Thanksgiving. Food. Rules.
I can confidently speak for myself and say that Thanksgiving is a shared favorite holiday in our house!
My daughter’s only request on her way home from college is that we have her favorite Thanksgiving foods! This past week while she prepared meals at a local food pantry she told me how grateful she is to have her family to go home to.
Warmth, connection, loving chaos and gratitude mixed with lots of prep and cleanup will fill my house as this week unfolds. It's more than just a meal; it's like the blanket that was handmade by my grandmother, woven with threads of family, friends, aromatic smells from the kitchen, togetherness, and the magical kickoff to the holiday season. And plenty of leftovers that will surely taste better the next day!
As I sat down to think more about this coming holiday, it occurred to me that this holiday is “ruled by the food” we make and has unspoken "food rules" that define our experience. Every year the menu takes on a life of its own as we intertwine family traditions, personal tastes, comfort and some experimentation with new recipes and ideas. We pass down culinary knowledge and wait somewhat impatiently as the meal is prepared. It is more than the meal that feeds us but collective togetherness that nourishes our souls.
While these food rules provide a comforting structure, I am acutely aware of how intuitive eating invites us to be attuned to the present, fostering a healthy and balanced relationship with this holiday meal. While I am saddened by those who are not with us at our table, I will always make a point to keep their memories alive by the foods we prepare. And as I will share my home with family and friends, we will have a celebration of gratitude and togetherness.
I hope your holiday is filled with warmth and peace.