Thanksgiving sides can get heavy and repetitive.
Stuffing, cranberry molds, green bean casseroles…
Truth be told, I don’t even like most of the traditional Thanksgiving food. This year, I decided to get creative with the seasonal veggies and create a light and easy raw salad.
Coleslaw is thought of as a summertime picnic food. I switched it up by using brussels sprouts rather than cabbage, and mixing it with a blend of sweet and tart apples and butternut squash. Butternut squash is soft enough to be eaten raw, and it makes a great color addition!
The shallot and ginger add more dimension, and the light lemon-yogurt dressing doesn’t weigh this salad down. Recipe at the bottom!
I STILL haven’t done a real grocery store run… it’s been hard to do with my workload, catching up on life outside of competition, and holiday events. That hasn’t stopped me from doing lot of baking and having FUN with food.
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else delicious creations!
Breakfast:
As always, the day began with my apple cider morning cocktail.
Breakfast was a hot one on a cold morning. It’s taken me thing long to want oatmeal again after all the competition prep, but this pumpkin creation hit the spot with its pie-like combo of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, and Stevia. Topped with bacon. Because I can.
Mid-Morning Snack:
Soooo… this happened:
A leftover #strangebutgood brownie is legit lunchtime workout fuel. As my trainer likes to say, “It’s ok. I’m bulking.”
What makes it strange? That recipe is come next week. 😉
Lunch:
I’m steadily working my way through my stash from Sizzlefish. Lunch was a new-to-me fish: Sable. It was SO good! Buttery and meaty, fully of good omega 3s! I ate it with a side of my Raw Brussels Slaw and roasted buttercup squash.
Mid-Afternoon Snack:
I’m still loving my Think Thin stash. They are really, really good frozen too. Someone on Instagram told me to try that… I can’t remember who, but thank you!
Dinner:
Dinner was Swordfish with roasted broccoli slaw tossed in hot sauce. I had a chocolate craving, so I turned my roasted buttercup squash into dessert, tossing it in a sauce of cocoa powder, cinnamon, Stevia, and almond milk.
Dessert:
Pumpkin Pie midnight snack! I mixed Greek yogurt and pumpkin purée with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and Growing Naturals vanilla rice protein powder. Then topped with a cocoa powder and peanut flour sauce, part of a peanut butter Design Whey bar, and cacao nibs. #faceplant
Raw Brussels Slaw with Apple & Butternut
- 1/2 C non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 3 T extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 T fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 Granny Smith apples, cored
- 2 Gala apples, cored
- 1/2 Butternut squash (~1 C)
- 1/2 pound brussels sprouts
- 2 inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 small shallot, diced
In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt with the olive oil and lemon juice and season with cumin and pepper.
Using the shredder attachment of your food processor,* shred the apples, squash, brussels, and ginger. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with shallot.
Add the dressing and toss to coat. Taste, adjust seasoning as needed, and serve.
The slaw can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight.
Makes 10-12 servings.
*Note: If you don’t have a food processor, you could rough-chop the fruit and veggies, or pulse in a blender to shred.
***
I’m taking the rest of the week off for Thanksgiving. I hope you are able to do the same… even if you’re not in the US. 😉 Wishing everyone a happy holiday – Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!
Have you ever had raw brussels sprouts? How about butternut squash?
Are you making a special dish this year? What is it?
I love raw brussel sprouts!! Actually I love brussel sprouts any way!!
Same here! 🙂
No Thanksgiving and no holiday here 🙁 I will feel so lonely blogging!
You made my favorite combo – squash and chocolate sauce!! I do exactly the same and I LOVE it.
I also love the Growing Naturals Protein, thank you so much for the recommendation!!
I am SO glad you’re still loving Growing Naturals! I am obsessed.
I’ve never had raw brussel sprouts, I prefer them cooked. They are already hard to digest, and I assume that eating them raw would be even harder on my digestive system.
Happy holidays! For us Europeans it’s just a normal week, though.
