Gluten-free, Vegan, Paleo

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had to most fantastic Christmas dinners. I hope you indulged in some of your favourites, while managing to find some balance. My family and I took a celebratory shot of apple cider vinegar with our meal to help get those gastric juices flowing and support digestion. While most of them took down heaps of the classic white mashed potatoes during the meal, at least they got a little bit of help from the ACV. Plus I made sure they used grass-fed butter and organic cream in the mash. Every little change counts! 

On my end, I enjoyed this Maple Cranberry Sweet Potato Melange... I only started calling it a melange today when I was trying to explain to my brother what it was. Melange sounds fancy, if not a bit pretentious, especially when you say it with a french accent which I can't help but do. 

It is an easy to throw together bake. All you've got to do is chop up some sweet potato, toss them in a bowl, with some cranberries and pecans, sprinkle with cinnamon, maple syrup and melted coconut oil or ghee, then toss them in the over at 400 degrees for 30 minutes and OHHHH Holy Night you've got a delicious dish. Ready to serve not he side of a festive meal, whatever that looks like for you and your family on the holidays. 

Give it a try next Christmas! Or tomorrow! Especially, if you're like me and celebrating Christmas again tomorrow with another side of the family. There really are no rules though! Try it anytime!

Ingredients

3 sweet potatoes, cubed. 

1 bag (8oz) fresh cranberries

1/2 cup pecans

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp coconut oil

sea salt to taste

cinnamon to taste ** tip! go for ceylon cinnamon -- it will help to balance blood sugar! 

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2) Toss all ingredients in a bowl, mix well. 

3) Line baking sheet with parchment paper and cover with the seasoned melange

4) Place in the oven and let back for 30 mins.

5) Remove. Let cool. Serve. ENJOY! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE REALISTIC HOLISTIC! I hope this is a time of love and laughter for you all! 

Cheers. Xo.

If you make this recipe, don’t forget to take a pic and tag me on instagram @realistic.holistic and use #realisticholistic - show me how you’re incorporating real health into your real life!