Leftovers - and lots of 'em

So, Thanksgiving has come and gone with great success. How could it not? We have to embrace major holidays that not only endorse, but encourage, the consumption of massive quantities of food and drink.

And this year was no exception. I figured after my 19 pound turkey for three people (and one dog) kind of event, that I would, most definitely, have tons of turkey for leftovers -- and resolved myself to the fact that have to be healthy. But what to do? Kooper had his own ideas, but I opted for the following:

Post-turkey day of Turkey Hash for breakfast, swiped from Martha Stewart Thanksgiving radio show.  We all want to be a little more like Martha, minus the bad stock tips and jail time, of course.

Second, was a nice turkey breakfast burrito - the same ol' breakfast burrito with a healthy switch from turkey bacon to turkey breast.  Fill up a big whole wheat tortilla with turkey, egg, black beans, cilantro and salsa -- makes for a good morning.

Next was a turkey salad - easy enough. Just pile the lettuce, turkey, olives, carrots, cauliflower and celery on the plate - top it off with a bit of balsamic vinaigrette and a healthy dinner is served. No guilt what-so-ever.

Turkey sandwiches are also a staple of the post-Thanksgiving feast. Raise your hand if you're getting sick of turkey. Both of mine are up (not sure how I'm even typing at this point).

Last but not least - and my favorite leftover recipe so far - is a twist to a chicken dumpling recipe - by simply switching the "chicken" to "turkey" and using whole wheat flour instead of white flour for the dumplings. Doesn't get too much healthier than that.

Kooper has also been benefiting from the stockpile of turkey reserves and has had a bit of the turkey mixed in with his kibble at every meal. Tryptophan is starting to kick in on the poor little guy. I should share with him more often to ensure some peace and quiet.

One the carcass is gone - which will hopefully be sooner rather than later, I'm pretty sure I won't be looking at another turkey for a long, long time. Not only because I have turkey over-load at this point, but also because you are what you eat. Gobble Gobble.