Why Thanksgiving Food Favorites Are Really Good for You

Not that it will make any difference in how much you enjoy what may be your largest meal of the year, but these facts provided by Consumer Reports about some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods, could actually make you feel a bit better about indulging.

Turkey - My mom always relied on that pop-up timer and thank God no one ever got food poisoning, because the truth is- -they're not that reliable! Different parts of the turkey cook faster than others. So you should always use those handy-dandy instant-read thermometers to check & make sure all the parts are at a toasty 165 degrees before you nosh on them! Dark meat is nutritionally more beneficial because it has more of a protein that sends oxygen to your muscles, but white meat is lower in calories.
Potatoes - Yukon Golds make better-mashed taters, because they're more nutritious, thanks to carotenoids (which gives them their color), the same healthy antioxidants you find in carrots & yams. They're also loaded with potassium which helps keep your blood pressure low. Plus they have a naturally buttery flavor, so you can add less butter, and sour cream, and cream cheese, and bacon bits. (Sure, that's going to happen!).

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Yams - Yup, loaded with anti-oxidants and yup again- -they are sweet potatoes, but not all sweet potatoes are yams. Real yams are white starchy vegetables with brown skin that are native to the Caribbean! What we know as "yams" come in multiple colors from the familiar orange all the way to purple! (Of course, the brown sugar, butter, and marshmallows drastically change the healthy aspect of these spuds, but oh, they are good!)
Pumpkin - A veggie, not a fruit, loaded with vital vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and delicious to boot!
Cranberries - A fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins & minerals and not just great for Thanksgiving, but year-round! Rumor has it, they may be in short supply this year. They freeze really well, so buy them now & keep them for use in the weeks ahead.

I was going to add Brussels Sprouts to this list but I only know about 5 other people who love them as much as I do. Suffice it to say, you're truly missing out on a delicious and super nutritious veggie.

Oh I know, in this part of the world what I should be talking about is the ubiquitous Green Bean Casserole. I can tell you that if it's made in the traditional way, just, a one-cup serving has about 8 grams of fat.

And don't get me started on my true favorite--stuffing. They didn't even mention it. Apparently, a whole lot of bread, butter, and other luscious ingredients don't land on the healthy foods list! (So unfair!)

So, now you have all the info you need to claim your Thanksgiving plate is loaded with stuff that really is good for you!

Source: Consumer Reports

Sioux Falls Christmas Guide:

A LOOK INSIDE SIOUX FALLS' MOST EXPENSIVE AIRBNB

Next time you're driving through downtown Sioux Falls, do yourself a favor and head west a few blocks into the city's Cathedral Historic District, where you'll find some of the most breathtaking homes you'll ever see.

The area is located between Prairie Avenue and Spring Avenue from west to east and 4th Street to 10th Street from north to south.

This part of town is also where you'll find Sioux Falls' most expensive AirBnB rental property.

It's listed on the site at 'Historic Victorian Inn Downtown'.

It features eight bedrooms and six bathrooms and can accommodate as many as 16 people with six queen beds and seven single beds, plus a sofa bed and two air mattresses.