Elevate Your Holiday Table: Healthy and Fun Ideas to Amp Up Your Spread

The holiday season is all about gathering with loved ones, celebrating, and of course, indulging in delicious food and drinks. This year, why not elevate your holiday table with a healthier twist? Less inflammation and bloat, more calm and comfort with a little added pizzazz. 

With some creativity, we can make a memorable experience that’s a bit healthier, packed with natural flavors, and enhanced with nature’s very best. Here are a few ideas for your table that are as fun as they are healthy. 

Start with Fresh, Colorful Produce and Vibrant Colors 

Add some color and nutrients to your holiday table with an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods to kick off your festivities.

When planning a healthier holiday menu, consider reducing or avoiding inflammatory foods that can leave guests feeling bloated or sluggish. Common culprits include refined sugars, processed grains, and trans fats found in many holiday appetizers, desserts, and packaged snacks. 

Instead, opt for fresh, colorful produce, whole grains, natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado oil, and nuts. 

By focusing on these nourishing ingredients, you can create dishes that are both flavorful and gentle on the body. This approach not only supports digestion but also helps everyone feel energized and comfortable throughout the celebration. 

First Things First: Healthy Apps 

For a dip your friends will be sure to love, try hummus instead of a traditional dairy-based dip. Hummus contains more vitamins and minerals than many other dips and spreads, and is high in fiber and protein.

Give it even more pazazz with this Herb-Infused Green Goddess Hummus recipe.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Combine the tahini and lemon juice to your food processor (or heavy duty blender). Process for 2 minutes, pausing to scrape the bowl as necessary. 
2. Add olive oil, parsley, tarragon, chives, chopped garlic and salt to the whipped tahini and lemon juice mixture. Process for another minute. 
3. Add half of strained chickpeas and process for another minute. Scrape down the bowl, then add the remaining chickpeas. Process again until it is thick and smooth, approximately 2 minutes. (add 1-2 tablespoons of water if it is too thick) 
4. Scrape the hummus into a small serving bowl. Drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil on top and sprinkle with additional chopped herbs.

Make It Magical with Mocktails 

Herbal-Infused drinks and mocktails are taking center stage as refreshing alternatives to traditional cocktails. They bring all the festivity and flavor without the after-effects of alcohol. 

By choosing these creative beverages, you’re promoting a more inclusive, mindful way of celebrating that leaves everyone feeling present, rejuvenated, and ready to fully enjoy the festivities. 

You can easily create elegant mocktails with seasonal flavors and beautiful garnishes. Here are a few ideas we think you’ll love:

Pomegranate Spritz: Mix pomegranate juice, soda water, a splash of fresh lime for a festive and refreshing drink. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a few pomegranate seeds for color. 

Spiced Apple Fizz: Combine apple cider, ginger beer, and a hint of cinnamon. Garnish with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick. This mocktail pairs perfectly with the flavors of the holiday table. 

Holiday Sangria: 

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and apple cider. 
2. Add the sliced orange, lemon, lime, apple, and pear to the mixture. Toss in the cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and cinnamon sticks. 
3. Let the sangria sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight if possible) to allow the flavors to blend. 
4. Just before serving, stir in the sparkling water for a touch of fizz. 
5. Pour into glasses, garnish with fresh rosemary, and serve chilled. 

Note: Makes approximately 8 servings. This sangria can be made a day in advance and will taste even better as the flavors infuse! Just add the sparkling water right before serving.

Elevate the Experience: Infused CBD & THC Ideas for Holiday Gatherings 

Adding CBD or THC to your holiday menu can bring a variety of benefits that elevate the festive experience in unique ways. For one, CBD is known for its calming, anti-anxiety effects, which can help guests feel more relaxed and at ease during what can sometimes be a stressful season. It may also help with digestion and reduce inflammation, making it a soothing addition to richer holiday meals. THC, on the other hand, can offer a gentle, uplifting effect that encourages laughter, relaxation, and social connection, enhancing the holiday spirit for those who enjoy it. 

By thoughtfully incorporating these ingredients, you can create a holiday atmosphere that’s not only joyful but also supportive of well-being, adding a memorable, modern twist to traditional celebrations. 

First, it’s essential to understand proper ratios and exercise caution to create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Unlike alcohol, which people may be more familiar with, cannabinoids, while most certainly a healthier choice, can affect each person differently, depending on tolerance, metabolism, and experience level. 

Here’s a guide on how to approach infusing food and drinks with CBD and THC, along with some cautions to consider. 

Important Considerations 

• Start Low and Go Slow: While CBD is non-psychoactive, higher doses can still produce a sense of calm that might be too strong for first-time users. With THC, especially, it’s better to keep doses low. Recommended mg per serving: CBD 5-10mg, THC 2-3mg. 
• Consider Individual Tolerances: Some guests may be more experienced with CBD or THC, while others might be new to these infusions. To accommodate everyone, consider offering dishes with labeled portions so that guests can gauge how much to consume. 
• Label Clearly: Clearly indicate which dishes or drinks are infused, and with what so guests can make informed choices. Consider making small, discreet signs or using labels on serving platters and drink pitchers. 
• Be Mindful of Children and Pets: Always keep infused dishes and drinks out of reach of children and pets. If possible, separate these items from other food and drink options to prevent accidental consumption. 

Add to your Beverage Bar - Healthy & Clean Cannabis Products We Love

Flipside Cannabis Spirit is a craft cannabis spirit that provides an uplifting way to experience N/A. You will love this hemp-derived, THC infused, distilled, zero calories & zero sugar spirit. 

The flavor is complex, herbal, enigmatic and a perfect one-to-one substitute for alcohol. Handcrafted in small batches by Goodland Extracts in Milwaukee Wisconsin and available  online and in shop.

CBD Isolate Drops is a flavorless and odorless way to add CBD to your offerings. All the benefits of CBD without the hempy taste. Use a 1/4 dropperful (8.25mg) per serving. Also available in full spectrum and Delta9 THC. Available online and in shop.

Cherry Pie High Soda, is another winner from Goodland Extracts for a delicious and all-natural boost to your mocktails. Crafted in small batches, this refreshing beverage is made with organic Montmorency cherries, real vanilla beans, a dash of cinnamon, and a splash of fresh lemon juice. It’s a truly unique and memorable treat. One can contains 10mg of naturally found (botanical) Delta 9 THC, zero synthetics. Suggested use for holiday serving: one can for four drinks giving each 2.5mg THC.  Available in a single can or 4 pack, online or in shop.

Gluten Free Amp'd Box Brownies

No holiday table is complete with a selection of sweet treats and delicious deserts. Amp up this box brownie recipe to add a little fun. We love the Krusteaz brand for this gluten free option. 

Ingredients:

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF and line a 8x8" square pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. 
2. Combine eggs, melted butter, milk and CBD oil in a mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer for about a minute. 
3. Add brownie mix, cocoa powder and espresso powder and beat for another minute or until fully mixed. 
4. Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. 
5. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
6. Once cool, slice and serve. 

*Adjust cannabinoids as needed remembering that a lower dose is better when people are grazing. Note: we used the 5000mg/30ml full spectrum CBD oil for infusing and cooking due to the concentration, which would be 0.5ml per batch. For lower concentrated oils, do not use more than 3ml of oil per batch or or adjust the liquids accordingly.

Your holiday table can be vibrant, healthy, and fun with these creative twists. With a mix of herbal wellness, fresh ingredients, and festive mocktails, you’re set to create a holiday experience that’s unique, delicious, and memorable for everyone at the table.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,

xo

Cheryl "CryBaby" Cryer