Eating healthy foods during the holidays can be tough, especially with chronic pain. Many of us reach for pain-inducing foods unintentionally like animal proteins, fried foods, breads, sweets, and canned vegetables.
To help, we’ve pulled together a complete meal that will not only meet your needs and feed your hungry guests, but help reduce inflammation and pain. Our Chronic Pain Holiday Menu can help you plan your best dinner yet!
Appetizer featuring Dark Cherries: Dark cherries have naturally occurring compounds that are powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants block inflammation much the same way that an aspirin or other NSAIDS would.
Curried Chicken Salad With Cherries, Mango and Pecans
3 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and sliced
1 small ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced
1/4 small red onion, diced
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped roasted pecans
In a large bowl, mix the mayonnaise and the curry powder.
Fold in the chicken, cherries, mango, onion and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle with the pecans and serve.
Link to recipe: http://www.aarp.org/food/diet-nutrition/info-03-2011/pain-fighting-foods.5.html
Vegetable Side Dish featuring Ginger: Historically used as a digestive aid, anti-nausea and sea-sickness remedy, ginger can also be pain fighting. Much like the cherry, ginger can be beneficial in reducing inflammation, particularly offering relief from migraines, muscle pain and arthritis.
Roasted Winter Vegetables with a Maple-Ginger Glaze
1/2 lb. parsnips, peeled and cut into 2×1/2-inch sticks
1/2 lb. carrots (about 3 or 4), peeled and cut into 2×1/2-inch sticks
1/2 lb. turnips (about 2 medium or 1 large), peeled and cut into thin wedges
1/2 lb. Brussels sprouts, stems trimmed and any wilted leaves pulled off; large sprouts halved
2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into very thin matchsticks (about 1/3 cup)
3 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1-1/2 Tbs. pure maple syrup
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Heat the oven to 425ºF.
Spread the vegetables and the ginger matchsticks in a large, low-sided roasting pan or a heavy rimmed baking sheet.
Drizzle with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat the vegetables and spread them so that they’re just one layer deep.
Roast the vegetables, tossing a couple of times, until tender and golden brown in spots, about 30 minutes.
Combine the grated ginger and maple syrup.
Drizzle the vegetables with the maple-ginger mixture, toss, and roast for another 5 minutes. The vegetables should be very tender and browned in spots.
Serve warm.
Link to recipe: http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/ginger_roasted_winter_vegetables.aspx
Potato Side Dish featuring Cinnamon: Studies show that cinnamaldehyde, the compound that gives cinnamon its distinct flavor and smell, disrupts the signaling that’s responsible for the formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, even at a low concentration. Cinnamon also helps maintain insulin sensitivity, which further helps to keep sugar levels where they need to be.
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
1 lb. sweet potatoes (4 medium)
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
¼ tsp. nutmeg or cinnamon
1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
¼ tsp. salt
¼ cup chopped pecans, optional
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Preheat oven to 400.
Bake sweet potatoes for 30-40 minutes or until sweet potatoes are soft to touch. May bake sweet potatoes in microwave for quicker prep or bake sweet potatoes up to 2 days before.
Remove sweet potatoes from oven and let set for 5-10 minutes.
Remove skins and add cooked potatoes to a mixing bowl and mash until potatoes reach desired creaminess. May also use electric mixer.
Fold in remaining ingredients and serve.
Link to recipe: https://therealfoodrds.com/maple-mashed-sweet-potatoes/
Main Dish featuring Salmon: Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that not only help keep your heart in top shape, but can also reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis, migraines and neck and back pain. Omega-3s help improve blood flow by reducing inflammation in blood vessels and nerves.
Honey Walnut Crusted Salmon
1 1/2 lb wild-caught Alaskan salmon
2 tsp olive oil
2/3 C finely chopped walnuts
4 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
dash of cayenne pepper
dash of black pepper
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Preheat your oven to 400º F.
Cut thawed Alaskan salmon into 1 inch strips, place on a baking sheet skin side down, and then lightly brush with olive oil
In a small bowl combine your chopped walnuts, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, cayenne, and pepper.
Top each piece of salmon with a layer of the walnut mixture.
Place fish in your preheated oven and cook for 9-11 minutes, then immediately serve.
Link to recipe: http://simpleseasonal.com/recipes/meal-types/entrees/honey-walnut-crusted-salmon
Dessert featuring Blueberries: Blueberries are an antioxidant superfood. Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, but they are also anti-inflammatory.
The Ultimate Healthy Blueberry Crumble
¾ cup old-fashioned oats
¼ cup whole wheat flour or millet flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp pure maple syrup, room temperature
1 ½ tbsp unsalted butter, melted
6 cups blueberries
3 tbsp cornstarch
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Preheat the oven to 350°F, and coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
To prepare the topping, whisk together the oats, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour in the maple syrup and melted butter. Stir until fully incorporated.
To prepare the filling, toss the blueberries with the cornstarch in a large bowl until completely coated.
Transfer the filling to the prepared pan, and sprinkle evenly with the topping. (The topping tends to clump, so try to break it up into fairly small pieces.) Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes or until the juice is bubbling at the sides of the pan.
Cool completely to room temperature; then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving to allow the juices to fully thicken.
Link to recipe: https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2016/06/23/the-ultimate-healthy-blueberry-crumble/