FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Healthy Eating Tip: Eating in Groups

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is a gluttonous holiday, and when sharing a table with others it is easy to lose your moderate ways and over indulge in a foodie version of keeping up with the Joneses. I am here to remind you to stick to your guns and remember your willpower. I have a few tricks to share, just in case you feel yourself succumbing to the chow down peer pressure.

Sit next to the slowest eater at the table and match that person’s pace. Put your fork down when they put their fork down. Eating slower will not only aid your digestion, but you will feel full after about 20 minutes of eating and eat less in the time period.
Aim to be the last person to finish eating, just like when you were a kid and you wanted your ice cream cone to last the longest so you could taunt your siblings.
Always keep some food on your plate so when the hostess tries to push seconds on you, you can say you're not done with your first helping.

Remember to enjoy yourself, but don't let the spirit of the group gorge take over.

Source

Healthy Recipe: Cranberry-Pear Wild Rice Stuffing

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is exactly one week from today, and I'm getting into the spirit of this food-centered holiday by testing out a couple of healthy side dishes before serving them on the actual day. This vegetarian cranberry-pear wild rice stuffing is made with whole grain bread instead of the usual white or sourdough, and does not call for even a dab of butter. While I followed the recipe exactly on my first attempt, it is easily adaptable and I could picture substituting apples for the pears or dried apricots for the dried cranberries.

My home was filled with smells of the season when this was in the oven, and while it would complement a Thanksgiving table perfectly, it was a satisfying warm side to a crisp green salad on a cold Fall evening. This would also make a yummy main dish when served inside Winter squashes. I'll be making this dish again, though next time I'll leave out the pepper because it was a to bit too prevalent in the aftertaste.

To get the recipe,

Run a Turkey Trot Before You Eat Pie

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

My Thanksgiving motto is, "Burn your pie to earn your pie." And by "burn" I don't mean charring your pumpkin or apple pie; I mean burn as in to burn calories. According to Runner's World, the amount of calories burned running a 5k is quite similar to the calories found in a slice of pumpkin pie. I thought that little comparison might inspire you to sign up for a 5k Turkey Trot.

Many running clubs host these events in neighborhoods and suburbs that aren't typical race venues. High school cross country teams also sponsor these fun runs as fundraising events. And let me tell you, they are not only fun, but they are great way to start your day.

You can find an event near you at Active.com, or try the race finder over at Runner's World. If you're lucky, you might even get a cool race t-shirt like mine from last year.

Which Do You Choose: Pie Edition

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

On Thanksgiving, many people I know suffer through the turkey and stuffing just to get to the pies. How well do you know pies? Take this quiz and see.

Source

What Fergie Plans to Eat This Thanksgiving

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Fergie recently traded in her shots of apple cider vinegar for anything with high fat content, all in the name of art. The typically health-conscious star briefly sacrificed her impressive abs for her role in the movie Nine and gained precisely 13 pounds. Now she is determined to lose that baker's dozen by reversing her diet — all she has to do is give up the mostly fried food, like fish and chips, that she ate to gain the weight in the first place. Thanksgiving dinner won't set her back on her trek to her old bod; find out what Fergie will be eating this Nov. 27 when you

Don't Shop 'til You Drop: Ergo Shopping

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Standing in line on the busiest shopping day of the year can really test your patience, and back, and legs, and feet….

Here are a few things to try to make standing in line bearable:

Keep your weight evenly balanced on both feet. Standing with all of your weight on one leg, with your hip jutting out, may look cool and seem like an energy saver, but it can really tweak your back, your hips, and your knees. Especially if you are carrying a big, heavy purse.
Do mini pliés. Bend and straighten your knees a bit to make sure that you are not locking your knees, which decreases circulation to your lower legs and grinds the knee joints – ouch.
Breathe: When you’re frustrated that the sales clerk can’t seem to get the total right for the person way up at the head of the line – breathe. Take a deep breath and let it go. Remember: oxygen is always free.
Stretch when you can. Put all your bags down and stretch out your back by rounding your lower spine. Remember pulling your abs in increases the stretch. You don’t have to make it a big motion. Just big enough to move the spine around a bit so it doesn’t get over taxed. (Speaking of which – I wish I lived in a state with no sales tax on clothes, but that is another can of worms.)
Sensible Shoes: If your feet are not happy, then you won't be happy. So wear some sensible shoes.

Happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Since Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks, I wanted to be sure I took this opportunity to thank you all for coming and reading FitSugar everyday. I am very thankful to have such fabulous readers who are also devoted to getting healthy — all your valuable comments, questions, and suggestions help make this site tick.

Enough with the mushiness, now go and eat some turkey and a slice of pie already — we'll get back to working out and eating healthy tomorrow!

Source

How to Detox After Your Thanksgiving Feast

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

If you ate more than you wanted to at your Thanksgiving meal, you are not alone. So to help the digestion process along, here are a few ideas.

Drink ginger tea; it helps to improve digestion.
Chewable papaya enzyme can help promote digestion as well.

The next morning:

Oatmeal is really high in insoluble fiber, which helps get things moving.
Drink plenty of water to help the body digest and eliminate waste.

The rest of the day:

Eat foods high in insoluble fiber, like carrot sticks, with your turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread.
Get exercise: Nothing helps more than a little motion and a little sweating to help the body process and burn the extra calories you consumed.

Source

Holiday Eating Tip: Rebound After the Gorge

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:15:00 -0800

Marty, a contestant from season three of The Biggest Loser, once said: "The largest [dieting] obstacle is getting back on track after a cheat day." I have to second that. With the biggest cheat day of the year being Thanksgiving, I thought I would remind you to get back on the healthy lifestyle wagon right away. Don't allow one day of indulgence send you into a downward spiral.

Plan on exercising Friday. Morning is always best, because that way you are sure to fit a workout into your busy post-holiday schedule. Also avoid the temptation to eat pie and leftover stuffing for breakfast — or am I the only one who does that? Instead, have a healthy, balanced breakfast, then make yourself a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread and hold the mayo.

The bottom line: So you might overindulge for one day. Fine. Just don't let it push you off track until the New Year!

Source

Thanksgiving Roundup!

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

We've covered a lot of ground this Thanksgiving season and it's not over yet so I wanted to be sure you didn't miss anything.

Here's a recap:

Take this fun Thanksgiving quiz that tests your calorie smarts.

Here's a breakdown of popular pies you're sure to come across on Thanksgiving.

Five reason to be thankful for cranberries.

Vegetarians may want to try the Tofurkey this year.

For nonvegetarians, how does white meat compare to dark meat? Now you know, which meat do you actually eat?

Start a healthy tradition by skipping watching football on TV after dinner and going outside to play it instead.

Since most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen, here is a great kitchen workout.

Watch those calories, they'll creep up on you over the holidays.

Eating in large groups can be detrimental to eating healthy, so take these tips for eating in large groups.

While you're cooking stay safe in the kitchen with these kitchen safety tips.

Source

Digestion and You: The Thanksgiving Edition

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:00:00 -0800

I have quizzed you about making healthier and lower calorie choices at your Thanksgiving Day feast. I have even quizzed you on the typical caloric load of the meal. But what happens after the food leaves your mouth?

Digesting your T-day meal is a feat unto itself. Take this quiz to see how eating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and apple pie affects your belly.

Source

Does Turkey Make You Tired?

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

I can't get through a Thanksgiving meal without someone mentioning tryptophan. We all know that we'll gorge ourselves on turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie galore. Then plop ourselves on the couch in exhaustion, blaming the turkey's tryptophan for our comatose state. Is turkey really the culprit?

To find out

Which Thanksgiving Staple Will You Indulge In?

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:30:00 -0800

As much as we all like to talk about eating healthy on Thanksgiving day, there is always that one item (or two, or three) that you just can't resist. So which Thanksgiving treat is worth hitting the treadmill for few extra sessions?Source

Which Thanksgiving Staple Will You Indulge In?

Dark turkey meat (with the skin still on)

Mashed potatoes (with butter and gravy)

Sweet potato casserole

Stuffing, stuffing, and more stuffing

Pies

All of the above

No pie in this world would make me break my diet.

