Have a healthy AND delicious Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday. Certainly, there's the food. But the food is simply a vehicle for bringing us together with family and friends to mark the accomplishments and trials of the year, to remember those that have touched our lives and to give thanks for all of it.


As a cook, the joy of Thanksgiving is making all that possible. Good food, and maybe a glass or two of wine, are like grease on the axles, getting everyone rolling. 


But, with all the joy that Thanksgiving brings, it is very easy to overindulge. Certainly, there has to be room in everyones life for those days when you're not worrying as much about what and how much you're eating. Thanksgiving has to be at the top of the list of those days. As the Chicago newspaper columnist Irv Kupcinet said, "An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day." 


I know from experience those feelings of guilt that come as you sit on the couch, uncomfortably full from overeating. Feeling that way detracts from the day. So this Thanksgiving, enjoy the food, but follow a few simple rules to avoid the guilt of over-indulgence.

• Take the foods you really want
• Take small portions so that everything fits on one plate
• Don't over do it on the appetizers (though I give some suggestions for healthier ones below)
• Be aware of what you're drinking too, those holiday drinks can be filled with sugar and calories 

For the cooks out there, here are a few appetizers that my family has enjoyed. Or, if you're not hosting this year, take these along for all to enjoy and to ensure there's something there you won't feel guilty eating. Follow the links for the recipes and nutrition information.

Caprese Salad


Roasted Red Pepper Pesto


Crab Remoulade


Baked Falafel with Spicy Yogurt Sauce


Sauteed Asparagus



Deal of the Day: This Oxo Good Grips 2-Cup Fat Separator can help make a gravy that is not so high in fat.