The holiday season is here and this is the time of year reserved for stretchy pants, drinking wine and stuffing our faces with food. I don’t even look at my jeans this time of year: if it’s not going to expand with my waist or have a drawstring then you can forget about it, because it’s seriously all about the food.
Now I know what you are thinking, “Gasp! But aren’t you a nutritionist?”
I sure am folks. I am also a Libra on the cusp of Virgo or something, depending to whom I talk to. The point is, the 80/20 rule is in full effect for me this time of year. This rule implies that if you are eating a healthy, whole foods balanced diet most of the time, then 20 per cent of the time, go ahead, throw on the sweatpants and strap on the feedbag.
Basically, December is my 20 for the whole year. Now this doesn’t mean I throw my whole foods rulebook out the window, it just means it’s smothered in more gravy than I would usually have, with an extra side of gravy if I’m really feeling like getting crazy.
Lots of social and family gatherings this holiday season means lots of food, and tons of sugary treats. This lifestyle is usually followed by a New Year’s resolution of eating healthier and exercising more, just like last year, and the one before that.
You can balance out this process by offering some side dishes that are bit more health conscious without sacrificing flavour and help your transition to your inevitable healthy New Year’s resolution smoother.
Bring common side dishes to the forefront for a healthier or even veggie alternative, or find creative ways to boost up some common side dishes and impress your dinner guests' taste buds and feed their health.
Roasted Brussels sprouts
This can be a big hit, all you have to do is roast them in the oven with some balsamic vinegar, sea salt and pepper. I personally like to add grapes and walnuts and have recently tried some with parmesan cheese. It’s seriously a cornucopia of flavour hitting your taste buds. And of course, because you are going to anyways, add bacon.
Cornbread stuffing
Instead of the traditional sourdough or crusty bread, bring the south into your home by using crumbled cornbread. Add your favorite spices for added flavours and make your stuffing like a boss.
Sweet potato casserole
Ditch the traditional addition of marshmallows and milk for coconut milk and add vanilla bean for a twist. No one will be able to resist, and your vegan friends will praise you.
Broccoli
Pump up your side of broccoli by roasting them with olive oil, cashews, apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper, and, if you feel like getting crazy, add a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
Roasted veggies
So simple but you can really wow your family and friends by packing in some nutrient-packed veggies in the mix. Just choose your favourite veggies, dress them up with your favourite herbs and spices, drizzle with olive oil, maybe add some nuts and seeds to the mix and voila! Instant gratification!
RECIPE:
Yam and Turnip Mash
Ingredients
2 lbs of yams
2-3 medium Turnips
3 cloves of crushed garlic
Fresh thyme (as much or a little as you would like)
½ tsp dried sage
2 tbsp of butter (don’t panic, this is a healthy fat!)
Himalayan salt and cracked pepper to taste
Directions
• Peel yam and turnip and boil until soft (you can stick a fork through it with not much force).
• Mash together with spices, herbs, garlic and butter.
• Stir in salt and pepper and serve.