It weird – they bloat me a lot when I cook them but I didn’t notice that eating them raw! One would think the opposite would be true.
Geeze more vegetables eaten raw?! Really? I’m still working myself up to the asparagus!
Can’t wait to see what you incorporated in those brownies…have a great Thanksgiving and eat some twerky for me.
Brussels sprouts – raw, steamed or roasted – love em!
yum!! i’ve bought the shredded raw brussels before (i think tj’s sells them?) and have made a salad with them… i love your apple addition though – perfect sweet crunch pairing!
I didn’t know they came pre-shredded! That would have save me a step!
Oh wow, I never even knew you could eat butternut raw! This slaw looks amazing, girlie! Love all the colors and flavors going on in hurrr! 😉 I have to say, you eat pretty well for someone who can’t get to the grocery store…free fish to the rescue! And umm, “Topped with bacon. Because I can.” <- HELL YES!
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with your family! Love you!
For serious?! It’s one of my favorite items on the WF salad bar! They do just shredded butternut with some sort of light sweet-ish sauce and cranberries. They really should add bacon…
Ok, now I’ll have to scope out the salad bar next time I’m there! Oh and you should know that I went out and bought all the ingredients for this last weekend…but all the damn stores were out of Brussels sprouts! So…as soon as I can get my hands on those little baby cabbages, this is MINE!
I don’t think I’ve ever had raw brussels, I had no idea they were good that way!
Looks fab! Looking forward to your recipe on Friday 🙂
Nope- don’t think I’ve ever had raw brussel sprouts… gotta try it! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Really good! But I tend to prefer raw veggies.
If you had asked me 5 years ago if I liked brussels sprouts, the answer would have been a resounded GROSS! Haha. But now, it’s one of my favorite veggies, although I have never tried it raw. I love them roasted with a drizzle of olive oil, maple syrup, and S&P. YUM!
Isn’t it crazy how much our taste buds change? I would have NEVER eaten 90% of the stuff I eat now!
I love that you are able to eat again & thus be happier! 🙂 Love that raw salad – sounds amazing! You have such interesting twists on everything!
I keep making your coffee pancakes but changing like with almond/coconut milk instead of coffee or both like last night & amazing! I used my mixmyown mix last night instead of oatmeal – they were really good! I like them cold too!
Taking the rest of the week off too! You need it!!!
Happy Happy one to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO thankful I met you via this online community!!!
Linz just commented that you can buy pre-shredded brussels… that should make it SUPER easy! 😉
I am so thankful to have met you too, Jody!
Looks like my comment got munched. If it duplicates, I apologize. I agree on the “traditional” TDay foods. I do have at least one household that does a different tradition – manicotti. Being Italian rocks 😉 But all that other stuff – the gravy, dressing, potatoes, casseroles … I can totally do without. There are SO many awesome recipes out there to try. So why stick to blah when you can have wow?
I want to be Italian!!! We always go Italian on Christmas Eve (read: when I’m responsible for the meal).
MmmmI have been wanting to try raw brussels!! This recipe looks awesome!
This sounds AMAZING! I cannot wait to try it!!
this recipe looks so awesome – pinned for sure. i love the idea of pumpkin combined with BACON!
Yes, have been eating something very similar! Love raw brussels.
You are the flavor QUEEN! Holy moly, I need to give your flavor combos a try. That slaw looks divine. Happy Thanksgiving, Laura!
Thank you, Brittany!!! It was super easy – let me know if you try it. Hope you had a good one! 🙂
I tried a pb choc think thin and really liked it, I didn’t like the choc espresso as much, I would buy the pb again.
I’ve never tried the espresso – I like coffee, but tend to dislike coffee-flavored stuff.
I couldn’t even taste any coffee in it. Which flavors do you like best?
The Chocolate Toffee or the Cookies and Cream. And the PB when it’s frozen. 🙂
Can I get some of that dessert? yes please.
