A Healthy Thanksgiving at the Heller House

Thanksgiving will be here soon and then it will be time to plan a Thanksgiving feast for family and friends. Therefore, it is almost time to hunt for the perfect turkey, prepare a mouth-watering stuffing, create a tangy and tantalizing cranberry sauce, and prepare pies worth all the tea in China. Every Thanksgiving, I can't wait to make stuffing, turkey, and add another delicious pie to my pie baking repertoire. However, I have always tried to balance the traditional Thanksgiving foods with being healthy. I make turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. I am also fond of making pumpkin and apple pie for Thanksgiving dessert. In addition, to eating healthy Thanksgiving foods, I enjoy doing some healthy activities for some Thanksgiving pleasure. So, here are two healthy recipes and three healthy Thanksgiving activities that I will prepare for and do with my family and friends this Thanksgiving.

Bananas on the Barbie
4 firm-ripe bananas
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
Pam or other cooking spray

Preparation
Peel bananas and halve lengthwise. Place bananas in a baking dish and spray lightly with Pam or other cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine honey and lemon juice and set aside.

Completion
Preheat the grill. When the grill is 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place bananas cut side down on the grill and grill for two minutes Brush round side of the bananas with half of the lemon and honey sauce and turn onto grill. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove bananas from grill, brush with the remaining lemon-honey mixture and serve immediately.
Serves 8
Note: I use lemon juice instead of lime juice and 2 tablespoons of honey instead of one.

Italian Rice Salad
8 cups cooked long grain rice
2 cups frozen peas, thawed
2 cups frozen corn, thawed
½ cup olives, pitted
6 oz can Albacore tuna packed in water
1 cup hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Italian parsley, finely chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste
Note: I use a 6 oz can of Albacore tuna packed in water instead of a 4 oz can.

Preparation
Combine all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

Completion
Remove from the refrigerator, mix thoroughly, and serve within 30 minutes.

Serves 10

Healthy Thanksgiving Activities

* Writing: Writing helps you exercise your brain and helps you be more creative.

* Movies: Going to movies stimulates your mind and talking about them with family and friends develops your debating skills.

* Walking: Walking helps work off the Thanksgiving meal. source:www.disneychannel.com/Pass the Plate