Seasonal Eating 3: Autumn Thanksgiving Veggies – Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes, Watercress!

Thanksgiving healthy  in-season special!

This week those of us who have spent enough time in America like to celebrate one of the favourite culinary holidays: Thanksgiving!

There’s nothing quite like a holiday where the main purpose is to eat rich foods and indulge until you’re so full of everything that’s been so yummy and heavy that you just conk out on the couch usually with family or friends just as full and ready for sleep as you are. One thing to note about the fact that we pass our on Thanksgiving is that it’s no surprise considering that normally (unless we’re vegetarians) one of the big indulgences is the massive turkey, which is rich in tryptophan (a substance that is known to help us sleep).

For this Thanksgiving special, I’ve focused my videos on the key plant-based foods that are in season and especially good for us in Autumn.

The first is pumpkin, which can be used for a Thanksgiving favourite: pumpkin pie, but is also equally tasty in a pumpkin soup, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin gnocchi, pumpkin mash and so much more. Pumpkin is as good for us as it is tasty! Watch the video below to find out why and then try out this delicious recipe for a pumpkin-carrot soup. By the way, pumpkin seeds are equally high in benefits, so if you’re using the whole pumpkin make sure you salt and roast the seeds too!

The reason I love this soup is because it is sooo creamy even without the cream! Its exceptionally nutritious and filling, and is low in carbs.

Check out the recipe

Another Thanksgiving favourite is of course sweet potatoes. These yummy (not really potatoes) have become one of the favourites for those looking for a healthier replacement for the white potatoes version, which we normally advise clients to cut out entirely. Sweet potatoes made in mash or sliced version have been cooked with spices like cinnamon and brown sugar or even covered with marshmallows for a decadent version on Thanksgiving. They can even be used to replace ordinary french fries or chips for a much healthier, high fibre snack. Eat them with the skin on for maximum fibre and health benefits! More on why they’re so great in this video.

In every indulgent Thanksgiving, there should also be a large bowl of salad that makes us all feel better about balancing the heavy food off with something light and good for us. In that bowl of salad, add some watercress as a true superfood vegetable that helps to eliminate carcinogens and fight cancer by inducing cancer cells to suicide themselves. It’s also incredibly light in calories and heavy in vitamins and antioxidants. Watch the video below to find out more.

And if after you indulge you want some help on how to get back into shape before the next indulgence at Christmas, as well as to learn more about what you can do long-term to boost your immunity and slow down the ageing process, book a free 30 minute call with me here.