We've gained a better understanding of how to pace our preparations.  Few people have two or three solid days to spend in the kitchen preparing their Thanksgiving feast. So we've all learned techniques for baking and cooking ahead, and spacing our preparations out over several weeks. We have print or electronic tools that can help us organize and plan like a rocket scientist, if we choose.

November Planner - Interior Decorating Guide Glenna Morton has assembled a wonderful planning calendar for November.

Planning Reduces Holiday Stress - Helpful advice from About Parenting Guide Kimberly Keith.

There's now a greater focus on exercise and health. I know, now you're thinking, "how can she apply this to Thanksgiving?" Well, instead of cutting back on the food, menu or calories for this holiday, let's just turn up the exercise a bit. Take a few breaks in the meal for vigorous walks, a game of basketball, rollerblading or other exercise that can be shared with your family members to create a little extra room for dessert.

Holiday Fitness Exercise Plans - iVillage offers a choice of three different workout programs to follow during the busy holiday season.

Leftovers - well now that we have the world wide web, it's nobody's fault but your own if you can't find something more interesting to do with leftover turkey than to make turkey soup. Here are some places to turn for ideas.

Leftover Turkey Recipes - Peggy Trowbridge, Home Cooking Guide, has assembled an interesting collection of leftover recipes.

The Day After - The Food Network supplies over a dozen recipes guaranteed to use up those leftovers.

4 New Ideas for Holiday Leftovers - Ideas for using leftover cranberry sauce, as well as the main course, from Mr. Food.

Many of us find ourselves separated from our families. Although it's difficult to accept change around the holidays, look at the bright side in that you now have the opportunity to create new traditions of your own. 

Start by choosing your favorite old traditions and recipes. Ask you mother and grandmother to share their kitchen secrets with you. If a recipe has been lost with the passing of an elder relative, search on the web, or visit online food forums. There must be someone out there that has a similar recipe for you. But after choosing your favorite old recipes, forget about the rest. Did you always hate that beet salad that Aunt Henrietta prepared? Good news - you don't have to eat it this year!

Next, think about the newer things that you really enjoy cooking and eating. Is there a superb French hors d'oeuvres that all your friends beg you to make for them? So what if the Indians didn't cook French for the Pilgrims? Add it to your Thanksgiving table and be grateful you've discovered French cuisine.

The bottom line for updating your Thanksgiving table is the same as it has always been. Cherish the best of the old traditions, and embrace the creative opportunities now accessible to cooks in the 21st century.