Tradition is a beautiful thing. For Thanksgiving that means that many people make the same dishes year after year. The turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy and all the classics – you know the drill! Tradition brings comfort and familiarity and can keep our generational customs alive. I do personally like to change things up once in a while. So if you want to create different Thanksgiving traditions this year, I’ve got you covered
I have created a Thanksgiving menu inspired by “the new.” You could be needing to change up the menu because you can no longer eat the same meals of the past, and for those of us healing chronic illness we almost need to completely recreate what Thanksgiving traditions look like. I have found that what makes it easier to change up the menu is to find a combination of items that are both similar to what you have in the past and some new items that can add fresh energy to a traditional menu. New recipes might be vital to filling in gaps.
For the chronic illness sufferer, you are establishing new traditions by avoiding nasty oils, eggs, dairy, and gluten. Or maybe you are even going fully plant-based. Trying new flavors and dishes helps create new memories and can be fun for you, friends, and family.
New Thanksgiving Traditions
Below are some alternatives to all the very traditional Thanksgiving options – firstly, they are all plant-based and gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free and mostly oil-free. This means you can have a decadent Thanksgiving feast that won’t leave you feeling like you’re in a food coma or struggling with more chronic illness symptoms.
If you don’t know where to start acquiring the ingredients for your menu you can look to my Amazon storefront where I have my favorite pantry items and spices collected. Everything that is integral to my kitchen is listed there- such as spices, gluten-free flours, healthy oils, pantry staples, and more. This would be a good place to reference what you need. Health food stores that have a bulk food section are also a good place to go for dry foods and spices- you can buy just what you need, which is perfect for when you don’t want to commit to a full-sized seasoning, for example.
I wanted to share with you the menu that we are making this year in case you find it inspiring. Do let me know which of these options you would add to your Thanksgiving table.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip– This is plant based and dairy free
This was always a dish I indulged in in my pre-healing journey days. I mean who could resist a cheesy dip? So I had to recreate a healthy version of this very decadent dip. Even though it is so clean I still only make it about once a year.
This gluten-free and dairy-free version of the Greek favorite will NEVER disappoint! It looks beautiful once it’s cooked and served. And literally everyone loves it!
Chestnut Soup
Warm chestnuts embody the flavor and feeling of fall in a very healthy little package. Chestnuts are fat-free so they can be included as part of a healing menu without sacrificing any of the taste or flavor. This is the perfect dish to open the Thanksgiving meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole
I had this dish at a friend’s house for the first time ever and it was WOW. All these years I have never gone near it because I realized it is SUPER high in fat and butter. This year I attempted a low fat version. And I have to admit it turned out amazing!
Curried Brussels Sprouts
I love brussels sprouts but they are not the most appetizing or crowd favorite at the Thanksgiving table. I created this alternative recipe with a little kick to it and my family now LOVES this dish with very healing foods and devours it.
Cranberry Orange Sauce
I have never loved plain cranberry sauce. I always needed mine to have a deeper flavor and I found that when I added orange juice to the recipe- I found that the flavor pairs perfectly with cranberry.
Mushroom Gravy and Mashed Potatoes
Usually the mashed potatoes are topped with turkey gravy and since we are not making any turkey, it was so fun to re-create a delicious gravy that has the look and feel of traditional gravy. This recipe for gravy can be made totally fat-free if you are avoiding that while healing. The mashed potato recipe is another hot favorite and this classic pairing cannot be missed at a Thanksgiving dinner table.
Butternut Mac and Cheese – Gluten and dairy-free
Always a kids favorite. No matter how old the kids are, this is one they ALWAYS dive into. I am forever finding ways to get more veggies and healing foods into the kids, so hiding butternut squash in this mac and cheese sauce is a game changer. It adds a fun color to the dish and also a sweet flavor that just makes the dish rock out.
Gluten-free Stuffing
We don’t do any gluten in our home and haven’t since the very beginning because I have been allergic to gluten since my 20’s. I had tasted stuffing just once and the flavor stayed with me, so I decided we needed to make a gluten-free version, because frankly why should we miss out if we cannot eat regular bread? This dish is such a crowd pleaser. You don’t have to tell anyone that it is gluten-free. They will be none the wiser because it is packed with flavor.
Date & Walnut Cake
My mother makes an amazing Date and Walnut Cake. I took her recipe and adapted it to be dairy, gluten, egg, and corn-free. This is a classic holiday dessert with all the flavors of the season.
I hope that this has inspired you to aspire to a healing Thanksgiving holiday. I have found, while on my healing journey, that creating and sharing yummy recipes with health in mind, always finds appreciation- even by the most unlikely of people.
Recipe creation is one of my passions. I have been cooking up healthy recipes with the chronic illness community in mind for quite a while now. I hope that my passion for healing and delicious food comes through in your kitchen as you follow these recipes. If you decide to go with one of my food creations this holiday, feel free to tag me in your photos. I am on Instagram and Facebook and would love to see how it goes!
I am wishing you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
To your peace and happiness,
Muneeza
P.S.
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