It’s time for My Recent Healthy Eats… holiday-style! In all areas of life I am always striving for balance — and this remains true when it comes to my health and nutrition. As you’ll see in this edition of My Recent Healthy Eats, I consumed plenty of nutrient-rich foods throughout the holiday season. But I also enjoyed homemade sweets and snacks that I don’t eat on a regular basis and didn’t stress over it — because it’s all about balance. I hope you too were able to find the right balance for your body, mind and soul over the holidays! Here’s a little peek at some of the yumminess I enjoyed this holiday season.
1. Bunner’s vegan & gluten-free cookbook
With all my allergies I eat very few traditional baked goods. I’m allergic to eggs and yeast and sensitive to dairy so vegan recipes serve me well. When I found out Toronto’s own Bunner’s Bake Shop had a cookbook, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Luckily for me, I ordered it from the library and it came just in time for Christmas! The gingerbread cookies I made from it were every bit as good or better than the regular variety. And the chocolate cake I made for New Year’s Eve was rich, decadent and delicious. I mean, sure, health-wise they’re still cookies and cake, but life is all about balance and having some fresh, homemade, vegan & gluten-free treats at Christmas time seems like the happy, healthy choice to me! If you have allergies, are vegan or gluten-free, or are simply curious, I highly recommend this beautiful cookbook filled with delicious recipes.
2. Butternut squash soup
For decades our family’s traditional Christmas lunch was a beautiful frittata. When I discovered I was allergic to eggs my family was incredibly supportive and totally willing to change things up. Since then we’ve whipped up a few delicious soups, and this year was no exception. This roasted butternut squash soup from Cookie and Kate took very little time to make. The shallots and garlic are pretty prominent flavours so if you aren’t crazy about either of them you can go easy on their quantities. No one in my family minded though. You can also do a little less broth than suggested for a thicker soup which is what I opted for.
3. Green smoothies
For me, breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day. If I miss breakfast I’m hangry and reaching for snacks all day long. Around the holidays when there are decadent meals and an abundance of sweet treats to be had in the late afternoon and evening it’s especially important for me to start my day with a satiating and nutrient-rich breakfast. In the past couple of weeks this often came in the form of a smoothie loaded with spinach, Vega powder, almond milk, banana, avocado, natural peanut butter and almond milk. (If this idea interests you check out my sugar-free green smoothie recipe.) And of course, since it was the holidays and I was in cottage country, my smoothies came served in a Muskoka Brewery glass. ‘Cause I’m classy like that.
4. Homemade ginger ale
Homemade ginger ale is such a nice alternative to soda pop! I follow something along the lines of this ginger ale recipe (though I don’t have the patience to refrigerate it as long as suggested!) and just add a little stevia at the end. It is spicy yet sweet, refreshing and the fresh ginger offers anti-inflammatory benefits!
5. Salmon and veggies
I loooove salmon. So much so that we had it for Christmas Eve dinner and then I made it again the next week. We simply marinated it in soy sauce, maple syrup and garlic for a few hours and then baked it in the oven. On this day I paired it with acorn squash and roasted watermelon radish. Sooo good!
6. Matcha green tea latte
Okay, you’ve probably had enough of the drink recipes by now but I just have to squeeze in a mention for this amazing dairy-free matcha green tea latte I shared on the blog last week. It is just too yummy and good for you for me not to give it a shout out!
Check out more My Recent Healthy Eats:
My Recent Healthy Eats — #1
My Recent Healthy Eats — #2
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