Do THIS to Stay Healthy During the Holidays 🎄

The holidays are stressful and indulgent enough as it is, I just want a simple way to make sure I'm eating my veggies throughout the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas... and I've found that THIS is the best way to do it! So if you're looking to stay healthy this holiday season, join me for a quick and easy prep that will make you MUCH more likely to actually eat your veggies. Enjoy! 😊
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✨ My favorite kitchen tools:
Wash basins with strainers: amzn.to/3DEE8Eu
Glass storage containers (I use the Ikea brand but these are similar) amzn.to/43VrKLc
6-quart Instant Pot: amzn.to/3dkbs9v
Instant Pot sealing rings: amzn.to/3eyauXz
Vitamix V1200: amzn.to/3BNQYzq
Recipes!
🔺 Tempeh Bacon: nosweatvegan.c... I slightly modified this recipe based on what I had on hand. I also baked them at 375 for 25 mins., turning halfway through, instead of steaming.
🥗 Cashew Ranch:
1 cup cashew cream (see recipe below)
1-2 TBL apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
1/2 tsp dill
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
+ pinch of salt
Stir thoroughly until combined, taste, and adjust seasonings if needed.
🫙 To make cashew cream:
1 cup cashews
1-1 1/2 cups water (I used 1 1/2)
Soak cashews for 10-15 mins. in boiling water until softened. Drain and add to blender with fresh water. Blend until smooth.
🍠 Sweet potato chia pudding:
2-3 medium sweet potatoes, baked at 400F for 45 mins. (or 375F for 60 mins.)
2 cups plant milk (I used soy milk)
3 TBL chia seeds
1/2 tsp. vanilla powder (or vanilla extract)
Pinch of pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon)
+ maple syrup if desired!
After sweet potatoes have baked and fully cooled, remove the skins and mash them until smooth (you can also use a food processor if you don’t like any lumps). Add plant milk, chia, vanilla & spices and stir until well combined. Add to tupperware and refrigerate.
🥣 Lentil soup recipe:
(makes approx. 6 servings)
1 onion
3-4 cloves garlic
2 cups (approx.) chopped carrots*
2 cups (approx.) chopped celery
3 cups (approx.) chopped potatoes
1 heaping cup brown lentils (dry)**
8 cups veggie broth (you may need more if you like a brothier soup)
1 bay leaf (and/ or any other seasonings of choice, i.e. a sprig of thyme, onion/ garlic powder, etc.)
3 cups (approx.) of chopped greens such as kale or spinach
Optional: salt & pepper to taste
Optional: lemon for serving (this adds great flavor!) I usually squeeze half lemon on each serving
Directions: In large soup pot sauté onion for 1-2 mins., then add garlic and sauté for 1 min. more. Add chopped veggies, followed by veggie broth and then lentils. Add any other seasonings (I used 1 bay leaf) and let simmer for 25-30 mins. until veggies are tender and lentils are fully cooked. Give your broth a taste here and add any salt or pepper if desired. Once lentils are cooked, remove bay leaf (if using), add in greens and let simmer 1-2 mins. more. Serve with lemon wedge, or any other flavor enhancers such as nutritional yeast, chili flakes or fresh herbs.
* If you don't have the same vegetables, feel free to sub with whatever you have on-hand. This soup is very forgiving! You could use just 1 or 2 of the veggies I used (i.e. potato & carrot + lentil), or switch any of them out for other veggies. Sweet potato, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, or even cabbage would work well here. If your soup needs more flavor try adding some toppings such as a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, chili flakes, or fresh herbs.
** If you use canned lentils (that are already cooked) you can just add them at the end of the cook time (so after about 30 minutes), once the veggies are softened. You could even use another type of cooked/ canned beans (such as chickpeas, white beans, etc.) if you prefer! Enjoy!
🔺 Still need holiday inspiration? Check out these recipes and gift ideas: • Your Guide to Healthy ...
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[@LetsEatPlants]

What are you doing to stay healthy this holiday season? 😃

[@ARANH]

You seem like such a positive person!

[@LetsEatPlants]

Aww thank you! Veggies make me happy I guess 😆

[@upjones7541]

You're doing a wonderful job Maddie... The prep session you taught saved my life... You wouldn't believe how many people don't know and don't prep healthy meals for their bodies.. Keep teaching kind one!!!

[@LetsEatPlants]

Aww thank you what a sweet comment! I agree such a simple act but it can be so helpful. 😊😊

[@patriciasy9397]

Thanks for this video. I have not been eating healthy the last two days and I can really feel it. I needed this healthy reminder. Going to have a big salad and some veggie chili for lunch!

[@LetsEatPlants]

Wohoo! It’s honestly those little in between meals that make a difference so finding time to make a healthy lunch and dinner throughout December really helps me. Glad this was helpful for you too! 😊

[@katerlee516]

I wash and chop my green onions and put them in freezer. They last and are ready to go instead of rotting in the fridge!

