If you can relate, have no fear. I’ve gathered 30 delicious, clean recipes from across the web that can be used for any holiday gathering or festivity. Each contains healthy ingredients that don’t leave you bloated and lethargic the next day. From savory appetizers to sweet desserts and even mocktails, everything is filled with flavor and perfect for impressing guests. People will never guess these treats are actually good for them!

If you’re looking to create a full holiday menu, I suggest choosing one or two recipes from each category. And if you have any questions, I’m happy to help. Just send me a direct message on Instagram @amievalpone. Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season!

Dips and Savory Bites

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Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are a perfect no-utensils option. These are filled with a mix of breadcrumbs, garlic, and Italian seasonings, which provide some antioxidants. For more anti-inflammatory power, try replacing the breadcrumbs with finely chopped walnuts. As a bonus, this will add a meaty texture and omega-3 fatty acids to the dish.

Homemade Vegan Queso
The typical hummus and vegetable platter is lovely, but it can get boring when it’s at party after party. Switch things up with a dip made from sweet roasted butternut squash and creamy cashews, which lend a dose of fiber and protein to every bite. You can serve this queso with any gluten-free, whole-grain crackers.

Mini Tahini Beet Canapes
These cute little canapes are great for a finger food option. They’re loaded with antioxidants from the naturally sweet roasted beets and provide a healthy amount of protein from the fluffy quinoa and creamy tahini. Plus, the combination of protein and good fats means they help stabilize blood sugar—perfect for those hungry guests who arrive ravenous and need something to munch on immediately.

Marinated Green Harissa Olives
These olives are so easy to prepare. It’s amazing how the simple addition of garlic, lemon, and a few herbs can elevate a standard party appetizer. Parsley is one of my favorite fresh herbs because it’s filled with flavor and is chock full of vitamins A and C, both of which are ideal for keeping our immune systems healthy during the chilly winter season.

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer
There’s something so pretty about black sesame seeds—and they will make guests want to dive into these cute goat cheese balls. But not only do they look fabulous, many people find goat cheese easier to digest than cow’s cheese. Just make sure to check the ingredients on the dried cherries package to ensure they don’t contain added sugars.

Shrimp Cocktail with Smoky Remoulade
You may associate vegetables and fruit with antioxidants, but shrimp are also a good source of these free-radical fighters. In particular, shrimp contain astaxanthin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. They’re also a great source of protein and have high amounts of selenium and B12, which support thyroid health. This recipe uses cream fraiche in the remoulade, but if you follow a dairy-free diet, you can easily use your favorite non-dairy plain yogurt.

Spiced Holiday Nuts
Every holiday table needs spiced nuts, not only because they taste amazing, but also because they’re a nice plant-based source of some protein and fiber. And they’re so simple to make. You just melt butter, add spices, and then coat the nuts before roasting them. When shopping for nuts, purchase raw nuts—the only ingredient should be the nuts, no added oils or salt.

Butternut Squash Tartine
The contrast of orange from the butternut squash and bright green from the arugula makes these tartines absolutely beautiful. I often tell my clients who have PMS or other hormonal imbalances to eat more liver-supporting foods like arugula during the stress of the holidays, as their detoxification powers may help ease those symptoms. These tartines can be served warm when the squash is right out of the oven, so I suggest making them right before your guests arrive.

Roasted Grape Crostini
Roasted red grapes and balsamic vinegar make these crostini perfectly sweet without any refined sugars. Grapes are a source of vitamin K, something we all need for healthy bones. And the walnuts on top add a dose of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

Christmas Guacamole
This easy holiday guac is another great dip to serve with gluten-free, whole-grain crackers or tender roasted vegetables such as cauliflower. The addition of toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and pomegranate seeds gives it a festive touch and, along with the avocado, makes this dip a tasty way to get some much-needed fiber.

Winter Harvest Endive Cups
Endive leaves are an excellent low-calorie package to hold tasty fillings. In this case, it’s a festively colored blend of celery, pomegranate seeds, pistachios (I recommend raw nuts to avoid added oils and salt), parsley, and blue cheese, all drizzled with a honey-mustard vinaigrette. Given that many party apps are on the heavy side, these are a welcome light option.

