Celebrating Good Food & Good Times

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Despite our holiday celebrations looking different this December than in years past, there are still holiday traditions to observe, gifts to give and receive, sweet memories to make with your family, and of course, scrumptious holiday treats and meals to make and enjoy. We might be biased, but all of the delicious holiday food might be our favorite part of the season. Coming together in the kitchen with family to bake traditional favorites or gathering around the table to share a special meal together is what the season is all about for us.

Pro Tip: invite your children and your family into the kitchen with you to cook this holiday season! Not only will you foster a love of cooking homemade meals with family, you’ll also find new traditions to celebrate in a year where many of your family’s beloved favorites might be cancelled or held virtually. Make it a special cooking date and Zoom with grandparents, aunts and uncles, or close family friends and prepare the same recipe together. It won’t be the same as being able to cook together in person, but it’ll help you connect with those you love the most throughout the holiday season.

 Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started in the kitchen!

 Holiday Party

Headed out to a socially-distanced holiday party this year? Don’t go empty handed! Give our Spicy Collard Dip a try this year. You can even make it super safe for everyone by serving the dip in mini individual cups with a side of sliced vegetables for dipping so that everyone has their own dip and they do not need to worry about sharing with others.

Cookies for Santa

Surprise Santa with a healthy, nutritional cookie when he stops by your family’s house on Christmas Eve. Our Chocolate Cherry Kale Cookies are so easy to make and so delicious that you’ll want to make an extra batch (or two!) for your family to enjoy throughout the season. 

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning—especially with little ones running around—can be extremely hectic. Make your Christmas morning easier by preparing breakfast ahead of time and popping it in the oven when you head downstairs to see what Santa left and to open presents. Spend some time on Christmas even making our Superfood Lemon Blueberry Scones and serve them on Christmas morning with your favorite nut butter or jelly!

New Year’s Day

Did you know? Collards are a traditional food prepared on New Year’s Day because it’s said that eating collards will ensure that you have a strong financial future in the coming year. We’re here for any reason to eat collards! Our website is filled with great recipes that feature collards, CLICK HERE to find a recipe. Which recipe are you going to try out for your New Year’s Day meal?

From all of us at WP Rawl, we hope that you and your family have a wonderful, safe, and healthy holiday season!

Unique Ways to Gather with Family & Friends this Holiday Season

The end of the year is rapidly approaching, and with it, the holiday season! If there’s one thing we know heading into the holidays this year… it’s that they’re going to look unlike any other holiday that we’ve ever experienced. As we missing out on traditional favorites like parades, tree lightings, holiday parties, and more, we’re all looking for ways to keep some of our traditions alive (even if they look a little bit different). One thing that’s universal during the holiday season: gathering with family and friends over a savory meal.

Around here, we’re definitely not giving up our holiday dinners! We just know that we’ll be taking extra measures to social distance and looking for ways to keep our family and friends healthy throughout the holiday season as we still manage to gather together.

If it’s warm enough where you live on Thanksgiving Day, host a backyard dinner where you’re able to spread out more and enjoy the fresh air

• Host an intimate dinner with all of the trimmings and your favorite dishes for just your immediate family, but have a FaceTime or Zoom call set up with the rest of your family to be able to enjoy the meal together.

• Drop off your favorite Thanksgiving recipe—prepared and with heating instructions if necessary—at a friend’s house or a grandparent’s house so they can still enjoy one of your traditional dishes at their at-home Thanksgiving

• Get your kids involved with the meal planning and allow them to help you prepare the meal this year—with more intimate dinners, you have more opportunity to focus on just your family and creating new memories together

 After you decide how you’re going to gather to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, it’s time to set the menu for the day! Introduce a new recipe to the mix this year. Our website is full of healthy, nutritious, and delicious recipes that you add flavor to any Thanksgiving menu. We have a few that are particularly Thanksgiving-themed that we think you and your family should try out this year:

 Crispy Collard Greens & Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Put a fun twist on your traditional mac and cheese this year by adding in some collard greens and some fresh butternut squash to it. Find the recipe here.

