Healthy Side Dishes for Thanksgiving & Helpful Tips

November 13, 2017   4 Comments

Healthy side dishes for Thanksgiving are completely doable and you can make things easier on yourself.

First, check if you local Chinese take-out place will be open so if you need a backup – you are ready. My spot is closed so my stress level is high.

I wrote in my newsletter on Saturday about how I plan to make a blueprint for my Thanksgiving day cooking (please [[/subscribe|SUBSCRIBE}} to get my newsletter).

I sat down and wrote the times of day that things would get done and who would cook them. My plan is comprehensive and I am pretty sure my family is going to revolt as I attempt to micromanage the situation – but I feel ready.

People have sent me some of their tips:

• Don’t forget to run the dishwasher and unload it so you have enough clean dishes for everyone.
• Buy Simply Mashed Potatoes (because they are the same as making them yourself).
• Skip the turkey and serve lobster (no gravy or stuffing needed).
• Send your husband out with your relatives and put on your favorite 80s tunes while you cook up a storm.
• Use paper plates and plastic forks and cups.
• Start the day before and make the dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, etc. and then only make the turkey on turkey day!
• Cook the turkey overnight (I am going to have to look that one up).

Sometimes my family has gone out for Thanksgiving and that can be expensive but also very relaxing. Nothing like having someone else pick up your plate, put it in the dishwasher, and you not having to scrub the pots and pans.

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to eat a lot of vegetables. You don’t have to put marshmallows on all of them, right? You can buy beautiful rainbow carrots, fennel, and Brusssels sprouts and enjoy them for how they taste without a lot of extra flavors or sugar added.

Walk into your favorite supermarket or farmer’s market and envision all the great dishes you can make.

I included some easy desserts for those of you who are trying to avoid pecan pie. You know who you are.

Please add any of your favorite recipes or ideas to the comment section. Let’s share!

Roasted Winter Vegetables Recipe

Get the recipe here: Roasted Winter Vegetables Recipe

Simple Glazed Carrots

Get the recipe here: Simple Glazed Carrots

Vegan Creamed Spinach Recipe

Get the recipe here: Vegan Creamed Spinach Recipe

Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad

Get the recipe here: Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad

Easy Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup Recipe

Get the recipe here: Easy Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup Recipe

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

Get the recipe here: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

Make Your Own Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Get the recipe here: Make Your Own Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Orange and Fennel Salad

Get the recipe here: Orange and Fennel Salad

Roasted Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk

Get the recipe here: How to Roasted Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk

A Delicious Meatless Stuffing

Get the recipe here: A Delicious Meatless Stuffing

Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe

Get the recipe here: Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe

Hasselback Potatoes

Get the recipe here: Healthy Potato Recipe

Easy Desserts

Simple Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Get the recipe here: Simple Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Pumpkin Dip for Apples

Get the recipe here: Pumpkin Dip for Apples

Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding

Get the recipe here: Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake Recipe

Get the recipe here: Pumpkin Angel Food Cake Recipe