RuthAnn -
Eating the way we IP people eat and still having a great time at the holidays has really driven home the message for me: It's the people that make the holidays special, memorable and enjoyable - not the food.
No one cares what they or anyone else is eating or not eating - we are all just thankful to get to spend another day with all our crazy loved ones.

Exactly!

Agree! I had mini Thanksgiving at my house yesterday. I had seltzer in a wine glass, roasted brussel sprouts and turkey. As everyone devoured pies I had my chocolate drink and honestly I did not feel left out. My family is supportive and knows that I need to do this for me and my health so no one pointed out what was lacking on my plate or tempting me with nibbles. It really boosted my confidence being able to get through the day and not food obsessed like I usually was.You can do this with preplanning and resolve!

I'm on phase 1 and for thanksgiving dinner, I was wondering if I can eat 8oz of Boston Market roasted chicken but without the skin?

Thanksgiving is just another day & can be accomplished 100% OP.
Focus on all the wonderful people around you & use all these resources to plan your food.

For all sorts of reasons, we are doing our family Thanksgiving early.

As a result, my husband and I decided to go out to a fancy restaurant to have a quiet treat for ourselves. We have done this before and loved it.

Last night, after much searching on the Internet, I was able to read the menu - it was buffet and what a buffet it was! Yes, it did have turkey and a very few things I could eat, but at $59 a person but unlimited food, I knew I would be in trouble.

Buffets are the death of me because I am cheap! If I pay a certain amount for a buffet, I am sure to eat that amount and more. I have stopped going to any. So the idea of spending $59 to have some turkey and veggies (not many IP) did not appeal.

I know that at this point in the program I would not be able to refuse all the yummy stuff, so I had a talk with my husband and asked if we could cancel because I knew I could not handle it.

We cancelled and found a restaurant that has a regular type menu where I can choose some turkey and a veggie and nothing else.

Fingers crossed that I stay firm. I am pretty sure that I can but he sure will miss his feast!

Now I'm a little nervous! To spoil my favorite Uncle, we r going to Top of the Hub in Boston for prix fix menu. I presumed that there will be goodies but would just focus on turkey and salad...but the menu is daunting (just checked online!). Rather than panic too much, I'll call to see if I can preorder the turkey entree with roasted veggies rather than potatoes and if the salad can be altered. The apps and dessert I'll give to my husband (or ask that it get boxed up before it hits the table!)

I can make it thru this holiday and Xmas and New Years...cuz my niece is getting married in early January and I can taste the wine now!

This sounds great Lisa!!

Good Grief! We have sooo many threads (lots seem to have become "dailies" for each month of joiners), I'm having a tough time keeping this on Page One for anyone who might need it.

I know this image isn't quite IP compatible (tomatoes and carrots are taboo) ... but I think it helps to convey the idea that we have to think about Thanksgiving food a bit differently than most people. In any case, good old roasted turkey is certainly approved!

That is the cutest turkey! Hm... I'm in charge of the veggie tray this year, wonder if I can be that creative!

I made this one last year. Mine didn't turn out quite as cute, but close!
The non-IP folks enjoyed the non-IP veggies and i still got my select veggies

THAT IS AWESOME!!! Wow, I am so impressed.

That is great Lisa! I have got to try this!

This is what I will be focusing on too - thanks all for the reminders of what Thanksgiving should be about, where the focus should be and how best to stay OP. Happy [almost] Thanksgiving Everyone!!!