Normally, around this time of year you are marking your calendar with holiday parties and dinner celebrations with family, friends, and coworkers. Getting more stressed by the minute at the amount of gifts to buy, potlucks dishes to make, and events to attend.
But as we all know…this year is going to be a little different.
While large-group gatherings are a no-go this year, it still doesn’t mean that the Holidays won’t be stressful.
You may be facing much different stresses this year: working from home, searching for a job, juggling childcare, trying to help your child/children cope with their own stress, missing your family, the loss of a family member, and more.
No matter the pandemic issue(s) you will continue to face through the end of the year, this is your reminder that the best gift you can give yourself during the holidays is time for self-love.
Here are 5 quick tips:
- Make time for yourself
- Take care of yourself during difficult family interactions
- Find reasons to laugh
- Take a few moments for deep breathing, meditation, or music
- Lean on a self-care buddy
With more time at home, you may be tempted to indulge on the holiday treats in the privacy of your kitchen. While yes, this is a time to enjoy and indulge, I encourage you to balance indulgence with being mindful about what you choose to eat and drink – it’s all about moderation and balance during this time. Don’t deprive yourself but also remember to honor yourself and your goals.
So if you do decide to aside a couple nights a week that you dedicate to choosing healthy recipes to cook at home I have hand-picked three recipes for this Holiday season that both your body – and quarantine partners – will love!
Beyond the deliciousness factor of each of these recipes, there are three key ingredients found in one or more that have amazing health benefits:
Sweet Potatoes: they are in season and loaded full of Vitamin C and antioxidants that will help you fight off any seasonal cold trying to creep your way. Also, they are high in dietary fiber, helping your digestion system.
Brussel Sprouts: these green nutrition-packed nuggets are also in season and high in dietary fiber. Additionally, cruciferous vegetables (brussels and broccoli) have a compound that has been linked to the body’s most potent tumor-suppressing genes. In other words – they fight cancer.
Quinoa: it’s a complete source of protein and has the highest protein count in all grains. This means that quinoa offers up all nine essential amino acids your body needs to function properly. Not to mention it is packed with fiber (5g per cup) and calcium (31g).
I hope you (and your pandemic pods) enjoy filling your plate with these 3 healthy (and simple) holiday recipes!
Sweet Potato Crostini with Pomegranate and Goat Cheese
Ingredients
2 Sweet Potato (medium, sliced into even rounds)
1 1/2 tsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/8 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Goat Cheese (crumbled)
1/2 cup Walnuts (toasted and chopped)
1/4 cup Pomegranate Seeds
1 1/2 tsps Thyme (fresh, removed from the stem)
1 tbsp Raw Honey
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (191ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Add the sweet potato slices to a bowl and drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and sea salt over top. Mix well. Place them in a single layer on the sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Flip and roast for 5 to 10 minutes more.
3. Remove the sweet potato slices from the oven and top with goat cheese, walnuts, pomegranate, thyme and drizzle with honey. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Serving Size
There are approximately two sweet potato crostini per serving.
Dairy Free
Use a cashew cheese instead of goat cheese. Use toasted pumpkin seeds instead of walnuts.
No Pomegranate Seeds
Use dried cranberries instead.
No Thyme
Use rosemary, or another herb of your choice instead.
Prep Ahead
Bake the sweet potatoes ahead of time and then reheat before topping and serving them.
Nutrition
Amount per serving
Maple Mustard Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
2 cups Brussels Sprouts (trimmed and halved)
1/2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Maple Syrup
1/4 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
2 tbsps Pumpkin Seeds
1/4 Microgreens (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, sea salt and pepper. Spread across the baking sheet and bake for 22 to 24 minutes.
2. While the Brussels sprouts roast, mix dijon mustard with the maple syrup in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Remove the Brussels sprouts from the oven and toss with the dijon maple dressing. Transfer to a serving dish and top with feta, pumpkin seeds and microgreens (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
No Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Use avocado oil instead.
Leftovers
Store in the fridge in a sealed container for 2 to 3 days.
Dairy-Free
Omit the feta or use a plant-based cheese instead.
No Pumpkin Seeds
Omit, or use another type of nut or seed such as walnuts, almonds, or sesame seeds.
No Dijon Mustard
Use a grainy mustard instead.
Nutrition
Amount per serving
Roasted Cranberry & Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
4 Sweet Potato (medium, peeled and cubed)
3 tbsps Avocado Oil (divided)
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
2 cups Frozen Cranberries (or fresh)
1 cup Quinoa (dry, uncooked)
2 cups Water
1 1/2 tbsps Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tsps Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400ºF (204ºC).
2. In a glass or foil-lined baking dish, toss sweet potato with 1/3 of the avocado oil, and salt. Roast for 30 minutes, adding the cranberries midway.
3. Combine the quinoa and water in a saucepan over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Let simmer for 13 to 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove lid, turn off the heat and fluff with a fork.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard and maple syrup. Add the roasted sweet potato, cranberries, quinoa and pumpkin seeds. Gently toss until well combined. Enjoy!
Notes
No Sweet Potato
Use carrots or butternut squash instead.
Leftovers
Refrigerate in an airtight container up to five days.
No Quinoa
Use rice or cauliflower rice instead.
More Greens
Add spinach or arugula.
Nutrition
Amount per serving
Looking for more support this Holiday season around your health and wellness goals? Let’s jump on a free 1 hour Discovery Session. Book your free session today here.
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