First we have a Root Vegetable Ragout submitted by Sarah of Heart Of Cooking. This veggie stew is more like a pureed soup so it would be great to serve as a first course. It is not only healthy, it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free and sugar-free, for those of you who need to follow a special diet. Try this veggie ragout, it sounds totally yummy!

By the way, I thought I should mention that Watkins chicken soup and gravy base is gluten and wheat free.

Our next recipe is great side dish for diabetics or anyone who wants to eat healthier from Amanda at Mrs W’s Kitchen. You’ll find 3 versions of Pureed White Beans a high fiber alternative to mashed potatoes, they all sound delicious so let us know which one you tried!

Carrots are one of our favorite vegetables and we are lucky to have an organic grower just down the road. Try these Organic Citrus Honey Carrots, they make a wonderful side dish for your vegetarian or traditional holiday meal. These moist, Low Fat Lemon Muffins are perfect for a holiday brunch or any time you want a quick snack. Both recipes are from Love Homemaking.

Last but not least, here is a healthier version of a traditional favorite Christmas Spice Cookies. Cookies are an enduring favorite holiday treat with milk or hot cocoa for the kids or served with coffee or tea for adults. This version has whole wheat four, honey and molasses so you can indulge with out guilt.

My apologies for posting this a day late. Thank you to everyone who has submitted their recipes, and we look forward to seeing your recipes next week. Here’s how to submit them.

Our first featured recipe is a Banana-Pineapple Breakfast Shake from Meg’s Country Kitchen. It’s perfect for the busy holiday season or when ever you need to have Breakfast on the Fly! Great for the whole family and especially good for diabetics.

I was impressed with these Thanksgiving recipes: Delicious options for healthy eating from the Mayo clinic, with links to lots of healthier recipes so I just had to share it with you.

More and more people are switching to organic food for their own health and for that of our planet so here’s an Organic Herbed Roast Turkey for you to try. Turkey on it’s own is low fat, add grapeseed oil and herbs and it’s a real all round winner.

I also found Discovery Health has healthier versions of traditional holiday fare. Try this Cranberry Salsa recipe, it’s sure to spice up your menu!

Love Homemaking submitted a recipe for Healthy Rum Raisin Spice Muffins made with whole wheat flour and oat bran perfect for a holiday breakfast, afternoon pick me up or bed time snack.

From Harvard Medical school tips on foods you can enjoy guilt-free this year. Recipes for a happy, healthy Thanksgiving and includes two dessert recipes, Sweet Potato Pudding and Zesty Pumpkin Custards.

We’ll be back next Wednesday with a round up of more great recipes.

We’d love to feature your healthy holiday favorites, go here to find out how to enter them.

Do any of these traditional holiday foods sound familiar to you? Turkey with bread stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy. How about sweet potatoes or yams with brown sugar and marshmallows, green bean casserole, and breads. We can’t forget the many desserts and goodies such as pies, cakes, cookies, squares and other treats that are being planned for the upcoming holiday.

Don’t despair, you and your family can enjoy your holiday feasts and still maintain a healthy diet. Substituting whole grains, low fat, low sodium ingredients and using less sugar are some of the ways in which you can cook up a healthy alternative.

To help you find healthier versions of traditional and unique holiday recipes for your menu I’m hosting the recipe round up! I’ll be posting recipes for the holiday here which support living a healthier lifestyle and I’ll be linking to other great recipes that help you sustain that goal as well.

Four weeks of healthy recipes for the holidays!

How do you participate? I’m so glad you asked, it’s easy and here’s how!

If you are food blogger:

• Simply post a recipe on your blog and include a link back to this post. Your recipe must be health conscious, for example one or more of the following; whole grains, low fat, low sodium, reduced sugar, vegetarian, gluten free, egg free etc.
• You may submit an older post as long as you edit it to include a link back here.
• Then let me know about it by contacting me here, include your name, the link to your post and anything special you would like to tell us about your entry.
• Post the Healthy Holiday Recipe Round Up Button on your blog along with your recipe or in your side bar or both and link it back to this post, optional but very much appreciated!
• Limit one entry per blog per week.
• I reserve the right to choose which entries are featured and the right to up date the rules if required. (It’s my party but I promise to be fair!)
• Submit anytime, but the deadline for each week’s submission is midnight Sunday.

Everyone:

• Simply visit each week to see what wonderful new recipes are featured in this week’s recipe round up.
• Then visit the blogs of the featured submissions and enjoy.
• We’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment each week before you go.
• Don’t forget to tell your friends about this fun event!

Schedule of Events

To make it easy for you, I’ll link to each week’s post from here as well.

Visit November 12th’s recipe round up

Visit November 20th’s recipe round up

November 26th recipe round up

December 3rd recipe round up

So what are you waiting for? Join in the fun, I can’t wait to see what great recipes you have to share with us!