REJOOV is wishing everyone a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday! Enjoy time spent with family and friends, as well as time to take a breath for yourself, too! This holiday doesn’t have to be the start of a downward spiral of your personal health and fitness goals, but on the contrary, can be a time to re-boot and re-energize while taking time off of work and enjoying these once-a-year traditions. What can you plan in your day that is something positive for you, your happiness and your goals? Next, what can you do for someone else to bring a positive to their day? Small or large, enjoy a day of thanks and giving.
Turkey Day Tips for your Health
1. Exercise Start your day with a bout of exercise. It can be a turkey trot, walk, football in the neighborhood, or yoga. Whatever it is, plan for it in advance and start the day off on the right foot! Have time between dinner and dessert – take a “half-time” walk then, too.
2. Eat Early Most Thanksgiving meals start in the early afternoon. Don’t starve yourself throughout the day! Instead, get your energy going, your metabolism running and maintain a healthy but not ravenous appetite by having a healthy breakfast and maybe even a light snack before the main meal begins.
3. Enjoy Enjoy the day and the special food that comes with this holiday – just do so in moderation. Always start with vegetables and your lean protein, then go from there. Try using smaller plates to modify portion size, and for those really rich foods – take your time biting into them, savoring and swallowing. After 3 bites – see if you really want more or are satisfied.
I do have to say, I love stuffing! I will be trying a few varieties this year and below is a clean eating stuffing variety that sounds delicious!
Fig, Apple & Sage Stuffing from www.cleaneatingmag.com
Serves: 16 minutes Prep-Time: 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1 24-oz loaf whole-wheat bread (680 g), trimmed of crust and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 to 3 carrots, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3 to 4 celery ribs, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 large white onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp chile powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 10 to 12 unsweetened dried figs, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 apples (such as McIntosh, Cortland, Gala or Golden Delicious), cored and chopped
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, plus additional 1/2 cup as needed
- 1 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide bread among 2 rimmed baking sheets and arrange in a single layer; transfer to oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once, until lightly toasted.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat oil on medium-high. Add carrots, celery and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in thyme, rosemary, chile powder, salt and pepper. Add figs and apples and stir well to combine. Remove from heat, add bread and stir to combine. Stir in broth. Stuffing should be uniformly moist but not wet; if needed, add additional 1/2 cup broth. Stir in sage. Stuff turkey and cook according to recipe.
Nutrients per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 162, Total Fat: 3 g, Sat. Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 33 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 11 g, Protein: 6 g, Sodium: 324 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg
Be Well ~Meg @REJOOV
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