This morning I woke up ready for a run. But, my phone said it was 40 degrees outside! I haven’t run in that chilly of temps for a long time so I bundled up. I swear by the theory that the weirder you look, the warmer you are – hence the outfit…
I didn’t have a planned route and just went in one direction until it ended and turned around to find another way. I ended up running 5.5 miles at an easy pace.
I cannot get enough of these gorgeous trees! We don’t have orange and yellow and red leaves in Orange County.
When I got back I headed to the breakfast room. I like drinks, but I don’t have a drinking problem that I’m willing to acknowledge. That would be OJ, coffee and milk.
Round one was oatmeal with cereals and Smucker’s Peanut Butter.
Round two was hardboiled eggs that I reheated in hot water (they were in ice) and an apple.
It’s almost Thanksgiving – also known as my FAVORITE holiday!!! 
My approach to turkey day is to eat like it’s my last day on earth. But also to get in some morning exercise and a post-dinner walk. Then, start the next day back on track. Seriously, I LOVE food and Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year. I have said, “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” in reference to Thanksgiving. One day isn’t going to kill me (and if it did – what a way to go!). 
Thanksgivings Past (aka the best day of the year!)
Monday Mini-Goals for 11/21/11
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Go to yoga once this week
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Brush teeth after post-dinner hot cocoa
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Snack on fruits, veggies and protein between meals (been getting a little crazy with the cereal and chips)
Question: What is your approach to food on Thanksgiving? Moderation? Go big or go home?
We’re staying at the Best Western in Healdsburg and have had a surprisingly good experience. The free breakfast is good and free internet is even better! I have some writing work to do while Ben meets up with a friend.
See ya later!
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I try a bit of everything, but limit myself to one serving of everything! So sort of a variation on your “everything in moderation incl moderation!” – I’m a sucker for egg nog, I love mashed potatoes. I’m running a turkey trot in the morning so I figure that earns me another glass of wine, right?
I only eat Thanksgiving food on Thanksgiving (or maybe one other time if I go to Boston Market) so I say when in Rome! I get into thanksgiving week gluttony because there are so much leftovers. I’m not a big turkey soup fan, but I love coming up with sandwich concoctions.
My approach is to just go slow. I don’t say no to something because it’s caloric, but I’ll say no when I’m full. I hate being so full that I feel sick. This is my first gluten free Thanksgiving, so we’ll see how this goes
I’ll do moderation on green beans, cranberries and turkey…but not on stuffing, sweet potatoes, desserts or wine – forget it
Thanksgiving is my favorite! I am definitely the go big kind of person… like you said, it is one day, and it won’t do everlasting damage. Although, it tends to last several days for me with all the leftovers…
I usually go hard for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I really do not have to have a lot of meat, but I love all the casseroles and desserts.
Thanks to a new revelation to exercising, I am going to stick with my daily grind and go running in the morning, and try to get my hubby and parents to walk with me after dinner.
My mom and I go hard for Black Friday so I usually burn all of my calories off. We probably will eat a banana or apple for breakfast at 3am and usually have nothing else but a purse protein bar or mixed nuts for the rest of the day. (i know, bad diet). We get done around 4pm. So, the day after Thanksgiving, my calorie intake is usually low, which will hopefully get me back on track. But, then again, we go home and eat left overs.
Life can end at any time!
“My approach to turkey day is to eat like it’s my last day on earth.” LOL that is awesome! I’m kinda the same way, it’s hard to resist that approach for the next couple weeks while I’m still eating the leftovers.
I drove through the Healdsburg area a few weeks ago. Not normally a lot of changing leaves (we’ve got mostly Redwoods here in Humboldt), I couldn’t stop starting at them and taking photos if the beautiful colors. GORGEOUS!
Seriously! These trees are amazing!
I’m with you! However, I’m going to my in laws, so I’m a little scared, because they use so much butter that last time my usual approach resulted in me laying in the fetal position crying all night.
One time I asked Ben’s grandma about a recipe she made. It had a stick of butter in it AND a stick of butter melted on top at the end. They don’t mess around!
I LOVE Thanksgiving and I approach it by saying an emphatic YES to the foods I love and an emphatic NO to foods I’m just not crazy about – no need to eat everything, just the seasonal faves!
I also have a similar drinking problem – my desk is comprised of various bevvies from smoothies to coffee to water. They follow me everywhere like little groupies.
