Lighten Up on the Day After Thanksgiving (Healthy Holiday Recipes)

I can't in good conscious suggest healthy recipes for your Thanksgiving meal. I would be a hypocrite. I can and will suggest portion control but not a total healthy meal.

My mother will make her green bean casserole and I plan to have some on my plate.

Now, the day after Thanksgiving is a different story. There is no reason one can not eat healthier on that day. Just because those leftovers are calling your name, it can still be done. The major holidays of Thanksgiving & Christmas are celebrated in my home a*k*a Granny's House. It's where my grandmother is and that's where the family goes. That also means I have to do much of the clean up afterward. The only two items on our table of bounty (feeds 20-25 people) that are leftover is maybe (big maybe) 1/4 of the turkey (well except that one year LoL) & 3/4 of the jellied cranberry sauce. Do you want to see what you can make healthy with these two items? Of course, you do! You would still be reading this if you didn't.

Oh, the smell of hot muffins in the morning. I bet these would taste good sitting outside waiting for the store with hot sales to open.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins (Found the Recipe HERE)
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup + 3 tablespoons rolled oats (reserve the 3 tablespoons for the tops)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups leftover cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup 2% milk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grease a 12-cup standard-size muffin tin (or add liners).
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, milk, vegetable oil, and egg.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until blended.
6. Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups - about 3/4 to all the way full.
7. Sprinkle with the three tablespoons oats.
8. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops spring back when you touch them and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out dry.
9. Let cool for about five minutes. Serve.

I have actually made some kind of smoothie with the cranberry sauce for many years. The jellied version is bought for the kids and one adult that don't eat the whole berry. We always have this stuff left. This smoothie recipe calls for cranberry sauce ice cubes. To make these, spoon cranberry sauce into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, pop out the cubes to make this smoothie.

Cranberry Sauce Smoothies (HERE it can be found)
Ingredients:
• 6 cubes of frozen cranberry sauce
• 1 apple, cored
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or nonfat plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup non-fat milk

Directions:
1. Put all ingredients into a powerful blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.

There is more to make with leftover turkey than tetrazzini, soup, and pot pie. (I will admit tetrazzini is so delicious this time of the year.)  This tostada is simple and quick, unlike those common ways to use turkey leftovers.

Crispy Turkey Tostadas (More information is HERE)
Ingredients:
• 1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, preferably with jalapeños
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cups shredded cooked turkey
• 8 corn tortillas
• Canola or olive oil cooking spray
• 1 avocado, pitted
• 1/4 cup prepared salsa
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:
1. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 375°F.
2. Bring tomatoes and their juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Add turkey (or chicken) and cook until heated through 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, coat tortillas on both sides with cooking spray. Divide the tortillas between 2 large baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until crisped and lightly brown, about 10 minutes.
4. Mash avocado in a bowl. Stir in salsa, sour cream and cilantro until combined.
5. To assemble tostadas, spread each crisped tortilla with some of the avocado mixtures. Top with the turkey (or chicken) mixture, lettuce, and cheese.

Oh, there is something about a turkey sandwich that screams THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. How about jazz up your sandwich and make it Philly-style. Yes, deli slice paper thin turkey makes for the most authentic "cheesesteak" experience. But you can use leftover cooked turkey instead if you like: Freeze up to an hour until firm but not frozen solid, then slice as thinly as you can

Turkey Philly Sandwiches (Find it HERE)
Ingredients:
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 cup thinly sliced onion
• 1 cup thinly sliced green bell pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 pound turkey breast
• 4 (2-ounce) sandwich rolls
• 4 (1-ounce) slices low-sodium mozzarella or provolone cheese

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in black pepper.
3. Divide onion mixture and turkey evenly among bottom halves of rolls; top each serving with 1 cheese slice. Cover with top halves of rolls.
4. Place sandwiches on a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

Oh, I told you I will suggest a few tips to help you not feel like a Butterball on that blessed day.

