Winter Wonderland

Winter recipes, immune boosts, and cookie boxes- oh my!

Cookie boxes

My favorite time of the year is when neighbors start dropping off cookie boxes, truly neighborly love. Growing up, my house would be FULL of boxes that the neighbors dropped off the weeks leading up to Christmas, and each box was filled to the brim. If you participate in the distribution of cookie boxes, here are some nutritious swaps for your cookies to add to your box!

● Whole-grain flour

● Coconut sugar

● Maple syrup

● Oatmeal

● Dark chocolate for milk chocolate

Winter recipes

Some of my favorite recipes are only made around December/January, which is probably why they’re my favorite, since I only eat them for a short window of time! These recipes are incredibly easy to make and are great to take to a work potluck, gift to your child’s teacher, take to your family celebrations, or simply enjoy at home!

● Chicken parmesan sandwiches

● White chicken chilli

● Marry Me chicken soup

● Lasagna soup

● Butternut squash risotto

Holiday finger food

If you’re looking to make something lighter, not quite the main event, check out these two recipes! These two recipes are relatively easy to make and are crowd pleasers! So, if you’re on appetizer duty, try one of these!

Cranberry Brie Bites

These are the ultimate combination of flaky, buttery puff pastry, melty brie, and that sweet but tangy cranberry punch we all crave this time of year. And the best part? They come together with just five beautiful ingredients and about 10 minutes of work.

Crostini’s

Toasted baguette slices or mini bagel bites with creamy ricotta mixed with fresh herbs and topped with halved cherry tomatoes. The ricotta provides a mild and creamy base that lets the fresh herbs and tomatoes shine. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt complete this appetizer.

Immune Boosting Recipes

The holiday season is full of joy, gatherings, and—let’s be honest—a whole lot of germs. Although we can’t control everything we’re exposed to this time of year, we can support our immune system with simple, nourishing foods. Think cozy soups, citrusy salads, spices like ginger and turmeric, and meals packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and protein to help keep your body resilient through the festivities.

Vitamins help immune cells function, while antioxidants help get rid of free radicals, which damage the immune cells. Additionally, protein is important for the synthesis of antibodies, and hydration is essential for optimal function of all the body’s processes! To make things easy, we’ve rounded up some holiday-friendly and immune-supportive recipes that are both delicious and practical for this busy season.

Recipes we recommend: