Of course, what holiday could be better to a food blogger? Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Here’s a little secret: normally, I don’t really like Thanksgiving.

“What,” you ask, “How could someone who is going to culinary school not love the only holiday that truly revolves around food and cooking?”

I think it gets boring. Really, horribly boring. Every year is the same.

“Tradition,” you say.

Sure. Tradition is important. But for me, it makes the holiday stale. And by the beginning of the year, with Christmas only a month later, if I see another turkey, bowl of mashed potatoes, or green been casserole, I know I might scream.

I think there’s a way to be non-traditionally traditional. And this year, I get the chance. I’m cooking what I want in my own house. I’m finally excited about Thanksgiving!

What’s on my menu? Turducken. I’m doing a cajun Thanksgiving this year complete with andouille sausage, crawfish, and bread pudding. The recipes are still in my head for the most part, but hopefully I have a bunch to share on the 24th.

Of course, there are things I can’t live without. Shrimp cocktail is one. I’ll be doing that cajun style. Homemade cranberry sauce? Check. And I’m sure I’ll add some butternut squash to the mix.

What about you? What’s on your thanksgiving menu? Are you a traditionalist? What can’t you live without?

Occassionally people will ask me how I find time to cook after work. Usually, I say that cooking relaxes me. It helps me destress. I’m truly happy going home and chopping vegetables and throwing together a meal.

But, sometimes, that just doesn’t happen. Lately, more often than not, I’m working late and trying to figure out how to fit in a late workday, gym, and eating dinner — plus any school work that needs to get done by Sunday.

Last night, for example, I had tuna on an english muffin and “soup”. The “soup” was little more than pastina pasta cooked in chicken broth with a little frozen spinach tossed in. I finished it off with a beaten egg and some parmesan cheese. Not fancy, but comforting.

Tonight, I’m at work trying to get a good chunk of my paper done (at work due to computer issues at home) — I’m eating a SmartOnes pizza.

I bought the frozen pizza when I stopped at the grocery store for lunch (I love their salad bar). I saw that the SmartOnes were on sale. Usually, I’m a Lean Cuisine girl. But, I figured it was worth a taste test.

The verdict? Blah. Lean Cuisines rule and SmartOnes drool.

Now I know — and we all know that’s half the battle!