Paleo & AIP Holiday Menu Planning

Whether this will be your first paleo or AIP holiday season, or you’ve been through a couple of them, like me, you are no doubt feeling the stress of planning your holiday menus. Last year’s holidays taught me lots about trying to please everyone’s dietary preferences. It taught me not to do it! When doing your holiday menu planning, put yourself first.

Now, I know that may not be the popular way of thinking, especially for the holiday season. But, if you explain to your family that you’re just looking out for their health, and that this is a much healthier way of eating, perhaps they’ll be more forgiving about not getting their gluten-and-crap-laden traditional foods. If not….oh well. At least you didn’t expose yourself to cross-contamination, just to appease those who aren’t as proactive about their health. Let them stop at McDonalds on their way home.

Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been successful in putting my lupus into remission that has me so cocky. But, if your guests can’t come to appreciate a home-cooked meal, of fresh whole foods, that says a lot more about them then it does about you. Don’t let that interfere with enjoying your healthy holiday meal.

This Thanksgiving, I actually have family coming in from New Orleans, my sisters, brother-in-law, and nephew. They are all well aware of my paleo and AIP diet and lifestyle. Although they all eat a standard American diet (SAD), they are also some of the biggest foodies I know. They’re excited to enjoy a week of mostly paleo eats. I say mostly paleo because I do plan on adding a few gluten free and primal dishes into my holiday menu planning. As long as the dish includes only ingredients I have reintroduced successfully, I will add it to the menu.

My Thanksgiving Menu

Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo– Recipe in Paleo Magazine’s Holiday Cookbook 2015

Turkey- I haven’t decided which recipe, if any, I’m using yet.

Cajun Dirty Rice

AIP Sweet Potato Coconut Crisp

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Maple Coconut Frosting– Guest post for The Paleo Mom

Cinnamon Donut Holes from Enjoying This Journey

Spiced Cranberry Sauce from AIP Holiday ebook by Bre’anna Emmitt

Gingersnaps from AIP & Paleo Holiday Sweet Treats by Laura Vein

Instant Pot Cajun Greens

White Chocolate Strawberry Bread Pudding

Obviously, I can’t add all of the delicious looking recipes into my holiday menu planning, as I would want to. Here are a few, from my fellow paleo and AIP bloggers, that you may want to add into your holiday menu.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Tigernuts from Sweet Treats

AIP Pumpkin Spice Natte from Joy-Filled Nourishment

Chewy Pecan Pie Brittle from PaleOMG

Apple-Cranberry Holiday Stuffing from Autoimmune Paleo

Butterflied Big Bird (Spatchcocked Turkey) from Nom Nom Paleo

Sweet Potato Gratin from Meatified

Root Vegetable Casserole by The Paleo Mom

Paleo Anti-Grain Flour Double Pumpkin Spice Cookies by Beyond The Bite

Sweet ‘n’ Tart Braised Red Cabbage with Apples and Raisins by Joanna Frankham

Festive Salad for The Holidays by A Squirrel In The Kitchen

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving! There is no reason why you cannot stick to your chosen diet, just because you’re hosting family in your home. Everyone should be able to enjoy real food, prepared with love and care. Be proud of the fact that you’re improving your health through food. Share it with your family. You never know, maybe you’ll even gain a convert or two.

As always, I wish you good health…..and, good food!