<p>I like cauliflower but I dont think it makes sense to bastardize and compromise every recipe in the name of Health. Thanksgiving is one day- adding heavy cream to the mashed potatoes or putting out real sour cream for the baked potatoes is not going to cause anyone to keel over at the table. </p>
<p>Its one day of the month- health scolds need to get over it</p>
<p>I serve both argbargy. But in general my feeling is if you don’t like the food, cook your own</p>
<p>argybargy: if you had T2 diabetes and were controlling your BG with diet you would very much appreciate there being SOMETHING on the table that you could eat. Bring on the cauliflower!</p>
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<p>You know who I think typically expresses these kinds of sentiments? People who struggle with their weight, are losing the battle, and don’t want to feel bad about those struggles, so they rationalize that “it’s only one day.” Well, yeah, it’s only one day. But that’s like saying that my budget is $X per month, so I live within my $X 29 days out of the month, but then the other day I buy furs and diamonds because “it’s only one day.” It doesn’t work like that with money, and it doesn’t work like that with managing one’s weight / diet / lifestyle. </p>
<p>Though I have to say I find this whole discussion curious – don’t you all have plain vegetables as well on the side - like just plain steamed broccoli or cauliflower or green beans or whatever vegetable? And fruit salad as a dessert for those who don’t wish to eat pies or other sweets? Is *everything sauced and creamed within an inch of its life? It would seem to me very easy to eat healthfully on Thanksgiving. Turkey is a good lean protein, go easy on the mashed potatoes and stuffing, and fill up on plain vegetables and fruit salad.</p>
<p>Money and food are not the same thing at all. You can spend all of the month money in one day; you cant meaningfully metabolize all of the months calories. No matter how much you are off the wagon- its one day, meant to show the care the host has taken in delighting the guests, celebrate the nostalgic and commemorate the way each side of the family always does their sweet potatoes.</p>
<p>I think you have an obligation to produce the best version of a dish you can. No one wants to be stuck thinking of praiseworthy aspects of your carrot loaf turkey.</p>
<p>I disagree, pizzagirl, I have been doing very well with my weight and exercise lately. We eat plain vegetables every other day of the year, but on Thanksgiving we have fancier versions. I don’t eat stuffing or gravy, but will have turkey and vegetables (in casseroles or dressed up with nuts), and fruit salad as a salad. We don’t eat dessert as a rule either, but will have pie on Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>I don’t eat plain vegetables even on “regular” days. Everything tastes better with a little butter and lemon. </p>
<p>I would appreciate it if we could keep the thread on topic with suggestions for healthy foods that your family enjoys. I don’t think anyone here has advocated carrot loaf turkey or seriously altering any classics. If you don’t want to eat healthy foods, don’t.</p>
<p>We do some of both plain and fancy food. Carrot ribbons are steamed and sprinkled with a smidge of cinnamon and nutmeg, asparagus is tossed in a little olive oil and green beans are saut</p>
<p>I answered this thread early on. I’m not going to go back and search my post verbatim but I think it reflected that favorites are served just the way people remember, new dishes are added that people can eat instead, try if they want, completely ignore. There’s something for everyone. No one is deprived. </p>
<p>For me it’s not just one day. I don’t have the energy to go into the entire saga nor is anyone interested. I spent Saturday night in the ER/hospital with chest pains hooked up to machines and running a crud load of expensive tests. Heart disease is far more common in women then some realize and the signs are often very subtle. </p>
<p>It can be just one day if you wish. But for those that choose to do differently there may be a reason. Shaming them about healthier versions is as out of line as it would be someone choosing lighter fare shaming those who choose traditional options.</p>
<p>I am interested blueiguana. I hope you are ok. Please take good care of yourself!</p>
<p>Me too BI. Take care</p>
<p>Amen to that Blue, and I too hope you are ok.</p>
<p>In case anyone is looking to add Brussels sprouts to the T-day menu, I tried these tonight and I can’t wait to eat the rest for lunch tomorrow - easy, few ingredients and GOOD!
[jojotastic</a> // Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon](<a href=“http://jojotastic.com/2013/10/23/recipe-roasted-brussels-sprouts-bacon/]jojotastic”>jojotastic // Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon)</p>
<p>I cut the bacon in smaller pieces only used 2 slices for the recipe. The last couple of minutes of roasting I sprinkled very lightly with brown sugar and mixed it in - maybe a teaspoon.</p>
<p>Great points, BI. Let me join everyone else wishing you improved health.</p>
<p>This thread is great! It is making me hungry. </p>
<p>Our Thanksgiving will remain entirely traditional as long as we eat with my folks. Sometime when I am in charge, I will put some these suggestions into effect. I would love to have a really big dinner and to have a mix of old fashioned and new fangled dishes. </p>
<p>Let’s have this thread again say at Passover. I am in charge of that meal!</p>
<p>Poor choice of words, this is a very caring bunch and why I love the cafe so much! I didn’t want to derail the thread entirely was the point. I’m doing well and appreciate kind words. </p>
<p>I’ll assume we all wish good health for each other, thus the interest in this thread, so no need to mention further. I do apologize for the detour.</p>
<p>“think you have an obligation to produce the best version of a dish you can. No one wants to be stuck thinking of praiseworthy aspects of your carrot loaf turkey.”</p>
<p>Don’t you think that people who claim they can tell the difference between, say, whole milk vs cream in the mashed potatoes are just kind of making it up all though? I mean, really now.</p>
<p>They may be able to tell the difference, I don’t know.
I have always just put a little butter & 2% milk in mine.
But I don’t understand a couple things.
How in 2013 anyone would think that something made with Campbell’s canned soup as * special* and why they act like scaling back the fat/salt/sugar makes food inedible.</p>
<p>PG I do adore your consistency. </p>
<p>There are differences in people’s palates like there are differences in hearing and sight. </p>
<p>Based on your taste in clothes, I would trust you to guide my shopping. Please trust some of us about food. ;)</p>
<p>Exactamundo, poetgrl</p>
<p>For the record, I <em>never</em> steam vegetables. Although zoosermom’s carrot curls sound very tasty. And pretty. :D</p>
<p>How about the bread/roll/muffin part of the meal??? Our Thanksgiving tradition is to have a variety or two of muffins with the main meal - often pumpkin or something similar. I have the assignment of bringing muffins this year. Since we will have pumpkin (in the form of pie, truffles and ice cream - yeah, also tradition to “overdo”!) at dessert , I thought I’d try something different. Like these:</p>
<p>[Oatmeal</a> Pomegranate Muffins - Mother Thyme](<a href=“http://www.motherthyme.com/2011/12/oatmeal-pomegranate-muffins.html]Oatmeal”>Oatmeal Pomegranate Muffins – Mother Thyme)</p>
<p>Again, not super healthy but I usually find I can reduce the sugar, sub in for some of the oil and then it does have the pomegranate and oatmeal.</p>