I’m doing something different this year: I’m not planning/making/stressing over a Thanksgiving feast. Nope. No, sir, not this year. I’ve decided to make it a take out sort of night. Just good, non-homemade food and time spent with family (mom, gran, bf). That’s it. No recipes. No shopping. No cooking. No cleaning. Just time to kick back, watch some films, and veg out.
Being on the Whole30 during the holidays is supposed to be next to impossible, but I’ve actually realized that I’m not really missing any of the stuff I would traditionally gorge on. Growing up Cuban, the foods associated with Thanksgiving were not really on the menu, so I have little nostalgia towards things like pies and casseroles. I only discovered pumpkin pie as an adult, and I prefer my own to anyone else’s, so I can make it any time I really crave it. As I write this, my coworkers are arriving with all manner of dishes for our holiday feast, and I know that I will only pick out those sides that I enjoy and which are compliant. I won’t feel deprived, nor will I feel deprived when we’re chowing on friscase or picaddillo on Thanksgiving.
Sometimes, not following tradition is the best tradition.
marginalia and such 
I admit, I’m bringing my family traditions northwards this year – my aunt’s sausage poblano cornbread stuffing. Just a little bit from home. I’d love to try traditional cuban food though! I’ve had lots from Latin America, Puerto Rico, South America, etc, but I don’t think I’ve ever had anything traditionally Cuban.
It’s all pork all the time 🙂 and lots of yuca, plantains, rice and beans. It’s slightly similar to Puerto Rican, but we use different spices and bean varieties.