thanksgiving recipes

According to Wikipedia, Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and at other times.

Most of us love Thanksgiving because of the delicious food which is great but we need to remember and focus on more than just that to truly enjoy the day. So here are a few ideas that make your day special and memorable.

Create a heartfelt Thanksgiving tradition with an Attitude of Gratitude! Our tradition is to allow each family member to state why they are thankful for this past year. Being in a state of gratitude helps the digestion process along with the mental and emotional benefits!
Focus on family, not food. If the turkey burns or you don’t have the “appropriate serving platter, who cares! The day is about our loved ones and spending time together. Again, it is about thanking God for all He has provided and more importantly our salvation.
Be creative and think outside the conventional high sugar and fat dessert box. Consider a nut crust instead of flour or cut the sugar amounts in half within the recipe. Traditions are nice but try a new healthier recipe that you won’t regret later. You may be surprised that it tastes even better than the traditional one. If you are searching for healthier holiday recipes, including gluten-free and dairy-free options, you can download our Healthy Thanksgiving recipes guide.
Practice moderation in all regarding food portions and alcohol. Eating numerous different foods and ingredients challenge your digestive system. Be sure to take a digestive enzyme to support the stress you may put on your internal organs.
Participate in a Family FSA (fun, sweaty activity). Ask everyone to bring their walking shoes and get out and enjoy the beauty of fall. You can burn a little off of the pumpkin pie as well.
Turn off the TV, put the cell phones down, and play cards or board games. This is great FUN and provides intellectual stimulation for all. Most importantly it is a chance to interact with those you love and maybe don’t see that often.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Gluten-Free Cornbread Dressing

Gluten-free cornbread dressing has been a blessing since I learned that I am gluten-intolerant. You will not feel like you are missing out on anything. It tastes so much better than using gluten-free bread. Especially when gluten-free bread is typically made of low-quality ingredients such as rice, tapioca, or potato starch.

It can be frustrating maneuvering through daily life much less the holidays. This is my go-to recipe for Thanksgiving dinner.

2 1/2 lbs gluten-free cornbread (I use the recipe on the Bob’s Red Mill cornmeal package)
3 Tablespoons coconut oil
1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable stock
1/2 cup chopped onion

Prepare cornbread a day or two before you are ready to make the dressing to allow it to dry overnight. Cut cornbread into 1-inch cubes, place on a large baking sheet, and let dry out for several hours or overnight. Place in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Preheat the crockpot to high.

Add onion, celery, carrot, and coconut oil to the crockpot. Cook 1 hour or until softened but not browned. If you have an Instapot, you can sauté for 10-15 minutes first to reduce the time.

After 1 hour, stir in the thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Add cornbread and toss to moisten.

Pour vegetable broth over top and cook for an additional 3 hours or until the top is crisp and golden. Or you can save the juice from your Thanksgiving turkey and use it.

Healthy holiday recipes are hard to come by, at least tasty ones. If you are searching for more good-for-you dairy and gluten-free holiday recipes, you can request our Healthy Thanksgiving recipes guide. Enjoy and please let me know how you liked it!