That was a smart idea Joy! I wish I had thought of that.

I took the rutabaga purée as one of my veggies. It really satisfied the need for that "pumpkin pie" flavor. I had some coffee and I was good (maybe too full... I didn't spread my veggies out as much as I usually do throughout the day & I didn't measure)
Amazing how attitude really does change perspective. I walked in thinking it was just another meal and it was!

Rutabaga purée? I don't think I have ever had rutabaga. How did you make it?

First hurdle is over and I stayed almost entirely OP. The one exception is that when I finished making dessert (my job has traditionally been to bring desserts), I licked the spoon without thinking about it! :^: Old habits die hard, I guess!

I had turkey, 3 c of roasted cauliflower, salad, and apple soy puffs for dessert. Everyone there knew I was on a diet, and nobody commented on my unusual food choices. Since our Thanksgiving dinner was eaten at about 3:30, I didn't have dinner, so I missed my extra cup of veggies. Overall, feeling pretty darn proud of myself. :smug:

Second hurdle is tomorrow--fall/winter family birthday party (we do seasonal group birthdays with my extended family). All my family knows that I am dieting and not to expect me to eat sub, chips, birthday cake and ice cream. I will have leftover turkey, veggies from the veggie tray, salad and some sort of IP dessert. My cousin has even asked me to bring along a copy of the IP protocol, she is interested in learning more about it!

The best thing is next time these sort of events come around, I can have some of the "forbidden" stuff and feel OK about it, since I will have met my goal!

On the daily thread, first post, there're is a Fun With Veggie Purées link
It is in there
Many people used Liz' recipes yesterday

Thank you. I should have looked there first.

Tam67Green,
I too always make deserts and find it funny how we do things we don't realize. I have to keep stopping myself from licking my fingers. lol
When I am scraping a bowl or icing a cake, I always seem to get things on my fingers and before I know it, some type of sweet is heading toward my mouth. Luckily I always catch myself. I can only imagine the calories I would intake in the past with just a few licks.

That sounds really good too --- I'll be on the look out for it. :) With our weather getting colder here in Central Ontario these days, hot tea really hits the spot.

i had a pumpkin spice cheesecake (weight loss systems packet)

But the pie was delicious... :D

Congrats to staying OP!
I made pumpkin spice cheesecakes from Rainbow's recipe- Totally yummy and I kept OP!
My family was great! Got a good laugh- when my nephew was asked what he was thankful for he jokingly said he was thankful for grapes.. I said sure rub it in! hehe
I was thankful I stayed on plan. I was unsure I could do it!
I too love the new seasonal Celestial Seasonings teas. Especially the Gingerbread and Sugar Cookie- I double checked the package to see if it had any sugar-:dizzy:
For those of you who weren't able to stay OP. Pick it up learn from it! We all know where you are coming from!
~My