Basil Chicken Meatballs
Guests will never know that these delicious meatballs with spinach, garlic, feta, and basil are actually healthy! They’re baked rather than fried, and a good source of iron and choline. Choline is an essential nutrient that our bodies need to regulate mood, memory, and muscle control, and to make the membranes for our cells.

Vegan Jalapeño Poppers
Most popper recipes call for cream cheese and deep frying. Not these—but they taste just as good. These hot peppers are filled with a homemade cashew-based cheese made with nutritional yeast, which adds that umami flavor and some vitamin B12, a nutrient that can be hard for vegans to get.

Related: A 3-Minute Meditation to Melt Holiday Stress

Sweets and Desserts

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Dark Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Bars
The best part about these cookie bars is that they’re loaded with roasted cashews, which lend so much flavor. Add to that a cup of quinoa and walnuts, and you’ve got a fair amount of protein and fiber in every bite. Lastly, there are no refined sugars in sight—these bars get their sweetness from dates and vanilla extract.

Vegan Brownies with Chocolate Ganache
These no-bake brownies are made from nuts, unsweetened cocoa powder, and dates, which are an excellent natural sweetener that won’t spike your blood sugar. The ganache contains a little added sugar, but we all need a treat once in a while, right?

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie for the holidays? Rather than refined sugars and flour, these are made with maple syrup plus coconut and almond flours. What I love about almond flour is that it’s full of biotin and vitamin E, both of which are ideal for healthy, youthful skin.

Peppermint Patties
These taste like the foil-wrapped brand you know, but they’re so much better for you. Cashews, coconut oil, agave, almond milk, and peppermint extract combine to make the filling. Then all you do is melt some chocolate, dip, and let them freeze. If you avoid dairy, use dairy-free chocolate chips.

Magic Mousse
This might just be the easiest dessert you’ll ever make. It calls for three ingredients: bananas, unsweetened cacao powder, and almond butter. You’ve got natural sweetness, crave-able chocolate flavor, and even a touch of protein in one dish. Try serving it in shot glasses for a crowd.

Coconut Snowballs
Making these tiny snowballs is one of the quickest ways to whip up a dessert when you’re in a pinch and scrambling to make something sweet to serve your guests. The base is lots of coconut: shredded coconut (make sure to purchase unsweetened so you don’t end up with refined sugars in your dessert), coconut oil, and coconut milk. Don’t be scared: Coconut may help increase “good” HDL cholesterol.

Orange Walnut Bread Bites
These sweet bites are super cute to serve on toothpicks for the holidays. The almond flour base adds a natural hint of sweet, while orange juice and zest make them super citrusy. Best of all, there’s the holiday note of cinnamon and cloves—and no refined sugars.

Fig Bars
You would never mistake these for Fig Newtons. Made from figs, sunflower seeds, oats, coconut oil, and spices and drizzled in dark chocolate, they are a great snack or dessert. Naturally sweet figs are a source of potassium, a mineral many of us need more of because there’s so much sodium in many of the packaged, processed foods we eat. Consuming more potassium and less sodium can benefit heart health.

Coconut Cream Bars
If you love coconut, you’re going to love these bars. They’re creamy and decadent because they’re made from coconut butter, and the flour-less base by itself would make a great bar. Coconut is a good source of fiber, plus it contains lauric acid. This fat may promote better sleep.

Superfood Chocolate Bark
Consider gifting this to the host of any holiday get-together. Pistachios and almonds add crunch, fiber, and some protein, while chewy superfood goji berries add antioxidants. Be sure to use dark chocolate chips for more heart-healthy flavanols and less sugar. (Read the ingredients list on the chocolate chip bag if you avoid dairy, as some dark chocolate chips contain milk.)

Drinks

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White Hot Chocolate
White hot chocolate is the ultimate comfort on a snowy day—or for a party. This dairy-free version is made from coconut milk and cashew butter, both of which add a creamy consistency, satisfying healthy fats, and a lot of flavor. Maple syrup and vanilla extract add a touch of sweet, and, if you wish, you can top with marshmallows for an extra treat.

Warm Christmas Glogg
You don’t need wine to make this warm, spicy beverage. Just use unsweetened fruit juice instead and load it with fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and cloves. The smell alone will make your mouth water. But stirring in almonds, walnuts, and raisins makes for beautiful presentation and adds even more antioxidants.

