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The 15 Best Vegan dinner Side dishes on the Internet​

2/15/2023

 
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Let’s Face It, Sides Are Always the Main Attraction at holiday dinners—Here Are 15 Vegan Recipes to Try This Year. Sure, I like a few pieces of turkey, but most of my plate is loaded up with mashed potatoes, green beans, and (two or three) dinner rolls. Although it’s undoubtedly an indulgent meal, holiday dinners don’t have to be unhealthy. When families have to make dietary changes, we had two separate dinner buffets: one that was gluten-free and vegan, and another that was traditional. However, after lots of research and recipe tasting, we’ve landed on a menu with vegan sides that the whole family drools over. This list is full of both classic and creative recipes for all of your favorite holiday dinner sides that no one will even know are vegan. ​
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Simple Vegan Dinner Rolls from Minimalist Baker
​Why We Love It: Have no fear, vegan dinner rolls are here. And they are only seven ingredients and easy to make. Rolls are one of my favorite parts of the meal, so I truly believe that no one should have to turn them down. This is one of the vegan holiday dinner sides that is a real show-stopper. 
Hero Ingredient: The vegan butter melts in your mouth.
​Get the recipe.
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​Sweet Potato Casserole from Love & Lemons
​Why We Love It: Instead of covering your sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, you have to try this recipe that tops the dish with chopped pecans, walnuts, and herbs. The nutty topping makes the dish vegan, but also adds such a delicious flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the base. 
Hero Ingredient: The finished product of the crumble topping is good enough to eat by itself.
​Get the recipe.
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​Vegan Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
​Why We Love It: Do you have Mac & Cheese for holiday dinner? My family doesn’t, but this recipe makes me wish we did. I could seriously eat it every day. The recipe comes together in 20 minutes and is made with an easy, thick and velvety vegan cauliflower cheese sauce poured over macaroni noodles (which can easily be subbed for gluten-free pasta). 
Hero Ingredient: Cauliflower is a chameleon. 
​Get the recipe.
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Vegan Green Bean Casserole from Minimalist Baker 
Why We Love It: Thirty-minute, made-from-scratch, vegan, and gluten-free green bean casserole? Yes, please! This recipe has just 10 ingredients and is the ultimate combo of creamy, crunchy, and comforting. Plus, it’s loaded with veggies.  
Hero Ingredient: Crispy fried onions have always been my favorite part.
Get the recipe.
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Honey Roasted Carrots With Spicy Citrus, Sage & Pepitas
​Why We Love It: Even if you aren’t a cooked-carrot fan, this recipe might win you over with its secret sauce. It’s got the perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and spice finished with fresh sage that gives it major autumn vibes. You can’t say you don’t like cooked carrots until you try this recipe. 
​Hero Ingredient: The pan sauce, because it can be added to any fall veggie in your fridge. 
Get the recipe.
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​Best-Ever Cauliflower Stuffing from Delish
Why We Love It: Whoever thought of swapping cauliflower for bread in this stuffing is a genius. This recipe is low-carb, gluten-free, and delicious. However, the original recipe calls for butter, so be sure to swap for coconut oil or vegan butter. It was just too good not to include!
​Hero Ingredient: The cauliflower won’t even make you miss the bread. 
Get the recipe.
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Vegan Cornbread from The Simple Veganista
​Why We Love It: I’m a huge fan of cornbread in the fall. This simple vegan recipe is ready in 30 minutes and pairs perfectly with everything from holiday dinner to a warm bowl of chili. It’s also easily made gluten-free and refined sugar free with just a few suggested swaps.
