Hey ladies I am lost! This will be the first Thanksgiving that I will be cooking for my family since we usually go over to a relative's house, but this year we are staying home. I am very excited about it but I have no clue what to make that will be alright with LAWL because I just started it. I make a killer holiday meal but it definitely does not fit in my LAWL plan (specially the pumpkin cheesecake my family loves)
So if you ladies have any tips or ideas for me, I will really appreciate them!
p.s I have my family eating healthier too, so I want to make a nice meal that we can all enjoy!
I like the crustless pumpkin pie and make sure to make steamed broccoli or brussel sprouts. Turkey is fine-as is mashed potatoes (mash with low sodium chx broth or nonfat milk), no gravy, no stuffing.
The recipe for the pumpkin pie is in the recipe section. Check it out . .
Dr. Oz recommends eating a handful of walnuts or almonds 20 minutes before a meal. This triggers the satiety center of your brain BEFORE you sit down to feast. That way, you are less apt to pig out. That is what I am planning to do on Thanksgiving. I realize that is not really what you were asking for, Luisa, but I thought it was a great tip for not overeating, which certainly has everything to do with Thanksgiving at my house
Luisa - I ALWAYS do roasted veggies to go with a meal if I'm preparing it for more than just us. You can roast just about any type of veggies you like - brussel sprouts, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, asparagus, green beans, turnips, rutabagas... just about anything! Everyone always enjoys them and nobody remembers they are eating healthy.
400 degree oven on BAKE not BROIL
Just a little olive oil in the pan, and drizzle more on as you put veggies in the pan...
Start with the larger/denser cuts like chunks of sweet potato or potatos and carrots, after a few minutes add brussel sprouts (halved) or pearl onions or onion wedges, after a few minutes add asparagus or green beans... you get the idea. The thicker pieces will take longer. I sprinkle mine with onion powder and garlic powder and freshly ground black pepper. Always turn veggies to keep them from browning too much on the bottom.
I'm also doing a sweet potato casserole using FF evap milk, prebaked peeled and mashed sweet potatoes, egg beaters, splenda brown sugar and cinnamon. If you want the recipe - I'll post it in the recipe section. Turns out like a crustless sweet potato pie or a casserole without the marshmellows!
I also make homemade apple pies using splenda instead of sugar and I do use a frozen regular deep dish crust. No crust on top - I use an oat topping with pecans. Again, if you want the recipe - I'll post it for you in the recipe section.
My center gave out a Thanksgiving survival guide with the exchanges for all the typical Thanksgiving foods. If yours did not give one or you would like me to post it I will...............
I am going to follow the plan as close as I can. One good thing is I am making all the food so I will know how it is prepared. I am going to eat more starches then I am supposed to but I am going to do the following:
before meal we are having assorted veggies and dip (i am making 2 1 w/ff sour cream and one with reg for the guests) 2v 1c
6oz turkey (we are having it here so I am going to weigh it) 1P 2 tsp gravy
( I bought 1 ff gravy for me to use and I am going to count it all as a fat)
1/2c mashed potatoes with 2 tsp gravy (1S, 1 FA)
1/2c stuffing (1S)
1 roll 1 tsp butter(1S, 1FA)
green beans (1v)
cranberries made with OJ and splenda (1F)
Wine (2F)
WATER WATER WATER
SMALL slice of apple pie with FF cool whip (2S,1FA)
I am going to have some nuts out also and I am going to have some of those for more protein.
While I know that some of this is not exactly LAWL I am going to practice PORTION CONTROL and make smarter choices like buying the FF gravy for myself, not having green bean casserole but having regular green beans, making the dip with FF sour cream for myself. My thinking is this, Thanksgiving comes once a year and I am going to enjoy it and not stress to much. My counselor told me yesterday when I asked her about the gravy that while it is not part of my program she understands that it is a once a year thing and to have very little and it was good that I picked FF.
I also plan on doing T/O on Saturday and Sunday with the Knudsens juice to help with the extra starches and fats I had on Thursday.
I told the counselor my plan and she was ok with it. I really liked this lady. When I told her I wanted all food she did not agrue with me.
Anyway, now that I wrote a book this is what I am doing. It may not be the BEST plan but it will work for me.............
Yes! if you can please do post the recipes and the exchange info from the center! I didn't get one of those
Thank you ladies for all the wonderful ideas, they are all great and I will put them into good use!
Barb, How many calories does the FF gravy have per serving? Don't forget you have 3 condiments that you can use per day and the main ingredient in most gravies is cornstarch. Cornstarch counts as a condiment not a fat and since there is no fat in the gravy, it would definintly not count as a fat. Certain fats are good in moderation and are necessary for certain vitiman absorbtion not to mention telling your brain you are full. So do not short yourself!
Boil eggs and allow to cool under running cold water. Peel sheel from eggs and cut in half, lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in small mixing bowl. Mash yolks with a fork. Add mayo and dry mustard, mix well. Spoon mixture into egg whites and sprinkle with paprika. Chill and serve.
** I am making this one but substituting Broccoli for green beans.
1pkt LA Lite Cream of Mush soup
6 oz boiling water
1 cup french style frozen green beans, thawed
1 tsp parsley
3 pieces Melba Toast, crushed
In small casserole dish, mix LA Lite Cream of Mush soup and boiling water. Stir vigorously until mix has dissolved. Add green beans and parsley, mix well. Top green been mixture with crushed melba toast. Bake 10 minutes, or until mixture starts to brown. Serve hot.
1 pkg sugar-free mixed fruit flavored gelatin mix
1 cup hot water
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple, in it's own juice, drained.
2 apples
10 grapes
3/4 cup diet ginger ale
Peel and core apples. Cut into thin slices. Place apple slices in medium bowl; add pineapple and lemon juice. Slice grapes in half and add to fruit. In separate bowl mix gelatin mix and hot water. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Once dissolved, add ginger ale to gelatin. Refrigerate 30 minutes, or until gelatin mixture is the consistency of raw egg whites. Gently fold the fruit into the gelatin. Refrigerate again until firm. Serve chilled.
Serving Size 1 cup. Makes 4 servings
1 Serving = 1 Fruit
Thanksgiving ideas?
but I have no clue what to make that will be alright with LAWL because I just started it. I make a killer holiday meal but it definitely does not fit in my LAWL plan (specially the pumpkin cheesecake my family loves) 
