The Morning(s) After

Thanksgiving was truly a celebration of food. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, turnips, carrots, cookies, cake, pumpkin mousse, chocolate cream pie... and the list goes on.

Here's a copy of the "official" menu.

(And no, there was no one at my house named Herb that was voraciously rubbing the turkey.)

And then there was Tina.

(Psst... Tina and Herb, get a room!)

And a wonderful new table, complete with mismatching napkins, glasses, and serving ware. I even learned to fold the napkins into those cute little silverware holders.

And my plate o' thanks and goodness.

I felt like this meal was the culmination of everything I've been trying to do for the past year. The local turkey, local harvested vegetables, and homemade everything made me content and satisfied that I had a real local Thanksgiving feast that I could be proud to serve.

But, as a result of the eating festival/bonanza (notice all desserts went unphotographed) and my need to feel a bit more balanced, I felt the need to step up the mileage. Honestly, since the Maple Leaf Half Marathon, my running and working out has taken a back seat. It's been a busy few months (is it REALLY DECEMBER?) Now I'm back on the running train. I ran 31 miles last week to counter act the Julia Child-like volumes of butter I found myself cooking with on Thursday morning.

Four out of my 6 runs this week were outside, and I capitalized on the fact that I could go in the morning, since I was on vacation Wed-Fri. It was amazing. The air was crisp and the sun was shining.

Here's a little comparison of how much post-Thanksgiving exercise you'd have to do to stay balanced:

• A three-ounce portion of roast turkey (150 calories) would require you to sweep the floors for 30 minutes after your guests have gone. (I bet you'd have really clean floors, though.)


• A 1/4 cup of fresh cranberry sauce (55 calories) would require you to play cards with your little cousins or lovely in-laws for 30 minutes.


• A 1/2 cup of bread stuffing (175 calories) would require you to walk around your neighborhood on recycle collection day and gather and recycle all the cranberry sauce cans your neighbors threw away... for 30 minutes.


• Two slices of fresh bread (250 calories) would require you to crank up the music and disco dance for 37 minutes.


• Enough gravy to cover the plate (I'll say about 1/2 cup), or about 50 calories *(but with enough sodium to make your hair stand on end) would require you to iron for 20 minutes. Think about how nice those shirts would look!


• One heaping cup of mashed potatoes (don't pretend like you only ate 1/2 cup), or about 250 calories, would require you to clean an illegal dump site for 35 minutes. (Okay, seriously though, this is one of the options on this Calorie Control Council website!)


• One cup of Brussels sprouts, carrots, and turnips, in a maple glaze (75 calories) would require you to clean up after those pesky guests for 18 minutes.


• Two chocolate chip cookies (200 calories) would require you to take old Yeller for a 40 minute walk.


• A slice of chocolate cream pie (250 calories) would require you to brush your teeth for 90 minutes. Not recommended.


• One glass of wine (120 calories) would require you to bicycle on a bike trail for 16 minutes. Just don't drink the wine and then get on the bike.

(*Calorie estimates from nutritiondata.com)

All in all, we're looking at 1575 calories, and I'm being nice. To be really generalizable and horribly unscientific and precise, that equals just under 6 hours of light activity, or a half marathon run (13.1 miles), just to burn that meal off.

Take home message: Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on the people, food, and things we should be most thankful for. Don't over do it in the food department, though; but, if you do, plan on finding an illegal dump site to clean up, or scavenge for recyclables to burn off those calories!

Moving on...

I totally took advantage of the Open Sky coupon today and got a few, much needed kitchen utensils! I know it's poor taste to buy yourself gifts around the holidays, but these were practically free! Plus, I don't know many people on my list who are hankering for an Cuisinart immersion blender or Oxo garlic press. But, in case you were not sure what to get me for Christmas, I still need a rolling pin and could always benefit from more lovely cookbooks like this one (although my collection on Cookbook Essentials is pretty darn fine and really a comprehensive collection if I say so myself.) I did get a copy of Notes on Cooking by Lauren Braun Costello and Russell Reich at the Foodbuzz Festival. I've been perusing it, and it is really quite nice. I would highly recommend it to those looking for a stocking stuffer for that gourmand in your life.

Is anyone attending the WBUR Public Radio Kitchen blogger meet-up on Thursday? I hope so! What are you all bringing for the potluck?