true tips for a HAPPY, HEALTHY, Gobble, Gobble day.
5 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving
- Be Active- Commit to coming to to a class at the Refinery on Thanksgiving day so you can start your day right. Make fitness a family adventure, get up and take a walk early in the day, participate in the Turkey Trot, or go on a family hike. This is a wonderful way for families to get physical activity and enjoy the holiday together.
- Eat Normally-While you might think it makes sense to save up calories for the big meal, I recommend eating your normal breakfast and a light lunch if you eat Thanksgiving later in day. Eating a nutritious meal with protein, fat and fiber before you arrive takes the edge off your appetite . This will allow you to be make smarter food and drink choices.
- Portion Control- Thanksgiving tables are bountiful and beautiful displays of traditional family favorites. Before you fill your plate, survey the table and decide what you’re going to choose. Then select a REASONABLE sized portion of foods you cannot live without. Fill your plate with small portions of holiday favorites that only come around once a year so you can REALLY savor and enjoy the traditional foods. I recommend eating a little of all the special stuff but not A LOT of anything. Moderation is KEY!
- Be Mindful– Thanksgiving is NOT the day to stress about your eats. Give yourself a break and just be mindful. Be present as you eat your meal with an attitude of thankfulness. This will help with digestion, and you will be more likely to be aware of the foods you are using to nourish your body.
- Focus on Family and Friends- Thanksgiving is not just about the amazing food. It’s a time to celebrate with family and friends. The main event should be socializing with family and friends, spending quality time together, not just what is on the table. Give thanks for love, life, good food, your body and for what you have right here, right now.
Here is one of my all-time favorite Brussels Sprout Recipe.
Brussels Sprouts, Pomegranates and Hazelnuts The sweetness of the molasses, tartness of the pomegranate seeds, crunchiness of the nuts and creaminess of the sprouts definitely make this a keeper recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- Seeds from 1 pomegranate
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
- Finely grated zest of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- sea salt, to taste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Put the Brussels sprouts in a medium roasting pan; toss with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until light golden brown, for about 45 minutes.
Transfer the sprouts to a large bowl and add the pomegranate molasses, pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, and lime and orange zests. Season with salt to taste. Enjoy!
Have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!
