Three Modern, Healthy Alternatives to Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes To Offer Your Guests
Thanksgiving is the day when many who celebrate often over-indulge in eating. Many of those delicious side dishes, however, also tend to be the calorie culprits. This year for Thanksgiving, try creating some new, healthy alternatives to the traditional starchy, fattening or sweet side dishes. These three healthy side dishes will not only ease your mind about nutritional value, but they also taste good and will blend right in with your Thanksgiving fare.
Glazed Cooked Carrots
Although glazed carrots – usually baby carrots – occupy a place among traditional Thanksgiving side dishes, here is a new twist on the old standard. These glazed carrots have no brown sugar in the recipe!
Simply cook your carrots as you would normally. The secret is in the sauce. Simply add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup to your cooked carrots. Next, sprinkle in a dash of cayenne pepper for a little added heat. Want to really mix it up? Don’t use baby carrots, but use full-sized organic carrots (washed first), with the greens attached. Then, drizzle your maple syrup and sprinkle your cayenne pepper!
Potato-less Mashed Broccoli
At most Thanksgiving dinner tables, nearly everyone looks for the mashed potatoes, whether they’re mashed from white or sweet potatoes. This year provide your family and guests with something mashed that’s not potatoes: Mashed broccoli!
Boil fresh, cut broccoli – stems and tops – until they’re soft enough to mash. Drain the water, and while mashing, add just enough coconut milk for a smooth consistency. Season with a pinch of salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Although some of your guests may ask, “Why are the mashed potatoes green?” Your answer can be, “Because they’re healthy – and they’re not potatoes.”
Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic
This side dish not only tastes good and is good for you, but it will make your house smell great, too.
Bake your washed and cut cauliflower pieces incoconut oil and minced garlic on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes at 300 degrees, turning once. Bake until the cauliflower is soft, breaks easilyand has a lightly toasted look to it. While still hot, turn the cauliflower into a serving bowl, and lightly season with parsley, salt and pepper, and freshly ground Parmesan cheese. The scent-blend of the garlic, cauliflower and Parmesan cheese will have your Thanksgiving guests asking, “What are you making that smells so delicious?”
Good nutrition is just one aspect of healthy living that Live Well Chiropractic Center focuses on. We also promote exercise and spinal health to help treat and prevent pain and injury. With chiropractic care from our clinic, you can expect to feel better. Call us today at 513-285-7482 or email info@livewellcc.com to schedule a free, no-obligation consultationto learn more about the health benefits of our brand of chiropractic care.