Healthy Liv

Easy, Nutritious Recipes to Fuel an Active Lifestyle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Health & Fitness
  • College
  • Links

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

You are here: Home / Life / Thanksgiving 2015

November 30, 2015 32 Comments

Thanksgiving 2015

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I spent Tuesday night through Sunday morning at home, and it was great to have a break for a few days before exams start later this week. Although I love being at school, I counted down the days till I got to see my family (including grandparents and cousins!), play with my dog, SLEEP, and cook in a real kitchen. A little recap from the week…

My sister and I drove home on Tuesday night after our classes ended. After grabbing my non-cuddly pup for some snuggles and having dinner with my family, I went to bed early for the first time in what felt like forever, crashed hard, and slept for 10 hours.
FullSizeRenderI woke up Wednesday morning, took a kickboxing class at the gym, ran some errands, and did some shopping before the Black Friday madness started. Pretty soon, the rest of my family arrived, flying in from Arkansas and driving up from Georgia.

FullSizeRender

Sister + cousin

 

 

IMG_0522

My plate x2

We kicked off the week of food and celebrations with a birthday dinner for my grandpa. My mom made a salad and steamed broccoli and I contributed lasagna and roasted veggies.

We also made apple crisp, my grandpa’s favorite. I definitely overestimated how much I could eat and especially after taking a major break from desserts during Whole 30 and also just eating smaller meals and more snacks in general at school, I was ridiculously full.IMG_1421On Thanksgiving morning, I opted to sleep in a bit and then I did 7 easy-paced miles on the quiet roads. Part of me wanted to sign up last minute for a turkey trot since I did a great local half marathon on Thanksgiving for the past couple of years, but I knew rest would probably be more beneficial, especially with finals coming up.

I got back and watched the pilot episode of Lost with my cousin. I know I’m a few years behind but wow, it was so good. I feel like I could become addicted way too easily… Any Lost fans out there?

After that, it was time to cook! My mom and I decided to simplify our menu a little bit this year, so we didn’t have to make quite as many dishes as we typically do. We made turkey, gravy, healthier mac ‘n’ cheese, sweet potato casserole, fresh green beans, mashed potatoes, and salad with dried cranberries, almonds, and avocado. 
IMG_0570I fortunately didn’t end up in a food coma (unlike the night before- hah) because I knew I had to be ready for our annual Thanksgiving afternoon tradition– a family kickball game.IMG_0588

We walked to our neighborhood park where there’s a big grassy field and played a few innings of kickball of my family versus my cousins’ family while the dogs ran around. 
IMG_0652IMG_0647Almost every person in my family is really competitive, but everyone’s a good sport when we play together. Kickball’s my favorite Thanksgiving tradition. I loved it when I was in elementary school, thought it was the lamest thing ever when I was in middle school because I thought everything was lame, and started loving it again a few years ago.

IMG_0626

Sister, grandpa, cousin

IMG_0629

After kickball, we saw the 4th Hunger Games movie at the theater. I thought it was pretty good and was glad there was a happy ending. After the movie, we enjoyed my aunt’s chicken enchilada soup and her chocolate chip cookie pie.

On Friday morning, I decided to pass on the crowds and craziness of Black Friday shopping and go to the “Great Turkey Burn-Off” at my gym with my sister, cousin, and mom instead. Our gym does an event every year where they host a bunch of big classes on Black Friday (and I always find the name funny since the turkey’s probably the healthiest dish most people eat on Thanksgiving). I did a 30 minute kickboxing class with my mom, and then I did weights with my sister and cousin for 30 minutes. So far, so good on my plan to incorporate more strength training!

For the rest of the afternoon, we laid around eating leftover mac and cheese and doing some online shopping. I made a double batch of roasted winter veggies for the family, which everyone surprisingly enjoyed, despite the fact that the veggies included some unusual suspects like rutabaga and parsnips.

I also roasted a big pan of broccoli, which is one of my new favorite things to roast. I wash and dry several heads of broccoli, chop them up, drizzle the florets with organic melted ghee (clarified butter- about 1 tablespoon per baking sheet) and then sprinkle them with black pepper, salt, and garlic powder to taste, and then bake them at 425 degrees for 18 minutes. It’s super crispy and delicious! IMG_0680

I also enjoyed some Talenti Hazlenut Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, two new flavors my ice-cream-and-gelato-loving grandpa picked up at Whole Foods. Veggies + gelato = balance, right?IMG_0668Our big group went to dinner on Friday night and played Password afterwards while enjoying some pumpkin bread hot out of the oven for dessert.IMG_2238 (1) IMG_2275 All of the family left on Saturday, which meant it was time to face the mountain of papers and study materials I’d been blissfully ignoring for the past few days.  I figured I could use a break and I wanted to be able to spend time with my family!