• Don't Fast or Skip Meals Before the Thanksgiving Meal On Thanksgiving, people may forgo breakfast or lunch to save room for a feast in the evening. "You're ravenous, and you just eat like crazy. You're completely irrational,", nutritionists say. By eating a regular meal prior to the anticipated meal, you'll likely eat fewer calories overall than you would if you skipped the meals

• Police Your Portions Thanksgiving tables are bountiful & beautiful displays of traditional family favorites. Before you fill your plate, survey the buffet table (we eat buffet style but this works for sit down settings also) and decide what you're going to choose. Then choose reasonable-sized portions of foods you cannot live without (Like my mother's green bean casserole)

• Skip the Seconds Try to resist the temptation to go back for second helpings. "Leftovers are much better the next day, and if you limit yourself to one plate, you are less likely to overeat and have more room for a delectable dessert," experts say

• Be Realistic The holiday season is a time for celebration. With busier schedules and so many more temptations, this is a good time to strive for weight maintenance instead of weight loss.

Now, I only covered what I know to be leftover at my home. If you need ideas on what to do with other dishes that I didn't cover, leave me a message in the comments and I'll help you out

You might be celebrating with family, friends, co-worker or even alone don't forget the reason for the day, To be Grateful for All that you do have. Somebody wish they could have what you have even your problems. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

P.S. Anybody shopping on Black Friday (not Thursday) pick me out something nice and bring it by after 12 pm, Noon,  (Yes, I'm taking that day off). I'll have a Cranberry Sauce Smoothie ready for you. *wink*

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Settling These Thanksgiving Food Debates

It's November!!! So, that means that Thanksgiving is soon to come. Lots of food talk happens during November. I know am not the only person that watches food & cooking shows or segments and answers Food Debates. It seems that no other holiday brings about food debates like Thanksgiving. I think they are funny. They are such first-world issues. But let me add my two cents (well my 20 cents) and give you my opinion

Ham vs Turkey

I say both. Both will be on my plate. I only get turkey during this time and the next time I should get ham will be Easter. The people who pick ham, usually say that Turkey is just a big chicken or it is too dry. 

There are so many debates about the subject of turkey that it is unreal. I have experience in making a turkey. Made my first one 8-10 years ago. I watch Tyler Florence make this RECIPE and I volunteered to make the turkey for the family. But in Bag vs Tent, I say bag.

I've never made a turkey any other way. Also tenting requires basting. And in the debate of Bag vs Basting, bag will win every time. I'm not getting up all the time to keep the bird moist. The bag handles that quite well.

Oh, how do you like your turkey, Fried, Roasted, or Smoked? All 3 ways.

Most people have only had it roasted. Smoked turkey is a great alternative to ham. And my friend  ID's father makes the best fried turkey. As long as the turkey is fully cooked, I have a preference that is not so picky.

Speaking of fried turkey, how do you like to "season" it? Do you like Brining or Injecting? Taste-wise I prefer either.

But when it comes to preparation, brine, I injected a turkey I roasted, once and it is not as easy as it looks.

And once the bird is prepared and on the table, Dark or White? I prefer white on my plate. I like dark meat for a good leftover stew or casserole.

Ok so we've tackled the meat, Let's talk side dishes.

Mashed vs Sweet Potatoes

I don't eat sweet potatoes as a side item. So, I have to say mashed. We have sweets on our table, but I fixed mashed to eat the next day with some leftovers last year. Turkey with mashed potatoes was good.  I just topped it off with a bit of my aunt's gravy that goes with her cornbread dressing.

Yes, I said dressing. And that is my answer in Stuffing vs Dressing. I always thought if it was cooked in the turkey it was stuffing.
We don't stuff the bird with it. We put it in a casserole dish, so it is dressing. Oh, I'm Southern, I eat cornbread or wild rice dressing. White bread or sourdough dressing is weird to me and prefer not to eat it again, in life.

Now Canned vs Homemade cranberry sauce is very easy.

Unless my cousin, Clois is making the cranberry sauce, it will be canned. We have both jellied & whole berries because there is one adult & some kids that don't eat the whole berries.

And to round out this debate discussion I will take on dessert. Which one is do you prefer, pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie.

I've never had pumpkin pie (Pumpkin roll is delicious). I don't like pecan pie at all, So, apple pie wins. Sweet potato pie actually wins, if I should tell my truth. Well, if my mother is really in the holiday spirit and makes my favorite, Millionaire wins.