Other – tell us below

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Stuffing

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

Why not mix things up this Thanksgiving? Instead of serving traditional stuffing made out of bread, why not use quinoa? It's a whole grain that is similar to rice but has a slightly firmer texture. Plus 1/4 cup of quinoa contains six grams of protein, so after eating it you'll feel energized. I like to add cooked sweet potatoes to give it a touch of Thanksgiving warmth.

This quinoa stuffing is really easy to whip up and will be ready to eat in about 30 minutes. To see the recipe,

What Thanksgiving Really Means, Calorie-Wise

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is just about family, good food, and good friends and no other agenda. The only problem is that we all tend to gorge on that good food. So to get you thinking about how to deal with the mass consumption on T-day, I wrote up a little quiz for ya!

Source

Shake and Bake: The Kitchen Workout

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

We all cook, right? Well chances are high you’re going to be in the kitchen on Thanksgiving for hours and there are ways to pepper your kitchen time with a few strengthening exercises. Here are some moves to try between chopping potatoes, onions and herbs.

Reverse Lunges: Place your hands on the counter and step backward coming into a deep lunge so both knees are at, but not beyond, a 90 degree angle. It's so convenient that the counter just happens to be right in front of you to help with balancing. Do: 8 on each side, twice
Heel Raises: Once again using the counter for balance, just rise up onto your toes to work your calves. Lower your heel and repeat. Do: 12 reps, twice
Counter push-ups: Place your hands on the counter and walk your feet away from the counter until your shoulders are even with your hands. In this position bend and straighten your elbows. Do: 15 reps, twice
Pendulum kicks: Using the counter to help maintain your balance raise your right leg to the side as high as you can keeping the movement in your hips joint and not your back. Bring that leg down and lift the other leg. Keep alternating legs. Do: 12 sets, twice.
Dishwasher squats: Take care of your back and work your legs and glutes while you load your dirty dishes and unload your clean ones. This really is a back saver!
Kitchen sink stretch: Whenever you need a break during your cooking marathon, go over to the sink and stretch your lats, shoulders and back.

Holiday Eating Tip: Watch Those Calories

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

If you're not looking to gain any weight between Thanksgiving and Jan. 1, 2008, then take this into consideration.

Eating 88 extra calories per day between Thanksgiving and Jan. 1 will most likely leave you one pound heavier by 2008 — that's like eating just over three Hershey's Kisses (or a quarter of a slice of pumpkin pie) a day.

Source

Go Meat-Free This Thanksgiving With Tofurky

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:30:00 -0800

Just because you're a vegetarian doesn't mean you have to miss out on having some turkey-like protein at your meal. Plus going meatless means you can eat a cholesterol-free Tofurky instead. It's made from a revolutionary tofu-wheat protein blend, and is known for its incredible, turkey-like texture and flavor. Tofurky is hands down the best alternative to turkey.

You can cook up a Tofurky feast, complete with one Tofurky Roast, eight cranberry-apple potato dumplings, Tofurky Giblet and Mushroom Gravy, Tofurky Wild Rice Stuffing, and a Tofurky Jurky Wishbone (I love that little detail). This feast is 100 percent vegan and cooks in about one hour.

If you don't want the entire Tofurky feast, you can just pick up a Tofurky Roast to have as your main dish or as a meatless option for your vegetarian friends.

Want to see how turkey and Tofurky compare nutritionally? Then

A Day in The Life . . .Thanksgiving Edition!

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:00:00 -0800

So the big day has come and your Aunt Bethany has cooked up a storm. Now it's up to you to try and pick the items with the fewest calories from her traditional Thanksgiving-meal spread. While each item may not have substantial differences in calories, remember you'll be eating a lot on Thanksgiving, so every decision counts.

Good Luck!

Source

Food Safety Tips For Thanksgiving

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

When planning your T-day feast, I bet that food safety is nowhere near the top of your list. Luckily WebMD has you covered. So before you become caught up with your guests or in front of the stove, here are some highlights of tips for review.

Defrost your bird properly. If you will be cooking a frozen turkey this year you need to properly thaw the bird prior to cooking it. Don't thaw it on the kitchen counter! Allow for 24 hours of fridge time per 5 lbs. for thawing. If you opt to thaw your bird in water, use a cold water bath in your sink and change the water every 30 minutes. This may seem time consuming, but it is fast.

