Ideas for a Creating a Healthy Thanksgiving

As with any holiday, the meaning held and traditions followed on Thanksgiving varies with each home. One often shared memory is the full, lethargic, listless feeling after an entire day of marathon feasting. I have decided to forgo being thankful for my antacid at the end of the day and instead create a new healthier holiday tradition that encompasses more than food.

There are numerous ways to use this day that many U.S. Americans have free from work. This should be a day to do those things that are considered a luxury during a hectic weekday. Try some of these ideas on their own or in combination. I plan to incorporate a bit of each spa, nature and charity into my family's holiday this year.

Activities

Spa day: Start the day with Tai Chi or just a round of stretching. Play soothing music and surround yourself with the soft light of candles, take a long bath, give yourself, or each other if you have company, a manicure/pedicure and a facial.

Nature day: Take a nature walk among autumn's splendor, get into the garden to plant the autumn tubers, rake leaves to jump in, go bird watching, take a walk on a beach, go fishing, have a Thanksgiving picnic, visit a fish ladder or just sit in the back yard and relax.

Day of charity: There are many U.S. Americans that don't have as much of which to be thankful on this day. Offer to help at a soup kitchen, invite people that will be alone today, prepare and deliver food or meals to neighbors that are in need, visit lonely patients at a hospital or nursing home, read to children in the hospital, help out at your local animal shelter. Check out possible charity events and walks taking place on Thanksgiving where you live.

Other activity ideas:
Have a scavenger hunt indoors, outdoors or both
Play a game of tag
Go to a playground (even if you are all adults)
Attend a local high school football game
Put together a football or other sport game
Play lawn bowling
Play Croquet
Attend your local parade
Have a romantic Thanksgiving at a bed and breakfast where there are fun activities nearby

Recipes

Food is a part of Thanksgiving. Try to lighten up your menu with these tempting recipe ideas.

Apple Cider Spritzer

Apple cider is delicious, but packed with calories. Adding a splash of cider to carbonated water helps to cut the calories while elevating the beverage to a more elegant cocktail. Serve in a martini glass and garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.

Pumpkin yogurt smoothie

I created this recipe to get me over the pumpkin pie hump. All the flavor, but much lighter than the pie.

Ingredients:
1 C vanilla yogurt
1/2 C pumpkin puree, canned (not pie mix)
Ice, crushed
1 T brown sugar
Big pinch of cinnamon to taste
Big pinch of nutmeg to taste

* Pumpkin pie spice can be used in lieu of the cinnamon and nutmeg

Preparation:
1.Blend all ingredients in a blender that can handle ice.
2.Pour into glasses.
3.Serve immediately.

Spinach, walnut and cranberry salad

Ingredients:
Baby spinach, washed thoroughly
Dried cranberries, soaked and plumped
Orange wedges
Walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
½ bunch Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Dressing:
1 C cranberry sauce with whole cranberries
1 T Balsamic vinegar
2 T olive oil

Preparation:
1. Shake dressing ingredients together and set aside.
2. Toss salad together.
3 Dress lightly.
4. Serve on chilled plates.