Healthy Holiday Recipes
One of the best parts about the holidays is all the festive food. It’s the one time of year many people allow themselves to indulge in their favorite treats without overthinking how their eating can affect their bodies.
While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying less nutritious foods once in a while, you still want to make sure you’re fueling your body with foods that will keep your body feeling good. If you’re looking to balance healthy and tasty this holiday season, consider these healthy holiday recipe options.
Cranberry Balsamic Chicken
Traditional holiday ham can have a lot of sodium and fat, and turkey can be a bit boring, so why not try a balsamic cranberry chicken? Start by seasoning four chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Next, heat a small amount of olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about two minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan. It’s okay if the chicken is still pink in the middle, and you’ll continue cooking the chicken after you make the sauce.
Reduce the heat on the pan and add three cloves of finely minced garlic. Let the garlic simmer for about two minutes or until fragrant. Next, add 1 ½ cups of fresh cranberries, ½ cup of chicken broth, 1/3 cup of orange juice, ½ teaspoon of orange zest, two teaspoons of rosemary, two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, three tablespoons of honey, and one teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Stir everything in the pan and bring to a boil. Once the sauce is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add in the chicken. Continue to cook the chicken and the sauce for about ten minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Once the chicken is cooked and sauce consistency is to your liking, place a chicken breast on a plate, drizzle on the sauce and enjoy!
Roasted Honeynut Squash
If you’re looking for flavorful side dishes that pair with any main course, try a roasted honeynut squash. Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, cut two honeynut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the squash on a baking sheet with the flesh side up. Place one teaspoon of butter on each squash and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Place the squash in the oven and cook for 25 minutes or until tender. Once the squash is done cooking, you can drizzle some maple syrup over the top or enjoy plain.
Grilled Apricots
Fruit pies are a popular choice during the holidays but are full of added sugar. Grilled apricots are a great way to get your sweet fix more healthily. Start by heating a grill pan on medium heat. Next, cut two apricots in half and take out the pit. Cook the apricots on the pan for about five minutes or until the apricots are caramelized. Remove the apricots from the heat and place them on a plate, pit side up. Fill the pit with Greek yogurt and top with walnuts. You can also try this recipe with peaches.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
If you or an aging loved one needs assistance in the kitchen this holiday season, we can help with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and cooking. Our compassionate caregivers also assist with light housekeeping, medication reminders, personal grooming, mobility assistance, and transportation. Our Atlanta East office serves those in Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Vinings, and the surrounding Georgia communities. If you’d like to learn more about our at-home services, you can complete this online form or give us a call at 404.358.5877.