Turmeric Eggnog
It’s certainly not the holidays without eggnog. But many people cannot tolerate dairy or eggs. This recipe uses coconut milk instead and gets its yellow hue from turmeric. This root is one of the most powerful ingredients for fighting inflammation, so give yourself an extra pinch or two, and be sure to include the black pepper too. Research suggests it increases your body’s ability to absorb the antioxidant in turmeric by 2,000 percent.

Nonalcoholic Michelada
A traditional Michelada is made with beer. This version uses the fermented drink kombucha instead, so you get some gut-friendly probiotics. These “good” bacteria help with gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea and also help support a balanced microbiome when taking antiobiotics.

Choco Banana Chai Latte
You’ve never had a latte like this one! A lovely alternative to coffee or cappuccino, it gets its creaminess from overripe bananas and almond milk. Sample it before adding the coconut sugar—the bananas may add all the sweetness you desire. Have it alone or with dessert after your holiday meal.

Virgin Garden Mary
For those looking for a savory drink option, look no further. The vegetable juice base (choose a low-sodium brand) is loaded with vitamin C, while celery, cucumbers, and carrot juice add some fiber. And don’t forget the classic touch of heat from horseradish, hot sauce, and black pepper.

Homemade Spiced Apple Cider
I guarantee your home will smell incredible from making this cider. And it tastes even better because it’s made from apples, orange, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves—nothing fake or processed. Finally, a cider where you can taste the apples rather than a bunch of added sugars!

>>Amie Valpone is the founder of AmieValpone.com and best-selling author of the cookbook Eating Clean: The 21-Day Plan to Detox, Fight Inflammation, and Reset Your Body.

The post 30 Clean-Eating Recipes for Holiday Parties appeared first on Sonima.

As a clean eating expert, I scoured the web and compiled this list of side dishes, mains, and desserts just for Sonima readers. You won’t find any refined sugar or processed ingredients in these recipes. Instead, everything uses nutritious vegetables, fruit, nuts, whole grains, lean proteins, and flavorful herbs and spices, so you can feel good serving them to your guests.

Pick one or two dishes to add to your Thanksgiving meal, or create an entire clean eating menu. Either way you’ll not only satisfy everyone’s taste buds, you’ll also be supporting their health. Here’s to a delicious and nutritious Thanksgiving!

Side Dishes: Vegetables and Fruit

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Shaved Carrots with Charred Dates
Dates make a wonderful natural sweetener and also are a good source of fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants. Cook them until soft and blackened, and then toss with carrots, blood oranges, and lime juice for a sweet-tangy salad that keeps you coming back for more. As a bonus, you can prep the carrots the day before your gathering.

Maple Roast Veggies
Thanksgiving meals can be a lot of brown and white. There’s nothing quite like this side dish to add a boatload of bright colors plus antioxidants to your holiday table. Toss carrots, bell peppers, delicata squash, and yellow onion with a touch of maple syrup and olive oil for the perfect hint of sweet to complement the vegetables and the rest of your meal.

Cranberry Orange Sauce
A Thanksgiving table isn’t complete without cranberry sauce, and when you see how simple it is to make from scratch—plus how much better it tastes—you’ll never go back to what comes out of a can! Adding orange juice means you can cut back on the sugar and get an extra dose of vitamin C. This is sure to please your palate whether you’re using it over turkey or roasted vegetables.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Lemon
Even if you despised Brussels sprouts when you were a kid, this recipe is sure to please your taste buds. Fresh lemon juice adds a nice contrast to the veggie, which is cooked until perfectly crisp yet tender. And all you need is four ingredients and 25 minutes, making this an ideal last-minute side dish to whip up while the rest of Thanksgiving dinner finishes cooking.

Sweet Potato Bites
This gorgeous recipe makes a great appetizer or a side dish any time of year. These cute little bites are loaded with flavors from sweet orange zest to spicy arugula, and the dairy-free cashew basil topping adds the perfect touch of creaminess.

Side Dishes: Stuffing, Grains, and Gravy

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Easy Gluten-Free Stuffing
This gluten-free stuffing is easy to toss together a few hours before your guests arrive. The key is to use stale bread so that your side dish doesn’t turn out soggy. Dried apricots lend a touch of sweetness and potassium, but you can use any dried fruit you like.

