Because a thankful heart is a happy heart

Some of you might remember the very popular kids videos and songs called Veggie Tales by Phil Vischer. My kids loved them and I think I loved them even more. Each video had a moral theme and they were not only entertaining but educational. In one video Madame Blueberry (yes there were also fruits not just veggies) learned a lesson about buying more and more things from ‘Stuff-Mart’. She discovered this was not the route to happiness. A family who had very little taught her that ‘A thankful heart is a happy heart’.

With Thanksgiving behind us I hope you all took time to be thankful. Now post Thanksgiving you can be thankful for stretchy pants and the ever popular Thanksgiving leftovers!

I asked a few people what their favourite leftovers were and got some great responses. Here are a few: - I like leftover mashed potatoes with tiny pieces of cut up 3 Tbsp olive oil 3 Tbsp minced onion 3 garlic cloves crushed 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 cups cooked turkey, cut into very small pieces

3 cups tomato or marinara sauce

2-3 Tbsp fresh basil leaves

turkey and little pieces of pickles then mix it all together and top the whole thing with gravy. Mmmmmm

- I like cutting up strips of leftover turkey and taking leftover carrot strips and then put a little pile of gravy on the plate and dip each piece into the gravy and eat it with my fingers.

- I like taking a scoop of dressing and making a hole in the middle and filling it with bite size pieces of turkey with a chopped fine

1-2 Tbsp finely cut fresh oregano Salt and pepper to taste Fresh Parmesan cheese

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large frying pan. Sauté onion and garlic about 3 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and cook until the veggies are tender crisp. Add

little gravy on the top.

- I love the leftover salads. So yummy!

- I make a bun with turkey, salt and pepper, lots of cranberries and a little mayo. Sometimes I dip it in a bit of warm gravy as I eat it. Such a great flavour combination.

- My family loves leftover turkey shepherds pie. I layer veggies then stuffing then turkey pieces then some gravy and potatoes on the top. Heat the turkey and cook about 2 more minutes stirring while cooking. Add the tomato or marinara sauce and the basil, oregano, salt and pepper, stirring well, simmer for 15 minutes on low heat. Stir often. Serve over cooked pasta or raw shredded zucchini or cooked spaghetti squash and top with fresh Parmesan cheese.

and serve and it's gone!

- Just can't beat home made turkey soup. So delicious and I can make a big pot and freeze a few meals to warm us right up on those cold winter nights.

OK now I'm getting really hungry for turkey dinner and especially leftovers. I think I might like the leftovers even better then the actual Thanksgiving dinner. One thing I do with my leftovers is to make up mini meals in small tinfoil containers. It will have turkey, potatoes and gravy, stuffing and cooked veggies. Then my kids can take them back to school and freeze them then warm them up in the oven. It's like a little taste of comfort food from home every time they eat one. Have I mentioned I am so thankful for my family?

Here’s a leftover recipe to try. And remember as Madame Blueberry discovered. “A thankful heart is a happy heart!”

Joanne Smith is a registered dietitian.