2010 Thanksgiving

When it comes to the big bird on the Thanksgiving table, there's so much to think about. Is it big enough to feed everyone but small enough to fit into your oven roasting pan? Should it be deep-fried, smoked, brined, or simply oven-roasted? And, most importantly: what type of turkey should be given the star treatment?

There are scores of different breeds of turkeys, but we've whittled our list down to the most important turkey terminology. To find out what's best for you, keep reading after the break.

The following post was written by New York-based trainer David Kirsch.

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, and if you’re like me, you’ve started to plan the holiday festivities. You are probably debating about how much food to make-- and possibly wondering whether or not to pull those elastic-waist pants out from the closet! Indeed, for some, consuming 2 days worth of calories in one sitting is an annual tradition. But it doesn’t have to be that way . . .

On the day where we celebrate what we’re thankful for, your health should be at the top of the list. So why not make it a healthy Thanksgiving dinner? You heard me correctly. Undoubtedly, there will be your favorite dishes — including the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes — but without the butter, sugar, and added fat. Your heart, waist, and arteries will be externally grateful.

For your best Thanksgiving ever, begin planning for the big day earlier than you normally do. Rather than being daunted with the turkey up front, ease yourself into the holiday by selecting your side dishes first. Start with sweet potatoes, a surefire table topper at any Fall meal.

Serve them mashed in place of conventional white potatoes; you'll enjoy the same fluffy texture but also gain vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Balance out the salt on the table with a dessert-like puree studded with maple syrup and nutmeg, or skip the sugar and try out a savory chipotle version. Try either — or both — when you read on.

I live by the belief that food tastes better when it's on a stick. This phenomenon doesn't just apply to skewers but also everything from Greek salad bites to French fries and bacon to Vietnamese coffee.

Antipasti is no exception. Rather than serving this crowd-pleasing Italian appetizer on a platter, serve it to a tailgating or holiday crowd as finger food.

This version combines Italian-style chicken sausage, roasted peppers, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes, but feel free to mix it up with bocconcini, peppadews, or your favorite salumi. For an unstoppable gobble that's as healthy as it is delicious, keep reading.

To get you excited for your best Thanksgiving ever, I want to know what dish you look forward to making and eating most over the holiday. Do you gobble up the turkey, or is it all about the sides? Better yet, do you save the most room for dessert? Share your favorite dish below!