Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

I love the holidays and the chance to eat foods I do not typically eat the rest of the year. A few years back, my husband and I discussed the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and when we explored our favorite Thanksgiving dishes, there were only so many.

Let’s be honest. There is also a lot of time and energy that goes into this preparing this meal. So we asked ourselves, “if I can eat anything I want without the guilt of the calories or cost, what would it be, and how would that affect our holiday traditions?”

The kids and guests loved the idea. We have experimented for the last few years and did a shrimp and crab boil last year. It was delicious. The prep is effortless; it all cooks in one big pot, clean-up is easy, and the leftovers are just as delightful the next day.

I have learned over the years if something is not worth the calories, do not eat it, make it, or finish it. I still leave the table with a full heart and belly with this non-traditional approach. I give thanks for what blessings we have been given, and there is no room for guilt.

Especially with the cost of groceries this year, if someone in your family does not love to eat a particular dish, why bother? The sake of tradition should be centered around giving thanks for what is on the table and who sits around it.

I challenge you to ask yourself which dishes and desserts your family takes great joy in preparing and consuming and make those. It does not matter if the dishes are not traditional. Make sure your family and guests know that you are trying something new, and allow them to prepare and bring the foods that are important to them.