Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Lighter Versions of Your Holiday Favorites

Why not start a new Thanksgiving tradition by making your favorite traditional holiday recipes a little healthier. 

We all would like to be thankful for better health- Right?  Healthier holiday eating is a good way to get started. As Ghandi said, "Be The Change You Want to See" 

The Hidden Dangers of traditional "Holiday Recipes"

Did you know that Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most fattening meals of the year — but few people realize just how much that one feast can affect their health. A traditional holiday plate loaded with buttery mashed potatoes, sugary casseroles, gravy, and pie can easily add up to 3,000 to 4,500 calories in a single sitting. That’s more than many people need in two full days and it may actually be harmful for those with existing health issues.

For anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, a high fat, high sugar, and high salt meal can have noticeable effects. A high-sodium, high-sugar, and high-fat holiday meal can cause dangerous blood sugar spikes, raise blood pressure, and strain the heart within hours. Even one day of binging for those with existing conditions, may trigger holiday health risks that shouldn’t be ignored.

Large portions of refined carbs, added sugars, and saturated fats cause the body to release a surge of insulin, often followed by a post-meal energy crash — that familiar sleepy, “I can’t move” feeling after dinner. For people managing diabetes or heart disease, that sudden overload puts extra stress on the body’s systems and can interfere with blood sugar and blood pressure control.

Eating well during the holidays isn’t about restriction; it’s about balance, mindfulness, and celebrating food that nourishes rather than harms. Healthy food can absolutely be comfort food — it just starts with a few smart choices and simple swaps.

You can do it- and you should do it. It just takes a little planning, consciousness, and determination. 

Here are some healthy ideas: 

Baked Sweet Potatoes drizzled with maple syrup  

Green Bean Salad (recipe link)

Sweet Grated Carrot Salad with Cranberries and Cashews (link)

Sweet and Juicy made with an Orange, Apple and Lime dressing

Leek and Brussels Sprout Soup  (link to recipe)

Roasted Chestnut Mushroom Soup (Recipe Link)

Acorn Squash As a Tureen for soup (link to recipe)

Cranberry Apple Chutney (link)

Cider Glazed Butternut Squash (link to recipe)

Simple roasted vegetable tray

Easy Homemade Whole Cranberry Sauce  (link)

Wishing everyone good health and good planning for Thanksgiving this year. Have you modified any of your traditional recipes to make them healthier? What type of things to you do ? 

A Book Review: A Maximillian Manatee Adventure

A Sweet New Children’s Book, A Maximillian Manatee Adventure,  Brings Manatees to Life for Little Readers

This beautifully illustrated paperback book includes an uplifting story about Maximillian and Minerva--two adorable manatees who meet out in the ocean and help each other feel safe. In addition to the story, there are also pages to color, pages with interesting fun facts, and an overall calm happy vibe that makes it perfect for bedtime reading.

Have you ever seen a manatee? 

I live In South Florida, where we actually get to see manatees floating in the warm Intracoastal waters, and on rare occasions we even see them near beach in the ocean. I can tell you that it is quite a thrill to see one!!! How many kids (or adults) actually get to see them? Have you? This book will introduce kids to these amazing docile creatures worth knowing/learning about.

I can still remember one of the books my mom read to me over and over when I was a young child. It was  about a puffin, an unusual bird, that I never forgot. Manatees are just as memorable, and Maximillian, the main character of the story book, gives young kids the same mix of wonder, warmth, and intriguing information that will stay with them for years to come.

I love the quality of this book. It is well written and the large joyful illustrations throughout are attractive to children and adults alike. Most of all, the book shares an the important environmental message.

Did you know ?  

Manatees grow to a massive 9 or 10 feet tall, can weigh thousands of pounds, while eating an entirely vegan diet. They are kind of cute and live peacefully even among sharks, alligators, and crocodiles. They have no known predators. Their greatest threats are from humans with boating accidents from the propellers, pollution, and damage to their habitats. They prefer warm waters. Florida manatees are considered an endangered species and boaters need to be especially careful not to hit them. 

This photo is not in the book. It is from free downloadable photos

This sign is in our neighborhood. I see the sign and other signs like it on my daily walks near the Intracoastal. 

My friends, Judi Benson-Levinson and Susan Beth Weizman, published this cute children’s book about manatees. After I reviewed it, I wanted to share it with my readers —especially those of you who might have kids or grandkids in the 2–6 age range. 

If interested, you can take a look at the book on Amazon.com: A Maximillian Manatee Adventure!:

Sharing this post on Saturday's Critters with Eileen 

Disclaimer: I was not asked to write a review and do not profit from its sales.  I really like the book after reading it and simply wanted to share it. All the opinions are my own, and I'll be giving it as gifts this holiday season to some special little ones. 

Birds, Birds, Birds....But No Turkey

Have you seen any turkey's lately? In Pennsylvania we have neighborhoods with lots of wild turkeys around. 

Even though I’m a complete amateur when it comes to bird-watching, (and I can barley identify one from the other) I’ve always loved spotting any feathered visitor that crosses my path. 

