Easter Dinner

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner so much that we have decided to do it again for Easter dinner this Sunday. A few changes have been made (would any less be expected?). The theme of sugar-free will stand but we will now be grain-free as well.

The menu:

Turkey (organic free-range from Whole Foods, 8.25 lbs.)
Gravy
Mashed sweet potatoes
Roasted mixed vegetables (asparagus, broccoli and carrots)
Steamed Brussels sprouts
Grain-free bread with Kerrygold butter

I may or may not do a dessert. Roscoe and I have enjoyed a delightful dessert recently that I will call Primal Pudding. I don't know if my mom will enjoy it as much as we do.

Appetizers are also on my mind. Perhaps some deviled eggs (is this a no-no for Easter?) and/or soaked and roasted seeds and nuts.

We will have to see about wine as well. For Thanksgiving I found a truly wonderful Pinot Gris and would love to indulge again. Would the gravy be as good if I were to exclude it? Probably not...

I purchased some white eggs (recently I've only bought brown ones - the yolks are almost always darker, a sign of more nutrition) for decorating with Roscoe and Rooster. It's been a long time since I've decorated Easter eggs. This will be one tradition to continue along with attending mass (the Easter bunny on the other hand - probably not).

What are your plans for celebrating Easter?

Thanksgiving

This year we will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our home. This is the first of many things for me: hosting, cooking a turkey, and making everything from scratch. Yes, everything.

The menu:

Turkey (free-range from a local farm)
Gravy
Stuffing (I will be making a sweetener-free bread as the base although not grain-free)
Broccoli
Carrots
Brussel Sprouts
Cranberry Relish (will attempt sweetener-free but may have to add some honey)

My mother will be bringing some yams, half bare (the way we like them) and half doctored up the way she and my sister enjoy them.

I may also add a dessert, perhaps a Primal Pumpkin Souffle or a Primal Pie. Or I may just make up a recipe that is sweetener and grain-free.

I will be posting recipes for my menu and will then update this thread with links to them.

This Thanksgiving is a chance to enjoy time with family while trying to eat well. I have an internal debate during these times (like I did for Rooster's first birthday) as to what should be placed on the menu. I have quite fond memories of mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, apple pies, stuffing, carrot casserole, rolls, etc. from holiday meals while growing up. I want Rooster to have the same but I know what that stuff does to the body. I know I will need to compromise here and there, which will occur on special occasions and I will have to accept it. Food is not meant to be pleasure free (thank goodness for fats!) and we as a family will learn new ways to incorporate primal foods into our daily lives, especially during special occasions.