We are having a Diestel 14 lb., organic, free range, no stimulants or hormones, humanely raised turkey (except for the final process) and green beans. We will be making the normal sides for the guests, bread based dressing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pie. Don’t think I can resist a slice of Pecan Pie. I saw a recipe for a Paleo/Primal dressing that you didn’t have to make any primal bread for, that had dates and raisens in it, but for the life of me, I can’t find it. I looked in my Paleo cookbooks and on line, but – nada.

I will cook a normal meal and basically eat primally from what is there. I may go ahead and make myself a pumpkin custard, so I can have a treat. Since I am cooking it is not as enticing to me as if I were out or at someone's house. Since I could make everything I am making anytime I want it, I don't usually have a problem letting it go.

I always shoot for 100%, but don't stress occasions where I am not. That allows an occasional foray into the non-primal without throwing a wrench in my weight loss progress. I hope that when I get to maintenance, I will have reached a point where I can taste things and then not feel the need to finish everything on the dessert table.

This is your life, if you are on maintenance, you should probably allow yourself the leeway to enjoy the buffet within reason so that you don't feel deprived. I don't think a weight problem occurs from a rare release of the rules.

I have no plan to deviate from Primal eating on Thanksgiving. I'll have turkey, veggies, half a sweet potato, and I'm thinking about dipping some strawberries in dark chocolate if I really want dessert. My emotional attachment to Thanksgiving is to the people around the table, not to stuffing or pies.

Looking over our typical Xgiving meal, about 50% would fit primal guidelines. Of the other 50%, we are either 'primalizing' them (if it's doable) or just cutting them out if not (no way to make creamed corn on a primal diet). The same goes for dessert. We've always had pumpkin and pecan pies - we'll be trying out a paleo pecan pie recipe and probably skip the pumpkin (it was the least popular of the two anyway).

So the upshot is: we won't be breaking regimen. If the kids eat here - they eat our way. The pie may have more sugar than we want (allowable on primal/paleo - not on Diet Evolution) but I'll only have the smallest of pieces - and the kids will gobble up the rest.

I seem to be holding onto the side of the Primal/Paleo wagon - fighting to keep from falling off. So I will do my best to stick with it.

I am bringing my own real butter, coconut oil and sweet potato and I'm making a dessert to take (which is Primal/Paleo) and I will eat that. That's it. I will make sure I eat protein and fat first and depending on the veggies there we'll see.

I going with my vegan wife to a turkey free thanksgiving dinner. Oh well.

I gave myself permission for a two day food vacation ; ). We spent those two days with my brother and sister in law and I planned to just enjoy and compromise. Knowing I've been good with my food and weightloss they were sweet enough to buy a veggie platter for pre dinner snacking. I don't like stuffing/dressing anyway so that is never a tempation. I brought my own pastured butter but did have one of my SIL's homemade crescent rolls each day and a piece of her homemade pumpkin pie. My brother bought real whipping cream rather than cool whip. They made sweet potatoes rather than white and I tried those for the first time in decades and decided I liked them. I ate plenty of turkey. My indulgences were the pie, the rolls, some cranberry sauce and some fried, breaded appetizers on Friday. Overall it was a great couple of days and I feel like I had some balance between healthy and indulgent and so far the scale is still my friend. Today (Saturday) I ate super low carb, just protein and fat and plan to do the same tomorrow to clean things up and get back on track!

I survived Thanksgiving and lost one pound, but didn’t do as well the next few days. After the third day of turkey leftovers, I made the comment “If we never have turkey again, I’d be OK”. My wife agreed. Neither one of us really cares for turkey, but we have been cooking one for the holidays out of tradition and because we thought the other one wanted it. We agreed that, from now on, Prime Rib for Christmas and Thanksgiving! YUM, red meat!!!!