Ha! Love your groupies
I try to pace myself, and really enjoy everything I’m eating. I also try to avoid the things that I can eat any time like sliced bread or salad- need to save room for the stuffing and sweet potatoes!
I like that Tgiving philosophy! We always do a family hike the morning of Tgiving…burns calories, family is together. Good tradition I hope to keep for many many years!
Love that tradition
We usually do a post-din walk but we haven’t the past couple of years because of the cold! I will have to re-instate it this year.
I eat a little more than usual on Thanksgiving because it’s the holiday. But I don’t go too crazy! I take what I really want and eat what I want. I stop when I’m full though, but keep room for dessert
There are ALWAYS leftovers too so I can eat the next days!
I usually don’t feel bad about splurging a little on Thanksgiving because it’s pretty much a holiday about food! Yum! My current beverage problem is hot tea and coffee. All day, everyday.
I totally agree with your Thanksgiving approach. Holidays are not for moderation!
I love thanksgiving! All you can stuffing and pie!!!
I prefer to eat like I’m on death row, then at least I have a reason to run like I’m being chased.
I’m totally using this.
My approach this year is to eat what I really like and not waste space on things I don’t care that much about. I have an “excuse” to eat whatever I want since I’m 7.5 months pregnant, but it’s not an excuse. Especially because when I eat too much these days it is painful. As a result I plan to eat lots of sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. I can have turkey any day.
My Thanksgiving approach has really changed over the years. I used to be very mindful of what I was eating as far as if it was “worth it” or not. Now, though, I’m all about whatever is tasty, looks good and it’s what I want in the moment. The key is to not over-think it at all! It’s just one day. I’m not into getting my panties in a bunch over it. I tend to eat like I eat on any other day. I eat when I’m hungry, stop when I’m full. Simple as that!
I just ran my first half marathon in Healdsburg on October 16 (The Headlsburg Half). If you’re there for another couple days you should look up the course and take it for a spin- very minimal rolling hills and gorgeous vineyard running views.
I am of the opinion that Thanksgiving is where you get to acknowledge what you are thankful for…since I am thankful for delicious turkey and gravy and potatoes and on and on, I should probably show my thankfulness by eating until I have to unbutton the top button of my jeans…makes logical sense, right?
I do the cooking so mostly I just want to get dinner on the table and then get my in-laws back on the road. I eat whatever I want without eating so much that I feel sick. I will get a run in with a friend (and maybe the dog) in the morning.
That looks like a pretty good plate of food to me! I have to remember to take pictures.
The Kidless Kronicles
Go big or go home! Thanksgiving comes but once a year.
Glad you are enjoying Healdsburg, and you are in Nor Cal at the perfect time for fall color!
Haha! That cartoon just made me laugh out loud in the lobby. I love it!
Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday too. I love getting together with family and eating…lots and lots of eating.
I love those smuckers peanut butter packs. I steal them. Always.
Moderation for me, if I eat too much I feel sick and get depressed. So along with being a thief I’m apparently a manic eater.
I guess living near the equator has its perks too! The average temperature right now is still around 85 degrees F.
We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but during the holidays I like to keep everything in moderation – or I start falling sick!
YES! Thank you!! I am so happy that you shared your Thanksgiving philosophy. Finally, I’ve found someone in the blog world that enjoys food and holidays without overthinking their food choices. There’s a time and place for moderation- and it’s not at my dinner table on Thanksgiving.
I go HARD on Thanksgiving. We’re talking 4-5 full plates of food.I kept up with my 220 pound Army brat brother and his 3 friends. I have since learned I can eat like them, but I can’t drink beer like them. Ha.
hell yeah, go big or go home!!! my family had to celebrate thanksgiving early this year so it was a couple weeks ago. i was actually sad when i got too full to eat any more
it was a tragedy. but somehow my appetite came back for dessert. LOL. the next day was back to normal, so whatever!!
I agree that it’s best to go all out on Thanksgiving (and Christmas…and Christmas Eve..)!
I am also laughing about your goal to brush your teeth after post-dinner hot chocolate because I get ready for bed sometimes (including brushing my teeth) and then get hungry/want some tea with honey and don’t want to brush my teeth again. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has to make a special effort for dental hygiene.
Good for you with that Thanksgiving approach. You’re right–one day of scarfing down delicious food won’t kill you! Sometimes it’s worth it to just indulge when it’s your favorite holiday & the food is so dang tasty. Enjoy!