Recipes for Thanksgiving ????
- Thread starter Smalldog
- Start date
JudyNY
Member
How far out from your surgery are you? I am 4 1/2 months out and seem to be able to handle most foods but honestly Thanksgiving foods can tend to be heavy or richer than normal day to day eating so proceed with caution. If there are any favorites that you really want, then just know you can really only have a spoonful or two. For example I might go ahead and have stuffing but it will only be a heaping tablespoon with a little gravy. I am probably not making my homemade stuffing this year because it will be just my husband and I because of Covid. So this will be the first ever Stovetop stuffing I've ever made for Thanksgiving. But it is much, much lighter than my homemade and my husband doesn't mind so it works for me!
Smalldog
Member
That sounds great, glad you hear you are doing well. Four weeks out I wasn't hungry at all. I will smoke a stuffed pork loin, eggplant, and mirliton casserole with shrimp/sausage and mashed potatoes, and only eat a few bites. Just seems like cooking is the right thing to do for the holiday. Enjoy those sweet potatoes and the holiday.
Smalldog
Member
I am just over 3 months post-surgery and have dropped 78 #s. If I cook I won't eat much, just a few bites. The family will enjoy it more. I find myself hungry at times these days, but always settle for a protein bar, a shake, popsicle, or soup. Not much into meat any more since surgery except bacon. Enjoy the stovetop,not bad with gravy.
JudyNY
Member
Yeah, I can handle bacon pretty well too! But I don't make it often so it's like a treat. Congrats on losing 78 lbs!!
Smalldog
Member
Thank you
Roasted Green Beans with Garlic, Lemon, Pine Nuts & Parmigiano-Reggiano
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 pounds fresh green beans, stem ends trimmed
- 10 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise (a medium clove should yield 4 slices)
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-1/2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1-1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons coarsely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden. Watch carefully and stir frequently as they can burn quickly! Immediately transfer to small bowl (don't leave them in hot pan as they will continue to cook). Set aside.
- Put the green beans in a large bowl. Add the sliced garlic, olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the lemon zest, kosher salt, pepper and sugar and toss well. Transfer the mixture to prepared baking sheet (don’t leave any flavor behind: use a rubber spatula to scrape all of the oil and seasoning out of the bowl and onto the beans).
TraceyT
Member
My Thanksgiving menu:
Roasted Turkey Breast
Roasted Ham
Homemade Stuffing
Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Green-bean Casserole
Homemade Mac n Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Homemade Yeast rolls
Roasted Brussel Sprouts - with bacon and Parmesan cheese
Yams
Pecan Pie
Earthquake Cake
Pumpkin Pie
I'm feeding 20 people this year. I truly love the cooking, baking, homemade candy making this time of year. I've been taking candy orders since Nov. 1st. I start making candy the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Christmas is my FAVORITE holiday - time of year. My Christmas tree has been up and my home decorated for Christmas since October 22, 2020.
Roasted Turkey Breast
Roasted Ham
Homemade Stuffing
Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Green-bean Casserole
Homemade Mac n Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Homemade Yeast rolls
Roasted Brussel Sprouts - with bacon and Parmesan cheese
Yams
Pecan Pie
Earthquake Cake
Pumpkin Pie
I'm feeding 20 people this year. I truly love the cooking, baking, homemade candy making this time of year. I've been taking candy orders since Nov. 1st. I start making candy the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Christmas is my FAVORITE holiday - time of year. My Christmas tree has been up and my home decorated for Christmas since October 22, 2020.
Smalldog
Member
Looks and sounds delicious. I love green beans
Smalldog
Member
Wow,what a great holiday meal. I may just stop bye.lol Have a Happy Thanksgiving
JudyNY
Member
I am curious, what is an Earthquake Cake?
TraceyT
Member
This is the recipe I use minus the coconut. It's called earthquake cake because of the way it looks once baked.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 box chocolate cake (plus ingredients called for on the box)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Coat a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl combine the coconut and chocolate chips. Pour this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment prepare the cake mix according to the package directions.
- Pour the cake batter on top of the coconut mixture.
- Place the cream cheese and butter In a medium saucepan over medium- low heat. Stirring constantly melt mixture together. Remove from the heat immediately and stir in the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth.
