Healthy Meals for Thanksgiving!

For many people, the holidays are an excuse to abandon diets and look the other way when the kids grab an extra cookie.  However, a hearty and home-cooked feast doesn't have to mean completely abandoning your healthy eating habits you've worked so hard to establish with your family all year! Below are several suggestions for sides to swap in and enticing entrees that are office-tested and approved!

Think about a turkey alternative:  Dr. Rubin's favorite is Field Roast's Hazelnut Cranberry Roast En Croute.  It's "to die for" and can be found at your local Whole Foods market.

Try mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes! - If you need a starchy side but are looking to avoid the carbs, mashed cauliflower is the way to go.  The consistency is similar enough where you might not even notice the difference once you add Earth Balance (instead of butter) and garlic.

Skip the canned cranberry sauce! - Get the antioxidants without the preservatives by making cranberry sauce with actual cranberries.  You'll get all the flavor, plus the added benefit of fiber and less sugar than with the gelatinous in-a-can version.

I know Grandma's Green Bean Casserole is your favorite, but... Consider sauteing your vegetables in coconut or some other type of oil to cut down on the cream often found in most vegetable casseroles.  Add as many spices as you want to up the flavor and cut the guilt!

Round out the meal with a spinach salad with nuts, sunflower seeds, craisins, and sliced apples with a simple vinaigrette dressing.

For dessert, try a cashew-based pumpkin pie: With only five ingredients, this pie is dairy-free and packed with pumpkin flavor. Find the recipe at http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/09/5-ingredient-vegan-pumpkin-pie.html

We hope this sample menu give you a great starting point! Send us your healthy Thanksgiving suggestions at rubinchiropractic@gmail.com!

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