Prepare for your Thanksgiving dinner with ease this year, and take a healthy spin on this season’s favorite ingredients. From a new (and ethnic) take on butternut squash to a sweet and satisfying cranberry dessert, certified nutritionist Kimberly Snyder has the best good-for-you recipes (and their beauty benefits) in her new book, Radical Beauty, which she co-authored with Deepak Chopra! You’ll impress all your guests – and please their appetites – with these delicious and healthy holiday treats!
A Healthy Spin on Thanksgiving: 2 Recipes to Try
#1. Indian Spiced Butternut Squash Soup (Serves 2)
Kimberly’s Indian Spiced Butternut Squash Soup is the perfect pick-me-up on a cold, Thanksgiving day. Many different types of squashes are loaded with the antioxidant beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin C and beautifying minerals like iron. Squash is filling, but they’re low in fat and easy to digest – which makes them a fabulous beauty food! The nutrients can greatly help bring sparkle to your eyes, while also helping protect your skin against daily damage.
Ingredients:
2 Teaspoons Coconut Oil
Pinch of red chili flakes
½ cup chopped onions or leeks
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
1 clove fresh garlic, peeled and minced (optional)
5 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (2 to 3 pounds)
1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into cubes
1 ½ teaspoons garam masala
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon white pepper
6 cups vegetable broth
½ cup coconut milk (low-fat is always an option)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Sea salt to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Gluten-free bread or brown rice, for serving (optional)
Directions:
In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, combine the oil, red chili flakes, onions, ginger, garlic (if using), butternut squash, sweet potato, garam masala, cumin, and white pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add the vegetable brother, lower the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the soup cook for about 30 minutes, or until the squash and sweet potato have cooked down. Set aside to cool. When cooled add the coconut milk and lemon juice. Blend the cooled soup to a smooth, creamy consistency with a hand blender, food processor, or blender. Reheat the soup before serving, add sea salt as desired, and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or whole cilantro leaves. Serve with your favorite gluten-free bread or some brown rice, if desired.
#2. Cranberry Goddess Snacks
Cranberries are a holiday staple and Kimberly’s Cranberry Goddess Snacks will not disappoint! Along with getting your fix through these snacks, cranberry juice is great to have during this time of year (since you may inadvertently consume more sodium than usual during the holidays). Cranberry Juice (not sugar-filled Cranberry Cocktail) is a great de-bloating agent that acts as a natural diuretic by flushing excessive fluids out of your body!
Ingredients:
¼ cup pine nuts*
¼ cup sunflower seeds*
¼ cup almonds*
½ cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more as needed
1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of seal salt
½ cup of finely shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
*Ideally soak seeds and nuts overnight and rinse well.
Directions:
Place the pine nuts, sunflower seeds, and almonds in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Add the dried cranberries and pulse again. Add the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, nutmeg, and sea salt. Continue to pulse until the mixture begins to stick together. Taste for sweetness, adding more maple syrup if necessary. Place the shredded coconut flakes to coat. Place them in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving to harden. Store in fridge in airtight container.
