Thanksgiving can be a healthy time too

It’s that time of the year. You know, that time when we lie to ourselves about dieting so that we can fit into that little black dress, or that three piece suit, or that special pair of jeans, or…you get the point. Mea culpa.

Thanksgiving arrives in the same month every-single-year yet we still tell ourselves around September that we are not going to gorge on Thanksgiving dinner, and especially dessert, because we want to fit into those items of clothing for New Years Eve that used to fit the prior year. How about trying something differently healthy this year for Thanksgiving – organic turkey!

Right now some of you are thinking “Organic and healthy for Thanksgiving? Yuck!” According to the “experts” (you know, all of our friends), Thanksgiving is supposed to be a cranberry swallowing, macaroni and cheese scarfing, corn on the cob chomping, stuffing devouring, soda swigging good time.

I would agree except that so many people have Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and burdened with obesity because they have mainly refrained from moderation and/or aren’t eating healthy or wise. Here are some ideas that might benefit you (and me) in making this Thanksgiving a healthier and tasty event:

• Buy an organic turkey. Buy it at a reputable whole food market or organic farm (see below). The meat will be healthier and tastier. (Although the turkey will cost a little more than at the local stores, trust me, it will be worth it.)
• Instead of butter or margarine use virgin olive oils and freshly squeezed lemons to cook your food (natural antiseptics and toxin cleaners).
• Substitute some foods with soya-based products as they are lower in calories and healthier for you.
• Make pies with organic apples, peaches and berries and use reduced sugar pastry. Add natural sweeteners like honey or reduced fat maple syrup.
• Drink several glasses of water before you eat.
• Reduce the amount of caffeine and alcohol.
• After eating, walk around the block a couple of times with a family member or friend.

To help you on your journey - several Chicago area retailers sell organic free range turkeys: Trader Joes (all Chicago area stores), Hasselmann Family Farms in Arlington Heights, www.Hasselmannfamilyfarm.com, Seven Sons Meat Co. in Chicago, www.Sevensons.net, Natural Direct, www.naturaldirect.com, Harrison’s Poultry Farm in Glenview, 847.724.0132, and Top of the Hill Farm in Woodstock, 815.260.1520.

M’m, m’m, m’m. I can smell healthy already.

Peace.

JoAnn