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Looking for healthy vegan alternatives for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas?
Go no further! I'll provide you with healthy recipes that don't sacrifice taste and will help you maintain your waistline, your blood pressure, cholesterol, and your well being during the holidays .T
Of The following recipes all of the recipes are gluten free, most are vegan, and a few are vegetarian ( some desserts and latkes)
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9 Easy Soup Choices:
Pumpkin : This Paleo Pumpkin Pie Soup is a winner in my book. Use cooked pumpkin or any cooked winter squash for a delicious fragrant soup. Bursting with flavor, this rich golden soup is a favorite on the holiday.
Butternut : A bowl of this Savory Butternut Squash Soup is only one point plus on Weight Watchers. What a great way to start off a meal. Satisfying and delicious.
Red Lentil : Hearty Red Lentil Soup is one of my favorites on a cold winter day. Red lentils cook quickly and melt into the vegetable soup making it hearty and creamy.
Chickpea: Many Vegans eat this high protein Spanish Chickpea soup on Christmas. Maybe it's the rich, red color.
Carrot : Moroccan Spiced Carrot adds a little kick to this otherwise mild carrot soup. Perfect to spice up any meal.
Mushroom: This Hot and Sour Chinese Mushroom Soup is my version of a hot and sour soup in restaurants. It's full of fresh mushrooms making it a mushroom lover's favorite.
Simple tasty broth type soup: : This is one of my soothing recipes Carrot Ginger Soup . It's really fast. Have some if you are under the weather - it acts like some vegan chicken soup - don't forget the gluten free matzo balls
Matzo Balls - Paula's recipe: I included How To Make Matzo Balls ( Gluten Free) because they taste excellent in the clear carrot ginger soup instead of noodles. This recipe is easy and has a step by step pictorial tutor. Eat in the broth from carrot ginger soup.
Spinach Vegetable: This is my friend Paula's soup. I've had this Wilted Spinach Vegetable Soup at her house on family gathering for various holidays. We love it.
Lentil; Tangy Tomato Lentil is a wonderful lentil soup with a tomato base. Cooks up quickly and it rich in protein too.
Spinach and Garlic: This beautiful green soup is easy to make and a must for spinach and garlic lovers. Fresh Spinach and Garlic Soup ( 1 PP on WW). Low in calories
Vegan Holiday Sides:
Squash and Yam Recipes
Cider Glazed Butternut Squash ( 1 PP on WW) is one of my favorites. The spiced cider cooks down making a sweet sauce for the squash. Mixed with added cinnamon for a real treat.
Roasted Winter Squash for Thanksgiving is a medley of buttenut and acorn mixed with other roasted vegetables. Colorful and tasty. This is really pretty with roasted beets and cranberries.
Apple Yam and Dried Apricot Casserole is yet another version of a yam casserole
Paleo Roasted Onion and Butternut Squash Bake . The onions caramelize and just a little cinnamon make this winter squash dish sensational.
Sweet Potato Tzimis ( sweet potato, dried fruits, nuts, etc) This is an old Jewish favorite that is a perfect side for Thansgivuakah this year ( Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving and calls for a shared menu this year only)
Apple and Berry Stuffed Acorn Squash is amazing and you can use a bag of frozen berries. I use the cherry berry combination from Trader Joe's which gives this a sweet wonderful taste without any sugar. The recipe calls for peaches , but substitute apples that are in season.
Stuffing Recipes:
II'm not a stuffing eater, but the holiday calls for stuffing. Hopefully these healthier versions won't make you too stuffed
Rice and bread: Wild Rice Stuffing ( Gluten Free) This is a version that adds wild rice into the gluten free croutons.
Quinoa only : quinoa Stuffing This recipe uses red and white quinoa, butternut squash and cranberries. ( no bread) makes a delicious, healthy, and gluten free stuffing. or side dish at any meal
Corn bread: Corn Bread Stuffing This is a gluten free version, but use any cornbread for the recipe if you are not gluten free
Quinoa : Quinoa Chinese Style- This is a great side dish substitute for stuffing
Vegetable Sides:
Mushroom: Lemon Roasted Mushrooms with garlic and herbs 5 minute prep ( 12-14 minute cook time) Everyone will love them.