[@LetsEatPlants]

That’s a great option too! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@cltinturkey]

GREAT plan! Thanks so much. I'm improving my cooking from scratch and make sure to have tasty fresh vegetables on hand. Roasting some beets now and will trade out with sweet potatoes. Healthy and happy new year to you and Merry Christmas!

[@LetsEatPlants]

You're very welcome! 😃 Oooh I love roasted beets, great choice! Happy new year and Merry Christmas to you as well. 🤗

[@CS-zw5im]

Thank you for all of the work you do to make great videos like this. You are helping people like me who want to eat more plant-based, tremendously. I hope you continue to prosper, you deserve it. ❤

[@LetsEatPlants]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I love helping people eat more veggies and more vegan meals. 😊😊

[@JazzedatHome]

This is great, thanks, Maddie! I've been indulging in holiday sweets a bit more than I would like. I'm also planning to make some treats for the neighbors in my building, so I've been gathering supplies and planning. And watching a holiday baking contest probably didn't help with the sugar cravings, though it was a ton of fun. So...I've had sugar on the brain and that's not the best thing for me, given that I've been working to lose weight. I'm trying to shift my focus back to the healthy stuff. Fortunately, I was just gifted a bunch of veggies, so I'm looking at how to best use them. You actually got me started on the Daily Dozen, so thanks for that! I make a veggie soup with kale, spinach, onions, carrots, and celery, with a mock chicken flavor (garlic, salt, turmeric) and one serving of that checks five different boxes. I agree that having snacking veggies cut and ready-to-go makes it more likely that they're going to get eaten. I am definitely going to look into that cashew ranch, because I've been craving sweet potato fries, lately (baked) and that could be the perfect thing to dip them in. Blessings!

[@LetsEatPlants]

Haha I totally feel you! I'm the exact same way every December and that sugar addiction really gets a hold of you. 😵‍💫😵‍💫 But how wonderful that you were gifted a bunch of veggies! I think that will be a great balance for the weekdays to have those prepped and ready to eat. 😋 You're veggie soup sounds delicious and perfect that it ticks so many boxes on the DD! Yes, definitely give the cashew ranch a try, it's a perfect compliment. 😊 Enjoy!

[@JazzedatHome]

Thanks, Maddie! I think a lot of people have a hard time with Christmas being synonymous with candy. Ugh. I actually ended up having to chuck out the candy making supplies, as well as the idea of making the candy for my neighbors, because keeping that stuff around was self-sabotage. Thanks re: the veggies and soup :) I've made the soup pretty much every week, since. It's a really good base for adding beans and grains and I'll probably write a blog post about it, in the near future. I might be slightly allergic to cashews, so I'm hesitant to make the cashew cream sauce (I got some and have been nibbling on them to try and see if I react badly), but I remember you saying that white beans could be used, as a sub, so maybe that could work for the ranch? Or perhaps silken tofu... Blessings! @@LetsEatPlants

[@LetsEatPlants]

@@JazzedatHome Oh yea I hear you! The holidays is such a funny time for eating. Good for you for knowing yourself well enough to chuck the candy supplies! For the cashew sauce, yes you can try it with white beans…. But it’s really not the same. 😆😆 Silken tofu would be much better! I’ve also seen sunflower seeds commonly used as a sub for nuts… but I’d actually go with the silken tofu first and see how you like that. 😊 Enjoy!

[@JazzedatHome]

Yeah, they definitely can be! Thank you. I'm trying to notice when I'm sabotaging myself and stop doing that. It's a process. Have you gotten hip to the book "Atomic Habits", yet? I just finished it and it's really good! I hear you that white beans are maybe not the best sub for cashew cream, but that silken tofu might be a better option. Thanks for the suggestion of sunflower seeds. I'm not super keen on the flavor, BUT that got me thinking and I do have roasted almonds that I've been planning to make into almond butter. I'm going to try mostly silken tofu, plus a little bit of almond butter for the base, because I think it's going to need a bit of fat. That should give it a similar richness and body. I stocked up on all my salad making goodies, tonight (even though it's winter and there are piles of snow on the ground) so I could try this, LOL. I'm really looking forward to it :D I'll let you know how it goes.@@LetsEatPlants

[@JazzedatHome]

BTW, there was something off with my settings, which is why I wasn't seeing your replies (or anyone else's). I don't know why that one little box was not checked, while all of the other ones were. Details!

[@LauraCastillejos]

Great ideas! Thanks for the video, Maddie! 💕

[@LetsEatPlants]

You’re welcome Laura! 🥰

[@jillt.3195]

Thanks for another great and helpful video!

[@LetsEatPlants]

You’re very welcome! 😃😃

[@nicolerichard882]

Wanting to lose weight instead of gain it this Christmas season, I am working out a lot. This video has come at the right time because I want to eat healthier. Thank you!

