It’s almost here, it’s almost here!!!!!! My very favorite time of year!!!!!
For me, the holiday season kicks off every year with my best friend Bethany’s birthday on October 30th. I plan for Bethy’s special day and then immediate switch gears into holiday craziness. I know most people enjoy the holidays, but I’m a little nuts about it. Shopping, cooking, spending time with family, finding the perfect gifts–it all just makes me so happy!!!!
Last year, Steve and I had just moved into our house and gotten Winston and we hosted Thanksgiving for the first time. In previous years we would do Thanksgiving lunch at his mom’s then dinner at my mom’s and we were dying to bring everyone together and take over the hosting duties. Our mom’s were both happy to let us take over. I went ALL out and did brunch and dinner and cooked everything without any healthiness in mind. I ended the day exhausted and just not feeling so great about myself. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it was an AMAZING day and I loved the company, but this year I definitely plan on doing things differently.
I’ve come a long way in my eating and healthy to me no longer means strict calorie budgets and things that I pretend are good, but no one else wants to eat. I am finally in a place where I can enjoy my food and enjoy eating food that makes me feel good and fuels my body. So this Thanksgiving, I am making things I actually want to eat. Things that will taste good, that everyone will love, and that I will feel good about. I’m so excited to do a balanced Thanksgiving that is both healthy and even a little bit indulgent–you gotta have the best of both worlds!
That being said, it is time for menu planning! I would love recipe ideas and suggestions for dishes that will make this Thanksgiving extra special.
***Please share your favorite Fall/holiday/anytime recipes!!!***
Even if they aren’t necessarily healthy–I can modify 🙂 I would love to see the recipes that everyone else loves!
Here are some of the highlights from last year’s Thanksgiving Extravaganza!
Back then Clementine did not exist and Winston was so new to us that he was carried around and adored like a king. This is Steve’s sister Ashleigh with him.
“Hello and welcome to my Thanksgiving. We will be starting with chocolate chip pumpkin bread french toast!”
“And yes, I do plan on wearing my onesie pjs all day long. This is my party and I’ll look ridiculous if I want to!”
And copy cat Starbucks pumpkin scones
Winston loved all the attention he got. This is him and Hank (my step dad).
Mom, Hank, Charlie and Winnie Bear!
Everyone loves my puppy, but look I love him most!
I invited all my favorite peeps including several friends to stop by between family visits and celebrate. This is my fabulous friend John!
Me, John, Michelle and Hermano
I took care of almost all of the food that came from our house, but I left a very special and important job up to Steve
He was the master of the turkey!
“Oh yeah, master of the turkey, you’re so cool. Why isn’t it ready yet, huh?!?!?!”
I forgot how much food I made! There was a cheeseball
And fresh home baked bread!
Roasted garlic mushrooms
Finally, we all sat down to dinner
Before we were “Ziskin-Bailey” 😉
The best part! The wish bone! Make a wiiiissssshhhhh…..
Grrrrrrrr 🙁
I am competitive, and thus, a sore loser!
“It’s okay, I will drown my sorrows in the sugar coma that will be dessert.” Fresh out of the oven brownies a la mode.
And pumpkin cheesecake (this was actually a healthy recipe that I plan to recreate this and every year!)
I absolutely loved hosting my first Thanksgiving and I can’t wait to do it again, this time a little smarter and a little healthier! I am lucky to have lots of family that I love so much and I can’t wait (especially after this crazy Fall) to get to spend some quality time with the most important people in my life!
What are your Thanksgiving plans? Please don’t forget to send your fav recipes! Happy almost holiday season everyone!
Corrie Anne says
Uh… Thanksgiving is seriously THE BEST TIME OF YEAR. It doesn’t hurt that I got engaged on Thanksgiving last year. But I love the food. I’m trying to squeeze in as many family dinners as possible this year. 🙂
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
What a PERFECT day for a proposal!!! My husband proposed at his birthday dinner which was pretty fantastic–same sentiment–surrounded by most important family and friends so everyone can be a part of the special moment! 🙂
Lisa Biv says
Gimme yo home made bread recipe and that cheesecake recipe!
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
I don’t remember what kind of bread I made, but I will make fresh whole wheat bread this year and post the recipe. The pumpkin cheesecake is inspired by this recipe: http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/global-flavors/healthified-pumpkin-cheesecake.aspx I will make a few modifications this year (and I never use ALL fat free cream cheese–usually half and half) and post the recipe, but if you’re looking to make it soonish, I know I will use whole wheat cinnamon graham crackers (from WF), prob fig or pumpkin butter in place of apple butter, an organic sugar/Splenda combo, and whole wheat pastry flour instead of white. I want you to come to Thanksgiving again! And this time, you won’t have to save me in french toast making! ♥