Turkey Day!

One of the best parts about the holidays is the food. But, trying to stay healthy and in shape is a must. Here are a few tips I have shared with my family to help beat the over eating at the Thanksgiving table:

1. Drink water or tea before a meal. This helps you feel full faster so you don't go back for seconds.
2. Keep away from all the finger food appetizers. Now, not all of them are bad, just think if the appetizer came straight from earth it's probably o k. (Veggies and Fruits) 
3. Portion your plate and keep it mainly green.
4. Drink your alcohol moderately. Most alcohol turns into sugar and is high in calories.
5. Don't be afraid to have that piece of pumpkin pie, just portion it!  

Arugula Butternut Squash Salad 

Here is a salad dish we will be sharing at our Thanksgiving meal:

(Note: I have left out the wheat berries that are pictured below.) 

Ingredients 

- 1 large butternut squash, about 2.5 pounds, peeled, deseed and diced into cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1.5 teaspoon kosher salt, divide
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
- 3 cups arugula or baby spinach






Dressing 

- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard            
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (or fresh if you have it!)



Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 400*.

2.Toss cubed squash with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

3. Line a pan with foil and fill with squash. Cover with more foil and bake for 20 minutes.

4. Remove squash, uncover and add 2 cups cranberries. Bake for another 15 minutes, until squash is fork-tender and berries have softened.

5. Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients in a jar and shaking well

6. Add squash and cranberries, pom arils, and arugula and toss everything well

7. Serve slightly warm, room temp or chilled.

Workout

Last but not least, a great way to jump start your day and get your metabolism going is a morning workout. Go for a jog or a walk along the beach, it doesn't have to be high intensity workout to get you going for the day. 

Happy Thanksgiving!