HAVE YOUR HEALTHIEST THANKSGIVING YET AT BRAMBLETON!
We can’t believe the years biggest meal is right around the corner. It feels like just yesterday that we were getting together with people we love and eating ourselves into a coma for several days! This year, we’re still planning on the food coma, but this time from delicious, healthy-for-you alternatives to canned cranberry sauce and frozen stuffing. We’re determined to have our best, healthiest Turkey Day yet, and thanks to the #MyBramHealth initiative, we’ve set ourselves up to do just that — and then some! Here are some ways you can have a happy, memorable and healthy time with your family this year.
Here’s some great news for meat eaters: Turkey is good for you! The Thanksgiving staple is an excellent source of protein, zinc, iron and potassium that can keep insulin levels stable and even lower cholesterol.
While you don’t necessarily have to say goodbye to Thanksgiving’s honorary mascot, make this the year you introduce some new side dishes to the table. There are plenty of ways to up your health game with hearty sides that are full of delicious veggies. Some of our all-time favorites are listed below.
Roasted Balsamic Onions: Caramelized balsamic vinegar. Roasted pearl onions. Is your mouth watering yet? This recipe, discovered on Tammy Circeo’s food blog, is guaranteed to have your house smelling amazing in no time, and it tastes incredible when paired with some potatoes or another root vegetable.
Rosemary Garlic Mashed Cauliflower: Could 2016 be the year that mashed potatoes sit this one out? Becky Hardin at The Cookie Rookie seems to think so, with this creamy, cheesy, magical take on mashed cauliflower, topped off with a sprig of rosemary. If you can’t bear to part with your mashed potatoes, maybe they can find a way to coexist on your table.
Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf: We love finding new ways to bring cranberries to Thanksgiving dinner — without dumping a can of sauce onto a plate. This nutritious and super-tasty side from Carlsbad Cravings has a tendency to disappear quickly. It also looks beautiful, bringing a burst of fall color to your meal.
Healthy eating at Thanksgiving definitely doesn’t require bidding farewell to classic pumpkin pie. That would be too much of a heartbreaker! But if you’re concerned about your portion control this year, take a gander at this clever take on sweet, bite-sized pumpkin pie cupcakes, courtesy of Points Recipes. Looking to add something healthy and easy to the dessert table — from scratch? Take a look at the recipes below.
Pecan Pie Tart: These delectable tarts from Sprouted Routes swap out pecan pie’s standard cane sugar and corn syrup for almond meal shortbread and a to-die-for caramel sauce made from dates, almond butter, vanilla and coconut oil. All you need is access to a food processor, and the restraint to keep from eating everything before your guests arrive.
Baked Pears with Walnuts and Honey: Tired of pie but still have a serious sweet tooth? Satisfy your craving with this healthy, simple and beautiful recipe from Skinny Taste. All you’ll need are some pears, cinnamon, walnuts and honey. Your house will smell wonderful, and with a dollop of yogurt, these can double as an incredible breakfast.
It’s the reason for the season, after all! Whether you do it before or after sitting down to dinner, taking stock of everything you’re thankful for (whether by writing something down or saying it out loud) is a powerful way to put things in perspective. It’s also super easy to do! Take a look at a couple of these ways to show your appreciation for what matters in your life.
Gratitude Notes: These don’t have to be flowery, or even very long. Just take the time every day to write down three things you are grateful for. At Brambleton, that can be a morning jog next to a beautiful sunrise, a fun event where you can catch up with your friends and neighbors, or simply being part of a community that cares about each other. It’s amazing how good you’ll feel!
Give a Little More Than Thanks: If you find yourself overwhelmed by Thanksgiving leftovers, consider wrapping them up and giving a meal to a family in need. Giving back doesn’t only mean giving food — you can also just reach out to someone who needs support, say hello and let them know you’re thinking about them. Sometimes just a simple action can make a big difference.
From all of us at Brambleton, we wish you a warm, safe, happy Thanksgiving! Once the food coma has worn off, join us on Small Business Saturday at the Brambleton Town Center to celebrate our local merchants! We can’t wait to see you there!
