This is the first year that I have had Thanksgiving eating a healthy diet. I had dinner with my beloved boyfriend so we got to make whatever we wanted.
All the years that I have cooked Thanksgiving dinner I always felt the need to stay traditional. That is what Thanksgiving was to me, being grateful, family and traditional eating.
I had to tell myself that it was ok to change that tradition. Letting that one go for me isn't easy but isn't that what healthy is? Letting go of unhealthy beliefs? Well I did and it turned out great.
We bought an organic turkey, yum! It was expensive but we saved so much more on not buying all the other "Stuff". The turkey roasted great and was juicy and the best flavor I've ever had. There was about 3 cups of juices from the turkey that I put in a 4 cup measure and there was only about an 1/8 inch of fat that surfaced. Even the skin had a different consistency (the dog got that). The difference from a non organic turkey was incredible. (Beware of all natural turkeys, they are not organically raised).
About 40 mins before the bird was done I add (to the roasting pan) chopped sweet potatoes, onions, red & yellow sweet peppers carrots and my own dried parsley, salt and pepper.
I let the turkey rest and made gravy out of the fat skimmed juice. I mixed a little turkey juice with 2 Tbls of whole wheat pastry flour then heated it up in a small pot and slowly whisked in the rest of the drippings.
I served the roasted veggies on a bed of organic spring mix lettuce, with sliced turkey and gravy. It was more then enough to eat and so delicious.
Dessert was baking while we ate. In a dutch oven on the stove: 1/2 c water, 6 skin on cored sliced apples, 1/4 c cranberries and a pinch of salt. Cook until the apples are soft.stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup maple syrup, 1 cup of oat meal. Top with whole pecans and bake @ 350 for 1/2 hour. Mmmmm.
No guilt here.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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