Countdown to Thanksgiving- time savers, healthy tips and easy recipes

Countdown to Thanksgiving Quick Tips

• Plan your meal - making a menu list can save time and be less stressful
• Make it a potluck – save time ask family and friends to bring some of their favorite healthy appetizers, side dishes or desserts
• Keep it simple!  Simplify your menu – less Thanksgiving dishes and desserts means less to prepare and less to clean up!
• Make a shopping list - download our printable thanksgiving shopping list guide
• Plan shopping when store is less busy,
• Find a local farm or farmers market to get local foods
• Prepare some foods in advance - some foods such as appetizers and desserts can be prepared in advance
• Missing an ingredient or want to substitute a healthier choice? Check out our PDF Recipe ingredients makeover guide!
• Try to keep a healthy perspective-  remind yourself the holiday is not about creating the most perfect dishes.Simplify the meaning of the holiday- a special time with family and friends, being grateful,  having fun and enjoying nature's bounty- eating seasonal foods together!

Cooking a turkey- 3 part quick guide- Food safety tips with information on how to buy and thaw a turkey,  prepare the Turkey- temperature and cooking time, carving Turkey and storing leftovers

Fo-Turkey Recipe Meat-free turkey substitute & a Meat-free Stuffing Recipe

Meatless Monday Thanksgiving Recipes Project - 12 Celebrity Chefs and Health Activists share their favorite seasonal recipes! Choose from these great recipes: Cranberry sauce, Sicilian rice balls, Pumpkin Roll, Corn Pudding, Butternut Squash Roasted Croutons, Butternut Squash Roasted Croutons, Dino Mash( healthier version of Mashed potatoes) and more!

First Thanksgiving Recipes from Plimoth Plantation choose from Succotash or Stewed Pompion

Missing an ingredient or want to substitute a healthier choice? Check out our PDF Recipe ingredients makeover guide!

Thanksgiving Recipes from our November Healthy Newsletter

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Veggie Chowder

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Roasted Root Vegetables

Zucchini Casserole - Easy Recipe

Apple, Pecan and “Sausage” Stuffed Acorn Squash

Pumpkin Custard Pie

Turkey Gravy

Thanksgiving Portion Control Tips

• Think small - serve in smaller serving dishes to encourage smaller portions
• Use smaller plates and bowls to help portion control
• Plan for leftovers to reduce the chance of over-eating- you’ll save time on future meal preparation too!
• Make a low fat vegetable based soup as a starter
• Limit starches such as potatoes, stuffing, and rolls, instead fill your plate with more vegetables
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid seconds. If you can't resist the second helping, focus on refilling your plate with vegetables and other lower calorie choices
• Enjoy desserts however, slice your pie into 16 slices and use nonfat whipped cream.
• Use small plates or tea cups to reduce portion size when serving the desserts

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Be Active- Fun games and activities for Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving coloring activity pages for kids! Fun word puzzles, I'm thankful for page, guest seating place cards, Healthy Foods Cornucopia and more!