Wondering what to bring to Thanksgiving this year that will be delicious and…well… not taste like cardboard? Following a Thanksgiving tasting event at our clinic, we decided to share some recipes with you to inspire you while you are on your weight loss journey.  Below is a full course of dishes to help you share the holiday spirit without getting off track.

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Hors d’oeuvres

Chips and Dip

Serves 4

2 bags Spicy Cheddar chips

½ cup Whole Yogurt Plain mixed

1 packet of LivLight Weightloss (LLWL) tomato soup

Use a large platter and place a small matching bowl in the center.

In the small bowl, measure ½ cup of whole plain yogurt, and add 1 packet of LLWL Tomato Soup. Mix thoroughly until fully combined.  Place the bowl with mixed yogurt in the middle of your platter.  Put preferred protein chips around the bowl.  Have small plates close by for people to serve themselves.

Vegetarian Chili over Garlic Parmesan Crackers

Serves 4

2 packets of LLWL Vegetarian Chili

½ chopped tomato

¼ cup chopped green pepper (optional)

18 Good Thins Gluten Free Parmesan & Garlic Round crackers.

2 oz of freshly grated parmesan cheese

Prepare a large tray to serve.

Mix LLWL Vegetarian Chili with about 4 oz to 6 oz of hot water.  Add water slowly until the mixture is cohesive, but not runny. Once mixed, let it sit for 5 minutes.  In the meantime, chop tomato and green pepper if using.  Add chopped vegetables to chili and mix until well incorporated.  Place crackers onto the prepared serving dish and top each cracker with about a tbsp full of LLWL vegetarian chili mixture.  Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan to garnish before serving.

Vegetable Side Dishes

Now, when doing something new, you do not always need to reinvent the wheel.  During our Thanksgiving tasting event, we chose two side dishes that would do great at any table and help our patients get their veggies while still enjoying a beautiful meal. The first one that we tried was a delicious Balsamic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.

The second side dish was a beautiful Kale with cranberry salad topped with Skinny Girl Poppy Seed Dressing that turned out divine! Best of all is that it fits within most low-carb plans that we recommend to our patients.

Desserts

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Serves 4

2 packs of LLWL Pumpkin Spice pudding/Shake protein powder

2 packs of LLWL Cheesecake protein powder

16 oz of cold water, 8 oz of Pumpkin Spice pudding/shake protein powder, 8 oz of cheesecake protein powder

4 short transparent glasses to serve.

In a bowl, empty out pumpkin spice protein powder and add 8 oz of water slowly.  Mix until well combined and thick enough to form soft peaks. Set it aside.  In a different bowl, empty cheesecake protein powder and add 8 oz of cold water slowly while mixing.  Mix until well combined and thick enough to form soft peaks. In serving glasses, start layering by placing 2 tbsp of cheesecake mixture on the bottom of each glass.  Spread evenly with a small spatula, add 2 tbsp of pumpkin spice mixture, and spread evenly. Add one more layer of cheesecake and one more layer of pumpkin spice. Shake a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon to garnish and serve.

Protein Pancake Napoleons

1 packet of LLWL Protein Pancake mix

Water according to packet instructions

1 packet of LLWL Vanilla protein pudding/shake powder

3 oz of water

Griddle or skillet to cook pancakes.

Bowl to mix vanilla pudding.

½ cup chopped strawberries

A Dish to serve

In a bowl, prepare pancake mix and cook pancakes in a griddle or skillet.  Make mini pancakes that are about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter (measure across from one side to the other). While the pancakes are cooling, mix vanilla protein powder with water and let it sit in the refrigerator. Next, chop your strawberries into wedges and set them aside.  Prepare the serving dish and start assembling your napoleons.  First, create a single layer of pancakes, then place a small dollop of vanilla pudding on each mini pancake, add a strawberry wedge or two, and add another dollop of vanilla pudding, top with another mini pancake.  Drizzle with sugar-free chocolate syrup and serve.

Drinks

Fizzy Rosemary Cran Mocktail

1 LLWL CranGrape protein drink powder

4 oz water

2oz sparkling water

Sprig of rosemary

Fresh cranberries to garnish

In a small glass, add a packet of CranGrape protein drink and mix with 4 oz of water. Mix well, and then add sparkling water. To serve, put in fresh cranberries and a sprig of Rosemary.

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Written by Evelyn Claeys, Clinic Manager of LivLight Weight Loss