A Healthy Meal That Isn't For the Birds

Thanksgiving is coming and we need to prepare! The food, the decorations and the family gathering. However, let’s not just have a regular Thanksgiving, let’s have a special Thanksgiving. Let’s try to make this year’s Thanksgiving a healthy one that will fit everyone's needs. Although every standard Thanksgiving feast has plenty of healthy ingredients, some of the dishes end up being lathered in butter, heavy cream, fatty meats, and tons of sugar. So, let’s switch it up this year! Let’s make this year the best and healthiest Thanksgiving yet!

These are some delicious and mouth-watering recipes that are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic-friendly to share with family and friends:

1. First, try these appetizers that will only take fifteen minutes! One of the many healthy appetizers that can be made is the Blue Cheese and Fig Bite. This recipe includes fresh figs, blue cheese and a drizzle of honey toasted baguette slices for the magical, and flavorful taste. Ingredients include: nine fresh mission figs, 24 slices of toasted baguette, three-fourths cup of blue cheese, and two teaspoons of honey.

2. Next, is the main course which is a delectable roasted turkey that can be done in five easy steps. You will need a large roasting pan, a kitchen string, a roasting rack, and a meat thermometer. The five easy steps are: position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 475°F; remove giblets and neck from turkey cavities; place the turkey, breast-side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan; rub the prepared herb mixture all over the turkey, under the skin and onto the breast meat. place aromatics in the cavity of the bird. Then, tuck the wing tip under the turkey; tie the legs together with a kitchen string and add water with herb strings to the pan; roast the turkey until the skin is golden brown, about 45 minutes; remove the turkey from the oven and cover the breast with a double layer of foil; and reduce oven temperature to 350° and continue roasting for 1¼ to 1¾ hours more. The turkey is done when the instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone registers 165°F. Lastly, cover the turkey with foil and let the turkey rest for 20 minutes. Once it’s done, remove the string and carve.

3. Finally, the dessert which is a tasty Double nut and Date Tassie. Ingredients include: a ¼ cup whole-wheat pastry flour for the crust, a ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, a ½ cup walnuts, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, and a pinch of salt. For the filling, you will need 4 ounces pitted dried dates, about ¾ cup of water, ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, 2½ tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese, 1¼ teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ cup pecans, and confectioner's' sugar for dusting or whipped cream for garnish. The steps to create this decadent dessert are: preheat oven to 375°F; coat 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray; prepare the crust by pulsing flour, brown sugar, walnuts, cornstarch, 2 tablespoons butter and salt in a food processor; prepare the filling by combining the dates, water, brown sugar and 2½ tablespoons butter in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, for about 8 to 12 minutes; process the date mixture in a blender, add cream cheese and vanilla; and stir in the pecans. Finally, bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is lightly cooked, which can take 15 to 17 minutes. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer the tassies to a wire rack to cool. For the finishing touch, you can sprinkle it with confectioner’s sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

These are just some delicious and healthy recipes to make. So, what are you waiting for? Go change your Thanksgiving!