Healthy(ish) Holiday Recipes
The holidays are a challenging time of year when you are trying to stay focused on your nutrition and workout routine. Between work parties, family gatherings and other events there is lots of indulgent eating and drinking and less activity than usual. While it’s okay to enjoy these special
events when left unchecked weeks of holiday eating can really derail your progress towards better health and in the gym. To encourage you to stay on track this month, here are some of our favourite seasonally-inspired recipes to help you to get creative in the kitchen while still satisfying those holiday cravings!
Appetizers & Salad
Grapefruit Mint Salad
Recipe Source: The Food Network
Why We Love It: This recipe is incredibly easy to make! The grapefruit and mint combo creates a fresh and delicious salad that compliments those traditionally heavy holiday dishes. Great as an appetizer for a holiday dinner or on it’s own as a snack.
Tip: Grapefruits are in season from November-April so make sure you always buy the freshest produce possible!
Roasted Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprouts Salad
with Maple Tahini Drizzle
Recipe Source: Culinary Nutrition
Why We Love It: Salad doesn’t sound like a winter-month food, but this warming dish with sweet potato, brussel sprouts and lentils will leave you feeling satisfy and nourished! This recipe is a great source of Vitamin K, Magnesium, Vitamin A, fibre and protein all of which are important to
maintaining overall health. Even if you don’t usually like brussels sprouts, forget the usual steamed green mush and try them roasted as this recipe suggests. If you still don’t like them, you can substitute roasted broccoli or beets instead. If you would prefer a non-vegetarian version swap out the lentils for your favourite lean meat!
Pro Tip: Double or triple the recipe for the Maple Tahini Drizzle and store it in the fridge for use on other salads or vegetable dishes!
Link: https://www.culinarynutrition.com/roasted-sweet-potato-brussels-sprouts-salad-maple-tahini-drizzle/
Vegetarian Spinach Walnut Pate
Recipe Source: Food Network
Why We Love It: This is a great vegetarian alternative to traditional pate. It’s easy to make in a food processor and is a great dish to bring as an appetizer to your next holiday event. With pomegranate seeds and walnuts as garnish this dish not only tastes good but it looks festive too.
Pro Tip: Always use the freshest herbs and spices available for maximum flavour and nutrition.
Link: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/vegetarian-spinach-walnut-pate-3363050
Dinner
Meatballs with Cranberry Aioli
Recipe Source: The Organic Dietitian
Why We Love It: This is a versatile dish that can be made as a dinner entree or as an appetizer. The cranberries, rosemary, and thyme will result in those festive flavours you love and the cranberry aioli is a great upgrade from your regular cranberry sauce!
Pro Tip: Use a food processor or high speed blender to decrease preparation time!
Paleo Sweet Potato Cranberry Stuffing
Recipe Source: Fed and Fit
Why We Love It: A new twist on a family favourite! Stuffing is always one of the most popular holiday dishes and this sweet-potato-cranberry recipe will not disappoint! Cubed sweet potato is used instead of croutons and extra flavour and protein comes from the add-in of high quality Italian sausage. Bonus: this recipe has instructions with pictures at each step so you’ll know exactly what to do!
Pro Tip: Be sure to budget time for this recipe as the sweet potatoes need to cook separately first!
Desserts, Drinks and Anytime Treats
SKINNY CRANBERRY BLISS BARS
Recipe Source: Skinny Taste
Why We Love It: We will admit, Starbucks is famous for having some very tasty treats this time of year! If the Cranberry Bliss Bar is one of your seasonal favourites you will love this light recipe version. And don’t worry, even though this recipe saves you money and a whopping 14g of fat, it’s still packed with delicious sweet cream cheese icing, tart dried cranberries and white chocolate. Yum!
Pro Tip: Going to a holiday event? Bring these and stay on track with your goals knowing there’s a
healthier desserts available!
Homemade Gingerbread Latte
Recipe Source: Chocolate Covered Katie
Why We Love It: Another Starbucks-inspired recipe that saves you a ton of calories and money! This recipe literally takes 1 minute to make and tastes just like the original version without any chemical syrups or flavours. Choose your favourite milk and simply combine the necessary spices.
Pro Tip: Double the recipe and make one for a friend! :)
Mulled Wine Granita
Recipe Source: Food Network
Why We Love It: Mulled Wine for dessert? Yes please! This recipe starts off with making a delicious holiday mulled-wine but takes it one step further creating a frozen treat! You’ll need to account for about 5 hours of freezer time so make sure you plan accordingly. Topped it with whipped cream or your favourite berries!
Pro Tip: Since you will be adding sugar and lots of spices to this recipe go for an inexpensive dry wine. Ask your local liquor store if they have any recommendations!
