Happy Thanksgiving!

Everything starts with a vision.  May I give you a vision I had and the way I arrived? It’s just about Thanksgiving time, and every year I love to cook. We have a gluten-free household, so what I make is free of wheat and very little sugar, however, it is amazingly fun and delicious.
Years ago, I started with a list, which I used every year. Over the past few decades, I adjusted it slightly, and surprisingly this list, albeit looking somewhat food-stained and wrinkled, still serves as my general template. Sometimes we cook the turkey one way or another, but we generally have a turkey of some kind. Yes, even a “tofu-turkey” one year!  It all starts with a vision of what I want and the list is built step by step from there.

Success Timetables

Timetables help me look at the past to see what worked. I consider what I need to do in the present and take steps to make that possible, and then I work towards my future vision. This may sound simple, and it is.  You may enlist the help of others and make it more fun by sharing your list with others and adjusting where all can be involved.
Just like in NLP, you begin with a positive outcome. You want to have an outcome in mind, so that you all know what to expect. If preparations need to be made in the present for a good future you take those steps. Just for fun, I’m including that timetable for anyone who wants a schedule that worked. Just as a note, I do frequently prepare veggie platters or deserts ahead of time.  Guests are also happy to bring some items in a pot luck contribution and makes everyone thankful, because they have contributed.  Enjoy!
 

Menu for Thanksgiving

• Veggie Platter with Dip, Deviled Eggs, Cheese and Rice Crackers, Relish
• Apple Stuffed Turkey with Gravy
• Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Yams, String Beans with Almonds, Tossed Green Salad
• Hot Bread
• Pineapple Art, Butternut Squash Pie with whipped cream, Thanksgiving Cookies
• Coffee, Teas, Apple Juice Spiced, Egg Nog, Hot spiced wine, Mild, Water
• Plates, napkins, silverware, table clothe

Schedule for Thanksgiving Day

• 5 am   Wake up, shower, breakfast, stretch for 15 minutes
• 6 am   Rinse Turkey, Boil water, cook turkey giblets
• 6:30    Chop up apples, mix with spice and stuff bird
• 7:30    Turkey goes in oven
• 8          Cut veggies for platter, cut cheeses
• 8:30    Prepare Relishes (devilled eggs, olives, pickles, rice crackers)
• 9          Cut pineapple and have fun with others helping
• 9:30    Mix green salad
• 10       Set table, decorate, tidy up
• 10:30  Check turkey
• 11       Prepare sweet potatoes and yams
• 11:30  Prepare mashed potatoes
• 12       Mix bread and set aside
• 12:30  * Take a Break *
• 1          Set out cranberry sauce
• 1:30    Wash dishes, form bread
• 2          Turkey is done, set aside
• 2:30    Bread in oven
• 3          Bread out of oven
• 3:30    Steam beans and brown almonds
• 4          Set out veggies and relish tray, put food in serving dishes
• 4:30    People arrive, coats in closet, open drinks, administer HUGS
• 5          Sit down and relax with friends and relatives and eat
• 6          Put dishes in dishwasher and clean up a little
• 7          After dinner drink with coffee or tea and deserts
• 8          Watch video for everyone
• 9          Talk and kids go to bed
• 10       Talk with adults

Sweet Dreams, Sweet Meals!

Envision a happy and healthy holiday!  I wonder what you will do this Thanksgiving to celebrate with friends and family?  I hope you will include them in your prayers and thoughts and if possible in your home. My wish for all of you is that you have a lovely time and if you need some help in balancing out some areas in  your life that you will know you can call on us to help.  (If you want the recipes, let me know by emailing me at catwilsoncoach@gmail.com.) 
Happy Thanksgiving from Rich, Cat, Cindy, and Team!