Although the holidays are often happy times that bring friends and families together, they can also be stressful. Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect example. However, it is very easy to put together a nutritional yet fabulous meal to cater to almost anyone's tastes. One of the best ways to do that is to start planning your menu early and then shop early to avoid the inevitable crowds. This will also ensure that you will get exactly what you want and the stores won't run out of any of the key ingredients. In fact, it is a great idea to order your turkey in advance to avoid the long lines that often occur as the day draws nearer.It seems as if there are more and more people who are becoming health conscious and more aware of what they are eating. Finding healthy recipes for traditional dishes that involve less calories and less salt or sodium is becoming increasingly easy. And rest assured that the turkey itself is a excellent choice, as it is naturally high in protein and low in fat. Choosing organic meat that hasn't been treated with growth hormones and has been fed an all natural diet is also good idea. Another recent movement regarding the main protein source is the whole "baked versus fried" option. There really is no right or wrong, however the entire family's arteries and heart will be better off if the baked is the method used.
Dishes such as green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and stuffing go perfectly with the turkey. Some of the dishes can be made a day in advance. To make it even easier on the cook, enlist family members to bring their favorite covered dish or dessert. Traditional favorites such as baked apples with brown sugar and pumpkin pie are always big hits, as are pecan pie and carrot cake. Thanksgiving dinner is all about comfort foods (prepared in a healthy way of course), having fun, and the celebration of friends and family. And of course, football.