Savor the Flavor - Have A Mindful Thanksgiving

              Last month, I wrote about taking Halloween candy in moderation. How did we do? Maybe I’m an outlier, but I didn’t have too hard of a time sticking to it; Halloween is an easy one. Thanksgiving is when this starts to get tricky.

              There are a few themes I considered for this article, most of which included some version of: mindfulness, portion control, post-meal workouts, boundaries, and moderation. All the things we’ve heard 1,000 times before but, really, will reading my perspective on it make any difference? Probably not, at least I’m aware. So, instead, I’ll encourage you to make a goal for the holiday this year – whatever that looks like for you – and stick to it. I’ve thought of a few to incorporate and, good news, none of them require you to get sweaty. Thanksgiving workouts are great, but I won’t be that broken record.

Check these out:

1. Practice mindful eating. This is a boring (but important!) one, so let’s start here. I’ve never, ever been good at listening to my body’s hunger cues. I grew up in a house of “clear your plate before you leave the table,” and I haven’t been able to mature from it. It’s important to limit food waste, I agree, but I’m challenging myself and you to eat mindfully this year, savoring every bite and paying attention when our bodies say, “No more!”
2. Disconnect from technology. My grandparents’ house is a dead zone for my cell phone service and, while it used to be a pain to go off the grid for the whole weekend, these days I wouldn’t have it another way. When we go to Mema and Papa’s house, we have no other option than to be fully present. It’s great – no one is staring at their screens, stepping out to take calls, or posting everything to socials. This year, I encourage you to put down your technology and enjoy the holiday with your eyes instead of through your lens.
3. Express gratitude. My son will be 7 months this month and, as soon as he can talk, I’ll ask him every night at dinner what he likes best and is thankful for in the meal. This is a lesson in expressing gratitude to the chef (usually his dad), and it’s a way to orient his mind toward thankfulness. That’s something we can all benefit from! Whether you’re saying, “thanks for the meal,” “for the phone call,” or “for my opportunity to leave after this,” the important thing is that you’re expressing gratitude to someone. Gratitude is a good place for your mind to sit, and it makes for a happier gathering. Trust me on this.
4. If your goal is to fill your belly, park yourself on a sofa, and spend time with your family, go ‘head! The first year my husband and I were married, we tried to spend Thanksgiving with both families. That looked like us driving more than 6 hours to all the houses over two days. It was too much, and we both got sick afterward. Learn from our mistake, please: don’t overdo it.