Archive for the 'Healthy Holidays' Category

You always hear about tryptophan around Thanksgiving time. Folks warn that that getting too much turkey (one of the most well-known sources) puts you in a “food coma.” Is it really to blame for that post-dinner snooze?

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I love cranberry sauce any time of year, but it’s a must-have for Thanksgiving. When fall hits, I’m all about finding creative new recipes to try. Ditch the canned stuff — it’s usually packed with high-fructose corn syrup — and discover the taste of real, homemade cranberry sauce.

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This festive, seasonal squash soup is going to kick off my Thanksgiving meal this year. It whips up pretty easily with an immersion blender, but if you don’t have that tool, running batches through a blender is a simple solution.

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Turkey may be the main attraction at your Thanksgiving feast, but everyone expects it. Add some surprise to your spread with a colorful array of vegetable sides — plus, greater diversity means more vitamins and minerals.

Recipes to try:
• Chipotle Smashed Sweet Potatoes
• Mashed Garlicky Potatoes with Portobello Gravy
• Spicy Swiss Chard and Beans (shown above; image courtesy of Recipezaar)
• Roasted Red Onions
• Green Beans with Apple Cider
• Glazed Radishes
• Creamed Spinach
• Saute of Root Vegetables

My mom still tells the story about the year she ordered a free-range turkey. She almost choked when she went to pay for it because it was more than six times what a regular turkey cost! Now that I have Thanksgiving at my house, I’m faced with the same dilemma — is it worth it to get these extra pricey birds?

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Thanksgiving turkey would be lost without stuffing (or dressing, if you prefer it that way). But sticks of butter and pounds of sausage are not mandatory ingredients. Here are a few ways to slim down this holiday favorite and some creative additions to try.

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Even if you’re only cooking for a few guests and not a crowd, there’s no need to skimp on your T-Day spread. To help with the prep, stop by a local bakery for fresh cornbread and a pick up good quality cranberry sauce (I like this one from Stonewall Kitchen). Then, rather than a huge bird, opt for a smaller turkey breast. All this will save you some time, and you’ll still have plenty of leftovers.

Here are recipes for a simple menu perfect for two to six:
• To start: Sweet Potato Soup
• The main: Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
• On the side: Orange Scented Green Beans
• Finishing touch: Cornbread Sausage Stuffing
• For dessert: Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
  

Thanksgiving is my turn to have over the whole family. This year, everyone thinks I’m crazy because I’m having our first baby in a few days, but nothing gives me more joy than planning and preparing this big meal. Here’s how I’ve started planning — plus, some recipes I’m using — for this fabulous food holiday.

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Choosing the right turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner can be confusing. Here are a few tips and must-have tools to make planning that much easier.

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It wouldn’t be fall without cranberries. At only 46 calories a cup, fresh berries add guilt-free sweetness to mains, sides, desserts and more. Plus, they’re an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. Of course, classic cranberry sauce is on our list, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised with our other healthy finds.

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