Here is my Thanksgiving Roundup, full of delicious, tried and true recipes sure to be satisfying you and your family! Have a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving!
Simply click on the images below to go to the recipe.
Breads
Sides
Meats
Desserts
Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
Misc.
Looking for more recipes?
Here are just a few Holiday Favorites from the Satisfying Eats Cookbook:
- Cranberry Preserves
- Crock Pot Turnip Greens
- Bacon-Brocoli Salad (also on blog)
- Bacon-Fried Green Beans (also on blog)
- “Mac” & Cheese (also on blog)
- Butternut-Sweet Potato Souffle
- Amazing “Tater” Salad
- Brocoli Casserole
- Pumpkin Delight (also on blog)
- Carrot Cake
- Pumpkin Creme Brulee (also on blog)
- Pumpkin Pie
- Mini-Pumpkin Cheesecakes
- Garlic Cheddar Biscuits (also on blog)
- Check out the Pinterest Board with photos HERE.
Holiday recipes in my cookbook, Comforting Eats:
- “Corn” Bread Dressing (Stuffing)
- Gravy
- Cranberry Sauce
- Deviled Eggs
- Congealed Salad
- The Perfect Mashed “Potatoes”
- Bacon-Baslamic Brussels Sprouts
- Southern Biscuits
- Old Fashioned ‘Nana Pudding (also on blog)
- Check out the Pinterest Board with photos HERE
Be sure to check out my cookbooks to plan your holiday meal. Oh, and don’t forget about all of the desserts! These cookbooks contain dozens of Southern-Inspired desserts such as Peanut Butter Pie, Cream Cheese Pound Cake and Pumpkin Pie Mousse (also found HERE on the blog)! YUM! Who says a Grain-Free Thanksgiving has to be boring?!?! Of course, I have over 160 recipes on the blog, so get to planning your Thanksgiving celebration! (Here is a Pinterest Board I created especially for Holiday Recipes found here on the blog).
Why I choose to eat Grain-Free this Holiday Season
Some may think that it’s not going to hurt them to splurge for the holidays or even one meal. You may think “I’ll get back on track after the holidays.” I do not follow this philosophy and here is why.
Some people have no choice, the slightest amounts of gluten, msg or processed food sends them to a place they don’t want to go. Immediate abdominal pain, joint aches and headaches. There is no debate whether to splurge, the answer is always NO. Others choose this lifestyle for weight loss and to improve their overall health. These people may be tempted to eat just a little piece of yeast roll or just a little bit of grandma’s dressing with the thoughts “It won’t hurt a thing.” So what is the harm in eating a grain-filled meal for the holidays?? A few things could happen:
- You only eat a small amount and you feel fine. This is possible.
- You only eat a small amount but feel horrible the rest of the day (and the next).
- You eat a small amount but then tell yourself that you might as well have a little more since you have decided to “splurge,” and that you will start over tomorrow. It’s possible you will feel fine, and choose to get back on track tomorrow.
- You decide to completely splurge and eat all the grains and sugary foods you can get your hands on…. you not only begin to feel bad physically, but mentally as well. You then decide to splurge again on Friday, you know, to finish the leftovers. This continues until Monday, which is when all new “diets” start any way. (Insert Sarcasm) You weigh yourself on Monday to realize you have gained over 5 lbs and your stomach hurts, your head hurts and symptoms that you have not seen for weeks or months have returned with a vengeance. After this happens, may also think, “I will just wait until after the new year to start over.” So then you feel bad that you can’t stick to anything and your body just feels bloated and you are uncomfortable in your own skin.
Why put yourself though so much mental and physical anguish?? Especially when there are GREAT grain-free and REAL food options. I have eaten relatively healthy over the past 10 years. Then when I would go home to Georgia for the holidays, I would always eat like a glutenous pig, after all, “It’s the holidays.” This resulted in me feeling HORRIBLE! I would get SO tired and I would be lethargic my whole trip. I would be forced to take naps (it wasn’t optional, I could not function) which took precious time away from my family. I always gained at least 5 pounds and I would get so mad! It took me a few years to realize, it’s not worth it, at least not for me.
This will be my 3rd Thanksgiving without grains and extra sugar and based on the recipes I have created over the past 2 years, I don’t think I will be missing anything! I was pregnant last Thanksgiving but my first grain-free Thanksgiving, I actually lost weight! I didn’t even know it was possible but, when you are not eating all the grain and sugar filled foods, that’s what happens.
I am not here to be the Food Police, choose what you want but be prepared for the consequences. I am only speaking from experience, wisdom it has taken me years to learn and just as long to even admit. I will not judge you, it is not my place to, but I do want to offer healthier alternatives that make it much easier to eat grain-free this holiday season. As for me, I will still be eating my family favorites but with a grain-free & sugar-free twist. I look forward to actually enjoying my family after the meal instead of crashing on the couch and not sabotaging any of my health and weight loss goals.
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