Beet Lovers: If you are a beet lover, this easy recipe for Fresh cooked beets and orange slices is a must at any holiday meal. The rich red color offset by the contrasting orange is just vibrant! A healthy dish for any occasion.
Sweet Potato: It doesn't get much easier , this Sweet Potato Smash is crispy and delicious. Each sweet potato is an individual serving of delight.
Sweet Potato: Sweet Potato Fries ( baked) Kids of all ages will opt for this old favorite. These are made with either a cajun seasoning or a mild cinnamon sprinkle.
White Potato: If you are a white potato lover and must indulge a little , these crispy potatoes add just the right touch to a holidauy meal. White Potato Smash with fresh Rosemary
Cauliflower : Riced Cauliflower Pilaf is a low calorie alternative to grain. Easy and delicious, this recipe is must for anyone limiting carbs and calories. Tastes like a grain..
Brussel Sprouts: Roasted vegetables are sensational. Even if you think you don't like Brussel Sprouts, you will love Wendys. Wendy's Crunchy Vegetable Balls ( which is a disguised name for Roasted Brussels Sprouts )
Carrot : Moroccan Carrot Recipe is an authentic carrot dish that is found on the menu in many Moroccan restaurants. It's tangy lemon flavor makes a delicious side.
Roasted Vegetable combinations:
Latkes:
Best Ever : Get ready to taste My Best Ever Hanukkah Potato Latkes are baked not fried for the holidays. This version is based on a Swedish recipe that is baked. The latkes come out sensational ..
Weight Watchers: If you want something different that won't pack on the pounds, try my Weight Watchers style latkes made with broccoli slaw instead of potatoes. It's interesting, tasty, and perfect for Hanukkah.
Old Fashioned Applesauce: What would latkes be without some good old fashined homemade applesauce? Quick homemade applesauce
Entree
Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili
Salads :
Arugula and Cashew Salad- Make this for Christmas. The rich green arugala and sprinkling of fresh cranberries makes this a colorful favorite.
Red and Orange Holiday Coleslaw is a must for cole slaw lovers. The colors and sweet flavors win everyone over.
These bright pink Pickled Red Onions make a beautiful topping on any salad. The onions turn a beautiful hue of pink..
Desserts
Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie ( vegan) - absolutely delicious - but uses cashew nuts for the creaminess which adds a little more calories.
Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies- These are healthy enough to eat as a breakfast. no sugar. My grandkids LOVE them. Makes a great dessert..
Add some dried cranberries t add some red to make into a Christmas cookie.
Pumpkin Cakes: Flourless These little mini individual cakes are really delicious. Made with crunchy almond butter.. don't eat too many -- they are healthy but a little more caloric
Baked apples and cranberries- This was my mother's recipe that she made for dessert every Thanksgiving. Certainly a healthy and tasty dish... top with some Vanilla Greek Yogurt for an added treat..
Raw Cranberry Walnut Tart- This tart was featured on Veg news magazine. It requires no cooking and looks absolutely delicious.
All of the recipes are gluten free, most are vegan, and a few are vegetarian.
This Thursday, November 28, 2013 officially kicks off the holiday eating season. Thanksgiving launches 5 weeks of indulging in holiday goodies, overeating too much sugar, too much salt, too many calories and too much fat. Statistics tell us that most Americans will gain anywhere between 3 to 10 pounds during this period.
If you read my previous article, " It's not Your Fault" based on a study published in ....
you may remember that processed foods set up an addictive cycle. So when you eat sugar, you most likely will crave more sugar and when you eat salt and poor quality fats, the same will happen. No wonder once we start with the cookies, cakes, rich foods, etc. we want more and more. Not a good scenario.
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