Okay, so those are my picks in the Thanksgiving Food debate. What are your picks? No matter what you pick, Be Grateful that you have something to pick at all.


As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Halloween Is Coming, Let's Talk

Probably telling my age, now
LoL

I like Halloween. I have happy great Halloween memories. Even the year I had the flu in the 1st grade, I had some fun.  My mom still let me wear my Care Bear (I was Tender Heart) costume in the house all day. I just had to wear my mask on the back of my head so I could breathe. So, Halloween is good.

But,  we need to talk about some of the bothersome parts of this holiday. First up, slutty costumes. Well, not all slutty outfits. I mean if your costume is of a slut then, it has to be slutty. I have issue with slutty versions of children's cartoons and toys.

Like sexy Big Bird seems very perverse. Who watches Sesame Street and thinks about sex? I feel like that about all sexy versions of kids stuff. In my opinion, they should be banned. Apparently, I am not the only person. Buzzfeed feels the same way. I had never heard of a sexy Charlie Brown until I saw this video. He is so right, Charlie is a bald depressed little boy. What is Sexy about a Bald Depressed Little Boy? Or at least if the consumer stop buying this stuff, the makers will stop making them. And I not saying an adult dressing like a child's cartoon is perverse.

These Minnie Mouse costumes are tasteful and very sassy. But only wearing some panty style shorts and a bandeau bra in the colors of the characters is not classy or cool.

If I see offenders about blackface this year, I will cry. I don't how many time it has to be said to get it through the skulls of those that want to do it. DON'T DRESS IN BLACKFACE!!!

This year I am not buying into not knowing any better. If I see it done I am deeming the offenders Racists from this day forward. That will go for celebrity and non-celebrities alike. It is okay for anyone to dress like someone of another race and not change their racial skin tone.

Ellen and Miley Cyrus have done it. Oh, I know Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj may not be what you want to dress up as, let's use Olivia Pope as an example.

Here is an example on how to dress up as Olivia Pope without the use of blackface. Many different models dressed as Livvie as their race. 

Oh and black people, I didn't forget about you. Don't Dress In Whiteface. Don't let Nick Cannon and Snoop make you be offensive also.

Hollywood is not paying you for that role so, go as that character with black skin. 

Yeah, my sister's kids always have the good stuff.

However you are celebrating this holiday, let it be classy, intolerant, safe & fun. If you have a couple of Pixy Stix, can you send them my way. They're my favorite and I'm not passing those. LoL I have no clue what is going to be passed out & I'm not in charge of door snacks this year. I'm preparing dinner, Candy Corn Quesadillas (Recipe found HERE) & Salad.

Happy Halloween!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

It Is Hard: October Awareness 2015

I know I have not done a post on October Awareness. I will not front guys, this year, It Is Hard!!!

It Is Hard when the medical portion of the US government changes the recommended guidelines for mammograms yet again and the age gets older and not younger.

I'm just going to leave one fact here on this point. The founder of Susan G Komen, Nancy Brinker died at age 36.

It Is Hard when a panel of women on morning talk television can wear purple for Spirit Day. Some even Instagrammed their outfits. But will they do it for Domestic Violence Awareness, also? The keyword is Also.

It Is Hard when the focus on Breast Cancer rarely include male breast cancer in the conversation. Breast cancer is not typically associated with men. However, male breast cancer can occur in rare instances at any age, although it is more common in older men.

It Is Hard when TV personalities can joke about a going to jail dance because of this story. Man Dances On Top Of Ex's Roof After Lighting Home On Fire  

But what is even Harder when I look upon my FB timeline and woman I know to post this story and adds the caption "U had to be the worst Girlfriend in the World!". I've been wondering when I was going to use this accidental side eye picture I took at the State Fair this year.

Umm Ma'am, it is for you. This 25-year-old man had also gone to his girlfriend's home, "forcefully" took her keys, driven her car "recklessly" up the street and destroyed a utility pole and two fences with the vehicle prior to setting her home on fire but the girlfriend gets the blame. Knowing the person who said the "U had to be the worst Girlfriend in the World!" statement, this had been a slip of the tongue, well finger. I know it had to be.

