Tis the season to indulge…

With the holidays fast approaching, we are getting into my FAVOURITE time of year. With everything lit up and decorated, and all of the social get togethers with friends and family, I look forward to this season all year long… I’d be the one listening to Christmas carols, with my house decorated in October if it was socially acceptable... Now with all of the holiday hoopla, it's easy to put things on the back burner, like eating healthy! This is why it's so important to take steps to make better food choices when you can, during this dessert and food infused season. How often have we thought to ourselves, “It’s Christmas, I'll just start in January”? Nothing against all of the typical Christmas treats, but I sure notice a difference in my energy, mood, digestion and skin, if I don’t keep their intake some-what in check. Just Because it's that time of year for dinner parties and events, doesn’t mean you can’t still eat deliciously healthy foods too! I’ve compiled a list of dishes I generally bring with me to dinner parties, that have all received raving reviews. Now, because I have a few food sensitivities (dairy, egg, wheat) that make eating away from home difficult, I try to plan dishes that have some protein, so that I can fill up on what I bring, if there isn’t much else to choose from. I also like to offer to bring dessert, that way I ensure that A.) I can actually eat it, and B.)It’s made with whole, good quality ingredients, and low sugar. Each one of these 5 dishes have been fan favourites, and nobody knew that they where free from eggs, dairy and wheat, or realized that they were “healthy hacks”.

A p p e t i z e r s

Spinach and artichoke dip

This dip is vegan, and served warm with raw peppers, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. It is all the things that a spinach dip should be: creamy, tangy, and irresistible. I use a good quality vegan mayonnaise, made with minimal ingredients and avocado oil, rather than the inflammatory vegetable oils that you generally find in vegan mayonnaise. I also generally only serve it with fresh cut veggies, because usually someone else has brought a dish requiring corn chips, and the more veggie options the better!

Black garlic hummus

You can never go wrong with a good hummus! Protein and nutrient packed, hummus is a staple for me in my everyday diet, as well as to bring with me to parties and get-togethers. Black garlic brings is own unique set of benefits to this dish and is as delicious as it is nutritious!

S i d e d i s h

Kale salad with pecans and cranberries

This recipe is from Oh she glows, and it is one of my favourite kale salads. The pecans are roasted and coated in fresh garlic and nutritional yeast to give them a cheesy flavour, I could, and have, eaten them by the handful! The dried cranberries not only gives it a festive appearance, but sweeten out the garlic-lemon dressing.

D e s s e r t

Apple crisp

Dairy free, with low glycemic coconut sugar, paired with cinnamon and coconut oil, helps to keep blood sugar stable, and avoid that blood sugar rush that can leave you feeling hungry an hour later. It’s filled with oats, almonds and pecans, which add protein and healthy fats as well.

Apple nachos

These don’t just look pretty - drizzled with dark dairy-free chocolate, homemade coconut caramel sauce (dairy free of course), and almond butter, but they taste pretty too. Topped with chopped pecans, hemp hearts, coconut flakes, once you bring this dish out, it won’t last long.

5 healthy holiday party dishes