Sorry Lasagna...Not This Year...

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When I first started this blog about 2 weeks ago I forgot about Thanksgiving completely when it comes to my future diet plans. Luckily I don’t go crazy for Turkey, I don’t crave left-overs upon left-overs, and I am content with eating one Thanksgiving dinner. All the trimmings are super yummy but I don’t lay out my stretchy pants next to me anticipating a complete marathon of eating. Even though it’s Thanksgiving I’m truly content with having a serving size of each thing AND with a little talk with my mother I think this will be a great Thanksgiving with smart decisions. Well maybe two servings of stuffing... =)

My mother’s side of the family is a 100% Italian (I'm the 3rd & 4th generation here on that side) so that means a Lasagna or Stuffed shells is the usual appetizer for the Thanksgiving meal. Let's just say it's a lot of food, so much that we have to take at least an hour break in between each course. FINALLY this year, my mother is going simple and just making the bird with some baked macaroni. Whew! I can’t imagine how many extra carbs & just extra food I will be cutting out this year. Her baked macaroni is great because you can take a nice serving of it & be satisfied. Yeah for not having to count shells &/or devour all that ricotta cheese.

Also, somehow I never developed a liking for turkey or chicken gravy so I’m pretty excited to just eat the turkey with some stuffing, cranberry sauce, & yams. It does sound like a lot but hey it is Thanksgiving after all, regardless of any diet there will be exceptions to the rule…

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Side-Note: I just love the leaves on the pie crust...I actually bought the dough cutters from Williams Sonoma a few years ago...I will definitely be doing this on Thursday to add some extra flare to the Pie! Hmmm...I'm on a big Williams Sonoma kick lately...Maybe it will be next on my Weekly Wishlist!

I remember the first Thanksgiving I brought Craig, my boyfriend, up to my Mom's parents house for Thanksgiving.  He looked petrified because he didn't want to offend anyone by not trying a little bit of everything AND and there was no extra turkey gravy & a big ole casserole dish of Lasagna first. Maybe intimated is the better word. This year I will make sure he has his turkey gravy but the lasagna better luck next year...

 Do you have any "NON-TRADITIONAL" Foods at your Thanksgiving? 

I'd love to hear...