by Maggie Mae

Created on: October 13, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

The keys to saving time on Thanksgiving are easy to do. Follow these simple steps to save headaches and time. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Think of the meal most of us eat on Thanksgiving: <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Green Bean Casserole, Pumpkin Pie, etc.... Now what happens on Thursday morning sometimes can make you lose a lot of time. Here are some simple steps to help the meal go easier.

1. Thaw the turkey plenty of time in advance. I cannot tell you how many times I have to run cold water over the turkey in order to get the bags of gizzards and other goodies out of the turkey. Then my hands are too cold to work. Plus, I am off schedule.

2. Cook the potatoes for mashed potatoes with their skins on the night before. Then the next day, microwave them to get warm again, then peel, and mash. You could even place them in boiling water just to reheat, then make the mashed potatoes.

3. Chop up veggies for the tray the night before and place in a zippered storage bag overnight.

4. Set the table the night before with everything upside down so that nothing such as dust gets on the dishes. Place the silverware under the napkin.

5. If you are having rolls from a bakery, slice them up the night before and place them in an air tight storage container so that they do not harden.

6. MY FAVORITE: ASSIGN FAMILY MEMBERS EACH TO BRING THE DISH THEY MAKE THE BEST. That way you have only one item to concentrate on for the day.

After the meal is the clean up. I wish there was a magic wand to help with this, but I have not found it. It all depends on whether or not you have a dishwasher. For those of you who do not, rinse plates as soon as guests are done. This eliminates scrubbing dried-on food. It seems to be almost a tradition for men to watch football and women to clean. I say women stand up and make them help too. In case it is just you, concentrate on one kind of dish at a time. For example, wash and dry all of the plates. Then, all you have to do is stack them and put them away. Then move on to the silverware. You will be done in no time. Here is an added bonus. Move your feet like you are tapping your feet to the beat of music. I actually "walk or march" in place. This gives me the feeling that all of the calories that I just splurged on at meal time are melting so that I keep the holiday weight off.

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