Heart Failure Support Group

hi...we still 'do' thanksgiving here..but its a bit different..first..anyone that wants to bring something i can't eat..i say Wonderful...that takes bread, stuffing,and pies off my list of things to do..(i also put the word out that i will not make these..so if anyone wants them..have to bring them)..already that takes tons of time off my hands..i searched around and unfortunately i wanted a fresh turkey (less sodium)..but couldnt really afford it..if you can its a great way to cut down on the sodium mgs..i buy a fresh turkey breast from my local supermarket...lots less sodium in it..read these labels..you will be surprised..i 'prep' the bird the nite before and it sits in the fridge..i have my husband peel the potatoes for whipped potatoes ( i do use unsalted butter--i dont have a 'fat' restriction--i just watch the numbers), and i peel the sweet potatoes..i use frozen unsalted veggies that i toss in the microwave..i usually make about five different kinds..i bake the sweet potatoes and also throw in another baking dish some zucchini..i do have two older kids around that can run around for me and get stuff done too..if i dont utilize them..i am too tired to eat...they get out pans/serving dishes/set the table/wash dishes/etc...
as far as gravy(my weakness)...i buy one jar of lower fat/barely lower sodium gravy and doctor it...i make up some sodium free bouillon (chicken flavor) to add to the chicken gravy( i dont like turkey gravy)..dissolve in water..then add to the jar stuff and add in sage,onion,black pepper...kinda a bit healthier..
my son works in a store that does prepared foods..so i usually have him bring home some butternut squash already made...that is not something i mess with..:)
so thats my 'new normal' thanksgiving feast...the key to it for me,and for my family, is ...have it here..but dont wear me out...
and i am sure if you ask your guests to help you with the meal, everyone will be glad to..you put it out there..the alternative is...you get too worn out...you wont be able to enjoy the dinner..and their company..
(sometimes i make stuffing for me with low sodium bread---depends on how i feel--and i do it in advance)
it would be great if others here could share what works for them during the holidays..
i am always looking for new ideas...especially menu items...and recipes...
Enjoy!!!

Well, sounds like you have the meal down to a science, but there is so much more preparation as far as housework goes...then there is the aftermath lol...

set up and clean up..the worst part of any holiday...i limit where my guests go..and split up chores between us...for a few days before..nite before...hubby sweeps the house, i clean the bathrooms, and the morning of...we febreeze!!!
if my house is not perfect..i dont care..i would prefer to use my energy enjoying my family and guests...
if it were to become too much...i dont do it..my health is far more important ...
be sure to only do what you want to do...we as women have to really look at how we take care of everyone else..and how we take care of us....
hugs...
marie

this will be my 1st thanksgiving since being diagnosed w/chf. fortunately for the 1st time since i can remember in about 30 years i am not cooking. i am going to a relative's house. one tip that she is doing is preparing some menu items that can be frozen ahead of time & just thawing out on Thanksgiving. Like Rer i use a lot of the frozen vegetables that you just steam nowadays. i am glad they are available. i always getting help from my sisters w/cleaning before & after an occasion.

hi... the only thing that helps me at all lately is realizing that every movement I make adds up. if I over do it I swell up; for instance i did alot on friday and I am still paying! normally I do my own prep work
but now I buy peeled vegetables and shredded cabbage etc.
this means spending more than usual, i like to do everything from
scratch, but it puts food on the table. there are mashed and sweet potatoes that are frozen or prepared that are pretty good and frozen pies never killed anyone!!
It's not going to be easy tho, so good luck.

Hi, and I'm thinking of preparing everything but the giblet gravy (hubs makes it) and mashing the potatoes immediately beforehand. I keep having these awful visions of my friggin' microwave dying on Thanksgiving morning. Something always breaks when I have a houseful of company. One barbeque years ago, the toilet ran over (yes, I'm that person who has only one) and I had to take the brunt of the blame just because I am available for abuse lol.
End of story, somehow something dropped into a hole in the yard which had something to do with the sewar.
Then the hot water ran out. My hubs becomes unstable when things like this happen. I must admit though, we have pretty 'shitty' (for lack of a better descriptive word), luck under such circumstances!