Written By: Lauren Williams
INTRODUCTION
For all of the foodies out there, it can be hard to decide on a Thanksgiving menu! You start to look up recipes for a simple sweet potato casserole, and you end up committing to three different recipes- one with a pecan brown sugar crumble, one with marshmallows, and one with a savory twist. Oh boy.
Or maybe you're wondering if you could make a Thanksgiving Feast with half the richness and decadence but still the same delicious flavor! You ask yourself, "Does delicious always have to mean unhealthy?" No! There are numerous tips and recipes that are healthy and can scandalously challenge your Momma's famous thanksgiving dishes you grew up eating.
Check out some ideas and recipes below!
THANKSGIVING MENU
SNACKS:
The first part of every great Thanksgiving menu is the snack assortment. To start, you could make this delicious sweet and salty Maple Syrup Popcorn recipe, using only 3 ingredients.
Another easy snack is Air Fryer Candied Pecans and Pumpkin Pie Hummus served with Siete Brand Churro Strips (Grain-Free).
To bring in a little more salt, try these amazing Baked Zucchini Chips (*Note in recipe, replace the olive oil with butter or Tallow or Ghee), accompanied by a Lemony White Bean Dip. Of course, you can never go wrong with some prosciutto, dates and a nice aged cheese.
APPETIZERS:
While it is tempting to snack all day, the comfort of a warm and soothing soup can really hit the spot as an appetizer. So grab your big soup bowls, turn on the music, and let the celebration begin!
A Rustic and Spicy Cauliflower Soup will start the feast off with a bang. Of course, this Creamy Smoky Butternut Squash Soup (pictured on the right) could be a nice way to ease into the evening, as well.
MAIN & SIDE DISH:
It's always interesting to see what everyone's favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal is. Some are all about the turkey, but others dream about those side dishes - smooth and creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole with a caramelized pecan crunch, bread rolls that pile high, and savory goodness from the dressing. Everyone seems to have their own little twist on side dishes, but if you're looking for some fresh unique ideas, check out the Monkey & Me Kitchen Adventures Blog.
VEGGIES:
If you're a fan of brussel sprouts, look no further! This Shredded Brussel Sprout Salad recipe is what dreams are made of! If brussel sprouts are not your jam, try these Roasted Broccoli and Carrots or Balsamic Roasted Beets. Another good option to put on the menu is Oven Roasted Rosemary Root Vegetables (see picture to the left).
See this blog for some other roasted fall veggie recipes: Birth Eat Love.
DESSERTS:
Now, a Thanksgiving menu would not be complete without dessert, right?! For some this may be the star of the show - the main attraction. Forget the turkey, what's for dessert? This No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake might be the showstopper you are craving. However, Healthy Stuffed Baked Apples with ice cream or Creamy Keto Pumpkin Mousse will not disappoint either. Check out this link for so many more great dessert recipes! Also, here are some delicious whole food, plant-based dessert recipes, as well.
IMPORTANT WELLNESS TIPS TO KNOW WHEN COOKING:
Butter is better than margarine.
If you are cooking or baking, use butter, coconut oil, Tallow, or Ghee, instead of Olive Oil or Avocado Oil (These oils are good for dressings and sauces. They aren't meant for high heat).
Stay away from seed oils, including: Grapeseed Oil, Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil.
If you're using a milk alternative, coconut milk is one of the best options, because usually there are not gums or seed oils added.
A healthier substitute to cornstart is arrowroot powder (which can be found at a Whole Foods Market).
When using dried fruit such as, dried cranberries, check to see if there is any added sugar and if they have sunflower/seed oils listed in the ingredients. You want the dried cranberries that do not have added sugar or oils. If you can't find any, try a similar dried fruit, such as dried cherries.
HEALTH TIPS
Cookware & Air Freshener Tips:
Tip 1: Get rid of all Teflon coated cookware and plastic in your kitchen. Teflon coated cookware contains harmful chemicals that can absorb into your food. Plastic, such as plastic spatulas, cups or Tupperware, contain harmful chemicals and can cause microplastics to get into your foods and drinks. This includes plastic cutting boards, as well. The best cookware to use would be cast-iron skillets or stainless steel. For cutting boards, stainless steel or wood are preferable.
Tip 2: Get rid of Air Fresheners/Plug-ins and candles that are not "clean". Air Fresheners/Plug-ins emit artificial fragrances that contain chemicals and hormone disruptors. Candles can contain toxins in the wax, wick, and fragrances that can be harmful and act as hormone disruptors. However, there are some clean candles you can buy. Check out this link to find out how to select a "clean", healthy candle.
How To Get Your Home Smelling Like the Holidays:
There are some fun and easy ways to make your home smell good, in addition to using clean, healthy candles. The picture on the right shows an easy DIY craft, where you dry oranges and place cloves into them. They give off a festive, holiday aroma and act as a rustic, charming decoration for your house. You can use ribbons or twine to hange them or place them in a fun wooden bowl surrounded with greenery.
Another idea is to check out Trader Joe's Cinnamon Brooms. However, be careful with this because a lot of cinnamon brooms are artificially scented, which can again mess with your hormones and overall health. Trader Joe's supposedly sells cinnamon brooms that are made with pure cinnamon oil and are not artificial. To continue with the cinnamon train, below is a picture of another DIY craft that involves wrapping cinnamon sticks around candles and tying them with twine. This is the best kind of decoration- not just eye-catching, but smells amazing too.
HOLIDAY DIY CRAFT
If you ever considered making your own candles, this could be the perfect time. Homemade candles would enable you to know what is in your candles and ensure that they are clean and healthy. They also allow you to be creative and customize the scents you want, as you can mix multiple essential oils into your candle wax. If you need a recommendation for which essential oil company to use, Doterra is known for their quality and pure products.
Here is a recipe for making your own candle, provided by Dawn Goehring through the Desert Naturals blog:
Ingredients for Candle:
4 cups Beeswax Pastilles
20 – 30 drops Essential oil (use your favorite scent) Be sure to use a true essential oil and not a fragrance oil since those are synthetic and you don't know what's in them and they can be potentially harmful.
4 oz jars or tins for your candle(can use any size – you will get more or less candles depending on your container size)
Check out this link for more info and instructions on how to make a candle.
All the best,
Director of Member Experience
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