Keep guests (and sticky fingers) out of the kitchen. Thanksgiving occurs just as the cold and flu season begins, so keep your guests away from the food while it is being prepared. This is why appetizers are so important!

Cook foods to the proper temperature — and use a thermometer. Cooking food to the proper temp will ensure that all harmful bacteria has been killed. Make sure to cook your turkey, stuffing, and side dishes to at 165ºF.

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of preparation. When food sits outs for more than two hours in the danger zone — above 40ºF and below 140ºF — it is prime for bacterial growth. Nobody wants bacteria with their leftovers.

Happy thawing, cooking, and eating!

Source

Holiday Eating Tip: Eating in Groups

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

The holidays are approaching which means all of us healthy eaters need to be armed to go into holiday meals with our best tricks up our sleeve.

In light of this and because it's time to start thinking about the holidays, CalorieLab.com offers some great tips and tricks for surviving holiday meals. Here are highlights:

Sit next to the slowest eater at the table and match that person’s pace
Always have some food left on your plate to forestall the “one more helping” impulse
Decide how much you will eat before the meal takes place
Be the last person to begin eating
Limit your meal to the entree plus a maximum of two items, with dessert, appetizer, bread and so forth constituting an item each

Source

Lite'n It Up Feature: Pumpkin Flan

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:30:00 -0800

If you're looking for an alternative to pumpkin pie this holiday season how about switching it up with Pumpkin Flan. User fragiletearez added this yummy recipe for pumpkin flan from Weight Watchers and it looks totally tasty and super easy. For anyone that follows the WW's points system, this little dessert is only 2 points. For anyone that doesn't follow the WW's point system, that is pretty darn good for a dessert!

To see her recipe

5 Things: Reasons to Be Thankful For Cranberries

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Cranberry sauce might just be a lowly condiment on the Thanksgiving table, but this tart berry is a nutritional super star. Here are five things to chew on about cranberries.

Cranberry juice interferes with the bacteria E. coli that is responsible for the most serious types of UTIs (urinary tract infections). The berry and its juice contain tannins, which fight the infections on the front lines by creating barriers that prevent E. coli from getting close to the urinary-tract lining. If the bacteria cannot implant itself, it cannot cause infection.
Cranberries also contain proanthocyanidine. If you can't tell by its crazy name that it is an antioxidant and it prevents formation of plaque on the teeth.
Cranberry juice, because of its high-acid content, can help break down and prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Studies indicate that only 30 percent of super-tart cranberry juice of a 100 percent juice mixture is necessary to receive the beneficial vitamins and nutrients, as well as other health benefits imparted by cranberry juice.
Captains of early sailing ships provided cranberries to their sailors to combat scurvy since the berries are high in vitamin C. One cup of raw cranberries contains about one fourth of the current RDI (Reference Daily Intake) for an adult. Many processed foods made with cranberries, like juices and drinks, have extra vitamin C added to the product, resulting in the full daily requirement of vitamin C.

So, I want to know if you eat the cranberry sauce or not? Let me know in the comments section below.

Source

Turkey Talk: White Meat vs. Dark Meat

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

When it comes to eating turkey, I like to dabble on the dark side of things and eat a drumstick. It gives me that old English monarch feeling. Yet dark meat has a bad rap, so I wanted to know just how bad it really is.

First off, to satisfy your curiosity as to why there is dark meat in the first place, you need to know that since turkeys don't really fly much, their legs and thighs are the birds' primary mode of transportation. The muscles of the legs and thigh are full of myoglobin proteins, which ship oxygen to the muscle cells so the turkeys can run around all day and not get tired. Myoglobins make the flesh darker, and consequently, dark meat is considerably higher in iron.

So how do all the different types of meat compare nutritionally? To see just

Healthy Holiday Tip: Start a Healthy Tradition

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

The time spent after eating our huge Thanksgiving meals usually consists of plopping down in front of the TV and/or heading out to the movies. Now I don't have anything against TV or going to the movies, but this Thanksgiving try to start a healthy tradition.

Gather the troops for a fun game of flag football, bike ride, hike, or even just a walk through the neighborhood to see which of your over-zealous neighbors have started decorating for Christmas already.

