Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love spending time with my family, slowing down and enjoying each other’s company.
It reminds me of when I was growing up and how my parents opened our house to everyone – friends, relatives, neighbors and strangers.
We had a huge Thanksgiving meal, which always included my dad’s recipe for perfectly-cooked turkey in a paper bag. Then there was the delicious Portuguese stuffing with linguica and chorizo sausages, the turnip stuffing, and my mother’s delicious pies! She would make the best apple pie, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie. I can practically taste them as I’m thinking about them – sooo good! LOL
It’s hard to resist all the family favorite recipes around the holidays. However, indulging too much in foods that are rich in dairy or loaded with gluten can cause inflammation in the body, setting off a cascade of hormonal symptoms.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little planning, you can still enjoy Thanksgiving and other holidays with delicious food while keeping your hormones in check.
After all, Thanksgiving is so much more than just the food. Togetherness is what it’s really about.
You can make healthy, wholesome meals together as a family activity. Lots of good conversations, hugs and spending time in the kitchen together gives you a big dose of vitamin “O” or oxytocin, the love and bonding hormone.
Get Keto-Green Before The Feast
It can be tempting to save calories for the main Thanksgiving meal and skip eating until dinner. However, you can keep yourself alkaline and in ketosis if you give your body the right nutrients before the big event.
My Keto-Green Protein Shake gives you superfoods like spirulina, wheat grass, and flax seeds to reduce inflammation and support healthy blood sugar, along with protein to curb cravings. Mix it up with a scoop of Mighty Maca to give you energy and support your hormones.
Stay Keto-Green with Smart Beverage Choices
The easiest way to stay keto-green and also keep your metabolism high is to drink water – plain and simple, or with a little lemon, lime or orange squeezed into it for flavor.
Research shows that water increases your body’s ability to burn calories, it’s a natural appetite suppressant, and it removes waste from the body to help support weight loss. Ideally, you sip water throughout the day, and consume at least half your body weight in ounces of pure water daily (but not with meals, so that you don’t dilute your digestive juices).
If you want to have a drink during Thanksgiving, it’s better to go for a pure distilled spirit such as plain vodka or tequila with water and lime juice, rather than wine which has a lot more sugar in it.
Try my tasty Te-Keto cocktail recipe!
Tequila and potato vodka have quite a low glycemic index, so they can be enjoyed for the occasional refreshing cocktail without kicking you out of ketosis. With New Years Eve festivities coming up, you can find me drinking this delicious cocktail. Sometimes I add a zing by muddling in a fresh jalapeño slice and fresh ginger.
Now for the feast!
I’ve given some of my favorite dishes a makeover, changing them into keto-green recipes. Try these out for your Thanksgiving meal or any other holiday gatherings you have planned during the season.
Appetizer Keto-Green Recipes
Creamy Artichoke Dip (Dairy Free)
This creamy dip is still Keto-Green friendly, even though it might not taste like it. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and totally delicious. A real crowd pleaser.
Instead of snacking on potato chips, try these vitamin-rich, keto greens! Crisped kale is a fun way to enjoy a crunchy, savory snack while also getting a serving of greens in your day.
Main Course Keto-Green Recipes
Thanksgiving Turkey in a Paper Bag
My parent’s version of turkey cooked in a paper bag uses an orange and lemon, along with spices, to give it a delicious flavor and aroma. The paper bag keeps the bird moist and juicy without drying it out.
What’s turkey without the gravy? This gluten-free version gives you the richness and flavor without any of the inflammatory ingredients that make you feel bad after indulging.
Side Dish Keto-Green Recipes
Crispy pancetta, flakes of toasted coconut, and crunchy pine nuts give this dish lots of texture and flavor! Mixed in with bright green beans, it’s tangy crowd-pleaser that takes almost no time to make.
Swap out the mashed potatoes for this creamy, dreamy and keto-friendly side of cauliflower. You’ll love the taste and you’ll love how you feel afterwards, too!
This simple, crunchy salad is full of flavor and easy to prepare. It makes a perfect contrast from other rich and heavy dishes typical to the holiday season.
Dessert Keto-Green Recipes
Yes, you can be keto-green and have chocolate, too! My brother, Robert, is a chocolate chef and he created this delicious recipe with two of my favorites – chocolate and Mighty Maca! This decadent truffle has hints of lemon, lime, cinnamon, spices and more.
This guilt-free chocolate drink is from my friend, Leanne Ely, of Saving Dinner. Stay cozy and enjoy this silky beverage for dessert.
Low-Carb Cashew Coconut Clusters
If you like something more salty and crunchy with your sweet treats, you will love this simple nut cluster recipe from Leanne Vogel at Healthful Pursuit.
Keep Keto-Green Essentials in the Kitchen
You can stock your pantry with Mighty Maca Plus and add it to your morning routine as well as recipes. My superfood powder promotes detoxification, alkalizes the body, increases energy, and supports digestion and hormone balance.
My Keto-Green Protein shake is a great way to stay fueled without feeling weighed down. It is packed with nutrients that support energy, focus, healthy digestion and reduce hunger cravings.