Hero Ingredient: What is cornbread without the yellow cornmeal?
Get the recipe.
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Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes from Love & Lemons
​Why We Love It: The idea of mashed potatoes without butter or milk originally scared me, as I am somewhat of a mashed potato connoisseur. However, this recipe does not skimp on flavor or creaminess. The garlic and the olive oil come together to create mashed potatoes that everyone is sure to love, no matter what they are used to. 
Hero Ingredient: A whole head of roasted garlic sets the recipe apart. 
Get the recipe.
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​Roasted Mushrooms with Thyme and Smoked Salt
​Why We Love It: This recipe for roasted mushrooms with thyme and smoked salt is a cozy, hearty side dish for entertaining all year round, but it’s perfect for vegan Thanksgiving sides. This recipe is from Tastemakers interview with Kennesha Buycks, and we are so glad she shared it with us.
Hero Ingredient: Thyme tops it all off terrifically. 
Get the recipe.
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Fall Harvest Salad from Running on Real Food
​Why We Love It: Both fall and winter’s best ingredients shine in this vegan and gluten-free side salad. It’s made with a maple tahini dressing and might just be your new favorite holiday dinner menu item. Served as a side or an appetizer, everyone can enjoy this recipe.
Hero Ingredient: The tahini maple dressing is like icing on the cake (because I could literally lick it off the spoon).
Get the recipe.
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Stuffed Acorn Squash from Running on Real Food
​Why We Love It: While this might not be a traditional holiday dinner side, this stuffed acorn squash recipe is the perfect addition to the menu this year. They are made with apples, cranberries, pecans, brown rice, and sage… AKA all of the best fall flavors.  
Hero Ingredient: The acorn squash holds it all together… literally.
Get the recipe.
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​Sweet & Sour Cider Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Dates & Pecans
Why We Love It: Instead of leaning on her typical method of roasting halved sprouts until crispy, Camille shreds these into thin little ruffly bites, then does a hard sear in a cast-iron skillet to get the perfect char. A quick toss in a sweet vinegar sauce with a secret ingredient (apple cider!) and a sprinkle of toasted pecans, dates, and chili flakes, and voilá. You have a killer vegan holiday dinner side.
Hero Ingredient: Apple cider gives this dish major fall feels. 
Get the recipe.
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Paleo Orange Cranberry Sauce from Mary’s Whole Life
​Why We Love It: Homemade cranberry sauce has never been easier. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, and delicious. The orange, cinnamon, and coconut sugar give this classic holiday dinner side a unique twist that your guests will love.
Hero Ingredient: The orange juice and orange zest really are the best. 
Get the recipe.
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​Roasted Cauliflower & Parsnip Mash from Unbound Wellness
​Why We Love It: My mom made this recipe for holiday dinner last year, and it’s a new family favorite. The addition of parsnips to the classic mashed cauliflower gives it even more of the beloved potato flavor. It’s also paleo and Whole-30. Note: be sure to sub ghee for olive oil or coconut oil to be 100% vegan. 
Hero Ingredient: Parsnips give it both the texture and flavor of potatoes. 
Get the recipe.
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​Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
​Why We Love It: Soup might not be the most traditional holiday dinner dish, but this vegan butternut squash soup pairs perfectly with the meal. It’s healthy, but it has so much flavor that you won’t even care. 
Hero Ingredient: Coconut milk makes this soup so comforting and creamy (without the cream).
Get the recipe.

5 Sneaky Reasons You're Always Cold—and What to Eat to Warm Yourself Up

2/9/2023

 
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These nutrient-dense foods can help you stay warm no matter the season.

The reasons you're feeling cold may not always be obvious. Often, feeling cold no matter the temperature outside can be a sign of an underlying condition, whereas other times, feelings of coldness are related to body size. No matter the cause, it can be uncomfortable to regularly feel cold, and turning to food to help you stay warm can be a good solution.


Why Are You Always Cold?
Regularly feeling cold can be a symptom of some illnesses or of a chronic condition that requires treatment. Working with a primary health care provider to help you identify why you're always cold will help ensure you receive proper treatment.

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​Here are five reasons you may be feeling cold.

Illness with Fever
A high body temperature can result in feeling chilled, caused by muscles contracting and relaxing as a way to stay warm, per MedlinePlus. Running a fever is a symptom of many types of illnesses and requires treatment to address the disease as well as the fever.

Poor Circulation
Some conditions cause poor circulation, which may result in feeling cold, especially in the extremities like hands, fingers, feet and toes. Peripheral artery disease, diabetes and Raynaud's disease are just a few conditions that may result in poor circulation, per Harvard Medical School. Many conditions that cause poor circulation require medical treatment.

​Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, per the National Institutes of Health. Inadequate hormone production leads to slowed bodily processes, including metabolism. One of the many symptoms of hypothyroidism is regularly feeling cold. Hypothyroidism requires a medical diagnosis and treatment, including medication and/or surgery.
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Low Body Weight
Low body weight is another potential reason why someone might feel cold on a regular basis. People with lower body weights have a lower basal metabolic rate, which may explain why they feel cold on a regular basis, per a 2017 study published in the Journal of Thermal Biology.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia
According to the NIH, iron-deficiency anemia is a condition where the body doesn't produce enough red blood cells due to inadequate iron. As a result, oxygen transport is negatively impacted, and those with anemia may feel tired, short of breath or cold. Iron-deficiency anemia can have multiple causes, so a medical diagnosis is required. Additionally, supplemental treatment is often required to ensure iron levels return to normal.

Best Foods and Drinks to Keep You Warm
What you eat and drink can help you warm up when you're cold. Choosing high-temperature foods or those that generate heat, like peppers, can help to up your body temperature. "When you're cold, your best bet to warm up is to seek out foods that are not only physically hot but also have warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and cardamom," says Tori Martinet, M.S., RD, a culinary and intuitive-eating dietitian.
Reach for these foods the next time you're feeling cold.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a fiber-rich whole grain that can be eaten hot or cold, though it's best to prepare oatmeal hot when you're looking for food to warm you up. "A hot breakfast in the morning is a nice way to warm up and wake up," says Ashley Kitchens, M.P.H., RDN, a plant-based dietitian and owner of Plant Centered Nutrition. "I recommend an oatmeal bowl with fresh fruit, or quinoa porridge with nuts and dried fruit."

Broth
Sipping on warm broth is an excellent way to help you warm up when you're feeling cold. The physical heat of the broth will warm your hands if sipping from a mug, and if you choose to add more spices to your broth, you're likely to get the extra boost of warmth from the spicy flavors.
Hot PeppersHot peppers are a good choice if you enjoy staying warm with spicy food. "If you can stand the heat, I recommend hot peppers, whether that's cayenne, Calabrian chili or gochugaru, as these agents of spice can help generate body heat," says Martinet. "These ingredients are so versatile you can use them in a lot of different dishes across varied cuisines, so you'll always be warm and never bored."

Soup or Curry
Warm soups and curries are similar to broth because they can offer both physical heat and heat from warming spices. "The foods I turn to most often for warming up are definitely soups and curries because you're consuming the spices whole rather than steeped and getting a super-cozy meal on the table at the same time," says Martinet. If you prefer to avoid spicy foods, stick to less spicy soups like Slow-Cooker Potato Soup, Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup or Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Kale.

Coffee or Tea
Hot beverages are a great way to help you warm up when you're feeling cold. Most often, a warm drink like coffee or tea is served in a mug, enabling you to stay in contact with the physical heat of the drink. This not only warms your hands but drinking coffee and tea can also offer additional warmth. "If I'm looking for a beverage to warm me up, I love homemade masala chai, or just adding some cinnamon to a cup of hot cocoa," says Martinet. Don't be afraid to get creative with the warm beverages you choose.

The Bottom Line
If you regularly feel cold without relief, discussing your symptoms with a doctor is best to ensure you receive a proper diagnosis. When turning to foods or drinks to help you stay warm, be sure to choose nutrient-dense choices that offer nourishment and warmth no matter the season.

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