The Best Laid Plans

Thanksgiving was a great day of food and family!  I started off with a light breakfast;  I wasn’t super hungry and I knew there would be lots later!  A Pumpkin Smoothie hit the spot…

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
• 5 ice cubes
• 1/2 packet of NuNaturals Stevia
• sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice

I reluctantly headed to the basement for a treadmill run.  I was feeling awfully lazy, but knew if I didn’t get in some exercise, I would regret it.  After a quick 2 miles, I felt better.  No regrets!

I decided on a small lunch to tide me over until the REAL eating started!  I used some leftover Baked Seitan (remember when I said it tasted a little like bacon?) to make an SLT on a Pepperidge Farms Deli Flat…

With a honeycrisp apple, it was just the right amount.

Then, it was off to my parents’ house where the good stuff was being prepared!

For starters, an antipasto platter…

My plate x2…

Then I got myself a BIG glass of water x2 to avoid any more picking.  I wanted to save up for the other yummy food coming up!

When it was time to sit for dinner, we found these papers at our places…

Dad always writes a Thanksgiving prayer and big daughter reads it aloud…

Our first course, as always, was pasta!  This one was fettuccine with bolognese sauce…

my plate was about a half cup worth…

Believe me, I wanted more!!  But, I kept reminding myself of the plan - “controlled indulgence”.

After that settled a bit, the big guns donned the table…

Tom…

stuffing with whole wheat bread and sausage..and butter…and parmesan cheese… I DIE…

roasted sweets and parsnips…

broccoli rabe…

roasted asparagus…

mashed potatoes (a must for big daughter)…

biscuits…

homemade cranberry sauce…

I had a taste of it all…

but, I went a little crazy with this…

Best stuffing EVER!!!

We had a great time at the table reminiscing about our old houses and neighborhoods and the husband asked us to each share all the things that we were thankful for.  We ended up practically giving speeches!  We are very blessed and able to be grateful for even the smallest things, but family was at the top of all our lists!

No Thanksgiving is complete without dessert!  We were also celebrating my Dad’s birthday, so we had his favorites…

My Mom’s homemade cheesecake…again, I DIE…

and pecan pie…

and my only contribution to this fabulous day of food – Sugar Free Pumpkin Roll (for Gram who is diabetic).  I used NuNaturals Baking Blend (stevia) in the recipe and it came out surprisingly well…

I had to have the cheesecake.  One word…AMAZING!!

I had a nibble or two more of it, but called it a night.  I definitely ate a lot today, but didn’t let myself get stuffed or uncomfortable.  I enjoyed every bite!

***

Happy Birthday, DAD!!!

ONE GOOD THING:  I was happy with my plan of “controlled indulgence”.  I ate, I enjoyed and didn’t feel guilty or nervous.  I was full but not uncomfortable.  And that’s it – day over.  Back to the normal plan as I remind myself that the holiday was just one day, not the next four!  Back to the plan, stan :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful T-Day!