- Carefully drizzle this on top of the cake batter. Try and smooth it out so it covers all of it. If it sinks it’s fine.
- Bake the cake for 45 minutes. The edges will be set and the center will be slightly loose.
- Allow the cake to cool for about 30 minutes and slice and serve for a gooey cake. You can also allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
Attachments
JudyNY
Member
Thanks Tracey! I think I will make this and send it over to my daughter's house. My granddaughter loves coconut and chocolate!
Tokash
Member
I am going to my moms for Thanksgiving this year. The past 2 years have been at my house. It should be interesting because none of my family know I have had surgery. I likely will only eat turkey and maybe a bit of stuffing as that is all I really eat anyway. My tastes have really changed and anything that tastes like salt at all I really can't do. I love green bean casserole but my spouse and I are the only ones that eat it so it likely won't be made since I am not hosting.
Smalldog
Member
WOW, that looks and I am sure taste great. Before surgery I could have done some damage to that cake. Thanks for sharing, grandkids will love it.
JudyNY
Member
I am sharing a blog post from my bariatric center that discusses getting through the holidays....
Written By: Carley Baulick MS, RDN, CDN
It’s hard to believe but the holidays are right around the corner! Whether you are pre-op or post-op, going through the holidays while on a weight loss journey can be challenging. Between leftover Halloween candy, indulgent Thanksgiving foods, Hanukah and Christmas sweets then New Year’s Eve parties and drinks, it seems like there is one temptation after another for several months in a row. Plus the colder weather and less daylight in the evenings can make staying motivated to exercise even harder. What can you do to make it through and stay on track?
At some point or another you will have to face going to social gatherings that revolve around food. Here are some strategies you can try to implement that can help.
If you have a good support system, it can be easier for you because they will be cheering you on steering you in the right direction, and not encouraging unhealthy habits. Don’t feel pressured just because you are around other people. If someone starts pressuring you into eating foods you know you shouldn’t, let them know that you have had or plan to have bariatric surgery and explain to them that you have to be extremely careful with the foods that you eat or else you may feel sick. No one will want you feeling sick and explaining this should help them be more understanding. If you’re pre-op, explain that you have been working hard to follow a lower carbohydrate and lower calorie diet to set you up for success and help shrink your liver prior to surgery, or you may have to reach a weight loss goal to qualify for the procedure.
Sometimes it can take some serious self-talk before a social gathering to help get your mind in the right place. Remind yourself why you are on this journey in the first place. Your health is your #1 priority. Think about how far you have come and the work you have put in so far. Be proud of yourself! A little positivity can go a long way and get you re-focused. Do not skip breakfast to “save room” for later. This can backfire and lead to over eating due to increased feelings of hunger.
If possible, do not linger in the kitchen around the food. Move socializing to the living room where you will not have the visual stimulation or smells to tempt you. Scan the food options first before making your plate. Pick and choose your favorite foods and skip the rest. You could also ask for a smaller plate or use an appetizer plate instead of a large dinner plate to help keep your portions in check.
If you are the one preparing the holiday meals, make some (or all) dishes that are healthier versions of the classic recipe. An example would be instead of a traditional green bean casserole that can be very high in fat and sodium, simply steam or roast green beans tossed with garlic, olive oil, and sliced mushrooms, then top with toasted almonds. Another idea could be preparing mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes or even doing a half and half blend of potato/cauliflower and using a low fat sour cream or Greek yogurt instead of full fat versions. If you are not hosting the party, offer to bring a healthy side dish that will be something that you can enjoy. You might be surprised how many people will appreciate the fact that there are healthier options at the table!
Don’t forget to be extremely careful when consuming alcoholic beverages. Remember that 1 drink has the equivalent of 3 as far as the effects of the alcohol. If you must indulge, better beverage choices are dry wine or non-carbonated sugar free mixed drinks. Keep in mind alcohol also lowers your inhibitions, and you may feel less in control of your feelings around food. Take your time, sip it slowly, and follow it up with water to stay hydrated.
