Three tips for how to gobble your way to gratefulness without popping a button off your britches on this Thanksgiving.
As you reach for your eighteenth crescent roll, however, remember that as jetsetters, we have to keep our bodies healthy and travel ready, even in the holiday season. I’m not telling you to pass on the pie: the pilgrims would turn in their graves and both of us would be found hours later with cinnamon and crumbs on our faces asking, “what happened?” Instead, I have three tips for how to gobble your way to gratefulness without popping a button off your britches. ‘Tis the season to be stuffed, and I’m not talking about the turkey. Thanksgiving is one of everyone’s favorite holidays because we spend it counting our blessings while simultaneously stuffing our faces.
1. Help cooking!
Instead of spending Thanksgiving grazing on appetizers and stretching for the big meal, head in the kitchen for some quality time. Whether you are spending the holiday with your family or celebrating in a far away country, there is no better way to chat and spend time together than in the kitchen. Doing mundane tasks like cutting, stirring, and peeling will leave your mind open for fun conversations, and all your hard work will lead you appreciate, not inhale your dinner.
2. Drink plenty of water.
Drinking water ensures that hunger, not dehydration, is what drives your hand towards the sweet potatoes. You’ll feel better after the meal if you’re hydrated, especially if your family is like mine and puts whiskey in everything, including the whipped cream. Have at least three glasses during dinner and an extra glass after dessert. Plus, if you aren’t a big water person, just pretend it’s a palate cleanser. Don’t go spitting it back in your glass though; Grandma Mildred won’t be into that.
3. Make the holiday about, you know, being thankful.
Instead of focusing solely on the food at dinner, go around the table taking turns highlighting an experience (especially if you have traveled!) that you are thankful for. Consider what projects you are proud of, what risks you took, and what opportunities you opened yourself up to. The secret is by taking a few minutes to talk about yourself, you’ll have to set down your fork and rest for a moment. This gives your stomach time to send ‘full’ signals to your brain so you can finish dinner with room for pie. Now isn’t that sweet?
