Healthy-Tasty Holiday Dishes

I know we haven't even entered November but I wanted to give you all some ideas on meal adjustments for the Holidays, especially for those of you who are trying to figure out what to make that is both healthy and tastes delicious!

Cauliflower Mash

If you've had a bland version of this before, it might not seem appealing to give it another try. However, if you don't have a sensitivity to dairy, this will have your family scooping for seconds and saying no to the higher in carb potato:

• 2lb cauliflower rice

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 c sour cream

• 1 1/2 c sharp cheddar, shredded

• 1 1/2 c Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 6 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped

• 1/4 c chopped fresh chives, reserve 1 tablespoon for the top

• salt and pepper to taste

• Steam cauliflower rice in microwave, drain well

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 9x13 baking dish

• In a large bowl combine sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey jack, garlic powder and onion powder. Mix until creamy and smooth, stir in cauliflower and mash together. Add in 1/2 of bacon and chives. Season with salt and pepper.

• Spoon into casserole dish and top with remaining bacon. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

• Top with remaining chives and serve!

Green Bean Casserole

For the last few years I have hosted a Friendsgiving Party and last year Chris and I hosted our very first Thanksgiving with family. Every year I get raving compliments on this dish and so now I'll share with you, how to make your kids beg for more of the "green stuff"!

• 1 lb green beans, washed, sifted through and ends snapped

• Cream of mushroom soup, homemade

-4 c chicken stock

-1 lb sliced mushrooms

-1/2 c shiitake mushrooms, sliced

-1/2 c butter

-1/3 c heavy cream

- 1 small onion

-2 garlic cloves

-1 tsp dried thyme

-salt and pepper to taste

• 1- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

• 1 heaping cup of sharp cheddar, shredded

• French fried onions, homemade

-1 large yellow onion

-1/2 cup avocado oil

-2 large eggs beaten

-2.5 oz pork rinds, crushed

-1/2 c almond flour

-1 tsp salt

-1/4 tsp pepper

-1/2 tsp ground mustard

-1/4 tsp garlic powder

-1/4 tsp onion powder

• Bring large pot with water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil, over medium high heat. Add beans and cook for 6 minutes. Remove and add to a bowl filled with ice water. Cool for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside

• Mix together mayo, cheese, cream of mushroom and 1/2 of onions. Stir in green beans. Top with a layer of cheese

• Bake 20 minutes

• Add remaining onions to the top and bake until golden

Cheesy Biscuits

Last year, this recipe had my father-in-law reaching for more of these guilt free cheesy biscuits:

• 1 1/4 c shredded mozzarella

• 2 oz cream cheese

• 3/4 c almond flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/4 tsp onion powder

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

• 1 egg

• salt to taste

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees

• Combine the mozzarella and cream cheese. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the cheeses in 30 second increments.

• Once melted, add the rest of the ingredients and stir until a dough ball forms. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

• Form into smaller balls and place on a prepared baking sheet

• Bake for 10-12 minutes, and serve!

Protein

Turkey is our family's main go-to protein of choice. It feeds so many people and leaves plenty of leftovers! Here's my go-to recipe for flavorful and juicy, oven roasted turkey:

• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika

• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 Tbsp salt

• 1 1/2 tsp pepper

• 1 14 pound turkey (giblets removed) wash and dry

• Olive oil for drizzling

• Mix all of the spices and rub all over inside and outside of turkey, let sit in fridge over night

• Move oven rack to the lowest position and preheat oven to 325 degrees

• Take turkey out of fridge and let it get to room temperature (about to 2 hours)

• Drizzle olive oil on turkey, and sprinkle salt and pepper.

• Roast for 3 hours (rotating every 30 minutes) Turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh is 165 degrees.

• Rest for 30 minutes. Carve and serve.

Cranberry Sauce

Upon my research, the cranberry is the fruit with the lowest amount of natural sugar content! So let's make a sweet sauce without any added sugars:

• ¾ cup Monkfruit sweetener

• ½ cup homemade orange juice

• ½ cup water

• 12 oz fresh cranberries rinsed

• pinch of salt

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 piece of orange peel

• Add sweetener, orange juice, and water to a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.

• Add cranberries, salt, cinnamon stick and orange peel.

• Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.

• Continue cooking, for about 10 minutes, or until all or most of the cranberries have popped.

• Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Holiday's are for memories made, laughs around the table, and time spent with those we love. I firmly believe we shouldn't feel guilty when grabbing for seconds and the food we put in our bodies should give us energy, not drain it all away! I hope you find these dishes to be delicious and nutritious, and have a Happy Holiday Season.