Thanksgiving can be wonderful but not for your health and waistline. In this blog post, local wellness expert and chef Tsipi Kaplan shares a game plan for tackling the holiday without a diet fumble.
Elevate the health game without sacrificing taste! Check out these chic tips for a holiday feast that’s both delicious and nutritious:
Savvy Turkey Selection: Choose a plain turkey steering clear of high-sodium, self-basting options. Keep it juicy by roasting un-stuffed, with the skin on until it hits a toasty 170 degrees in the breast.
Gravy Genius Moves: Grab a gravy cup or cool those pan juices to skim off fat before whipping up your gravy masterpiece.
Candied Yams Glow-Up: Say no to margarine and marshmallows! Sweeten the deal with a splash of fruit juice (apple, anyone?) and spice things up with cinnamon.
Green Bean Glamour: Give the classic casserole a makeover—fresh green beans and potato chunks instead of the usual creamy soup. Top it off with almonds, not fried onion rings. (check recipe below)
Mashed Potato Makeover: Slash the calories with chicken stock, roasted garlic, and a sprinkle of parmesan instead of the usual buttery suspects.
Bread Portion Party: Serve up smaller slices or ditch it altogether. Make way for the main attractions!
Balanced Plate Fiesta: Picture your plate in thirds—white meat turkey (sans skin) in the first, a veggie and salad fiesta in the second, and the last third reserved for carb delights (sweet potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce). It’s a balanced and tasty holiday feast!
Garlic Herb Potatoes with Green Beans – Mess-Free One Sheet Pan Recipe:
(serves 6-8)
Ingredients:
1 pound red potatoes, quartered
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary or thyme, (or both), minced
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper for a mess-free cooking experience.
Spread the quartered red potatoes on the prepared baking sheet.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, minced rosemary or thyme, and chopped parsley. Stir until well mixed.
Pour half of the oil mixture over the potatoes, stirring to fully coat them. Season with salt and pepper.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
Add the trimmed green beans to the baking sheet. Pour the remaining oil mixture over both the potatoes and green beans. Stir to fully coat, and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, and revel in the simplicity of this mess-free, one-sheet pan dish!
Meet Tsipi Kaplan: Your seasoned Chef, Health Coach, and the creative force behind simplifying nutrition. With years of successful catering business ownership and expertise as a chef instructor specializing in easy, nutritious meals, I bring a wealth of experience to guide your positive transformation. My mission is to empower you to tap into your creativity and efficiency, while simplifying your journey to weight loss and overall well-being.
Free discovery session where you learn how to elevate your favorite recipes
[email protected]
tsipikaplanwellness.com
917-502-0932
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