The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and of course, delicious food. As much as we love indulging in traditional festive treats, it’s also essential to pay attention to our health. This year, why not try our heart-healthy holiday recipes that are not just delicious, but also beneficial for your heart?

In charge of the holiday menu and need a standout dish? Try this delicious Oven Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe:

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 medium butternut squash (peeled, seeded, and cubed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Place the butternut squash cubes on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
3. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and black pepper. Sprinkle the mixture over the butternut squash and toss to coat.
4. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the butternut squash is tender and lightly browned.

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 123
• Fat: 4.7g
• Carbs: 21.5g
• Sugar: 6.9g
• Protein: 1.4g
• Sodium: 397mg

Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or simply seeking a tasty, health-conscious option to satisfy your snack cravings, enjoy the perfect balance of flavor and nutrition with this Vegan Spinach Dip:

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 280g fresh spinach (chopped)
• 1 block firm tofu (drained and crumbled)
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 small round loaf of bread (we suggest sourdough)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add garlic and onion, and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook until wilted.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the crumbled tofu, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
5. Combine the spinach mixture with the tofu mixture and stir well.
6. Hollow out the bread and fill it with the mixture.
7. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crusty.
8. Voila! Your Vegan Spinach Dip is ready. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

• 130 calories
• 5g fat
• 10g carbohydrates
• 3g sugar
• 8g protein
• 310mg sodium

Optional: You can save the bread you removed to make bread crumbs or toast them to use for dipping.

Looking to switch up your sides this holiday season? If you’re looking for something that packs a nutritional punch but doesn’t compromise on taste, meet your new companion – Creamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes:

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower (cored and cut into small florets)
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons of vegan butter
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (opt for nutritional yeast for a non-dairy option)
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh chives (for garnish)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, add the cauliflower and garlic, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the cauliflower is very tender, about 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Drain the cauliflower and garlic, and return them to the pot. Add the butter, Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast), and milk. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the cauliflower to your desired texture.3. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the cauliflower mashed potatoes warm, garnished with chopped chives. Enjoy!

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

• 147 calories
• 5 g fat
• 14 g carbohydrates
• 5 g sugar
• 7 g protein
• 200 mg sodium

Optional Toppings: You may include additional toppings such as roasted garlic, shredded cheddar cheese, or a drizzle of olive oil to enhance the flavor.

Now that you’re equipped with these healthy recipes to try this holiday season, why not take the extra step toward better nutrition? Chambers Center for Well-Being offers Nutritional Coaching for personalized health optimization, making it the perfect way to boost your well-being this season. Book an appointment today!