60 yrs and up

roast turkey is about as “healthy” as it gets- low fat, low cal, high protein

we do simple green beans

A pan of roasted veggies wit balsamic and feta

Potatoes mashed with low fat sour cream- instead of Mac and cheese, stir in shredded cheese and bake It becomes airy and light and satisfying. Much lower cal and fat than Mac

it’s not thanksgiving without cornbread and a loaf of homemade bread for my husband

I churn a pint of homemade butter for a treat It lasts us for weeks.

for dessert, halved apples or pears baked wit balsamic sweet vinegar or maple syrup.

Cobblers tend to be lower cal than pies. I’ve halved the butter and sugar and they’ve turned out just fine.

A crustless pumpkin or similar pie, or cut a double-crust recipe down to just the one, top crust. Works just fine for apple, cherry etc.

Tartlets: dice some apples, stir in a smudge of maple syrup and cinnamon, and heat til combined in a dry nonstick skillet. Use some small phyllo tart shells and bake as directed. Sprinkled a few chopped nuts on top before baking.

I made up a very good blueberry and /or strawberry cheese cake recipe that’s well under 100 calories for 1/8 a standard pie dish serving.

I got a million more…..

IMU, all of those things can reduce chances of getting respiratory illnesses, and/or reduce severity of the illnesses if they are contracted: Weight loss, cardiovascular fitness, breath work. (Overdoing some types of exercise is counter-productive, though, through immunosuppression.)

I don't think that's an unpopular opinion, except in that probably a lot of people don't want to invest time and energy in those things, so may be in denial about how beneficial they are . . . ?

BTW @Jthanmyfitnesspal that’s a Waffle House marquis.

Another fine local chain that exploded.

You’ve got to try one if you get the chance. Their pecan waffles are next level, “hon”. (Everyone is “hon” at a Waffle House. I vaguely remember @AnnPT77 (?) expressed strong aversion to this a while back, so I’ll run and hide now.)

Thanks @springlering62 You made me realize that I have to start planning NOW and have a menu ready or all those carbs are going to sneak in! It's hard being married to a skinny Irishman who always asks "where's the bread" at every meal! I've tried making vegetarian / mediterranean meals once a week and he always says, "this would be better with meat in it". I do try to sneak in those extra veggies by adding cauliflower into mashed potatoes and as long as he pours on the gravy he doesn't notice! I doubt that's healthier! 🤣

Oh having sick animals is rough!

As far as holidays I have to be very careful. My relatives usually have a big GRAZING table set out before dinner and sometimes it is delayed so if I let myself get too hungry before I go I end up failing. Also if I don't eat enough there or get enough leftovers sometimes I will react at home and end up binging because well I restricted at the party right? I do recognize all the behaviours of course and try to come up with strategies. Probably AnnPt has the best one which is "allow" yourself to enjoy but not overindulge to the point where it's uncomfortable. there will be more allowed tomorrow. LOL. And my struggle is usually not just 1 day so if I can manage to make it just 1 day or 1 meal than it's a win.

Just FYI Clafoutis is more custardy than say a Dutch Baby and timing is sometimes tricky, too little and the custard doesn't set, too much and it turns rubbery very quicky. also experiment with how to heat the pan and butter just right to set the bottom. Cherry (in season) is our favorite or blueberry. According to some people they are an aquired taste.

Yes…it still puffs, I do apples or berries all the time (just did one this morning). peaches are also good.

@springlering62 : Sorghum syrup, you say? I've never even seen it in a store or at anyone's house, but I see you can buy it on Amazon. I'll get some!

For a time I was using agave syrup in my tea, but I got tired of the incredible sweetness. It is mostly fructose, higher in fructose than high-fructose corn syrup. Nothing wrong with it in small amounts, but it makes it taste so danged sweet! I've switched back to honey. But, I'd love to try sorghum syrup!

I also don't know if I've eaten sorghum seeds— probably not! But they sound like a good food. I'll have to try them some day as well.

ok……

I am super interested in a particular branch of covert WWII history that involved brave female spies who parachuted into enemy territory. Life expectancy was measured in days, and they knew it going in, but did it anyway These ladies were fierce

I just accidentally found out about a trip to the location where all they (male and female) trained. Organizers include former British commandos with asimilar interest and history professors, and it includes lectures, demonstrations and “training-lite” to get a feel for what the agents went through while training. Long distance hikes, abseiling, shooting, boating and more. 

I just sent an email explaining my intense interest, and desire to “do” versus “watch”, even though I’m older. I’m praying they don’t have any age restrictions. 

My SIL has told me about a local gym where I can go learn abseiling. I know he’s scratching his head wondering “WTF is the crazy old bat up to now?”

I hope hope hope they’ll consider me to participate. I don’t want to just sit and listen to lectures. I want allllllll this weight loss and working out and building endurance to make me not just able to complete the courses, but a contender as well.

BBC did a reality show at this castle in 2018, based on the SOE training. It’s very harsh and isolated terrain. Fascinating show. As in real life, some folks couldn’t hack it- but they were there for weeks.

🤞🏻

The only sweetener I use is local raw honey (also helps with allergies) or cinnamon and apple sauce. I really try to stay away from added sugar and artificial sweeteners. I find the artificial sweeteners make me hunger and I eat more. Alcohol sugars actually give me stomach issues.