Clutter–It’s All in Your Head

That’s a rather bold statement! Yet, when you think about it, our relationship with clutter—physical, mental, and more begins in our mind. It’s up to us to choose what we want to believe and do.

The holidays are about food. For Thanksgiving, we’re focused on turkeys and other bountiful dishes that show our creative talents in the kitchen. Okay, maybe that’s pushing it a bit too far for some. Last year, I wanted to introduce my friends to a traditional Thanksgiving with homemade stuffed turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and more. Eric’s family joined us and we made sure to have traditional American Thanksgiving fare. This year, I learned that one my friends really doesn’t care for turkey. It’s a good thing I didn’t find a turducken.  Turducken, according to some, is a Creole creation of chicKEN, stuffed inside a DUCk, stuffed inside a TURkey.

We created our own Thanksgiving meal with a delectable chicken dish prepared in a special sauce made with blended sour cream, milk, and poblano chilis with garlic and onions fried in butter dotted with diced poblano chilis; roasted ribeye with garlic cloves painstakingly inserted in the meat; confetti-mashed potatoes—my creation of steamed buttery potatoes mashed with minced garlic, green onions, rosemary, salt, and a bit of broth with dots of sweet potato mixed in); and steamed broccoli. We thought about making a ham, too. Why overdo it? We had more than enough.

CLUTTER Is in My Mind

Through last year, I’d start each holiday or other special-event meal wanting to try everything. Like a kid, I didn’t want to miss anything and even went back for second helpings. This seemed to work in my younger days. The older I get the less I choose to eat. How fortunate we are to have enough food that we worry about gaining weight. It’s embarrassing when we consider how many people go hungry.

This year, I’ve been more aware of my habits. With non-judgmental cooking partners, who didn’t chastise me for nibbling—If you eat all that now, you won’t have room for dinner! —I was able to sample bits of dinner before we actually sat down to eat our Thanksgiving meal.

I prefer to nibble instead of sitting down to a big meal. When it was time for dinner, I grabbed a small salad bowl and savored the food I chose. I did not return for a second helping. but did set aside some leftovers.

I took a two-mile walk afterward.

I had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. One, to have good food to eat in a manner that is best for me. Two, to share with people who give me space to be. Three, to be healthy enough despite an injury, to be able to walk outdoors.