Thanksgiving is about two things. Giving thanks (of course), and food. Now since this is a food blog, I’m going to focus on the latter.

Now this day only comes once a year, so you have to take advantage of it. This is not a holiday that is taken lightly. In order to maximize your experience I suggest you begin to prepare in advance. If you’re like me that might mean weeks, but if you don’t have time for that, at least take a few days to mentally and physically prepare yourself for the feast.

The first step is to increase the amount you exercise in order to maximize your appetite. This way when the time comes to sit down and finally enjoy the meal of the year, you are able to eat as much as your heart desires. I suggest a lot of intense cardio.

Then, as the holiday approaches, begin to create a game plan. Decide what foods you want the most of and which you don’t care for as much. This way you can insure that there’s enough room on your plate for everything. Don’t be that amateur that just grabs a lot of everything and by the time they are halfway through the line their plate is already full.

The third and most important tip I have for you is to enjoy the meal. Don’t rush through it so you can be the first person to get seconds. Eat slowly and savor the different tastes. Enjoy it while it lasts, because before you know it, it’ll be gone until next year.

Lastly, DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THE LEFTOVERS. As soon as the meal is over, don’t just sit and chat with the family just yet. It is important that you scan over what’s left and take what you want before everyone else pounces on it. Every smart foodie knows that leftovers are just as good if not better than the meal. And the more options there are, the better they will be.

Peas out.