Thanksgiving Countdown

The 7 healthiest foods on your thanksgiving menu

Nifer — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:05:56 +0000

Thanksgiving is quickly becoming my favorite holiday. And why not? It’s a great time to hang out with family, watch football and, of course, eat an amazing meal.

Most people think of Thanksgiving dinner as being a bit of a calorie bomb. And, really, it is: in a recent issue of EatingWell we estimated that the Turkey Day meal clocks at least 2,800 calories.

The biggest calorie bomb at Thanksgiving dinner & 10 fun Thanksgiving food facts

Nifer — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:05:33 +0000

There’s a lot that’s changed about Thanksgiving in the years since the Pilgrims gathered for their first meal of thanks. For instance, they weren’t were watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade while they basted their bird (that started in 1924) or rummaging through sale racks for a bargain sweater the day after on Black Friday. Here are a few fun Thanksgiving food facts to mull over while you enjoy your meal.

Healthy meals to use up Thanksgiving leftovers

Nifer — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:12:16 +0000

We have an open-door policy when it comes to Thanksgiving: we welcome in anyone who turns up. Especially this year, when the wild fall weather has made travel planning difficult and unpredictable, chances are a lot more people will be staying closer to home. Their last-minute plans mean I’ll want to cook a big turkey, to make sure we have enough. Chances are good that I’ll go overboard (Thanksgiving math always trips me up—is it 20 ounces per person or 20 minutes per pound?) and that means leftovers.

5 instant no-cook appetizers

Nifer — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:23:15 +0000

An invitation to dinner is just about all the appetizer I need—I’m so happy to have someone feed me that I’m not fussy about what’s on the menu. But if, when I arrive, there are little nibbles to start things off, it’s a delightful bonus. Appetizers really take gatherings up a notch, showing an attention to detail I appreciate.

Your After Thanksgiving Diet Plan

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:27:51 +0000

Q: “I ate way too much at Thanksgiving. How can I get back on track?”

A: OK, so you overate. We all did! For many people, Thanksgiving is a calculated calorie splurge—something they plan to pay for with good behavior in the following weeks. I know that I, for one, have a long history of redoubled jogging efforts starting the following Monday (after the long food coma of Thanksgiving afternoon).

What to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:17:18 +0000

Q: “What can I do with my leftovers?”

A: Happy Thanksgiving! By now your menu is finalized, your turkey’s in the oven and your guests are arriving. Maybe the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on TV in the next room. Congratulations! You’re in for a day of delicious food and great company.

How to Make Lump-Free Gravy

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:11:17 +0000

Q: “What is the secret to lump-free gravy?”

A: Like Ringo for the Beatles and Norm for Cheers, gravy is that special something that holds Thanksgiving dinner together. Sure, it’s never a featured player—you’re as unlikely to make a snack of it (I hope) as you are to buy the Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band album—but without it, the meal just doesn’t have the same cozy coherence.

How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes (without the Cream)

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:01:32 +0000

Q: “What’s the trick to making fluffy mashed potatoes?”

A: At my first job—as a prep cook in a restaurant in Connecticut—I learned how most people make mashed potatoes delicious: by adding about a ton of butter and whole milk to them! While that might work reliably 10 times out of 10, it’s not the only way to make delicious, fluffy mashed potatoes. Certainly, it’s not the healthiest.

How to Choose: Apple Pie vs. Pumpkin Pie?

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:35:01 +0000

Q: “Which is healthier: apple or pumpkin pie?”

A: After a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, there comes a period of time in which I can’t even think about food. It’s a time for watching football or listening to a sibling snore on the couch, maybe knocking out a little dishwashing if I’m feeling ambitious. For a few hours, the house goes quiet as people enjoy the satisfaction of a post-meal stupor. Sooner or later, however, a pang of hunger finally comes back. And when it does: Pie.

How to Make Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:39:44 +0000

Q: “How can I make a healthier sweet potato casserole?”

A: One of the tiny pleasures of married life is getting to try a different family’s Thanksgiving menu. While I love the meal my mom whipped up every year (and am so happy to return to it every other year), it’s fun to experience new traditions at my in-laws’ in the off years. To wit: three years ago, I had sweet potato casserole for the first time.

How to Make Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:29:14 +0000

Q: “How can I make a healthier green bean casserole?”

A: Whatever your thoughts on Campbell’s Soup, you have to respect their Green Bean Casserole recipe. Developed by their home economics department in 1955 as a way to boost mushroom soup sales, the dish has turned into an all-time American holiday classic. We had it in my house growing up—I remember it as the first veggie dish I ever asked for seconds of.

How to Cook a Gluten Free or Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:05:17 +0000

Q: “What should I make for vegetarians or people with special dietary needs?”

How to Cook a Healthy Thanksgiving Dinner That Tastes Delicious

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:47:47 +0000

Q: “How can I cook a healthier Thanksgiving meal that still tastes delicious?”

How to Plan and Time Thanksgiving Dinner

Penelope Wall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:32:36 +0000

Q: “I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year—how can I plan a menu and my day to get the meal ready on time?”

A: First off, it’s my great pleasure to welcome you all to our 10-Day Thanksgiving Countdown. Each day we’ll be answering one common reader question about how to plan and cook a delicious but healthy Thanksgiving feast.