Prepare for the feast

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it refuses to be commercialized, in spite of the persistent efforts of Black Friday advertisers. Sure, you can buy the best quality ingredients, prepare the most lavish table layout, and race through dessert to queue up at the Best Buy; however, Thanksgiving remains a holiday focused on family and food.

Many of us will head to bed on this Thanksgiving Eve with visions of sausage-sage-stuffing and pumpkin pie dancing in our heads. But many of us will also experience that little nagging voice in the back of our minds, taunting us about that second (third?) helping of pie.

I am not one of those people who loves taking the fun out of everything. I raise my eyebrows and roll my eyes at that person (you know one) who insists on guilt-tripping you for every mouthful of carby, buttery goodness you consume: "It's hard to watch what you eat around the holidays!" "Make sure you don't eat too much--after all, you're not hibernating!" "You're going to have to do double time at the gym next week!"

Oh please. For every person who relishes questioning your extra cocktail or supersized helping of mashed potatoes, there are countless ways in which to enjoy your holiday and not prove that person right by going up a pants-size.

Here is a game plan as you approach the Thanksgivukkah table:

1. Eat small meals throughout the day leading up to the big feast. You will eat your heart out later, so make sure you save room without starving yourself. Enjoy small helpings of high-energy snacks throughout the day. Have a bowl of oatmeal or a high-protein omelette for breakfast--the slow-release carbs and protein will give you consistent energy. Enjoy a small but thoughtful lunch. And, sneak a handful of nuts for those the-turkey-popper-was-supposed-to-pop-half-an-hour-ago moments.

2. Eat food because you enjoy it, not because it's there. A table full of snacks and a kitchen full of food prep pose a potential problem. If you want a bowl of chips, eat a bowl of chips--just don't eat them because they're next to you as you watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Same thing goes for the meal itself--resist eating a second serving unless you really want it. Often times, I find myself wanting a second helping because the first was so good. Most of the time, however, that second serving pales in comparison with the first and leaves me with an upset stomach and a lot of guilt.

3. It's a holiday devoted to eating--so, eat. There's really no way around it. Enjoy every turkey drumstick and yam, savor every glass of wine and piece of pie. You don't eat like this every day, and one blip on the radar will not matter. Staying healthy is not a chore, it's a habit. If you're in the habit of eating well and taking care of yourself, one day off the charts will not affect you--because it's not the norm.

4. And, of course, post feast--you're going to be in a food coma, so might as well wind down with a healthy routine for a few days. Skip booze and dessert for the week after the holiday, and eat clean, healthy meals. You'll be resetting your switch and cherishing the memories of that wonderful feast.

xx Madeleine

Well, it's been a while

Looking at the date on my latest (if that word can be used in this context) post, I am filled with no small amount of shame. It's been over a year since I last shared any sign of life, let alone any evidence of having cooked for myself in 2013.

Well, quite a few things have happened in this past year and a half. Here's the SparkNotes version:

• After graduating from college and rejoining the company that I worked at as an intern in college, I started on a rocky road of adjusting to post-college-still-living-with-my-parents life. It was an incredibly difficult few months. I had been unable to score a "real" job and felt incredibly uncertain about my future. To deal with my lack of friends and general despondency, I turned to food and cooking--the things that made me happy. Unfortunately, this reliance on food for comfort led me to gain almost 15 pounds, and to weigh the most I ever had. 
• Determined to take my health into my hands and to become a healthier and more informed cook and consumer, I began on a strict routine of dieting, exercising, and educating myself about nutrition in June 2013. I learned a ton about food, nutrition, and my body. I started looking and feeling much healthier.
• I attended graduate school from Fall 2012 to Spring 2013--all the while, I continued cooking consciously, with attention to both caloric content and flavor. I continued to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle, even in the midst of an incredibly stressful period.
• After graduation, I started working full time. I don't always have time to work out, or even go on a walk, but I still try to cook as many meals as possible and to take my eating into my own hands. In the past 16 months, I have lost over 20 pounds and will (hopefully) continue to do so. With the holidays coming up, that might prove a challenge, but I feel and look better than ever before. And--above all--I am healthy and getting the proper nourishment. I've realized that it's not about being thin--it's about treating your body well and knowing what it needs to be its best.

I will continue to cook because, well, life wouldn't be much fun without it. And, in the weeks and the months ahead, I look forward to sharing my new lifestyle and favorite recipes with you all.

xx Madeleine