We have FOUR events to attend over the next 36 hours! This is how my very social new married family rolls, but it is important for me to have a plan in place so I can enjoy myself physically and emotionally during this busy time.�� So what is my plan of attack to survive this holiday with grace?
1. Exercise - Our families live just blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and I can never keep myself away while I am home. I plan to take several walks on the beach over the next 3 days. (And there are several little furry friends who can join me.) I will walk tomorrow morning and since I can walk to my parents house from my in-laws house I will walk to and from Thanksgiving Dinner. How cool!
2. Hydrate - Oftentimes when we think we are hungry we are really only thirsty. Many of us live in a constant state of dehydration.�� Thanksgiving meals also tend to have an overabundance of salt and sugar. I plan to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water throughout the day. This ought to keep me busy and my mouth occupied.
3. Lunch at One Family and Dessert at Another - I have not exactly tried it this way before, but based on past experience, if I can have a satisfying lunch during the middle of the day and then salad and dessert for dinner, perhaps this is a good strategy. This may not be as difficult as it sounds because dinner is a Turduckin which for the uninitiated is a New Orleans Tradition of a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey. (Trying not to pass judgement here...)
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is just about food, family and giving thanks. There are no presents and the mass material culture which surrounds the average American holiday season. It can feel like the calm before the holiday storm. I love potlucks and the idea of sharing foods that are lovingly prepared by many different hands.
This year I am experimenting with a variation on vegetarian sushi - marinated turnip sushi. I will let you know how it goes?�� Tomorrow I will prepare savory roasted sweet potatoes - simple, but delicious. And I am bringing two tarts which I would love to say I made, but they just sounded too good to pass up - Maple Apple and Chocolate Almond. Yum!
What delicious recipes that you are preparing this Thanksgiving?