So tell me…how was your Thanksgiving? What was your favorite Thanksgiving dish this year?
Always the mac and cheese, even though I don’t know many people who make it on Thanksgiving.

Hunger Games fans: Do you like the books or movies better? Team Peeta or Team Gale?
The Hunger Games movies are some of the few movies that I think may actually be as good as the books.
Did you do any Black Friday shopping? Did you find any good deals?

Sharing is easy!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
What Really Small Things Make You Happy?
A Food-Lover’s Guide to Gift Giving

Comments

  1. Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says

    November 30, 2015 at 9:47 am

    I love Lost! I watched it when it was on originally, so it’s been a while, but I remember it as one of my favorite shows. It’s gripping and well-done.
    In a very out-of-character move, I did no schoolwork while I was home. My exams are next Monday through Wednesday, and our reading period starts this Thursday… so I should probably get on that.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 3:15 pm

      I can’t wait to watch some more of Lost! Maybe over Christmas break πŸ™‚ I’m glad you got to take a break from schoolwork over Thanksgiving. Our reading day is this Thursday, too! And my first exam is Sat :/ Good luck on your exams, Ellen!!

      Reply
  2. Emily @ My Healthyish LIfe says

    November 30, 2015 at 7:59 am

    I LOVE your tradition of a kickball game. Although I’m sure I would have protested it during middle school too ha. I saw Hunger Games with my family too…I’m still team Gale. But only because I think Liam Hemsworth is gorgeous.

    Reply
    • Emily @ My Healthyish LIfe says

      November 30, 2015 at 8:00 am

      Oh and that pie chart about studying. STORY OF MY LIFE.

      Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      I honestly can’t decide! Since she and Peeta had some super cute babies, I guess I can be Team Peeta now πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Jamie says

    November 30, 2015 at 9:15 am

    OMG kickball… my family could use a tradition to move after stuffing our faces all day. I fell asleep at 730PM Thanksgiving day. I am totally shameless.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:21 pm

      I mean, turkey makes people sleepy, right? πŸ™‚ Hope you’re having a great week, Jamie!

      Reply
  4. Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says

    November 30, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    I love that you family plays so many fun games together during the holidays! I wanna join in haha.

    I didn’t have any mac n’ cheese on Thanksgiving, but I more than made it up for it the next when I was at Disney and got the pot roast mac n’ cheese. Yes…it was amazing.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:13 pm

      Whaaaat, pot roast mac ‘n’ cheese?! Sounds incredible!

      Reply
  5. Lauren Lalicon says

    November 30, 2015 at 10:02 am

    I LOVE roasted broccoli! My friends and I usually eat roasted broccoli when we eat fondue and it’s delicious! We cook it until the broccoli almost burns so that they’re as crisp as chips! Sounds like your Thanksgiving was filled with super healthy foods! My Thanksgiving was pretty much all fried foods haha.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 3:15 pm

      Mmmm, roasted broccoli with fondue sounds INCREDIBLE! It does get so crispy. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Lauren!

      Reply
  6. Charlotte says

    November 30, 2015 at 10:10 am

    What a brilliant Thanksgiving tradition! I celebrated my first ever Thanksgiving this year with some of my running friends from the US and we had a brilliant time- I will be making the effort to celebrate annually from now on πŸ™‚

    Your kickboxing sessions sound pretty cool too- its always been something I’ve wanted to try.

    Best of luck with the exams- they will be over soon and then… CHRISTMAS!
    xx

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:12 pm

      Yay for your first Thanksgiving!! And thanks so much, Charlotte. Counting down the days till Christmas…24 to go!

      Reply
  7. Katerina says

    November 30, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Ahh! So glad that your Thanksgiving break was amazing and relaxing by the looks of it. It’s always amazing when one gets to spend time with the family! Especially ones you haven’t seen in a really long time Thanksgiving for me was a little tense this year but I pulled through.

    I tend to always prefer the books to the movies (says the bookaholic in me) but I must admit that the directors did a phenomenal job on the Hunger Games movies and they were actually spot on for the most part :). I am team Peeta all the way! Especially after the second book!

    Reply
  8. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says

    November 30, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Your family is too cute, especially your grandpa! I LOVE your family tradition of a family kickball game – so cool!

    Reply
  9. Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says

    November 30, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    Your pup is adorable! Such a little fluffball, I love it! I never got into Lost because the ending was spoiled for me. I’ve heard most people give it up, but those who stick with it are happy they did so. Maybe you can make it!