It Is Hard when the other signs of breast cancer do not talk about as much as the lump. Many do not ever get a lump.

• Persistent itching and the appearance of a rash or small irritation similar to an insect bite
• Sharp pain in your breast
• Vaginal pain

These can be signs also.

It Is Hard when you don't see as many of these

 as you do these.

I am just happy the church I attend, had one this past Sunday.

Hey, I can brag on mine if I want to.

Churches are having funeral services for victims of both issues. I feel they need to take time to show awareness to both. I have my theories on why they don't but my theory still doesn't negate that the need is there.

It Is Hard when I personally know people right now suffering from both of these. When I say right now I mean at this very second on October 22, 2015. I know somebody suffering from the effects of breast cancer. That person may be too weak to read this post. I know somebody in an abusive relationship. That person's phone is controlled so even if I test out the link, they will not be allowed to read it. 

Matter of Fact All these things mentioned in this post happened this October of this year, 2015.

So yeah, that is why It Is Hard but I know in my heart when I post this it will be worth it to somebody. I don't wear the colors because they are cute together.

 I wear them in support. I think of different makeup looks because they can't. They could be the worse whatever but they don't deserve to suffer. Everybody needs support. If you can walk or run, do it. Some are not financially able to donate but in our discretionary funds sometimes budget a little donation in. When you see flyers to a balloon release, go to it. Help pass out awareness cards when you can. And most importantly pray (or send up positive thoughts) for those going through this issue. A little can go a long way. 

We All Can Support. Support Is Not Hard!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

The Fat Girls Are Easy Rant

I have to give a slow clap to the internet. I didn't see as many insulting fat girl are easy pictures & memes as I thought I would. Most of them were repetitive. And hopefully more won't pop up. I know wishful thinking.

Cuffing Season is here. And there are these dudes are looking for warmth. My fellow plus size, fat, & big sisters, Watch Out. There are some guys out there who will only date us just to cuddle up once it get colder out. Yeah, it is "our season" to Netflix & Chill constantly. 

No, it should not be. Men like this are a part a culture that one of my favorite bloggers, CeCe Olisa calls Closeted Chubby Chasers. You can read about them HERE. And I agree with CeCe, we must stop this behavior by not being available for this type of behavior.

But we know where some of this behavior stems from. Many people believe that Fat Girls are Easy. Big Girls are so Desperate & Lonely that anybody can have sex with us.

Plus Size women are Not Discriminating in whom they let bed them. The self esteem of these women is so low that anything go with them.

Whoever started that myth need to be punched & kicked along with the people who believe it. There is even a slang term for going after fat chick to bang called Hogging. I can't make THIS up. Oh yeah, while the world was appalled at no N-words in SAE, there was plus size coed brought to a party just because so some jerk could score with her for being her size.

If anyone ask me (and they never do) the belief that fat people are weak individuals will live longer than racism & feminism. And because there are not many big people having healthy relationship seen in the pop culture media it is quite easy for the jokes & negative beliefs to slide into being a norm.

I've never subscribed into the notion, of course. I'm not saying I've never had low self esteem but I don't think I ever been with any man that only wanted me as his fat notch on his belt. But if there was one, I pray to God he never confesses. I'm flunking that test because I'm going in on his piggy butt. I like to think I have discernment for these type of people. Plus, I've never deemed myself as that hard up and I've been fat all my life. But I know it is sometimes hard. Compliments & flattery feels good. It should feel good to everyone. But liking flattery should make anyone think you are willing to give up the cookie to continue to feel good. 

Yet, masses believe in a desexualized version of this culture of people. Blaming the victims is easier than to tell the aggressors that they are wrong. That's why we have to believe we are not this dumb stereotype. I'll rather a man to get upset and tell me I am stuck up and call me all kinds of vulgarities than to allow myself to let him make me into a statistical myth. Let me see, I'm female and me rule us. I'm Christian and church girls are freaks. I'm single so, I'm lonely. And Fat girls are easy. Oh wait, I'm a black woman. I have an attitude. That's what keeps my legs closed. 

Wrong!!! Stop the Foolishness and Grow Up!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms