Last week I told you about staying healthy for the holidays, and mentioned that if you’re going to a party, bring a healthy part to contribute! However, I am well aware that you (if you are ANYTHING like me) may not want to do the work for find a good, healthy recipe. Well…you’re welcome, I’ve got a healthy holiday recipe roundup for you! Who doesn’t love a good round up, right? Supporting other awesome bloggers, getting recipes you would never think of, there’s nothing bad here. Plus…

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is sharing loud for all to hear! 

See what I did there?? I think I’m hilarious. I digress. Listen, the holidays are stressful enough without worrying about what you can and can’t eat. So like I said last week, go for it, enjoy, but I also said – BRING SOMETHING! You can sneak something healthy into most parties, and it doesn’t have to be just carrot sticks. Use the ideas below to keep yourself on track and healthy without sacrificing taste! 

Now, lets get to the recipes. 

Balsamic Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate – from Spoonful of Flavor

This. Looks. Incredible. Like, I’ve saved it to my recipes and I’m making it this week kind of delicious.  Our daughter LOVES butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, so combining the two would be her dream come true. Plus, adding the burst of sweet with the pomegranate? I’m so in. I also love a good roasted onion (is that weird? I don’t care) so that part grabs me. Its also my favorite kind of recipe – cut it up, throw it on a tray, and bake it. The most simple. 

Christmas Tree Cheese Board – from Honey and Lime 

How fun is this?! It’s a great, easy app that you could bring and put together at the party, or get a little extravagant and really go all out! I love a simple way of making food thematic without a crazy amount of work. You could also do this as a cheese ball, shaped as a tree. Oh, the OPTIONS!

Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad – from Cooking Classy

This looks delightful. A light, seasonal starter or side salad is perfect with just about anything. The crunchiness of the almonds and the sweetness of the cranberries…oh it sounds delightful. PLUS, how cute is it to have red berries on green spinach? Helllooooo holiday spirit!

Roasted Carrots with Fresh Thyme – from Feel Great in 8

Carrots are great for your eyes! (a health fact I learned from cartoons, obviously) Tiffany clearly knows the way to my heart, since her first line says this recipe turns carrots to candy!! I love a good roasted vegetable, and her twist on the Pioneer Woman is sure to be an easy classic. Thyme, olive oil, need I say more?!

Cranberry, Pecan, and Goat Cheese Sweet Potato Bites – from Recipe Runner

Ditch the crabs and bring a snack that will have everyone begging for more! You can file this one under “sneaky healthy” because even just looking at them, you almost wouldn’t know they were sweet potatoes! I love hiding amazing food in recipes, and so I am always going to be a fan of this appetizer idea. Plus, the creaminess of the goat cheese will make it feel sinful while you consume like a saint. 

Turkey Cranberry Meatballs – from Six Sisters Stuff 

I know lots of people who are hesitant of ground turkey. This is a perfect recipe to sneak it into without people noticing. When I first served ground turkey instead of ground beef, I did it in an enchilada so my husband would be catching all the other flavors and not want to focus on the meat. This recipe does the same. It creates an appetizer favorite without the guilt.

Brie, Apple, and Honey Crostini – from Two Peas and Their Pod

This recipe looks so fancy, until you read that it takes TWELVE MINUTES to make. TWELVE. It takes me longer than that to get my makeup on and dressed for a party! I shied away from brie for far too long of my adult life, and I fully embrace my love for it now. PLUS, my little Pennsylvania bred heart grows three sizes when I see apple butter in any recipe.

Lentil Vegetable Stuffed Mushrooms – from Sweet Simple Vegan

Here’s one for my vegan friends! So many apps can be easily made vegetarian, but vegan is a bit tougher. (Side note: this is a great vegan recipe site if you are searching for more!) My husband LOVES mushrooms, and I know he would never believe me that this was a vegan appetizer. In fact, I think he’d consume them all before guests arrived!!!

Grinch Kabobs – from Nourishing Minimalism 

Here’s one for the kids, and kids at heart! This would be epic for a classroom treat, a party with your kiddos, or even a pre-dinner appetizer when offering the “adult” appetizers get you a cringey face. They’re almost too cute to eat! 

Homemade Apple Cider – from Raia’s Recipes 

When I was little, the kids would go caroling, and at one house, they always had a huge crock pot of steaming homemade apple cider ready for us after we Fa la la la la’d our way onto their porch. Now, I can’t promise this, because I can’t say I paid too much attention, but as I am now a parent, I can confidently say they had a special added ingredient for the parents walking around freezing listening to us. Not only will homemade apple cider taste delicious and be made kid and adult friendly, its going to make your house smell FANTASTIC. Trust me, this is better than the powdered stuff.

You’re all set now! Go forth and bring sneaky amazing apps and sides to your next party or event, shocking everyone with a little bit of healthy in their holidays!!!

“wait wait WAIT. SAM. You forgot the best part – holiday DESSERTS that can be a little healthier than a 7 layer cheesecake.” Oh. Oh right, you like desserts too? Fantastic! Throw your email below and I’ll send you DESSERTS!

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