The Thanksgiving Preset
Move into the holidays with prep, not punishment. Nourishment and discipline is self-respect, not restriction.
This time of year always sneaks up fast. The days get shorter, the nights cozier (and more hectic with little kids and less outside time), and suddenly the calendar fills with gatherings, food, and drinks. It’s fun, it’s full, and if we’re honest—it’s also the season where our nutrition and habits can slide a bit.
I’m not here to tell you to restrict yourself before Thanksgiving. I’m here to help you preset.
A preset isn’t about punishment or “earning” your holiday meal. It’s about getting aligned before the indulgence hits so you can enjoy it fully—without guilt, bloat, or burnout.
Preset at it’s core:
You don’t need to detox after Thanksgiving — you can “preset” before it. A week or two of focused intention: whole foods, protein-forward vegetarian meals, hydration, and mindful movement. It’s about showing up for yourself before the chaos, so you can enjoy the feast and festivities without guilt, bloat, or decision fatigue.
What is a Thanksgiving Preset?
Think of it as your seasonal tune-up. A few days or weeks of focused intention that helps your body and mind feel clear, grounded, and energized.
My personal preset includes:
High-protein vegetarian meals – foods that keep me full, my blood sugar steady, and my body strong.
Whole foods focused – the kind that don’t come in a bag or box as much as possible.
Hydration as a daily ritual – water, electrolytes, tea.
Limited alcohol – not “no,” just mindful.
Movement that feels good – strength, cardio, mobility.
It’s not a cleanse. It’s not a diet. It’s a way of tuning in before life gets loud.
Why it works
When you clean things up before the holiday rush, your body resets its rhythm—blood sugar stabilizes, sleep improves, and your digestion calms down. You can channel your rest and digest parasympathetic nervous system so you can go into Thanksgiving week feeling balanced, not overwhelmed.
And here’s the best part: when you feel good going in, you naturally make better choices without thinking about it. You can enjoy a cocktail, a slice of pie, seconds of your favorite dish—without overthinking.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
Cook with me
Whether you’re a lacto-ovo pescatarian like me, or not, I invite you to try these clean whole foods recipes.
I’ve created a recipe & mindset PDF guide filled with high-protein vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, hydration ideas, and mindset tips to help you feel amazing heading into the holidays.
It’s simple. It’s sustainable. It’s all about feeling grounded before you celebrate.
👉 [Download recipe & mindset PDF guide]
Let’s go into this season feeling strong, centered, and ready to enjoy every bite.
