Thanksgiving To Do List and Tips

Thanksgiving is just days away. Find out some top tips for keeping your cool and things in order

Thanksgiving is just days away and we are increasingly filling our time with holiday planning, shopping and preparation. This time of year gives us the opportunity to gather with friends and family, cook delicious meals and give thanks for all of the blessings in our lives. To get you prepared for this year’s Thanksgiving feast, here are some tips SupermarketGuru gathered from the web to help you feel ready for the big day.

Tuesday or Wednesday:
Make mashed potatoes and refrigerate them. Chop ingredients for the stuffing and sides, toss in re-sealable plastic bags and refrigerate. Make pies at least one day before serving, and brine the turkey overnight.

Thanksgiving Day:
Morning: After getting the turkey in the oven, place cranberry sauce in serving bowls and refrigerate. Steam any veggies like green beans, pat dry, and toss with vinaigrette or toppings. Start preparing other sides.

1 hour to go: Turkey should be out of the oven because it needs to rest 45 minutes before it’s carved. Now is the time to make the gravy!

45 minutes: Transfer stuffing from turkey to a baking dish and return to oven.

30 minutes: Roast sliced acorn squash or other pumpkins/squash or root veggies.

20 minutes: Reheat mashed potatoes in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Reheat greens.

5 minutes: Give gravy a reheat and your ready to go! 

More tips, from THE DOCTORS on how to ensure a happy and healthy holiday season:

Avoid Overeating on Thanksgiving:
Eat Walnuts: Eat a handful before your meal. They will help fill you up, and the antioxidants can improve your artery function and are rich in omega-3s, therefore reduce inflammation.

Limit yourself to two alcoholic drinks: Alcohol removes your inhibitions, so if you drink before you eat, you're going to overeat.

Sit down and chew your food: You will enjoy your food more if you chew it slowly.

Beat-the-Bloat Tricks for Feeling Less Full:
Drink Water: This may seem like a no-brainer, but drinking a glass of water before a meal can help you eat 20 percent fewer calories. If you feel bloated, have a glass of peppermint tea instead, which helps prevent the feeling of being extremely full.

Incorporate papaya and pineapple: These super foods have natural digestive enzymes that assist with digestion and help you feel less full after a large meal.

Chewing your food well, as mentioned above, will also help to battle the bloat!

Stay tuned for more on Thanksgiving.