Healthy Thanksgiving Side

Grab this Healthy Thanksgiving side recipe on Style Your Senses today!

I know there are a lot of you that are #TeamChristmas starting November 1st, but I feel like I’m cheating on Thanksgiving by pulling out the garland and stockings after Halloween! Anyone else?! Well, even if you’ve already decked the halls and are over Thanksgiving, this delicious, sweet and savory Cranberry & Butternut Squash dish is totally acceptable to make for both holidays. PS be sure to save the Pin at the bottom of the post to your Pinterest to pull out when you’re ready to make it!

Along with all of the festive holiday decor, we are about to be surrounded by a lot of FOOD. And while there are definitely times to indulge and enjoy yourself, I know that I always feel better when I am mindful and practice balance! So here are my top tips for staying balanced during the holidays:

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! You’ll likely be consuming whole lotta sodium and alcohol, and it’s so easy to forget to hydrate amidst the chaos and food. So if you don’t have one, buy a cute reusable water bottle and carry it with you. Then make it a goal to refill it “X” number of times per day! I promise you will feel less hungry and bloated… you can thank me later.
2. Put it on a plate! With all the food and snacks around, it’s easy to graze 24/7, but if you put it on a plate, you will be much more mindful of how much you are eating.
3. Don’t skip a meal! It’s easy to want to skip breakfast and lunch so you can save up for your big holiday meal, but that will only lead to overeating and feeling miserable later. Try eating smaller meals instead of skipping them completely. Meal prep my paleo breakfast skillet ahead of time so you’ll have something healthy to tide you over until your big meal.
4. Have a slice! YES, go ahead and have a slice of your mom’s pumpkin pie! It’s your absolute favorite and by golly, you deserve it. Denying yourself a certain food will only lead to overindulging later. So allow yourself to have a slice or a few bites, then walk away and focus on something else.
5. Replace one serving! Instead of having a second helping of mashed potatoes, replace it with this Cranberry & Butternut Squash side dish! Once you have a taste, you won’t even miss those potatoes. 🙂

Whether or not you’re a proponent of balance, this dish is the PERFECT addition to your Thanksgiving menu this year. The maple syrup and cinnamon bring out the sweet, nutty taste of the squash, and the cranberries and pecans are a great holiday touch. And the crumbled goat cheese… need I say more?! It takes this dish to a WHOLE. NEW. LEVEL.

And BONUS… butternut squash is good for you! It’s high in vitamin A & C, fiber, potassium, and an abundance of carotenoids (shown to protect against heart disease). It’s also a complex carb, which means it releases energy to the body slower, maintaining your energy level over a longer period of time. Delicious yet healthy is a total win-win in my book.

A few tips to make your life easier…

1. If you’re interested in saving time, most grocery stores sell pre-cut butternut squash. If you want to save a buck, here is a great video on the easiest way to cut one (I always cut my own).
2. If you are cutting your own squash, save time the day of your meal and cut it a day or two before and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
3. This dish is best served warm but if the oven is too crowded, don’t sweat it! I’ve eaten this dish at room temperature and it is still DELICIOUS.

Be sure to Pin the image below and head on over to Style Your Senses to grab the recipe! Be sure to tag Mallory and I on Instagram (@asliceofsweet and @styleyoursenses) if you make this dish!