Thanksgiving Dinner: Healthier Subs that Taste Amazing!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, ask anyone.  

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I love the fact that family and friends gather to share a meal, enjoy each other’s company, and be grateful for the blessings in their lives.  This year will definitely look different – thank you 2020 – but we can still gather in smaller numbers around a meal and be thankful for our blessings.  I am thankful for the amazing abundance of healthier recipes out there so that I can enjoy an indulgent holiday meal with all the flavors I look forward to all year, without worrying about harmful ingredients.  Sure, it’s going to be a calorie-palooza, but with these recipes, you won’t have to worry about the side effects of eating things you shouldn’t.  Now – on to the recipes!

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Ahhhh, sweet potato casserole.  When I was a kid it was always covered in marshmallows and might as well have been dessert.  This side dish usually took up half my plate and I was on a sugar high well past bedtime. This recipe from PaleOMG.com has everything you love about sweet potato casserole.  A crunchy topping with a smooth mashed sweet potato filling.  It is sweetened only with maple syrup and don’t worry about the coconut milk, you won’t taste it at all.  You can find the recipe here.

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If you are wanting something a little more savory, this recipe will hit the spot!  This recipe from FeastingatHome.com takes out the traditional flavors of cinnamon and maple and instead uses ginger, garlic, and shallots.  It is absolutely delicious!  You could as she suggests add maple pecans (recipe on her site and super easy) and maple syrup for a more traditional take but without the sugar overload.  You can find this recipe here.

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If you are not a fan of sweet potatoes, maybe butternut squash is more your thing.  Juli at PaleOMG.com has done it again.  I have made this several times and oh my goodness is it tasty.  I mean hello, bacon!  It is sweet, salty, and savory all at once.  It is basically a party in your mouth.  Check it out here.

Here is another butternut squash recipe, this time from AgainstAllGrain.com. Danielle is one of my favorite recipe creators because she manages to create these delicious dishes usually without allergenic ingredients.  This dish has the traditional cinnamon and maple flavors but adds in the savory touch of sage.  It’s absolutely delish!  You can find it here.

This recipe for green bean casserole tastes just like the dish with the cans of soup that strangely slide out of the can in one can-shaped blob.  I’m not gonna lie, it takes a little more time than the other recipes in this post, but if you are craving these flavors, this dish will definitely hit the spot!  This beauty comes from PredominatelyPaleo.com and you can find it here.

If fast, easy, and delicious is more your speed, then you are in luck!  This recipe is so simple and the hazelnuts add an unexpected but wonderful flavor.  Allergic to hazelnuts?  Leave them out and you will still love this simple and perfect side dish.  This recipe from FeastingatHome.com can be found here.

What if you want a side that has all the veggies you could possibly want in one dish?  Then this recipe is for you and wow, is it delicious!  It hits all the flavors  – salty, sweet, savory goodness in every spoonful.  If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen my “protein salads” that I eat every day when the weather is warm.  This side dish can also be a protein salad for winter for sure!  Tons of veggies that can be made on meal prep day and hold in the refrigerator.  All you have to do is add the protein of your choice and lunch is served.  Easy Peasy!  You can find this recipe here

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