HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Tips to avoid gaining weight & delicious healthy recipes!

Hey everyone! Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I am so excited! There is absolutely nothing better in this world than spending time with your family, friends, and indulging in amazing food! I am so excited for my mom to be coming down to spend the night with me Wednesday, spend Thanksgiving day with my Scott family, and see my dad and step-mom on Saturday!

I wanted to share some tips to help avoid gaining *too much weight* over the holiday and share some of my favorite healthier choice recipes for Thanksgiving!

- Tips to avoid gaining weight over the holiday!

* Do not arrive to your holiday meal wherever it may be absolutely starving! Try having a small nutritious snack before hand so you will avoid piling up your plate with too much extra food! I recommend a hand-full of almonds, a few apple slices with a table spoon of peanut/almond butter, or 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.

* Focus on your friends and family! Holiday's are more than just amazing food. Do not put all of your attention on the food. Focus on spending time with everyone, laughing over old times, and making new memories.

* Pace yourself. Enjoy and savor the food. Do not eat fast.

* If your dinner is "buffet-style" use the smaller plate.

* If you are cooking for your holiday meal, instead of snacking on all the little ingredients that may be included in your pies, cakes, cookies, stuffing, etc. snack on fresh fruit.

* Just because it is the holidays you should not count out exercise! You should actually increase your caloric burn since majority will be increasing their caloric intake! Go for walk or jog first thing in the morning before cooking, getting ready, or leaving to go your event!

Now on to the good stuff...

- Healthier Recipes for Thanksgiving!

I have to start with my favorite treat for Thanksgiving. Pumpkin pie! I absolutely love it!

* Pumpkin Pie with Rum

Per serving: 278 calories; 8 g fat (2 g sat, 4 g mono); 58 mg cholesterol; 43 g carbohydrates; 7 g protein; 3 g fiber; 187 mg sodium; 397 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (137% daily value), Calcium (21% dv), Iron (15% dv).

~ FULL RECIPE FOUND HERE: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pumpkin_pie_with_rum.html

* Cornbread & Sausage Stuffing

Per serving: 242 calories; 8 g fat (3 g sat, 0 g mono); 29 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrates; 10 g protein; 2 g fiber; 692 mg sodium; 79 mg potassium.

~ FULL RECIPE FOUND HERE: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cornbread_sausage_stuffing.html

* Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Per serving: 96 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 0 g mono); 5 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 118 mg sodium; 189 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (230% daily value), Vitamin C (15% dv)

~ FULL RECIPE FOUND HERE: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/maple_roasted_sweet_potatoes.html

* Vermont Cheddar Mashed Yukon Golds (I have made this, it is delicious!)

Per serving: 223 calories; 6 g fat (4 g sat, 0 g mono); 19 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrates; 8 g protein; 2 g fiber; 425 mg sodium; 935 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium (27% daily value), Calcium (15% dv).

~ FULL RECIPE FOUND HERE: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/vermont_cheddar_mashed_yukon_golds.html

* Deep-Dish Apple Pie

Per serving: 344 calories; 10 g fat (4 g sat, 3 g mono); 14 mg cholesterol; 62 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 5 g fiber; 143 mg sodium; 212 mg potassium.

~ FULL RECIPE FOUND HERE: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/deep_dish_apple_pie.html

* Double Nut & Date Tassies

Per cookie: 93 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 7 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 24 mg sodium; 60 mg potassium.

~ FULL RECIPE FOUND HERE: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/nut_date_tassies.html

I hope everyone has a fantastic Holiday week and weekend!