It’s that time of season.  The grocery stores are packed, menus are being planned and most people are counting down the hours until their biggest feast of the year. For many, the thought of having to prepare a lavish meal for friends and family seems intimidating, especially if you are seeking healthy alternatives to sedative-filled turkeys and pork-laden collard greens. Fear not, my friends, I have some nontraditional (yet appetizing!) suggestions for your holiday table. Ooh, I am hungry already!

Start off the morning with Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, or this easy Moist Vegan Banana Bread from the always creative blog Savvy Brown. (Or if you have a lot of mouths to feed, try both!) But save some room for the main meal.

Make this Pepper Seitan the highlight of your Thanksgiving table. The creative recipe is from Tracye McQuirter, author of the invaluable guide to veganism, By Any Greens Necessary. Of course, Vegan Stuffing would be a perfect highlight to the main dish. I have been making this for years, and it is always a big hit.  To round out your main meal, add Garlic Mashed Potatoes (+ Dill for an extra zing) and Sesame Spinach (recipe below).  And now for my favorite part! For dessert, my tantalizing Chocolate Mousse Pie. (I usually make this for holiday gatherings, and it never lasts long!)

Sesame Spinach

Wash a bunch of spinach. Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil, juice from 1/2  of a lemon, and a dash of salt to taste. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and you have a ready-made dish (in less than five minutes!) The spinach is ready to eat right away, but I usually let mine marinate for a few hours to maximize the taste.

Best of all, these recipes are so simple, you’ll be out of the kitchen in no time. Better than spending your whole vacation cooking, right?

Don’t forget…I will have more healthy recipes available at “A Winter Retreat,” Saturday, December 3rd…and some tasty holiday treats as well!

Have you tried these recipes? What is on your holiday menu?