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash Rings
These cute squash rings balance savory flavors like sage and quinoa with sweet apples, cranberries, and of course the star ingredient. Nutrition-wise, you’ll get some protein from the quinoa and walnuts along with a dose of fiber and antioxidants from the veggies and fruit. If you’re dairy-free, you can easily swap your favorite dairy-free cheese in place of the cheddar.

Vegan Cornbread Sage Stuffing
There’s something so cozy about cornbread stuffing that puts everyone in the holiday spirit. Plus, using fresh sage adds the perfect touch—feel free to use as much as you’d like for more flavor. You can make the cornbread and the stuffing ahead of time, too, which can be a lifesaver come Thanksgiving Day. If you can’t find spelt flour, use whole-wheat flour, which has loads more fiber than white flour.

Whole Grain Farro Stuffing With Miso Mushrooms
Farro is like a heartier and healthier rice that provides protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients. Here it’s mixed with mushrooms, carrots, and miso to make a filling stuffing that also contains a little bit of probiotics from the miso. This may not be your grandmother’s recipe, but everyone will love it just the same. Omit the cheese if you eat a dairy-free diet.

Wild Mushroom Gravy
Every Thanksgiving table needs an outstanding gravy, and this is by far one of the most delicious recipes I’ve tried. Oyster mushrooms lend that crave-worthy umami flavor that’s amazing poured over anything from mashed potatoes to turkey. They’re also a source of B vitamins that our bodies need for energy and healthy metabolism.

Wild Rice and Cider Cranberry Pilaf
Infused with the fresh holiday flavors of cinnamon, cranberries, and apple cider, this pilaf certainly isn’t traditional but is so exceptional that it doubles as a main dish for vegetarians and vegans. Take the time to let the onions brown so you get those amazing caramelized notes.

Grain-Free Sweet Potato Flatbread
This is one of my favorite recipes, and I receive dozens of emails about this recipe every fall. It’s quite magical how you can make flatbread out of sweet potatoes without using any eggs! This bread has the consistency and texture of cornbread, but it’s sliced into thinner pieces so you can easily add your favorite spread like hummus or pesto on top. It is also an incredible option to make turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving.

Related: 5 Gentle Yoga Poses for Digestion After a Big Meal

Main Dishes

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Vegan Mushroom Gravy Pie
This take on shepherd’s pie is almost too beautiful to serve—be sure to take a photo before everyone digs in! You top a comforting combination of lentils and mushrooms with garlicky mashed potatoes dotted with kale. Talk about a meeting of nutritional powerhouses! There’s fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals in every forkful.

Vegan Pumpkin Risotto
We eat with our eyes, and the bright orange color of this dish makes it fit right in with the holiday décor on your table. It’s also a sign of the beta carotene in the pumpkin, which fights free radicals and helps support healthy vision. But how does it taste? Wonderfully creamy with a hint of fall flavors like ginger and nutmeg.

Mini Vegetarian Pot Pies
Yes, these perfectly portioned pies take some time. But one bite, and you’ll see they’re worth the effort. The filling is loaded with flavor from seasonal veggies—carrots, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and rutabaga—plus chickpeas, which provide extra protein and fiber. To make things easier, you can always make the crust dough one day and then finish up the recipe the next.

Savory Thyme and Garlic Roast Turkey
Roasting turkey on Thanksgiving can present a problem: You want to add flavor, but you also don’t want the bird to be so flavorful that it clashes with the other dishes on the table. This recipe showcases how a few simple, common ingredients can take your turkey from basic to four-star. Fresh thyme, garlic, lemon, and onion add zing while complementing your side dishes. Mission accomplished.

Nutty Crusted Butternut Squash Bowl with 10-Spice Roasted Chickpeas
A salad may not seem substantial enough for a holiday dinner, but this option satisfies while leaving room for dessert. Coating butternut squash in a mix of nuts and seeds gives the veggie amazing crunch and provides some omega-3 fatty acids. Add spicy roasted chickpeas and marinated kale, and you have an orchestra of amazing flavor and nutrition. Save any leftover chickpeas for a healthy snack.

