Thanksgiving Day in the States is all about three things: Family, Food and Football. You can never get too much of the first, and the TV schedules determine how much you get of the last. It’s stuff in the middle that can take us all for a ride down Overindulgence Avenue…
Black Friday Breakfast: Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Casserole!
It’s probably a good thing that Turkey contains so much Tryptophan – the stuff that makes you sleepy after the big feast. Many of us will need a hybernation session to recover from the immediate effects of our ritual overindulgence. But the ill effects of too much of a Thanksgiving good thing can linger even longer, giving some a bad night and a hungover Black Friday morning. In fact, I met a guy once who claimed that was why they call it ‘Black Friday’. He loved his Beer too much, I think.
What’s a patriotic pigger-outer to do?
First of all, resist the urge to cram in just one more slice of Turkey or one more slice of Pumpkin Pie. You’ll be happy you did later on. Remember, there are always leftovers and they’ll be just as tantalizing tomorrow and the next day as they were on the big day. Think of all the great ways to transform leftover Thanksgiving Dinner menu components into exciting new ‘Encore’ dishes!
About the Booze…
Okay. So, you’re not going to work tomorrow, whether you should be going or not. That’s no excuse to get totally hammered by drinking from noon to bedtime while you watch the boys in the pads and helmets run up their concussion tickers.
Remember the rule: One Beer, one Glass of Wine or one hard drink per hour, max, to ensure you 1.) don’t get sick and 2.) don’t get stupid. You can get yourself in a lot more pain (albeit social and emotional rather than physical) by saying the wrong thing or making an inappropriate gesture towards the wrong person when you’re snackered.
Rule number 2: Of course you don’t even think about driving or trying to operate equipment any heavier than an electric carving knife under the influence.
Where Cannabis is legal…
Be careful if you’re offering Weed-enhanced foods or beverages. Make sure everyone on hand for the festivities knows what’s spiked and what’s not. Cases of Cannabis overdose, and of kids suffering Cannabis poisoning from inadvertently ingesting spiked foods and beverages, have soared since Weed became legal for recreational use here in Canada.
How do you chase away the heartburn blues?
Indigestion is just a mild form of Heartburn, which is, technically, acid reflux. There are many over-the-counter remedies for this common condition from ancient and venerable Alka Selzer to newfangled contrivances such as Zantax. What you use will depend on what works for you. But I reiterate: If you don’t overdo it in the first place, you can dispense with the stomach upset cures altogether.
My maternal Grandma swore by Ginger Tea as a stomach ache cure-all. And, oddly enough, Ginger has recently resurged, both among lay folks and medical professionals, as a recommended treatment for stomach upsets. Just google ‘Ginger for stomach aches’ and you’ll get back more than 2 million hits.
Other cures for the upper gut grumbles include Peppermint Tea, Camomile Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar. To name just a few…
Tomorrow is another day
Don’t forget to look forward to Black Friday Breakfast: a traditional Leftover Turkey Breakfast Bake!
~ Maggie J.