[@LetsEatPlants]

You’re welcome! It’s definitely not easy with all the treats around.. but I find that doing something simple like these helps a lot on the regular weekdays. Anything I can do to get those veggies in! 🤗🤗

[@oe9276]

Brilliant video ..very helpful many thanks!

[@LetsEatPlants]

So glad to hear that! You’re very welcome. 😊

[@heatherphelps3799]

Love this video as it’s so hard to keep eating healthy between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s! Too many sweets hanging around to tempt me. Thank you!

[@LetsEatPlants]

Absolutely! That’s exactly why I wanted to make this video… I know if I don’t have veggies ready I won’t eat them. 😆😆 I definitely like to keep it simple during the busy season, so wanted to do that here as well. 😊 Glad it was helpful!

[@mimishimaineko1173]

Thank you for meal prep video and encouragement🧡--I'm already noticing a few pounds creeping up on me!😒

[@LetsEatPlants]

You’re welcome! I definitely wanted to make it simple enough for this (busy) time of year because I am in the same boat with all the extra treats right now. 😅

[@lizfortes9056]

Cool fact you don't have to poke sweet potatoes before cooking. Unlike white potatoes they won't explode and all the great flavor stays in the potatoes! ❤

[@LetsEatPlants]

It’s actually happened to a few people I know, a couple viewers of this channel too! 😅😅 But I know not everyone likes to. 😊

[@franciscachesca]

Great video. Very inspiring. Great reminder to eat healthy. Thank you for the recipes in the description box. ❤

[@LetsEatPlants]

You're welcome and I'm so glad to hear it. I know a lot of people struggle to get their veggies in this time of year, so I love this simple hack for making sure I eat them. 😋😋

[@fhanincik]

You have a very pleasant way about you.

[@LetsEatPlants]

Aww thank you! 😊

[@amalieeiksa2109]

I’m going on walkes everyday.

[@LetsEatPlants]

Wohoo! That’s awesome! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@paulachristie7807]

I can’t eat Kale, it gives me horrible gas. I always substitute in spinach for any recipe that calls for kale and it always seems to work.

[@LetsEatPlants]

Spinach is a great sub! Have you tried steaming or sautéing it first? I’ve heard they can help! Also removing stems and/or eating with some digestive aids such as ginger could help too. But if you are happy with the spinach then that works great. 😀

[@LilyLightOne]

I'm allowing myself to relax and do some crafts. The only task I'm committed to each day is making sure I take my dog for a walk no matter what the weather is like. It doesn't have to be high tempo or super long; the goal is simply to get outside and get fresh air together. 😊

[@LetsEatPlants]

That’s great! You’re lucky you’re in a place where you can still get some outdoor walking time. I’m jealous! 😀

[@sandyrose4829]

I roast my sweet potatoes every week and they have never exploded.... I find they are moister if I don't poke holes in them

[@LetsEatPlants]

Nice! I’ve definitely heard stories of them exploding but if it works for you not to do holes, that’s great. 😀

[@sabrinakramer7261]

Can you eat a low carb keto diet begin vegan? Help !!!

[@LetsEatPlants]

I think so, yes! I’ve seen Mary from Mary’s Test Kitchen eats a vegan keto diet. Check out her channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3fFZJt3gJhkh8ksi=uYCNZJd7j2I1AVsP

[@cltinturkey]

I'd love to see a video on spices and how best to use and combine them. They make a wonderful addition, along with fresh herbs, but I'm a novice on how to maximize their flavors. Also quick and easy salad dressings and marinades. Thanks!

[@LetsEatPlants]

Spices is definitely a video I need to tackle! (Although, truthfully, I'm still a bit of a spice novice myself. 😅) I do have a couple salad dressings on this channel already... just search "lets eat plants dressing" and they should pop up. 😋

[@cltinturkey]

@@LetsEatPlants Thanks! You could use a spice video to ask for suggestions from subscribers. People in the know are usually happy to share their best tips. We could all learn together.

[@LetsEatPlants]

@@cltinturkey That’s a great idea!

[@lisamarielindenschmidt649]

Just out of curiosity, why don't you eat the kale stalks? For salads and sautes, I just chop them a little smaller. The stems are super nutritious!

[@LetsEatPlants]

You can! I just despise them. 😂😂 For sautés they’re actually not as bad, but leaving them in just makes me not want to eat kale! So I prefer to remove them. 😋

[@lisamarielindenschmidt649]

@@LetsEatPlants I feel that. Poor abandoned stalks... ; p

[@LetsEatPlants]

@@lisamarielindenschmidt649 😆😆

[@robindifabio3619]

These all look sooo good! Thank you 😊

[@LetsEatPlants]

You’re welcome! 😃😃