Celebrations are a little different right now, since eating out at restaurants & many leisure activities aren’t as much of an option today. However, celebrating with a home-cooked meal can be just as much fun!
Making celebrations healthy
Here are 2 different ways to get creative, give thanks to your loved ones, and make memories that will last a lifetime while still feeding the whole family:
1. Kitchen Team-Building
How it Works:
Select a healthy meal that’s fun to make & easy to personalize. Then, spend quality time with your loved ones by putting it all together!
Ex. Personal pizza making, buffalo cauliflower bites + multiple dips, homemade meatballs, lettuce wrap bar, shaved ice + toppings bar
2. Family Cook-Off
How it Works:
Choose a main ingredient or ingredient, then organize a friendly cooking competition between your family members as a fun activity. After everything is prepared, serve appropriate portions and vote on the winner.
Ex. Dish must use green beans, dish can only be made with food from the pantry, etc.
Recipe Ideas
Personal Pizza
Ingredients:
- 1/2 head cauliflower (or 2 cups cauliflower rice)
- 2 egg whites
- 1 can tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- 2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Directions:
If not already prepared, make cauliflower “rice” by chopping a head of cauliflower into florets. Then, use a grater or food processor to create the “riced” pieces. Remove all excess moisture with a clean paper towel. Once cauliflower rice is prepared, combine with egg whites to create dough. Transfer dough onto a baking sheet lined with tin foil and greased with a little zero-calorie nonstick cooking spray and shape dough into a large patty, about 8 inches in diameter. Then, bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to cool, then flip and bake for another 15 minutes.
To prepare sauce, sauté minced garlic in a sauce pan using a little 0-calorie nonstick cooking spray. Once fragrant, add canned tomato sauce, Italian seasoning (or seasoning of choice, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper. Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
When ready to assemble your pizza, portion about ¼ cup of sauce onto the cauliflower crust. Then, top with desired approved toppings such as sliced onion, spinach, tomato, and mushrooms. Return completed pizza to the 350 degree F oven for about 10 minutes, remove & allow to cool, then serve hot.
Sweet & Sour Green Beans
Ingredients:
- 1 can green beans
- 1 Tbsp Stevia®
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp chopped onion
- 2 tsp liquid aminos
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Directions:
Drain liquid from green beans & rinse under cool water; set aside. In a bowl, whisk together Stevia®, apple cider vinegar, liquid aminos, salt, & pepper to create the sweet and sour dressing. Add green beans & toss to coat. Then, heat a skillet to medium-high heat. Spray with a little 0-calorie cooking spray and sauté onions. Once onions are translucent, add green beans and stir. Next, pour about ¼ cup of water into the pan, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat & serve hot. Serve with additional dressing if desired.
Green Beans in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 can green beans
- ½ cup canned tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp diced onions
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Directions:
Drain & rinse green beans; pat dry & set aside. Heat a saucepan to medium-high heat & spray with a little 0-calorie nonstick cooking spray. Add garlic and onions and cook until fragrant. Then, add oregano, salt & pepper to sauce and stir well to combine. Once combined, add green beans. Cover the pot and allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes. Scoop out green beans with a slotted spoon to get rid of excess sauce & serve hot.
Protein Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 serving RM Protein shake or drink
- 1 egg white (as needed)
- Cinnamon (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp water
- Walden Farms syrup of choice
Directions:
Mix the ingredients in a bowl using a spoon or whisk. Place a pan on the stove and set to medium heat. Once pan has pre-heated, pour batter into pan, creating multiple pancakes of any preferred size.
Let the pancake(s) sit for roughly 2-3 minutes on one side. When ready, flip the pancake(s) and let cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side. When cooked completely, remove from pan and enjoy with the Walden Farms syrup flavor of choice.
