Burn the Bulge: Portland Area Turkey Trots

The giant tree has arrived in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Hundreds of turkeys are filling the freezers at grocery stores all over the Portland metro area. Your own kitchen may be filling with ingredients for stuffing, gravy and pumpkin pie. And your DVR should be set to record "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" (hint: Sunday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. on OPB).

These are all sure signs Thanksgiving is upon us — the season for family, fun and, yes, feasting. Unfortunately, it can also be a day of Tums, stretch pants and morning-after despair.

Our Thanksgiving festivities are so rich, the average American manages to consume more than 4,500 calories during the feasting. While some traditional dishes can be adjusted to make them more waistband-friendly, the reality is you'll still probably take in more calories than you need.

One way to combine holiday fun with a way to work off some of that pumpkin pie is to join one of the many "turkey trot" fun runs happening around the Portland/Vancouver metro area this week. These festive events range from tougher trail runs to costumed family run/walks.

Whichever way you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, remember to inventory the blessings in your life. A habit of gratitude this week and all year long will do wonders for your spiritual, mental and, yes, physical health.

From all of us at Adventist Health Portland, have a truly happy Thanksgiving.