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Which Thanksgiving Food Is Worth the Calories?

FitSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:30:08 -0800

Thanksgiving is almost here and you either have one of two attitudes - eat whatever you want because it's a holiday, or watch your calorie intake so you don't gain weight. If you don't want to cringe the next time you step on the scale, then you probably only want to splurge on the foods that are really worth it. So tell me . . .

Turkey Accompaniment: Cranberry Sauce or Gravy?

partysugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:30:31 -0800

Source: Flickr Users Veganbaking.net and thebittenword.com

Open House: What Are Your Thanksgiving Plans?

CasaSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:30:39 -0800

This Thursday, friends and family will gather to socialize, give thanks, and stuff themselves silly. Whether you're hosting or putting in a guest appearance, there's always a lot of preparation and work that goes into every Thanksgiving gathering.

This year my husband and I are driving from Berkeley to Whidbey Island, off the coast of Washington, to stay with his family. We're driving because we're also traveling with our two dogs (I know, it's going to be quite the road trip). Once there, we'll help prepare the Thanksgiving meal, take lots of walks in the foggy forest and on the shore, and, I'm sure, play many, many rounds of Scrabble with my mom-in-law.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is getting to visit with so many loved ones, and to contribute to a meal, and an experience, that would be impossible without many hands. Tell me: what are your Thanksgiving plans, and what are your favorite parts of the holiday?

Source: Flicker User Lane & Anne

Canned Cranberry: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:00:41 -0800

When I was growing up, canned cranberry jelly was a part of our menu every Thanksgiving. With it's rich color, cylindrical shape, and smooth coolness, it was one of my favorite parts of the meal. I have since learned to love a more sophisticated homemade fresh cranberry sauce, but the canned cranberry holds a special place in my heart. It's ideal for making leftover sandwiches. How do you feel about it?

Source: Flickr User busbeytheelder

Healthy T-Day Dessert: Pumpkin-Carrot Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:30:05 -0800

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and my love of all things pumpkin is hardly waning. From yogurt to muffins, I relish this tasty flavor of Fall. If you're looking for a pumpkin pie alternative, these pumpkin-carrot bars are delish. The bit of cream cheese frosting adds a deceptive element of decadence.

Low in calories while remaining full of flavor, these pumpkin bars make a great dessert - perfect for potlucks (much easier to share with large groups than pies) and they're relatively guilt-free. They're high in vitamin A - and trust me you cannot even taste the shredded carrot - and a bar only contains 70 calories and less than two grams of fat. With nutritional stats like that, it's OK to go back for seconds.

Check out the recipe when you read more.

Pumpkin-Carrot Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
Modified from SparkPeople

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup Earth Balance (or other butter substitute)
2 eggs
2 large egg whites
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin pie filling
2/3 cup finely shredded carrot

Cream cheese topping:
4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon skim milk

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Spray a 15 x 10 jellyroll pan with cooking spray.
In small bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder, and baking soda.
In larger bowl, use electric mixer to beat sugar, Earth Balance, and brown sugar until crumbly. Add eggs, egg whites, pumpkin pie filling, and carrots. Beat until well blended.
Add flour mixture and mix until well blended. Spread onto greased pan.
To prepare cream cheese topping: mix together cream cheese, sugar, and milk until thoroughly blended.
Drop teaspoon-fulls of topping over pumpkin batter and swirl and cut mixture into batter with a butter knife.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in pan completely on wire rack before cutting into squares.

Makes 48 squares.

Print recipe with images | without images

Looking for more healthy recipes? Then check out the Healthy Recipe Group - the name pretty much says it all.

Etsy Finds: Talking Turkey

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:13 -0800

Whether you're eating the classic Thanksgiving bird next Thursday, or just want to add a kitschy reminder of it at your celebration, I've found plenty of ways to talk turkey this Thanksgiving - and all of those ways are handmade, of course!

View Slideshow ›

Are You Traveling or Staying Put For Thanksgiving?

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:50 -0800

The holiday skies and roads are not so friendly this year. Gas prices are still soaring, and outrageously priced airline tickets paired with baggage fees are keeping many families grounded this holiday season. Instead of giving thanks at a table of aunts, uncles, and grandparents, many folks will be sharing a meal with neighborhood friends and their immediate family.

What are your plans this Thanksgiving?

Do You Enjoy Music During Your Thanksgiving Meal?

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:45:48 -0800

Do You Hang a Thanksgiving Banner?

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:50 -0800

I love the look of this adorable Thanksgiving banner. It would look so festive hung on a porch to greet visitors, or even on a wall by the dinner table. I haven't done one before, but now I'm tempted. How about you?

Source: Flickr User meringuedesigns

Last Chance to Enter Our Thanksgiving Giveaway!

partysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:16:47 -0800

From our free downloadable planner to our favorite recipes for stuffing, sides, and desserts, we're dedicating November to all things Thanksgiving. We're taking it one step further by partnering with our friends at Williams-Sonoma® to bring you the ultimate turkey day prize! There's everything you need to host the perfect Thanksgiving.

We're sending you the bird, a free-range organic Willie Bird turkey from California. Then, we're throwing in all the necessary tools for creating a juicy and flavorful roast turkey. There's a stainless steel roaster, a baster, turkey lifters, brining bags, and probe thermometer. We couldn't forget about the side dishes, so there's a kitchen timer to ensure everything cooks properly; a potato ricer is a must have for smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes; and a ruffled pie dish and Fall forest piecrust cutters are essential for picture-ready pies. All of these products form a giveaway package that's worth more than $500!

To enter to win, you must log in and take the quiz below by 1 p.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 20. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct; completing the quiz once you are logged in makes you eligible to win. You do, however, need to be a PopSugar Network member before taking the quiz. If you're not already a member, register here for an account. One quiz entry per person. See the official rules here.

Take the quiz