Who doesn’t love lists? What if I served you delicious, bite-sized morsels of information on topics ranging from natural skin care to healthy eating and even fun ways to stay active? As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN), and Certified Raw Foods Chef, experimenting in the kitchen, sharing new recipes and easy wellness tips is what I’m all about!
Do you want to spend less time stressing and more time celebrating this holiday season?
With dinner parties, house guests and travel, commitments all add up but they don’t have to get you down. Kick stress to the door with these holiday meal hacks that will turn holiday stress into holiday bliss.
1. The Ultimate Holiday Meal Hack: Your Slow Cooker
Who needs to save the best for last? I’m starting this off with my number one holiday hack. Have your slow cooker do the cooking for you, for every occasion.
Breakfast: Company coming for breakfast? Want to whip up something quick for Boxing Day? There’s nothing easier than this Overnight Pumpkin Pie Slow Cooker Oatmeal recipe.
Lunch: You love the idea of something warm and comforting for lunch but it needs to be something you can whip up in a flash. This Slow Cooker Baked Bean recipe is perfect for a chilly winter afternoon paired with a simple salad and a slice of your favorite whole grain bread. If beans aren’t your thing, grab a Slow Cooker Freezer Pack the night before and drop it into your slow cooker for instant lunch.
Dinner: Celebrate all things pumpkin with this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili.
Holiday drinks: Need holiday drinks for a big party? Make Vegan Hot Chocolate or Apple Cider in your slow cooker. Increase the recipes by your number of guests (party of 8? Double up the Vegan Hot Chocolate recipe), add ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours (individual cook time may vary), stirring occasionally.
Dessert: Meet your new favorite dessert, slow cooker Carmel Apple Dump Cake. Yes that’s right, dump cake can get easier. Simply layer the ingredients as you would in the original recipe and cook on low in your slow cooker for 4 hours. Your house never smelled so good!
2. Freezer-Friendly Hack
Extra coconut milk from your oatmeal? Make this Carrot, Avocado & Coconut Soup.
Veggie Broth from chili? Make this Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Apples from your dump cake? Make this Beet Apple Soup (my personal fave).
3. The Perfect Snack Hack Is....
Hard to think of? I know. Sometimes picking foods to snack on between your big holiday meals can be harder than perfecting your Grandma’s secret pumpkin pie recipe.
And just like selecting the right ingredients for Grandma’s pie recipe, choosing the right snacks, can make a difference in helping you have the energy you need to take on the holidays.
Good snacks for the holidays offer you nutrition, stress-free, by requiring little or no prep at all. What does that look like? I’ve got you covered with my top five grab-and-go snacks.
Leftovers: Yes, leftovers! Enjoy that Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili you had for dinner or find a new way to do leftovers with desserts and smoothies like this made from leftover sweet potatoes.
Chia Pudding: Satisfy your need for something chocolate-y with this simple chia pudding or for a no-cook and oh-so-festive dessert try this Pumpkin Gingerbread Chia Pudding.
Veggies plus Dip: Spend 10 minutes chopping veggies and making this white bean dip, then store them in the fridge for a snack you can grab anytime (also makes a terrific appy, for any unexpected house guests).
Shake on the Go: Shake up Vega Essentials with unsweetened almond milk for a snack that combines 20 grams protein, vitamins, minerals, good fats and fiber.
PB&J Fruit Dip: With this protein-rich fruit dip on hand snacking will be as delicious as it is easy.