It's never too late to start your own tradition and next year your family may even look forward to actually playing a game of football rather than watching one on TV.

Do you have any healthy or active Thanksgiving traditions? If so, share them below.

Source

When You Eat Turkey, Do You Avoid Eating the Dark Meat?

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:30:00 -0800

We all have our favorite part of the bird and on Thanksgiving day we get to have our fill of it. Turkey meat is super high in protein and super low in fat, especially the breast meat. I am wondering if you avoid the dark meat because it is considered fattening. So tell me...Source

When You Eat Turkey, Do You Avoid Eating the Dark Meat?

Yes! I just eat the breast meat and no skin.

No! I love the thigh and the leg.

Drumsticks are my favorite and I won't avoid them.

I just like turkey no matter the color.

I don't eat meat!

Other – tell me below!

Pie Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0800

To many of us, Thanksgiving means pies — lots and lots of pies. From apple pie to pumpkin pie, you're most likely going to encounter at least a slice or two this holiday season. When you do, use this breakdown to make the best decisions about which pies you could (and shouldn't) indulge in.

To see the pie breakdown, just

Win $100 Whole Foods Gift Card!

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

This giveaway is over and the winners will be announced shortly. Thank you to all who participated.

I'm definitely getting an organic turkey for Thanksgiving. If you're going organic for Thanksgiving too, I want to help you with the tab. Just in time to shop for your T-day meal, I am giving away five Whole Foods gift cards worth $100 each! Unfortunately, the cards are only redeemable in the US and Canada, but you can check out the Whole Foods Market online store locator to find a store near you.

To enter to win one of the five Whole Foods gift cards, all you have to do is log in and take the quiz below. (By the way, your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just simply by taking the quiz once you are logged in.) You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to take the quiz. So if you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Also, this part is important: YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN TO TEAMSUGAR FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT.

Interested in more details? Click here for the official rules.

The contest will end on Friday, Nov. 16, at 12:00 p.m. PST, and then I'll randomly select five winners from among the quiz-takers. Make sure to log in and take the quiz before then, and don't forget to e-mail this to all your friends and family so they can have a chance at it too!

Snack Attack: Thanksgiving Leftovers!

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:01:18 -0800

After a heavy Thanksgiving meal, many of us want to snack on lighter things the following week-- especially dieters who are trying to make it through the holidays without the inevitable weight gain! So for something lighter, make a salad with plenty of fresh vegetables topped with cubed or sliced leftover turkey.

Other ingredients to consider:
Dark purple salad greens, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, celery, leftover peas, chopped almonds and hard boiled eggs (peeled, sliced and yolks removed).

Top with a cranberry salad dressing that you can make on your own by mixing some leftover cranberry sauce with olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar.

Why we love this snack:
Salads are great for you period.
Turkey is high in protein.
Cranberry is among our list of foods that are really good for you.
Vegetables provide you with a natural source of fabulous nutrients like vitamin c and lycopene.
Olive oil and Almonds are great sources for monounsaturated fat (the good fat).

Fit's Tip: Lots of people love to have bits of cheese on their salad. Cheese is a great source of Calcium but can be high in fat. Try topping with a cheese that is a little bit lower in fat naturally like Parmesan or Sap Sago (made from whey).

How to Detox After the Big Meal

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 23:50:02 -0800

If you ate more than you wanted to at your Thanksgiving meal, you are not alone. If you want to help the digestion process along, here are a few ideas to help.

The night after the meal:

Drink ginger tea; it helps to improve digestion.
Chewable papaya enzyme can help promote digestion as well.

The next morning:

Oatmeal is really high in insoluble fiber, which helps the gut get things moving.
Drink plenty of water to help the body digest and eliminate waste.

The rest of the day:

Eat foods high in insoluble fiber, like carrot sticks with your turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread.
Get exercise: Nothing helps more than a little motion and a little sweating to help the body process and burn the extra calories you consumed.