Savory Turkey and Turnip Greens Over Yams

Hosting an intimate dinner at your home with just you and your significant other, or just your immediate family? Consider trying our Savory Turkey and Turnip Greens Over Yams as your main course on Thanksgiving! You get your traditional Thanksgiving favorites of turkey and yams, but in an entire new way. It’s perfect for smaller meals and can easily be doubled or tripled if needed for extra guests! Find the recipe here!

Turkey and Collard Cassoulets

Another way to incorporate turkey into your Thanksgiving meal this year in a new way is with our Turkey and Collard Cassoulets. These mini casseroles are perfect single servings and are so tasty! They include fresh veggies, collards, and cooked turkey, and can be prepared in individual ramekins or in a big dish all together, however you prefer. Find the recipe here!

How are you celebrating the holidays with your family this year? Whether you’re gathering around the table together or hosting your family virtually this year, one thing’s for sure: food and the holidays always bring us together regardless of whatever else is going on in the world! 

We would love to see your holiday dishes! Tag us on social media and we will share your posts. (Instagram, Facebook)

10 Ways to Indulge This Holiday Without Overdoing It

This season is a time to celebrate. But, you can enjoy the holidays in a healthy balance. Here are 10 tips for indulging without overdoing it, and finding time for some wellness-driven self care. 

1. Start each day with a nutrient rich breakfast.

This important meal can set you up for all day energy, and leave you less prone to oversnacking in the evening. It can be as quick and simple as a piece of fresh fruit paired with a few hard boiled eggs and cut veggies dipped in guacamole. Or, check out the breakfast recipes on our site for options like make-ahead frittata, savory egg muffins, and overnight oats. 

2. Drink plenty of H2O.

It can be easy to forget to drink during this busy time of year. But staying well hydrated helps to regulate appetite and support overall energy and good digestive health. Keep a water bottle with you to sip throughout the day. 

3. Rate your splurge options.

There are numerous opportunities to indulge throughout the season, but some are more special than others. Before reaching for a treat, rank it on a 0-5 scale with 5 being can’t-live-without and 0 being meh. If something doesn’t rate at least a 4, chances are you won’t regret forgoing it or feel deprived.

4. Fit in veggies.

In addition to being chock full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, and low in calories, eating more veggies is tied to better mental wellness. That’s key during what can be a stressful season. Stock veggies with hummus for snacking, and rely on easy breezy choices at mealtimes, like: ready to eat greens dressed with balsamic vinaigrette topped with quick protein, like canned beans or salmon; fresh or frozen veggies quickly sautéed in low sodium veggie broth with minced garlic and Italian herb seasoning; fresh or frozen veggies steamed and tossed with jarred pesto. 

5. Find a little ‘you time’ each day, even if it’s just five minutes.

Go for a brisk walk, listen to a guided meditation, stretch, turn on some music, or dance! Taking a break to briefly focus on yourself can reinvigorate your spirit, and help you make intuitively healthier choices throughout the day.    

6. Imbibe strategically.

Pair every cocktail with a full glass of water. This will keep you better hydrated and slow your drinking pace. It may also help curb your calorie intake, and avert the alcohol-induced munchies.     

7. Bring some nutritious dishes to holiday parties. 

A veggie tray with healthy dips is always a good bet, or try our recipe for light but flavorful veggie stuffed mushroom caps. Filling up your plate with options like these can help balance out traditional, more indulgent fare.   

8. Stash better-for-you snacks in your bag for shopping excursions.

Opt for nuts, or a clean ingredient protein bar. Apart from keeping you fueled, a healthy snack can help prevent becoming overly hungry, which can lead to rebound overeating, and allow you to avoid less healthy fast food options.          

9. Slow your eating pace, especially at big holiday meals.

Try to put your utensil down between bites, take breaths, and remain mindful of both your food and your fullness level.

10. Practice gratitude.

Research shows that spending 15 minutes before bed writing down grateful sentiments improves sleep length and quality, another key wellness component this time of year. If you don’t have the chance to jot down your thoughts, simply run through them in your mind. Any time spent focused on gratitude is valuable now, and all year long. 

How do you stay balanced during the holidays? Please share your thoughts, tips, and favorite healthy recipes.