A Smarter Thanksgiving

Think twice about stuffing your face this Thanksgiving!

It is hard to think of Thanksgiving without family, a giant turkey and the seemingly mandatory food coma in front of the television.  There is a fine line between, “oh that food was SO good, I LOVE thanksgiving!” and “oh that food was SO good I couldn’t stop myself and now I just feel sick”.  We have all been there.  We ate so much that we wish we could take back that third serving of mashed potatoes and gravy. So this year let’s have a plan of attack for our dinner. Here are a few simple ways to enjoy our families and dinner without all the regret.

1.     Eat Breakfast AND Lunch – It’s common practice to starve yourself all day so you can eat more at dinner.  Let’s change that habit.  We eat much faster when we are hungry.  When we eat faster it takes us longer to notice that we are full.  This is why we overeat and then feel sick after inhaling extra stuffing.

2.     Enjoy each other’s company – This is one of the few times when families make the time to sit down and eat together.  Let’s make it a point to catch up on all those little details we forget to ask each other about during our busy days.  This will also help keep us from eating too much and too fast. You have made it a point to sit down with these people so let’s make it a point to enjoy them as much as we enjoy the food.

3.     Drink water – If you are counting calories I am sure you would rather squeeze in a piece of pie for your calories rather than a soda! Drinking water also helps you slow down and enjoy the meal.

4.     A baseball of mashed potatoes – Portion control…::sigh:: it can be especially difficult to stay within portion control when we are use to the mountain of mashed potatoes drowning in glorious gravy.  Check out the previous blog about portion sizes for more ideas but just remember a deck of cards worth of turkey and a baseball of mashed potatoes.  Then if you HAVE to have more, add to that but remember the goal: enjoy the food without making yourself sick.

5.     FIGHT the food coma! – I know it is blasphemous to think of Thanksgiving without laying out on the couch and watching some TV. I’m only suggesting doing that after a walk around the block.  Then the couch becomes infinitely more comfortable because you will have allowed yourself to digest some food and avoid being overstuffed!

Remember having a smarter Thanksgiving is not about depriving yourself.  It is meant to maximize your Thanksgiving experience.  Just remember it is hard to enjoy your friends, family and food when you have to unbutton your pants to get in that extra piece of pie.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!

That's a portion size?!?

Here is a quick way to reference what portion sizes are supposed to be.

Join Us for a Quick Run!

As we train for this years LA Marathon we all know the importance of midweek runs.

If you live in West LA come join Jessica and Peter at the Venice Whole Foods every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and/or Friday at 6:45 a.m. for a quick 30-45 minute run.  We will have water and a quick snack for everyone who joins us!


We are looking for runners of all different levels so don’t be discouraged if this is your first time.

We meet at the front door next to the produce and flowers

WHERE: Venice Whole Foods:
Corner of Venice and Rose Ave.
225 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, California 90291

WHEN: Tuesdays @ 6:30 p.m. and Fridays @ 6:45 a.m.

WHY: For FUN & to train