In Pennsylvania, I faithfully hang bird feeders in my backyard, hoping to attract interesting birds—though, if I’m honest, the squirrels seem to often clean us out before the birds get a chance. 

Florida is a completely different world. Living on the beach during the winter months, I’m used to the regular cast of characters: lots of squabbling gulls, graceful gliding pelicans, and different kinds birds chirping in the sea grape bushes, mostly small birds I’ve never quite managed to identify. 

But the moment I go even a little inland, the birds I see in South Florida quietly transforms. I will begin to see herons standing around like little statues, ibises pecking and marching in little armies, stately wood storks standing majestically, sleek cormorants basking their wings in the sun, and lots of turkey buzzard circling lazily overhead.

Just the other day, I was driving only a couple of miles from the beach, passing an ordinary neighborhood with a man-made lake tucked between the houses. I almost kept going without a second glance—until something caught my eye. Flocks of birds were gathering at the water’s edge, as if the lake were holding some kind of secret meeting

 Egrets or Ibises, storks, herons—all of them clustered together in the morning light. It was such an unexpected, beautiful sight that I pulled over to get some photos, feeling as if I had stumbled onto a little hidden wildlife sanctuary in the middle of suburbia.

Q: As we are approaching Thanksgiving and express our thanks for so many blessings, I wanted to ask if you know what turkeys are thankful for? 

The answer :  Vegetarians.... ha ha 

Sharing on Saturday's Critters With Eileen 

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Easy Cauliflower Rice Recipe – Healthy Food Swap for Weight Watchers & Low-Carb Meals”

The holidays are coming and it's time to start thinking about how to balance out those extra high calorie treats with some lighter healthier "swaps." 

Have you tried cauliflower rice yet?

 It’s one of my go-to healthy low carb/low calorie food swaps instead of rice—and I rely on it for a light, flavorful, and satisfying meal that fits perfectly into my healthy lifestyle. I only like the frozen!!

Recently at my Weight Watchers Workshop, our leader talked about helpful strategies for weight loss and maintenance. Finding swaps for otherwise very fattening foods is a great strategy. You get to indulge without the guilt and weight gain.

Why Food healthier "Swaps" Matter

For me, food swaps have always been a vital part of healthy eating. I love finding creative ways to enjoy the foods I crave—without all the extra fat, sugar, or calories such as this fiesta cauliflower rice recipe below. It's very flavorful with the chopped tomato, fresh lime, and chopped xxxxxxxxxblack olives. 

Tomatoes, lime, and black olives recipe with cauliflower rice  
(link to recipe)

Here are a few of my favorites with links with recipe:

I like to use frozen fruit to make a frozen dessert instead of eating ice cream which I can otherwise never get enough of. It's a huge difference in calories, fat, and my health.

• Fresh fruit sorbets instead of high-fat ice cream

• Air-fried potato wedges, zucchini strips, or carrot fries instead of deep-fried French fries

• Peanut butter powder instead of full-fat peanut butter

  I like to sauté in vegetable broth or water instead of oil.

And of course, cauliflower rice tops my list as a substitute for rice.

Why Cauliflower Rice Is a Smart Choice

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable rich in antioxidants and nutrients that support your body’s natural defenses. It’s also a fantastic low-carb, low-calorie substitute for rice, making it ideal for anyone on a Weight Watchers, low-carb, or gluten-free plan.

The secret to perfect cauliflower rice? Cooking it so it’s light, fluffy, and never mushy. I only use frozen and think it cooks tastier than the fresh raw version.

My Easy Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Here’s my simple method for delicious cauliflower rice every time:

1. Open a bag of frozen cauliflower rice and pour it into a wide, high-rimmed skillet.(must be wide so the "rice' has room to spread out. )

2. Add ¼ cup of water or vegetable broth.

3. Heat on high for 1 minute.

4. Reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 more minutes. Add another 1/4 cup of liquid if needed to prevent burning. Watch it carefully.

For extra flavor and nutrition, I often add:

• ½ cup chopped red bell peppers

• 1 cup cubed tofu

• Season with turmeric, garlic powder, or fresh minced garlic, salt and cracked pepper or any seasoning of your choice.

If you add bell peppers, cook for about 7 minutes total and include an additional ¼ cup of water or broth halfway through the cooking if needed to prevent burning.

A Fast, One-Pan Meal You’ll Love

The result? A tasty, filling, and healthy side dish or entrée that’s light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor. The best part—it’s a one-pot meal that comes together in minutes!

So next time you’re craving something warm and satisfying, try swapping your regular rice for cauliflower rice. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your meals healthier without sacrificing taste.

Do you have a plan to eat healthier for the holidays?  Any low calorie healthy suggestions for Thanksgiving?

My Notes: 

1. After cooking the cauliflower rice mixture, place in an oven proof bowl and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp up the tofu and rice if desired.  

2. All recipes on this blog are gluten-free and since 2021 all recipes are vegan.

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