The clock is ticking, Thanksgiving is just hours away. I’ve had a ton of requests for new recipes for the holidays, especially healthy ones, but what I haven’t had is the time to to test and develop new recipes. But worry not – here’s a roundup of some of my favorite healthy holiday recipes I developed last year for Bowflex.
Hopefully these will hold you over until Christmas, where I’ll be back with some fresh recipes real soon.
Happy Thanksgiving xx
Taking Sides: A Fresh Take on the Green Bean Casserole
Move on over, canned condensed cream of mushroom soup. We’re flipping the green bean script. Calories aside, I’ve never been a fan of the traditional green bean casserole. I think it’s the unnecessary creaminess brought to otherwise delicious vegetables that turns me off because I feel the same way about creamed spinach and creamed corn, too. Then there’s the sameness of the green bean casserole – every single one has the same ingredients: the canned soup, the canned green beans, the crispy fried onions in a...you guessed it...can. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll eat it. But it’s just not my thing.
At this point you're thinking, “how dare someone throw shade at my beloved Thanksgiving companion,” or, “GIRL, ME TOO.” No matter which side you’re on – I set out to create a fresh take on an old classic and I invite you along for the ride.
These green beans use caramelized onions, mushrooms, and bone broth to create the base instead of the canned soup. Toss in a little bit of freshly grated parmesan and top with a parmesan-panko crisp, and you’re good to go. All in one pan.
Garlic-Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
Carbs get a bad wrap. True, a bag of potato chips or a giant bowl of pasta on the regular doesn’t do us any favors. But good carbs in moderation are a necessary ingredient to a healthy diet.
I’ve made the mistake myself – you know, trying to eliminate carbs in efforts to be healthier and lose weight, but soon found myself wondering why I was so tired and lacking energy. Hmm, well a nice car won’t get you anywhere without gas in the tank, right? Our bodies are similar. Good carbs in their natural, unprocessed form like fruit, vegetables, potatoes, nuts, and whole grains give us the necessary fuel to work out longer, sustain energy, and thrive.
Potatoes sometimes fall casualty to the “carbs = bad” facade. But it’s not the potatoes themselves that are bad. It’s what we do with them. Think: french fries, (over)loaded baked potato, a giant bag of salty, addictive potato chips, sweet potatoes swimming in a sea of gooey marshmallow and brown sugar, etc. You get the picture.
But when used for good, potatoes are a nutrient and antioxidant-rich carbohydrate, loaded with potassium (more than a banana!), B6, fiber, and Vitamin C, and more. Potassium is crucial for exercise recovery, replacing the potassium our body sweats out while working out.
Fuel up with this garlic-rosemary smasher recipe, using only five ingredients: baby potatoes, garlic, rosemary, olive oil, and salt.
Holiday Saver: Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken Legs
December is almost here and the holiday rush is on. Late nights at the mall shopping for gifts, planning for family gatherings, making lists and checking them twice – it can all feel so draining during a time that’s meant to be uplifting. And, well, the bank accounts are a bit drained, too.
It’s tempting to move our wellness goals to the back burner, putting our sleigh in cruise control and doing whatever feels easiest to ride out this busy time of year. But do yourself a favor and skip the food courts and drive-thrus, you’ve been working hard all year and this month should be no exception.
Let’s all take a take a breath and remember: we’ve got this. Stay on track with money and time-saving meals. Bust out the slow-cooker and make a batch of hearty chili or pulled chicken to last you the week. Browse the meat aisle for manager’s specials or try out lower-cost proteins like chicken thighs, chicken legs, and ground turkey. These can be bought for next to nothing and prepared ahead of time for on-the-go meals during the week.
This lemon-thyme chicken leg recipe cost me less than five dollars to make. Yes, you read that right, LESS THAN FIVE DOLLARS. And you can make it all in one cast iron skillet, in just 45 minutes.
Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips with Maple-Vanilla Yogurt
There’s a crisp in the air. The evenings are getting cooler and I’m digging out my cozy fall sweaters. Having spent the last sixteen years living in Vermont, this time of the year is one of my absolute favorites. The leaves. The layers. The flavors. It’s magic.
Apple picking is a must, and if you’re like me, the bounty is fruitful and apple pies are calling your name. Apple everything, really – apple pie, apple crisp, applesauce, an apple for breakfast, an apple with lunch, all of it.
If you’re looking for a new way to put those apples to good use, give these baked cinnamon apple chips a try. Their crunch is oh-so-satisfying, and they make for a healthy snack that sure beats a plain ol’ apple in the lunch box. And the best part? They couldn’t be easier to make.
Serve with the maple yogurt dip for a sweet little treat.
Tip: Baked apple chips are delicious and addictive and will get eaten fast. Trust me. Feel free to double or triple the apple chip recipe.
Stay Sweet: Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes
We all love visitors, and the holidays bring many. We've got the big ones under control - Thanksgiving, Hannakuh, Christmas, and New Years - but its the days in between that can feel like a revolving door of surprises with last-minute visits from friends and family. It's fun, it's festive, and, well, it's go-time, my friends.
Remember though, the holidays should be more feel-good than bah-humbug, more Santa than Scrooge. So save yourself unnecessary stress by creating an arsenal of easy go-to's for when you have unexpected guests, allowing you to enjoy the company, rather than dread it. This can be a collection of simple-but-delicious recipes and appetizers that wow your loved ones while using ingredients with a slightly longer shelf life - think potatoes, onions, and frozen meats for main dishes, and small bites like sundried tomatoes, olives, smoked sausage, pepperoni, marinated artichokes, carrots, and nuts for snacking.
Signature Spread
I'm a big believer in having a signature spread. By spread, I'm not talking dip or sandwich smear; I'm talking a delicious spread of snacks you can arrange on a platter at any given notice, without skipping a beat. This is for your sanity – not just for the pleasure of guests. Spread-worthy snacks are typically a mix of tastes and textures – savory, crunchy, salty – that guests can enjoy while socializing and tipping back a tasty beverage upon arrival.
My staples include kalamata olives, cheddar cheese, maple-roasted almonds, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, brie, artichokes, smoked sausage or pepperoni, and crunchy vegetables like carrots and broccoli. Most of these can be bought ahead of time and last for a couple of weeks, making them a perfect stash-away during to use in these merry moments.
Effortless Protein
It's always a good idea to keep a couple of proteins in the freezer. If you get a call from a guest announcing their visit, you can defrost the meat and roast with herbs and citrus for a lovely holiday touch without much fuss. Looking for a recipe? Give these lemon-thyme roasted chicken legs a try.
Stress-free Side
Potato dishes work well as a last minute side. They're delicious, yes, but potatoes also really easy to keep on hand because they last a while when stored properly. My favorite potato dishes include garlic-rosemary smashers and one of my all-time favorites, these four-ingredient Thyme-Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
Get the thyme-roasted sweet potatoes recipe here.
Recipes, styling, photography by me. Want to work together and cook up something good, too? Drop me a line at amanda@amandawormann.com