    Hunger Games questions: Neither team for the men. I find the love story party irrelevant and actually takes aware form the love I had for the story. I also thought the books were much much much better.

    Thank you for the fun recap! It’ so nice to see your holiday celebration. πŸ™‚ Have a wonderful week, Liv!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:21 pm

      Oh no, I hope I can make ti through Lost without finding out the ending! The plan is to start watching again over Christmas break πŸ™‚ Hope you have a great week, Julia!!

      Reply
  10. Ellie says

    November 30, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    I seriously need to make your mac and cheese. I love shells and cheese, they are the best shape (unless you count Sponge Bob shaped pasta lol). My favorite dish at Thanksgiving is stuffing. My dad made me my own pan this year which was THE BEST! I made sweet potato cheesecake bars which were a hit.
    I am team Peeta, but I still haven’t seen Mocking Jay 1 or 2. I read the books and they were good. Easy to read and exciting. I also love J.Law <3

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:14 pm

      Your sweet potato cheesecake bars sound amazing! And you’ve got to see the movies- Jennifer Lawrence can do no wrong πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. sarah says

    November 30, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    I love the idea of having a big kickball game on Thanksgiving! We have a tradition of doing a big neighborhood football game Thanksgiving morning, but unfortunately not enough people could make it this year. I just saw part 1 of Mockingjay yesterday, so I am looking forward to seeing part 2 soon. I read the books years ago, and I have to say I’m team Gale!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:17 pm

      Your neighborhood football tradition sounds like so much fun! Hopefully more people will come next year πŸ™‚ Hope you love part 2!

      Reply
  12. Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet says

    November 30, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    My favorite dish is stuffing. Stovetop stuffing just doesn’t compare to the stuff cooked inside the turkey! I also love sweet potato casserole. Luckily no one else really likes it, so I get to eat most of it myself. I liked the first Hunger Games book, but not the other two. I hated the ending of the books, so I’m curious to see if I like the movie ending better.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:13 pm

      I wasn’t a fan of the last book’s ending, either, but I liked the ending of the movie!

      Reply
  13. Georgie says

    November 30, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Your family is the cutest! I love the idea of doing Mac n Cheese at Thanksgiving. My family made me some vegetarian stuffing which was delish but I gotta say I’m in it for the pie.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:20 pm

      I somehow tend to forget about pie throughout the year but I LOVE it

      Reply
  14. Emily says

    December 1, 2015 at 10:18 am

    Your grandpa is so sweet looking! πŸ™‚ And I love that he loves ice cream as much as you! Mac n’ cheese sounds like a great, unusual addition to Thanksgiving. And this year I think I’ve realized just how much I appreciate solo runs sometimes more than doing a fast paced, high adrenalin race.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:16 pm

      He really is the sweetest! And YES, even though I love races, some of my very favorite runs are just the quiet ones I do by myself

      Reply
  15. Sarah says

    December 1, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    I LOVE Lost! Such a good show – you should definitely watch it all! And how fun to have a kickball game!

    Reply
  16. Cailee says

    December 2, 2015 at 9:41 am

    Ahahah! That graph though… so true! And wow! I love all your fun memories! You and your family are so beautiful! …and your grandpa is precious! YES, veggies + gelato = balance!! All about that. Also I love that you hit up the gym so much! Props my friend, props! And the football game… what a fun (fit!) tradition! Glad that you had a blast!

    Reply
  17. Edye says

    December 3, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    YUM! Thanksgiving food is the best food πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  18. masala girl says

    December 3, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    if you actually studied and worked on saturday then you did more than me, haha. sounds like you had so much fun! break was awesome. cooking up a feast was awesome πŸ™‚
    I’m definitely “Team” Gale. I was a KatnissGale fan from like page 1, before Peeta was a thing, haha. But honestly I dont love the movies that much!

    Reply
  19. Kerri mCgRAIL says

    December 9, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Omg your family is so stinking cute! You look like you had a lot better weather than I did! That last meme cracked up since that was what I did most of thanksgiving break as well! All of those veggie dishes look amazing as well!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rating




Hi, I’m Liv! I originally started blogging to share easy meals I made in my college dorm kitchen. Years later, as an attorney now, my goal is still to share delicious, approachable recipes with simple ingredients. You can most often find me running, eating ice cream, and making a mess in my kitchen. More...

Want new posts in your inbox?

Copyright Healthy Liv © 2023 · Fun WordPress Theme On Genesis Framework · privacy policy