How to stay Paleo/Primal on Thanksgiving

We are going to my in-laws for Thanksgiving this year and there will be many tempting dishes to choose from.  For me personally, I know how I will feel if I indulge in any of the dishes that contain grains.  It won't be pretty and therefore I have more incentive to stay away from them.

So, what I am going to do is bring a couple of side dishes that I know I can safely eat and not feel sick but that will also still feel like traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

I am bringing a recipe from Sarah Fragoso's new cookbook Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook: Real Food for Real Life.  The recipe is for Roasted Squash Bites and it tastes like those traditional candied yams that my mom used to make but without all the sugary junk!  It is butternut squash, melted coconut oil, cinnamon and sea salt.  Super easy and absolutely devine!

I am also going to bring a version of Sarah Fragoso's Everyday Paleo Pumpkin Pie.  Last year I had more filling than I had crust, so I just put the extra into ramikins and baked it.  We topped it with Richard's coconut cream (see our Recipe page).  It was like a heavenly pumpkin custard.  I figured it would be an easy version to do this year. 

I asked if I could also bring a green salad.  Most of the family probably won't eat it or at least not that much of it, but it is one more safe thing that I can eat and feel good about.

So, on my plate I will have turkey, green beans, roasted squash bites, and green salad.  I will have a glass of wine and for dessert a ramikin of pumpkin custard.  I will eat slowly and really try to enjoy the company of my relatives and the good food before me. 

Am I missing out because I don't have mashed potatoes, stuffing or a roll?  If eating those things will cause inflammation within my body, a huge spike in my blood sugar and or the terrible bloating that I personally will get, then I don't think I am missing out at all!!!

Check out Sarah Fragoso's website, Everyday Paleo, she has really great recipes for all the typical Thanksgiving dishes.  Try it this year and see how it makes you feel.  Are you really deprived?  Is it really so awful not to eat the traditional dishes?  Let us know how you felt.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE