Thanksgiving FREAKOUT mode!

Seeking your Help, moral support, advice... whatever you've got!!

The thought and sight of mounds of food make me nauseous!
As if that's not bad enough, I'm HOSTING dinner - my first Thanksgiving since surgery and I'm terrified!!

We went grocery shopping last night, my intention was to buy a little of this and a little of that... my b/f (who's always been so supportive) kindly had to remind me that just because I can no longer gorge, it doesn't mean that our guests won't want too!  $250 later we've got enough food to feed a flipping army!!

Sure, hosting lets me have control of what goes into each dish but I can't escape the mindset of preparing "healthy" dishes while knowing our guests are anticipating traditional fat/carb/calorie laden foods!

I feel so selfish! So worried about myself and how I feel and make it thru the day vs. the true meaning of holiday.... Of the 12 guests we'll have, two of them know I had surgery (I often regret not telling people!)

(hug)  Don't worry about what the others think of you.  Love YOURSELF!  When we can do that, the others won't matter.  And it is then, and only then, that we can actually feel all that love healthy others have to offer. And when the others aren't healthy and say hurtful or unboundaried things, it won't affect you because YOU love YOURSELF.  

I know that doesn't directly answer your question, but think about it. :)

Best,

Chris

 AWESOME RESPONSE CHRIS!!! I am copying your reply there is a powerful message in your words... 

As for the OP ... I know the love and care you are going to pour into your meal will result in a banquet fit for kings ... of which you will partake in and thoroughly enjoy yourself and your company ... 

The only freak-out I ever have at Thanksgiving is bringing out the good china and hoping my dufus gang won't break anything and the clean-up after and putting them away ... LOL go figure ... it is only us and whoever drops in usually my kids friends who are always welcome...

HAVE FUN!!! enjoy your meal and your company!!!

Aaahhhh.  Thank you SO MUCH!  That was very sweet.  And I too have the china fear!  lol 

Hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Fix whatever your going to fix anyone. Odds are they probably have another family members house to go to for another holiday meal anyway.

I'm sure your food may be healthier but it's still gonna be good. Flavor and health are not always opposites...lol.

I'm sure everything will be fine. If in doubt make a huge batch of stuffing and another huge batch of potatoes. That and turkey is what most everyone eats anyway.

True, that!

We almost always ended up at two houses each year.

I'm 8 years post op and have been cooking for my family the whole time.  You don't have to eat everything you cook.

I find thanksgiving is one of the holidays I can eat most normally.  Turkey, veggie, I just skip the carbs.  For appetizers raw veggies, shrimp, nuts.  I'm usually too full for desert.

I skip trying to make "healthy alternatives" as they always end up having too many carbs for what they are worth.  Taking teaspoon sized samples of the real thing ends up better for me.

By now it's pretty easy (esp since my kids don't like casseroles)  I cook meat, veggie, and starch.  I don't eat the starch- tada bypass meal.

When you have a family you won't be able to cook just to your liking you can get into practice with Thanksgiving :-)

Good luck-and a little willpower

Pup

Cook a nice traditional meal, and eat what you want to eat.  You are not responsibe for your guests' food intake or the amounts they eat. 

Enjoy the company and the holiday.

Best wishes,

Next year, don't do it.

It's not worth the stress.  I refuse.  We're going out.

I've never had a single complaint about my Thanksgiving dinners. I host every year. And we have our dinner on Black Friday instead of Thanksgiving Day, so no one is going to a second dinner the same day!

For appetizers:
deviled eggs
sliced cheeses and pepperoni
nuts

Main meal:
turkey
gravy (personally never liked gravy, but I have it for others)
homemade fresh cranberry sauce (easy to make with Splenda instead of sugar)
mashed cauliflower made with heavyc ream, cream cheese, and then baked with shredded cheese on top (sour cream and crumbled bacon available for optional toppings)
broccoli cheese casserole
green beans with almonds
spaghetti squash

For dessert, I don't fuss - they get store-bought pies since I've spent so much time/effort preparing everything else!

Fatty foods are not a bad thing. No one misses anything at my heathy dinner since there's plenty of fat to keep everything moist and delicious. Carbs are the evil-doer of the macronutrients. I'm sure if tried to make everything low in both carbs AND fat, it would be gross!