As I mentioned above I'm at my family's for the Thanksgiving holiday. Now, my family is pretty cool and open minded, but it took many years to "train" my family on what a good healthy Thanksgiving meal could look like.

I had so many great ideas. I told my family how using certain foods can help with their health and all the medicinal reasons for eating them. I wanted them to get on board with me but the truth was, I got dissed. They didn't want to hear it. Even though they asked me lots of questions about my new career, and all the women wanted to know…"Can I lose weight if I eat like your eating now?…..TELL ME!"

But in the end they said, "Thanksgiving is a ritual. We have to eat the foods we have been eating for years."
( YIKES! That meant packaged stuffing and canned cranberry sauce.)

So, year after year I'd bring a side dish. They couldn't argue with that, one less thing for them to cook. Then one year, when I was living in Brooklyn, my ex boyfriend and I hosted the whole event volunteering to cook it all.

It came out great. Even my uncle, the hard core football fan and beer-drinking guy loved the food. The trick? We didn't tell them any of the ingredients until after the meal. At just the right moment we disclosed the secrets.

You heard things like:

"WHAT! The chocolate pudding is TOFU?"
and
"No butter in the sweet potatoes? How did you get it so creamy?"
and
"TOFU was in the wild rice? I thought that was cheese. "

Times have changed for me and I'm no longer a hard-core vegan but I think the moral of the story holds true. Most people (not all) want to eat what they are familiar with.

In my earlier years I was a bit righteous and wanted to change the world with food. After the holiday there are always a few clients who attempt to transform their family and friends with their new approach to food. This usually ends in a debate and some disappointment.

My advice… Make a side dish with delicious organic wholesome food and as they say, let the proof be in the pudding.

Enjoy the company, conversation and good times. If they are curious they'll ask.

So to all the holiday diners that will have canned cranberry sauce I MUST share this amazing recipe with you. I hope you enjoy it.

Stay tuned for fudge brownies - we'll share that one around the December holidays.

And for those readers who still want a helping hand with food give us a buzz or come to our Fruition Friday Introduction nights. We also have some new programs starting in January. See below for details

Happy Turkey (or tofu) day!

CRANBERRY RELISH

• 2 apples-peeled and cut into small cubes
• 2 pears peeled and cut into small cubes
• 2 12 ounce bags of cranberries (6 cups)
• pinch of salt
• one cup orange juice (or more if needed)
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons orange zest

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If you are inspired by the work we do at FWH or know someone who could benefit from our services call or email us today and learn more about our programs. Click HERE to tell us more about you and your health.

FWH programs to choose from:

IN PERSON
San Francisco Bay area
And now is Santa Cruz CA, too!
http://www.fruitionhealth.com/services_local.html

PHONE PROGRAMS
http://www.fruitionhealth.com/services_longdistance.html

NEW SF GROUP PROGRAM BEGINNING
Tuesday January 15 , 2008
Start the year out on the health track!

Spots filling up.
Contact Senior Health Counselor Alice for your free consultation or to register!
alice@fruitionhealth.com

If you are wondering if the FWH program is for you, speak with one of our counselors for free. During your free initial session, we will review your health history in detail and discuss your goals. Then we will work together to design a program that focuses on your specific health concerns.
Call 415 -552 -8344 or email info@fruitionhealth.com

Need a place to unwind after a weeks work? If so, come join us for an evening of health. It's a great place to debrief from the week and set some healthy intentions for the weekend. Enjoy a healthy, organic snack and non-alcoholic beverage while connecting with the Fruition community. Classes are taught by one of our FWH counselors.

In addition to the topic of the night you will have a chance to learn more about the FWH programs and get answers to your health questions.

DATE: Friday December 14, 2007 (note date change)
TIME: 6:30-8:00 pm
TOPIC: Eating with the Seasons: Winter
WHERE
Fruition Health
2120 Market St, Suite 201
San Francisco, CA 94114

Please RSVP: Space is limited to 10 participants per class
Call 415-552-8344 or
Email info@fruitionhealth.com

The investment for your health:
General Public $15
FWH clients: FREE! (it's included in the cost of your program)

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