Besides Christmas, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Growing up we always had Thanksgiving at my house and I loved being in the kitchen helping my mom make the most delicious meal. I don’t know why but we would always bust out the fancy Christmas dishes for Thanksgiving dinner which made setting the table that much more fun. When I was in college I was fortunate enough to get a week off for Thanksgiving so I was always able to go home to spend the week with my family. Once I married my husband who had just joined the army, however, things changed.
Two years ago, on the day before Thanksgiving, we PCS’d (permanent change of station, aka moved) from Fort Benning, GA to Fort Hood, TX where we are still living. This meant having all our stuff packed up the week prior to Thanksgiving and being on the road over the holiday. We actually arrived at Fort Hood the afternoon of Thanksgiving. We didn’t know anyone, didn’t know where anything was, and didn’t even have a home yet. This was really hard for me because I was so used to spending the holidays with my family. But after a minor breakdown in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel, we went inside and had a delicious Thanksgiving meal. After dinner we went to our hotel room and watched movies in bed while eating pumpkin pie. Although I wasn’t thrilled about the circumstances at the time, we made the best of it and now we have this great memory about our first Thanksgiving together as a married couple.
This year I am very excited that not only do we get to have Thanksgiving in our home, but we have family coming in to town to celebrate with us. I can’t wait to make tons of delicious food to share with my family. In case you don’t already have your Thanksgiving menu planned and set, here are a bunch of delicious real food recipes that won’t leave you needing a nap after dinner…
Breakfast
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls from the Spunky Coconut
Apple Pecan and Bacon Butternut Squash Hash from the Urban Poser
Spaghetti Squash and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Pumpkin Spiced Pancakes from Primal Palate
Holiday Hash from the Paleo Parents
Appetizers
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates from The Healthy Foodie
Smoky and Spicy Candied Cashews from PaleOMG
Stuffed Mushrooms from Elana’s Pantry
Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup from Movement Menu
Side Dishes
Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts and Dried Cranberry Vinaigrette from Tasty Yummies
Bacon Pecan Brussel Sprouts from PaleOMG
Green Bean Casserole from Fed & Fit
Best Ever Paleo Stuffing from Zenbelly
Pear and Walnut Salad from Primal Palate
Naturally Sweetened Orange Apple Cranberry Sauce from the Healthy Foodie
Classic Mashed Potatoes from Hold the Grain
Slow Cooker Stuffing from Rubies and Radishes
The best ever Real Food Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe from Purely Twins
Paleo Cran-Cherry Sauce from Nom Nom Paleo
Nut Free Drop Biscuits from Living Loving Paleo
Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Casserole from Hold the Grain
Herb Gravy from Elana’s Pantry
Entree
Smoked Turkey from the Domestic Man
Thanksgiving Turkey and Brine from Multiply Delicious
Dessert
Pumpkin Pie {paleo & AIP}
Paleo Pecan Pie from The Paleo Mom
Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Bark from Taylor Made it Paleo
Paleo Pear Berry Hazelnut Crisp
Chocolate Pie from Healy Eats Real
Dairy Free Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Grain Free Apple Pie from Life Made Full
Drinks
Spiced Pumpkin Cider from Plaid and Paleo
Egg Nog from the Paleo Parents
If you’re looking for even more Holiday Recipes including full on menus check out my friend Cassy of Fed and Fit’s new Holiday Feast eBook! She has over 45 delicious recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve.
What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year? No matter whether you are hosting dinner or attending someone else’s I hope your day is filled with love and laughter and lots of delicious food!
In vibrant health,
Kiersten
Thanks for including my apple pie recipe!! Pinning now!
All of these recipes sound amazing, Kiersten! I’m so happy you’re able to look back on that first Thanksgiving with a smile now, I can’t imagine how hard it must be to pick up everything and move to a new location. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! xoxo <3
just stumbled across your blog via FB. It’s nice to know there are others in killeen trying to cook healthy for their families. I lived in Houston prior to coming here and I had all the natural grocers, etc. So it’s been a bit challenging finding all my products and foods. Thanks for taking the time to post your recipes and thoughts.
I’m so glad you found my site! You’re right, Killeen is not the easiest place to find things, especially compared to Houston I’m sure. Have you gone to Natural Grocers in Temple? It’s a bit of a drive but that’s where I always go when I can’t find something at HEB. Also, the HEB in Copperas Cove tends to have more options than the one in Killeen or Harker Heights!
Yes. I found that little gem (natural’s grocer). I teach at Univ Mary Hardin Baylor and one day had to hop to temple and by chance saw it. My kiddos have varying food allergies. And as much as I didn’t want to go into austin I was prepared. But this little store saved me the trip. (:
Yes I love it! Definitely easier than going all the way to Austin. Although I do love doing Whole Foods runs every now and then…
Me too! (:
Thank you again for what you do. I think I’ll have fun perusing your site for some great new meal and food ideas. Always looking for something to get out of a food rut!
Have a super day.