Thanksgiving is the perfect time for you and your family to come together, create more precious memories, and eat some amazing food that your mom or other relatives make.

Just because you are trying to reach your health and fitness goals does NOT mean you have to give up some of your favorite meals to stay on track with your healthy lifestyle.

You have to plan ahead and be prepared to make healthy decisions when you have dozens of delectable meal options right in front of your plate.

Here are a few MORE tips to help you stay on track this year at your Thanksgiving meal:

• Make a list of the food you really want to enjoy this year at your family meal.  Stick to those items only and fill your plate with the other healthy food options.  Turkey (if it is baked and not fried) is always a good option (without gravy).  It is a great source of protein and is low in calories and fat.
• Stick to the correct portion sizes!! If you do not know the correct portion sizes of your favorite foods research it BEFORE you get there so you will know how much to put on your plate.
• If you drink water in between dishes it will help to make you full which in return will help you to say no to overeating on your favorite treats.  If you feel full you will be more likely to say no and pass on the extra calories.
• Try to wait at least 3-4 hours before you decide to enjoy another plate full.  Some people are able to eat, take a quick nap, and come back for more.  Let the food you consumer settle and then come back from more.
• And most importantly, try NOT to take a extra plate home!  If you take home a double serving of stuffing and glazed  sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese, you will have those items tempting you in your fridge.  Limit your temptations by not allowing yourself to be tempted.

Just because it is a holiday does not mean you have to compromise your healthy eating habits.

Although most gyms may be closed on Thanksgiving try to make sure you get some type of workout done before or even after your meal.  Try to create your own at home workout to do or play games with your family members.  This would be a great time to your family involved with a physical activity since you will all be together and since every one will also enjoy a few extra treats.

Stay on track and it will help you to stay focused on reaching your health and fitness goals.

Thanksgiving is know as the National Binge Eating Holiday.

This holiday is notorious for people eating until they are so stuffed they are almost sick.

Our culture teaches us to eat MORE than or bodies can handle.  You do not have to eat until you are stuffed and feel like you can not move.  The best way to eat your meals is to eat until you are satisfied.

I am not saying that every meal should leave you feeling hungry or that you should not feel full at the end of your meals.  You have to find the perfect balance when creating your healthy meals each day.  That also comes with making sure that you have the correct portion controls as well.

Today i would like to share some tips with you that may may you successful at being more health conscious this year during your Thanksgiving feast.

When you get your plate try to stick with accurate portion sizes.  Do not want to bring extra attention to yourself?  Make your plate in the kitchen away from everyone else so they will not feel the need to single you out or poke fun at you.

If you would like to enjoy some of your grandma’s famous sweet potato pie, try to skip out on the sugary drinks and stick with water. Sweet drinks are usually full of calories and sugar.  So make the smart substitute and stick with water so you do not consumer more than you want to.

You do not have to skip some of your favorite sides and treats at this years dinner.  Just enjoy them in moderation.  Have only 1/2 a cup of loaded smashed potatoes or 1/2 cup of the glazed sweet potatoes.  If you find that you are still hungry it is always safe to double your portion sizes for the steamed vegetables.  If you know they will not be offered this year offer to make some and bring it with you.

Enjoy dessert BUT if you can withstand the temptation of the traditional Thanksgiving desserts try to create your own desserts with low fat pudding and low fat whip topping.  You can also make yogurt pops with fruit and honey.  You can also possible consider frozen yogurt and add your own fruit or dark chocolate.  There are dozens of other healthier options you can choose from to help you keep your calorie count for your Thanksgiving meal low.

Planning your meal will help you to stay on track and to not feel bad when you get to enjoy some of your favorite treats.  Plan ahead and most importantly enjoy the time you have with your friends and family!

 Avocado Deviled Eggs

 (Click on link or image to go to original site)

Yield: 12 deviled eggs

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut lengthwise
• 1 fully ripened avocado from Mexico, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 tablespoon plain low or no-fat yogurt
• 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 to1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced jalapeño
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• chopped chives (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, place egg yolks; add the avocado and mash until smooth.

2. Stir in yogurt, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly.

3. Stir in jalapeño and onion, then spoon into egg white shells, dividing equally.

4. Arrange on a serving plate. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 hours.

5. Garnish with chives, if desired.

Chocolate peppermint candies

(Click on link or image to go to original site)

Ingredients:

2 cups all-natural dark chocolate chips (you can get the unsweetened kind, or sweetened with just a bit of organic, evaporated cane sugar. )
1/4 tsp stevia (optional, only if you got unsweetened chocolate chips – can be found by the sweeteners at your grocery store)
1/8-1/4 natural peppermint extract (depending on how strong you like your mint flavor)
You will also need a candy mold in any shape or size. (get your shamrock candy mold here.) Or you can use mini cupcake liners for a “Reese’s” shape.

Directions:

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. If you’re like me and don’t own a double boiler, just fill a pot with water and set a metal mixing bowl on top of it. You need to make sure the bowl can make a decent seal against the rim of the pot, and that the bowl doesn’t sit too deep into the pot. You don’t want the pot to touch boiling water, so that your chocolate gets steamed instead of sauteed.

It will take about 3-5 minutes for the chocolate to melt. Stir it with a rubber spatula until it’s completely melted and super shiny. Then, turn the heat down to low, and thoroughly stir in the natural peppermint flavor and optional stevia. Using a metal spoon, drizzle chocolate into your candy mold, filling it up, but taking care not to over-fill each shamrock hole.

Place mold in the fridge or freezer for about 15 minutes.

Here are a few leprechaun approved smoothie recipes you can try as well:

The Leaping Leprechaun

1/2 cup strawberries

1 banana

1/2 cup of spinach leaves

1 cup water
1/2 yogurt

Lucky Lucy

1 handful parsley
2 apples
1 handful spinach
1 cucumber
1 lemon
1-inch piece ginger
1/2 cup yogurt

Sparkling Shamrock

1 cup fresh pineapple cubes

1/2 cup strawberries

1 banana

1/2 cup of spinach leaves

1 cup water

One to two drops of vanilla essence

One cup of yogurt and add a teaspoon or two of honey for sweetness (optional)

Irish Twist

3 cups fresh baby Spinach

1 Lime,
1 large Tomato

2-3 Carrots and 1/2 Carrot top bunch

1/2 bunch Parsley

1 stalk Celery

Green Morning

4-6 Carrots

4 stalks of Celery

1 Lemon

1 Macintosh or Yellow Apple
1/2 cup yogurt

For each recipe, add all ingredients into a blender. Blend until really smooth. Don’t leave it grainy or chunky or with bits of leaves floating about. It can be thick so thin with water, but it needs to be smooth.  This should take only a couple of minutes. Blend until the greens are so pulverized that they are no longer visible other than infusing your smoothie with a beautiful green color.