Spatchcocked Turkey with Anise and Orange
Also known as butterflying, spatchcocking is when you remove the backbone and lay the bird flat to cook. It often leads to juicier meat and faster cooking. Let the turkey sit with the orange zest, thyme, rosemary, and anise brine as recommended. That time helps prevent a dry turkey and infuses tons of flavor.

Spiced Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Every Thanksgiving table needs a soup to round out all the hearty options. This one is great, as it doesn’t require a lot of active cooking time. Plus, you get the anti-inflammatory powers of turmeric as well as stomach-calming ginger—something many of us need after a holiday dinner.

Spiced Vegan Butter Chickpeas
This chickpea dish is a one-pot meal that gets its creaminess from cashews and is loaded with holiday spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and nutmeg. It’s sure to warm and fill everyone up, and it goes great with whatever dinner rolls you’re serving.

Desserts

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Clean Eating Pumpkin Pie
It’s not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. This version has extra fiber in the flaky crust thanks to the spelt flour and oats. But the filling is the winner: It’s made with almond butter and maple syrup rather than eggs and refined sugar.

One Bowl Pumpkin Chocolate Muffins
These cute muffins look decadent, but they’re pretty healthy. You have potassium from pumpkin puree, antioxidants from cocoa, and fiber from oats, all mixed with a treat: chocolate chips! Serve as dessert, and top any leftovers with creamy almond butter for a snack the next day.

Pumpkin Spiced Apple Pie
For some, apple pie makes Thanksgiving. This dessert has pumpkin pie spice in both the crust and the filling for flavor in every single bite, plus there’s not an overload of added sugars. Just be warned: Your guests may crowd into the kitchen because the aromas from the oven will have them hungry for a taste!

One Bowl Pumpkin Bread
This festive pumpkin bread pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. But the best thing is that it all comes together in one bowl before you transfer the batter to a baking pan. The fewer dishes to clean on the holidays, the better! It’s best to serve cool, so feel free to make it the night before your big meal.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Angel Food Cake
Light and fluffy angel food cake is a nice alternative to richer desserts. A mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger makes this perfect for the holiday. Serve with fresh fruit on top and a pinch of ground cinnamon.

Healthy Pecan Pie
“Healthy” and “pecan pie” may seem incongruous. But trust me, this is better for you than most store versions, which often use corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and loads of refined sugar. Plus, pecans are a source of fiber, manganese, thiamin, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, and omega 3s.

No-Bake Pumpkin Chia Cheesecake
The oven sees enough action on holidays. Let dessert come together in the freezer. Your guests will never know this creamy cheesecake is made from cashews, coconut milk, and pumpkin puree without a drop of dairy. The crust is amazing on its own. Made from dates, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, it can double as a healthy snack bar.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Everyone loves a cookie on the dessert table, and these soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies are easy to make and filled with all the classic flavors. Chances are you have most if not all of the ingredients on hand, so go ahead and whip up a batch.

Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars
You don’t need to be on a Paleo diet to love every morsel of these bars, which are a cousin of pumpkin pie. The crust is made from nuts rather than grains, and the filling contains coconut milk and eggs. All of those healthy fats create a rich, velvety texture—a single bar will leave you happily full. For extra decadence, you can add the coconut butter drizzle on top.

>>Amie Valpone is the founder of AmieValpone.com and best-selling author of the cookbook Eating Clean: The 21-Day Plan to Detox, Fight Inflammation, and Reset Your Body.

The post 30 Clean Eating Recipes for Thanksgiving appeared first on Sonima.

Don’t be so quick to dole out Tupperware containers full of your holiday leftovers to guests. Be sure to keep some key ingredients—like beef, turkey, chicken, sausages, roast beef, vegetables, and bread—for yourself so that you can take a stab at reinventing your fabulous meal. Here, Sonima chefs Andy Clay and Laurent Large share their cooking tips on how to make the ultimate holiday sandwiches, like a savory stuffing and ham baguette or pimento cheese with sausage, turkey, and pickles sandwich. If you’re looking to go light and carb-free, whip up a yummy salad with leftover roasted vegetables and a homemade vinaigrette.

Related: Asian-Style Leftover Turkey Wraps

The post 5 New Meal Ideas for Your Holiday Leftovers appeared first on Sonima.

Related: A Yoga Sequence for Digestion After a Big Meal

The post Asian-Style Leftover Turkey Lettuce Wraps appeared first on Sonima.