I LOVE raw brussels sprouts! I can’t say I’ve tried raw butternut squash but I definitely would. This recipe looks fantastic. It reminds me of one they have at Whole Foods that I am obsessed with. Thanks for sharing!
I actually first had raw butternut at Whole Paycheck! They have the best stuff. 🙂
This brussels sprout slaw sounds good. I think it would be a good healthy veggie side to pack up to eat with lunches.
Wow I am not a Brussels person but the apple and butternut combo looks gorgeous 😀
Cheers
CCU
Have you tried Brussels raw? It’s a totally different flavor!
Love Brussels sprouts!! Sometimes I freeze those PB bars and imagine they are Reese’s 🙂
Are you the one that told me to try it?! Brilliant idea.
Great idea! I’ve never had raw Brussels sprouts.
I’m not really a big thanksgiving person – except I loved our friendsgiving last year. Brussel sprouts are still something I am trying to aquire a taste for. 🙂
Friendsgiving was the best. I missed you guys this year!
You should try them raw! It’s a totally different flavor.
LOVE raw brussels sprouts salads. Go you.
Just wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Turkey Day my friend. Eat, Drink, and Live Well!!
I had a chance to try your “morning cocktail” with Fitmixer. I couldn’t believe how sweet it was, even with the vinegar! Do you really only add 12oz water to one scoop? I’ll have to try at least twice the water and maybe more vinegar also. I used to make a drink with sour cherry juice concentrate and vinegar that was good and refreshing.
I add about 20oz of water – it’ a big glass! However, I switched a while ago to a different amino mixer. Haven’t found one I absolutely love yet.
I like 7-8c water with 1 scoop and 1/4c coconut vinegar. I think ACV makes it taste a lot less sweet.
Oh yeah – I can’t do without the ACV!
Have you tried vega sugar free energizer, or would it not be equivalent to the amino drink?
http://www.iherb.com/Vega-Sequel-Naturals-Sport-Sugar-Free-Energizer-Acai-Berry-4-5-oz-128-g/51679#p=1&oos=1&disc=0&lc=en-US&w=vega%20sugar%20freee&rc=92&sr=null&ic=3
I think that’s just for energy, not aminos… thanks though!
I don’t know much about aminos yet. It looks like Growing Naturals rice protein has aminos? So does something like Fitmixer have the same aminos as Growing Naturals, plus caffeine and minus the protein?
I love my Growing Naturals, but it’s a protein powder. I need just aminos… really, I just need to get down to the nutrition store and try all the samples. 😉
Oatmeal + bacon… Such an epic combo!
I hope your Thanksgiving has been just as epic 🙂
Alright I love the sound of this salad and not just because I’m not a huge fan of Thanksgiving. There I said it. I don’t like Thanksgiving food. The jello molds and the green bean casseroles give me the creeps. I skip the turkey, the gravy and the stuffing for the obvious vegetarian reasons so yeah I’m left with…..
I ate salad, four pounds of french peasant bread shaped like a turkey (fine I only ate two slices of the bread), some savory roasted garlic and thyme sweet potatoes (brought by me) and a scoop of mashed potatoes. Quite frankly, I’m craving a green veggie and fruit as a result. Your raw brussel sprout salad sounds just about perfect right now.
Jell-o molds make my skin crawl. That’s just not natural. Turkey-shaped bread is far superior.
Ummm, why did I never think to freeze ThinkThin bars before reading your post?! I have a stash of creamy peanut butter bars that I plan on putting in my freezer ASAP. I’m thanking you in advance for this tip haha
Someone on IG told me about it – life changing! 😉
Oooo, I like my ThinkThin stash as well, but I didn’t think to freeze them. Good call!
I neeeeeeeeeed that brownie.
I’m seeing a lot of raw/shaved Brussels sprouts salad recipes this year, I’m going to have to give it a try! I assume the sable fish is the same as the black cod that we get here: very rich, you don’t need much, and what we get here is from the Alaska fishery which is very sustainable.
It’s not quite as rich as black cod, but still quite good! A news staple, for sure.