At Talking Cents, we are always looking for the latest tips and tricks to help you live a financially healthy lifestyle. But, your physical health is just as important. Over at American Consumer Credit Counseling, we have a Wellness Program that is designed to encourage and educate ACCC employees on living a healthy lifestyle. The Wellness team offers tips on everything from exercising and working out to eating healthy to managing stress and financial fitness.
This year the average cost of a Thanksgiving day dinner is $49.04, down 44 cents from last year. Recently, the Wellness team has been sharing its best healthy and budget-friendly Thanksgiving recipes to cook this Thanksgiving. These are great alternatives, especially if you are planning your holiday meals around sales. Why not give one of these budget-friendly Thanksgiving recipes a try this year? You can have a great holiday meal while staying on track with your debt management progress.
ACCC hopes you enjoy these budget-friendly Thanksgiving recipes!
Mashed Cauliflower (from an ACCC employee)
Low-carb lovers’ mashed cauliflower
1 large head of cauliflower
2 tbsp of butter
Salt/pepper to taste
1/3 cup of fresh cilantro
1/4 cup cream (half & half) – you might need an additional ¼ cup while processing
Boil cauliflower until tender (do not overcook!)
Place pieces in food processor, add all ingredients and blend.
Chicken Sausage and Herb Stuffing (from Skinnytaste.com)
Ingredients:
14 oz French bread, crusts removed (weight after crust is removed)
2 tbsp light butter (Land O Lakes)
1 1/2 cups diced yellow onion
1 3/4 cups (about 4 stalks) diced celery
13.2 oz fresh Italian chicken sausage, casing removed
1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
3 1/4 cups fat free, low sodium chicken broth
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
cooking spray
Directions:
Cut the bread into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the bread out on a baking sheet and let it dry overnight – OR – place the baking sheet in a 350°F oven and bake about 20 minutes, or until the bread is dried out. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
In the same pan over medium heat, cook the sausage, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage to the bowl with the onion/celery mixture.
Spray an oven proof baking dish with cooking spray (I use my misto)
Add the bread, sage and thyme to the bowl with the sausage/onion mixture and stir to combine. Add the chicken broth and stir to evenly coat the bread. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix well.
Transfer to the baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir. Continue baking until golden, about 35 minutes more. Serve immediately.
Makes about 9 cups
To make a sweeter version, use chicken apple sausage and add cut up apples.
Roasted Chicken with Autumn Vegetables (from Tufts Health Plan Magazine)
We hope you enjoy these budget-friendly Thanksgiving recipes!
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC an help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
