The Sleepy-Turkey Myth

Thanksgiving Eve is here, and most of us are hustling and bustling getting things ready for our holiday celebrations! We are so excited to be celebrating Emma's first Thanksgiving, Christmas, and basically first-everything this year! We are going to my husband's side of the family for dinner, then driving over to my grandma's house for dessert. We usually alternate dinner and dessert every year between the two families. That way we get double the fun and celebration! Do you have any traditions that you love? I'd love to hear in the comments!

Before we kick off this long weekend, I thought it would be fun to bust a Thanksgiving myth for you all, so you can act super smart and nerdy around the table when this topic comes up tomorrow! We all believe that we get sleepy from the turkey in our Thanksgiving meal....BUT, that is a myth!

We used to believe that the tryptophan in turkey is what caused drowsiness and naps after our Thanksgiving meals. Tryptophan is an amino acid, and a precursor for serotonin, a brain chemical that contributes to good moods, and helps us sleep better. But, the amount of tryptophan in turkey is no more than what is found in other animal products, such as chicken. Nuts and cheese are even found to have MORE tryptophan than turkey does!

So, why do we get extra sleepy after our Thanksgiving meal? The hard truth is that you are probably getting sleepy because you overate. Hey, it happens! Especially on Thanksgiving. But, don't blame the poor little turkey.

Actually, there is a way to make your Thanksgiving meal a healthier one! Turkey is a great protein source, so fill up on that! You can also make some roasted sweet potatoes as a yummy side dish packed with vitamin A and fiber, or bring some greens with you that aren't doused in a "cream of something." I plan on bringing a healthy smoky sweet potato dish and grain-free chocolate chip cookies, so I KNOW that I will have some healthy treats to look forward to! And if you end up overindulging, it's ok. Take that nap, don't beat yourself up, and just know that you can get right back on track the next day!

Thanksgiving is just one day, as is Christmas, New Years, and any other holiday. I think our downfall is that we tend to overindulge every day for 45 days and then wonder why we gained 10 pounds over the holiday season. If we choose our indulgences wisely and mindfully, we can fully enjoy the holiday season, be present with our friends and family, and still honor our body and our health.

I hope you all have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is upon us and I couldn't be more excited! This time of year is my absolute favorite! More time with friends, family, food, and fun. My four favorite things! 

To be honest, these past few weeks have been tough for me. Work stress + feeling exhausted all the time have not been the best combo. Plus, even though I'm 15 weeks pregnant, my nausea is still coming and going, and some days I don't want to eat a thing. Which I know is not good! So these past few weeks, what has gotten me through is focusing on what I am thankful for, and also looking forward to this long weekend! 

I'm so excited for what is to come this weekend! Tomorrow, my hubby and I are splitting our time between my mom's house and my husband's aunt's house. Double the thanksgiving fun! I'm baking four batches of cornbread tomorrow so it'll be an early start to the day for me! But luckily when my motivation to get up early is to bake for the ones I love, it makes it a labor of love.  And plus, I loveeeee baking!

Then Friday, it's the GILMORE GIRLS revival! The day I have been waiting for for MONTHS! I am a huge Gilmore Girls fan and have probably watched the entire season 10 times. And I promise that's not an exaggeration. So after a busy Thanksgiving day, I'm looking forward to having a few people over and watching the new Gilmore Girls episodes! 

The rest of the weekend will be filled with more family time and I absolutely can't wait. It's so important to remember what we are thankful for, not only during Thanksgiving but every day of the year. I feel like it is impossible to have a grateful heart and at the same time, complain or feel bitter about anything. Gratitude puts us in the right state of mind and helps us appreciate everything God has blessed us with, no matter how big or small those blessings may be!

I am grateful for so many things this year. My husband and I had a wonderful trip to Paris earlier this year that we still talk about and remember. We bought our first home, and got pregnant shortly after! We also serve as youth leaders at our church and are blessed by our youth group daily. I am so grateful to God for giving us a wonderful home, a growing baby, and surrounding us with family and friends. 

What are you thankful for this season? I'd love to hear, so please comment below! Hearing what everyone is thankful for is the kind of positive and wholesome thinking we need in the world today, so share away! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving! Eat something yummy and enjoy your time with loved ones!