After daylight savings, there is less sunlight in the evenings and the weather begins getting colder. It happens every year, whether we like it or not. If your main source of exercise has been an outdoor activity, make a plan to discover new ways to stay active indoors. Just because it’s colder and darker doesn’t mean exercise is off the table until spring! Staying in an exercise routine is critical for weight loss and weight maintenance after surgery, in addition to all the other health benefits of exercising (Hello stress management!) Check out October’s blog post for more information and tips on physical activity.
Remember, food is not everything. The holidays are about spending time with loved ones and enjoying their company. You are on the path towards a healthier you- not everyone will understand it, and that’s okay. Don’t give up on yourself if you overindulge. Use it as a learning experience. Where did you go wrong? What can you do differently next time to prevent that from happening? Do some self-reflecting so you can be better prepared next time. It’s not always going to be an easy ride, but it will all be worth it!
____
Written By: Carley Baulick MS, RDN, CDN
It’s hard to believe but the holidays are right around the corner! Whether you are pre-op or post-op, going through the holidays while on a weight loss journey can be challenging. Between leftover Halloween candy, indulgent Thanksgiving foods, Hanukah and Christmas sweets then New Year’s Eve parties and drinks, it seems like there is one temptation after another for several months in a row. Plus the colder weather and less daylight in the evenings can make staying motivated to exercise even harder. What can you do to make it through and stay on track?
At some point or another you will have to face going to social gatherings that revolve around food. Here are some strategies you can try to implement that can help.
If you have a good support system, it can be easier for you because they will be cheering you on steering you in the right direction, and not encouraging unhealthy habits. Don’t feel pressured just because you are around other people. If someone starts pressuring you into eating foods you know you shouldn’t, let them know that you have had or plan to have bariatric surgery and explain to them that you have to be extremely careful with the foods that you eat or else you may feel sick. No one will want you feeling sick and explaining this should help them be more understanding. If you’re pre-op, explain that you have been working hard to follow a lower carbohydrate and lower calorie diet to set you up for success and help shrink your liver prior to surgery, or you may have to reach a weight loss goal to qualify for the procedure.
Sometimes it can take some serious self-talk before a social gathering to help get your mind in the right place. Remind yourself why you are on this journey in the first place. Your health is your #1 priority. Think about how far you have come and the work you have put in so far. Be proud of yourself! A little positivity can go a long way and get you re-focused. Do not skip breakfast to “save room” for later. This can backfire and lead to over eating due to increased feelings of hunger.
If possible, do not linger in the kitchen around the food. Move socializing to the living room where you will not have the visual stimulation or smells to tempt you. Scan the food options first before making your plate. Pick and choose your favorite foods and skip the rest. You could also ask for a smaller plate or use an appetizer plate instead of a large dinner plate to help keep your portions in check.
If you are the one preparing the holiday meals, make some (or all) dishes that are healthier versions of the classic recipe. An example would be instead of a traditional green bean casserole that can be very high in fat and sodium, simply steam or roast green beans tossed with garlic, olive oil, and sliced mushrooms, then top with toasted almonds. Another idea could be preparing mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes or even doing a half and half blend of potato/cauliflower and using a low fat sour cream or Greek yogurt instead of full fat versions. If you are not hosting the party, offer to bring a healthy side dish that will be something that you can enjoy. You might be surprised how many people will appreciate the fact that there are healthier options at the table!
Don’t forget to be extremely careful when consuming alcoholic beverages. Remember that 1 drink has the equivalent of 3 as far as the effects of the alcohol. If you must indulge, better beverage choices are dry wine or non-carbonated sugar free mixed drinks. Keep in mind alcohol also lowers your inhibitions, and you may feel less in control of your feelings around food. Take your time, sip it slowly, and follow it up with water to stay hydrated.
After daylight savings, there is less sunlight in the evenings and the weather begins getting colder. It happens every year, whether we like it or not. If your main source of exercise has been an outdoor activity, make a plan to discover new ways to stay active indoors. Just because it’s colder and darker doesn’t mean exercise is off the table until spring! Staying in an exercise routine is critical for weight loss and weight maintenance after surgery, in addition to all the other health benefits of exercising (Hello stress management!) Check out October’s blog post for more information and tips on physical activity.