Happy Thanksgiving and Good Night

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:30:00 -0800

By now, everyone has heard that there's a chemical in turkey meat that makes you want to take a nap. Did you know it's also found in oats, bananas, dried dates, milk, yogurt, chick peas, and peanuts? Turkey does contain tryptophan, which has a documented sleep-inducing effect. But tryptophan works best when taken on an empty stomach. When's the last time you skipped all the fixings?
It's actually the nature of the typical Thanksgiving meal that causes your sleepiness. You just plain eat a lot. And the meal is full of heavy, high-carb foods like mashed potatoes, stuffing, bread, and pie. People tend to eat way more than they would normally. Your body is working overtime to digest all that food. Drinking alcohol with your meal adds to your drowsiness.

So if you love the effects, pile on the food. I'll see you in napland.

Fit's tip: If you want to avoid passing out before you even make it to dessert, try eating a little taste of everything. That way you can still indulge in the meal, and feel awake enough to enjoy it.

What food can you not RESIST on Thanksgiving?

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 09:32:48 -0800

What food can you not RESIST on Thanksgiving?

Ladle on the Gravy, my potatoes feel naked without it

Stuff me with stuffing

Pumkin pie is the apple of my eye

Mash potatoes, mash potatoes, mash potatoes

Candied yams with those tiny marshmellows

Apple pie is the apple of my eye

Did I skip one? Let me know below.

Don't Get Stuffed - Get Quinoa

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:30:00 -0800

It's pronounced "Keen-wa" and it's known as "The Mother Grain." It's a great alternative to your traditional Thanksgiving stuffing. The original will fill you up quickly, leaving no room for dessert. It is also super high in protein - 1 cup of Quinoa contains a whopping 22 grams of protein, while the usual breadcrumb stuffing has about 1 gram. Plus, quinoa is a whole grain, which is much healthier for you and less processed.
If you've never tried it, it's a lot like rice, and making it is just as easy. It'll be a stuffing to remember. If you want to try out a recipe

Work it at home: New Traditions

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 02:30:00 -0800

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is all about FOOD. Learning how to make food that your grandmother used to make or deciphering the recipe you mother-in-law mailed to you. A lot of us sit around and watch the Macy's parade or watch one of the countless football games on TV. But I am here to advocate new traditions, physical traditions, traditions that get the family up and moving together.

Why not play touch football like the Kennedy's - how more Americana can you get on our national day of thanks? But you can also play catch, soccer or Frisbee.

Or take a hike. This gets tricky with a turkey in the oven. Someone (read MOM) stays behind with the turkey, but with a lot of little ones running about this might be a nice break for the cook too.

If it is raining or too cold to go out, there is always a game of Twister. Or put on some tunes and have a family dance party. ( Fit's disclaimer: Your home dance party might not be as quaint as the one pictured above since it's hard these days to find both a fireplace and a fiddler.)

I am sure there are so many fun possibilities out there. Let me know if I've missed your tradition.

Please Pass the Tofurky

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0800

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture over 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. That's one-sixth of the total turkeys sold each year. Wow. That's a lot of cluckers.
Why not try something different this year? Whether you choose to save a turkey's life or want a healthier option, cook up a Tofurky instead.
It's made from a revolutionary tofu-wheat protein blend, and is known for its incredible, turkey-like texture and flavor. Tofurky is hands-down the best alternative to turkey.

Relax Already: Delegate

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:30:00 -0800

Are you hosting the BIG event at your home? Are you stressed about it? Well relax already, you still have time to DELEGATE. I am here to tell you that it's true - you do not have to do all the work alone. Thanksgiving is a full two days away, and if you call folks tonight you are still giving them plenty of time to get their portion of the meal together. Plenty of people ask if they can help out and you should definitely take them up on it. You can even invite one or two guests early and have them help set the table, arrange flowers, or open the wine.

This way you will all have plenty to be thankful for - you for your guests helping and your guests for you being the host.

How the Celebs work their Thanksgiving Day meal

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 07:30:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is a day dedicated to eating. I've heard that the average American eats nearly 4,500 calories in one meal. FYI -- that is more than twice the daily recommended total. WOW! We all try to keep the overeating in check and Dr. Perricone, nutritional advisor to stars like Courteney Cox and Sheryl Crow, tells us some of his suggestions for the holiday in the upcoming issue of Life and Style Weekly .

My favorites are getting sleep the night before the meal (I love sleep) and snacking. The turkey is never done on time, at least at my house, and going to the table starving is a bad idea.

Hope these help you have a stellar meal.