Sometimes I think of Thanksgiving as the culinary Olympics since there is major cooking and intense prep involved.  And today I have the sore legs to show for it!  But it is all worth it especially when I get to cook with my kids and spend a nice long day with my loved ones.  I had the extra-special treat of having my mom visit this year for which I was so grateful.  She was an amazing sous chef and always has such an easy going attitude.  I am hoping (hint, hint) that she makes this a regular trip and brings my dad next time.

Today is not a cooking day for me.  It might be a reheating leftovers day.  It might be a juicing and smoothie day.  But I have turned off the creative area of my brain and I am giving my feet a much-needed rest and that’s that.  My main focus today is getting out of the house after lunch so that when that craving for pie hits, I’m less likely to succumb to temptation.  This is when poor eating habits take hold and before you know it, it’s January 5th and there are a few extra pounds that came out of nowhere.  Except I’m telling you, they start today!

If you want something sweet, but a little more natural, I have always loved this parfait, which also does double duty by using up leftover cranberry sauce.  There’s really no recipe here, just layers of cranberry sauce, unsweetened yogurt, and granola.  And sometimes I swirl the cranberry sauce  into the yogurt.  If you don’t have any granola in the house, just mix together what I call “faux granola” — a few nuts and seeds, dried fruit and toasted (or raw) coconut.  You still get the crunch that balances out the creamy from the yogurt.  I’m not over thinking this one and I don’t think I have it in me to do so if I tried!  Enjoy the rest of the weekend!