The holidays are upon us, and Thanksgiving is the first stop. Many are worried their dietary needs will not be met with traditions of gathering with friends and family around a meal. Even though it is a time for celebration, the anxiety over what can or cannot be consumed during parties and festivities can become overwhelming. For that reason, we bring Thanksgiving menu options from Health Coach Erika Schlick.
Health Coach Erika Schlick is known for her recipes in The Wandering Palate: 28 Days of Meals Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Paleo, so she is the best source for your Thanksgiving menu. Through her blog, The Trail to Health, she has been sharing different recipes for people with dietary restrictions who need to find alternatives to their favorite meals. For this holiday, she has plenty of options that will make your life easier and allow you to celebrate with everyone else.
What does Schlick have for Thanksgiving?
Starting the night on a good note is probably the most important during festivities; that is why appetizers are crucial. Schlick brings a long list of appetizers that will have your guests satisfied and less anxious about their eating habits.
An example? Whipped ricotta with peaches and herbs. “There is nothing more delicious than whipped ricotta with peaches and herbs,” says Schlick. “This cloudy whip will send your taste buds into a simple yet delicious blend of honey and herbs along with the peaches and cheese. Surprise guests who only think of ricotta with savory dishes and add a sweet note to any Thanksgiving celebration.”
Up next, we have the sides. Those delicious foods bring your meal to life and keep your guests happy and full. This Health Coach recommends, “roasted carrots with pistachio tahini is the perfect balance between sweet, creamy, and crunchy. Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness, but what makes this dish is the contrast of colors and textures. The tahini sauce adds a creamy mouthfeel, while the pistachios offer crunch. If you need an Instagram-worthy showstopper of a side dish, this will be it, and you can roast it at the same time you roast your bird.”
Of course, for this holiday, the main course will be your turkey. Schlick gives her followers several ideas for delicious salads and sauces that will make your meal one to remember.
A salad? “Maple Roasted Fall Salad says fall like maple flavors and squash, but when you get a warm day, you still might find yourself craving a salad with fall flavors. Well, this salad has it all between maple-glazed acorn squash and fresh fall produce and pairs perfectly as a light side to your turkey.”
A sauce? “Looking for a wonderful way of infusing flavor into a dish with little effort this Thanksgiving? Enter my lemon dill compound butter. This recipe includes fresh dill and lemon zest, which makes it excellent for melting over your turkey or veggie sides.”
The night does not end until everyone has had dessert and can go home on a sweet note. Pumpkin pie is a must-have every year on Thanksgiving; that is why Schlick brings a recipe that will make everyone happy: “This pumpkin pie recipe has all the flair of traditional pumpkin pie, but with a healthy, dairy-free, paleo twist. The filling sets while still being creamy with spiciness from additional pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Incorporating coconut milk and a paleo pie crust make this the perfect pie to bring to a get-together because everyone will be able to enjoy it.”
The holidays can be a difficult time for people with dietary restrictions; that is why several Health Coaches are trying to make it easier. These Thanksgiving menu options from Health Coach Erika Schlick are a must for the season.