Remember, food is not everything. The holidays are about spending time with loved ones and enjoying their company. You are on the path towards a healthier you- not everyone will understand it, and that’s okay. Don’t give up on yourself if you overindulge. Use it as a learning experience. Where did you go wrong? What can you do differently next time to prevent that from happening? Do some self-reflecting so you can be better prepared next time. It’s not always going to be an easy ride, but it will all be worth it!
____
TraceyT
Member
Diane -
I totally get avoiding family. I've never been invited to my dads side of the family - (family reunion). My children were/are always invited. I was EXTREMELY close to my moms side of the family.
I take care of my 80 year old parents. Whatever I fix for dinner - my parents eat as well. I can look out my kitchen window and see the my parents house. They still live in the house I grew up in. I love that house. My husband and kids mow - pressure wash the sidewalk and patio - I decorate their home for the holidays. My family helps take care of my parents. I took my mom shopping today - I do all of this on a regular basis.
I have 1 older brother who is a complete waste of skin and oxygen. My dad tells people I've actually told my brother he should consider donating all of his vital organs - NOW before something bad happens to them - so that someone would get good use out of them - yes - I actually said that to my brother.
He was completely livid when my parents told him that I was the executor of their estate. So now - considering my parents age - I deal with all of his money requests. He was just pissed and foaming at the mouth - he couldn't say enough bad shit fast enough. I just looked at him and said If I'd wanted to hear from an asshole - I'd have farted. My dad started laughing - looked at me and said I guess that's a silent but deadly or wet fart NO. I lost it - we were laughing so hard - my brother got up and left. I got my twisted sense of humor from my dad.
I'm way too old to have to deal with family drama - or drama of any type and I'm too blunt not to speak my mind.. I'll do me and my brother can do his wife!
Family isn't just about blood - friends can become like family - without all the drama. If family wants to give you a hard time - tell'em to hold their breath they'll probably need to blow up their next date!
I totally get avoiding family. I've never been invited to my dads side of the family - (family reunion). My children were/are always invited. I was EXTREMELY close to my moms side of the family.
I take care of my 80 year old parents. Whatever I fix for dinner - my parents eat as well. I can look out my kitchen window and see the my parents house. They still live in the house I grew up in. I love that house. My husband and kids mow - pressure wash the sidewalk and patio - I decorate their home for the holidays. My family helps take care of my parents. I took my mom shopping today - I do all of this on a regular basis.
I have 1 older brother who is a complete waste of skin and oxygen. My dad tells people I've actually told my brother he should consider donating all of his vital organs - NOW before something bad happens to them - so that someone would get good use out of them - yes - I actually said that to my brother.
He was completely livid when my parents told him that I was the executor of their estate. So now - considering my parents age - I deal with all of his money requests. He was just pissed and foaming at the mouth - he couldn't say enough bad shit fast enough. I just looked at him and said If I'd wanted to hear from an asshole - I'd have farted. My dad started laughing - looked at me and said I guess that's a silent but deadly or wet fart NO. I lost it - we were laughing so hard - my brother got up and left. I got my twisted sense of humor from my dad.
I'm way too old to have to deal with family drama - or drama of any type and I'm too blunt not to speak my mind.. I'll do me and my brother can do his wife!
Family isn't just about blood - friends can become like family - without all the drama. If family wants to give you a hard time - tell'em to hold their breath they'll probably need to blow up their next date!
JudyNY
Member
Diane, I'm so sorry that you went through this. I congratulate you though on turning your eating patterns around and doing what was right for YOU. You are quite an inspiration as to how you have made this surgery work and kept the weight off after many years.
JudyNY
Member
That is so very true Tracy! I have a group of friends that we call each other sisters and really mean it. One can certainly make their own family. My mom came from a family of 14.... talk about drama!!! I've seen it through her eyes with her siblings. And, the day of my mom's funeral one of my mom's sisters made a comment to me "If I were your mother I would have taken you to every doctor to figure out how to get you to lose weight". I mean really, of all times and places to say that? My sister and I had a lot of sibling rivalry growing up but luckily we are close now and my daughter and I have had some really rough times but we are in a much better place. But I know that if we weren't, it is not worth the drama. Life is too short.