Four Thanksgiving Stress Busters:
#2: Make the Menu Safe

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and I'll tell you what, I'm wimping out on the cooking this year. My daughter's marching band is performing in a 10:30 a.m. football game, and I'd rather be there than slaving over a hot bird. So, with a quick phone-call of agreement from my similarly overburdened sister-in-law, we've decided to have Boston Market cater this family gathering, though we'll probably put the heated-up grub in fancy serving dishes for show.

For some families, though, it's not so much the stress of preparing the food that's the problem, but the stress of worrying about your child eating the wrong thing. If your child's on a restricted diet, that banquet of stuffing and sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie can look like a landmine. Rather than play food police or risk cross-contamination, try making a menu of allergy-safe goodies, including:

• Allergy-Safe Turkey
• Gluten-Free Stuffing
• Dairy-Free Mashed or Scalloped Potatoes
• Less-Sweet Sweet Potatoes or Allergen-Free Sweet-Potato Casserole
• Corn-Free Cranberry Sauce
• Allergy-Safe Pumpkin Pie

More Thanksgiving Stress Busters:

• Keep the Costumes Comfy
• Start a Thanksgiving Tradition
• Disregard the Relatives