What do you need from Thanksgiving this year?

When I think of the Thanksgiving holiday I have mixed feelings. I’m excited to have a few days off, my kids at home, and all things pumpkin pie. But, the stress of cleaning the house, preparing food for 2-3 days, or trying to travel with the rest of the nation to see family, feels like too much stress on my nervous system. 

This year it feels like most nervous systems need a break. It feels like we should not mindlessly prepare for this huge meal and burn out what little energy we have left. What if we all carved out a little space to relax, unwind, and share good food? 

A Nourishing Thanksgiving

Just for a second, close your eyes and practice a tiny bit of self-care. Imagine what your ideal Thanksgiving meal would look like and don’t judge yourself if you said pizza on the couch! We are all so busy, overworked, overstimulated, and over-committed. What if we just took a few days off and made a nice dinner to share with friends or family? Nothing fancy, but something delicious that you love to eat. 

For me, that will still be turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pumpkin pie, but the rest is unimportant. Those three dishes are easy for me, and I love the way a turkey becomes turkey soup, turkey enchiladas, and turkey and gravy on biscuits or S.O.S. the next morning. I love how we can make a shepherd’s pie with the leftover mashed potatoes, and how I can eat pumpkin pie for breakfast because my recipe is more nutritious than a box of cereal.

I encourage you to pick a few of your favorite dishes and then relax. If you feel like pulling out the silver, do it! And if you don’t, let the kids set the table imperfectly and get an extra hour of sleep the night before instead of worrying about it. Life is too short to stress over napkin rings and wine glasses. 

Prevent Indigestion

Most people think it’s overeating and rich food that causes heartburn and indigestion, but honestly, it’s the stress around the meal. The best thing you can do is make sure you have plans to share the day with people you adore, make food you love, or bring wine you love, and then relax and enjoy your time together. Take a few deep breaths before you eat and take some time time to show your gratitude for the meal.

We like to take turns around the table sharing thanks for the food that was sacrificed to feed us, the farmers that worked to grow the food, the truckers that delivered the food, the stores that stocked the food, and the people who prepared the food. After this, your mouth should be watering from the beautiful sight, the tantalizing aromas, and the sound of the food leaving the oven. When your mouth waters and your stomach growls, you are one step ahead of heartburn. Now, all you have to do is eat slowly, chew each bite completely, and enjoy the meal with mindfulness. Stop when you are full and save the rest for tomorrow so you don’t have to cook or leave your home to eat. 

If you do all this and you still suffer from indigestion, be prepared and bring a digestive enzyme. You can pick them up from your local grocery store and they will help digest the food for you. If indigestion still typically occurs for you, it may be that the quality of the food is not that high. Was it boxed potatoes, a bag of stuffing, or cream of mushroom soup goop over canned green beans?🤢

If these are not foods you know how to make from scratch, let them go. Thanksgiving does not have to be a set menu! Especially if it means buying prepackaged foods full of synthetic stabilizers and additives that can make you sick. You can make something simple, nutrient-dense, and it will still look beautiful and fresh. Best of all, it is unlikely to cause heartburn. Here are a few simple recipe ideas below that use seasonal pumpkins, persimmons, and Delicata squash. 

Recipe Ideas

Thanksgiving Day gets chaotic with timers beeping, managing oven space, and coordinating to make sure all of the food hits the table at the same time. In the spirit of making the holiday less stressful, we have a few simple recipes that might make your day a little easier. Recipes that can be made ahead or require minimal prep work are just what we need to unwind and enjoy the company of those around us. Uncomplicated, beautiful food can celebrate the holiday and also make it easy for guests with food allergies to identify safe foods.

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Pumpkin Pie

My recipe for pumpkin pie calls for roasting your own winter squash: sugar pie, turban, sweet potato, butternut squash, or for a real treat, try Delicata squash. Cut it in half, remove the seeds, and rub it with a little butter, coconut oil, or extra virgin olive oil. Bake the pumpkin cut side down in a 375° oven for at least an hour until it gives when you push on the skin. Pull it out and let it cool. Once it is cooled you can scrape out the flesh which is more nutritious than a can of "pumpkin pie mix." 

I have found it unnecessary and too time-consuming to strain and blend the pumpkin first. If you have ample time and want to create the perfect consistency go ahead and strain the flesh over a strainer for an hour and then blend up the thick flesh. As for me, I will take the shortcut and simply measure out the flesh and blend it in the food processor with the rest of the ingredients for my pie. I’ve always been satisfied, even though, I may have to cook it for a bit longer. For a pie crust, skip the shortening and opt for an all-butter crust or this gluten free pie crust recipe from Elena's Pantry.

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Delicata Moons

Pick up a Delicata squash for a quick side dish packed with fiber. The skin is delicate and edible which means you save time not having to peel. Clean out the seeds, slice, and roast!

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Persimmon Salad

It is peak Fuyu persimmon season. This recipe requires zero oven space, and can be made in under 15 minutes. You can make this as a fresh salad or skewer with a toothpick for an easy appetizer. Pick a persimmon that is slightly soft to the touch and a rich orange color with smooth skin (no wrinkles). If you can only find very firm persimmons, they will continue to ripen at room temperature.

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I hope you find time to breathe, time to socialize, and time to connect. I hope you eat something deliciously fresh, in season, and worth the time it took to prepare. And I hope most of all that you don’t end up with heartburn and indigestion. Be prepared and start eating mindfully now and by the big day, you will be ready. If the problem persists, you know where to find me.

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Happy Holidays,

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Dr. Jessica

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