Happy Thanksgiving! Many of my Health Coaching clients and readers of my book had reached out to me and asked how I maneuver the holiday season since I have broken with tradition. Let me tell you a story…
I celebrate Thanksgiving with family. We will enjoy each other’s company, play games, laugh, talk, and yes…there will be a feast. Long before I opted into my current plant-based way of eating I had gradually steered away from eating a traditional turkey dinner. Childhood memories of my grandmother’s homemade rolls, pieces of honeycomb from my grandfather’s beehives, my mom’s delicious turkey stuffing, and my own deviled eggs were goodies my family enjoyed for years. Though things change, people change, and taste buds change. And that’s okay.
My maternal grandmother experienced macular degeneration. When she ultimately lost her eye sight and ‘went dark’, as she called it, she naturally lost interest in baking. Construction of the I-15 freeway in Draper, Utah took place through my grandfather’s property. Grandpa sold the bulk of his farm and gave up his beehives. My father developed an allergic reaction to eggs and many people in my family, such as myself, had dangerously high cholesterol levels. So, rolls are easily purchased or can be baked by others, I haven’t eaten honeycomb for decades nor do I miss it (bees have a use for it, my belly does not), and just over four years ago I changed my way of eating to better manage my health and lowered my cholesterol. Throughout these changes one holiday tradition has remained the same…
The tradition of spending time with those I love, regardless of the types of food on the table, is how I celebrate Thanksgiving.
This year, my extended family travels to Montana to visit my nephew and his family. My son and I will celebrate at his home feasting on a nacho bar, my homemade oatmeal raisin pecan cookies, and a big bowl of strawberries.
Wherever you are, however you celebrate Thanksgiving (or not), and whatever types of dishes grace your table today (traditional or not so traditional)…Dine Well and enjoy yourself!
If you like what you have read please share and comment. As a patient advocate, Author, Health Educator, and Wellness Coach I offer FREE health resources such as my own 3 Key Concepts to good health and a weekly wellness blog at my website. Learn more about my work and check my credentials here. You can find Anderson Therapeutics on Facebook or subscribe to my monthly wellness newsletter. What’s the catch with all of my freebies you might ask? While I am certainly one who thoroughly enjoys and appreciates her paycheck…I also value sharing my knowledge to help others improve their quality of life.
Be Well! ~Tiffany
Tribe Members…you might recall that last year I celebrated Thanksgiving in my Happy Place (meaning Disneyland). Vacationing during the holidays has been another non-traditional way for me and mine to celebrate. Decades ago I had my first non-traditional Thanksgiving meal in Las Vegas…we ate tamales and they were delicious!
Foodie motto from this Health Professional? “Eat the foods you like and simply accept the consequences of your dietary choices.” Happy Feasting!
