Tips on Creating a Turkey-Free Thanksgiving

Need some tips for preparing a whole-food, traditional Thanksgiving meal, but without the turkey? Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, "The Compassionate Cook" demonstrates many ways we can use plant foods as the centerpiece of our holiday meal. Stuffing squashes, using individual serving containers, layering foods, and meatless loaves are great ways to create a focal point for your holiday meal. Although Colleen mentions a few foods that I don't recommend for my Starch-Smart patients such as Earth Balance margarine, coconut oil/milk, and alcohol, she does an excellent job of demonstrating how easy it is to set a beautiful Thanksgiving table using a whole-food, plant-based menu. Avoid the unwanted holiday pounds and the toxic compounds in turkeys by eating a healthy, whole-food, nutrient-dense, plant-based diet! Remember too, that the majority of heart attacks occur during the holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. My "Meat-less Veggie/Bean Loaf" Pinterest board has many loaf ideas that can be used for the main dish. Let us know how they turned out in the comment section below!