Healthy Holiday Recipes: Wellness Insights Providers Share Their Favorite Dishes
Favorite recipes from our clinical team to inspire your season of nourishment, joy, and connection.
The holidays are a time for celebration, togetherness, and comforting food. At Wellness Insights, we love a table filled with color, flavor, and the kind of nourishment that brings people together. This year, we asked our providers to share their go-to seasonal recipes — the ones they make for family gatherings, cozy nights in, and festive weekends.
You’ll find a mix of plant-forward dishes, comfort foods with a lighter twist, and even a mocktail that fits beautifully into a mindful holiday season. The best part? Every recipe is accessible online, so you can share them widely with friends and family.
And if you’re hoping to make any of these dishes a touch more nutrient-dense, lighter, or allergen-friendly, Maggie is happy to recommend simple swaps to elevate the wellness factor without losing the flavor.
Dr. Katie’s Pick: Kale & Quinoa Salad from Smitten Kitchen
I love this bright, nourishing Kale & Quinoa Salad — a longtime favorite from Smitten Kitchen and an easy win for potlucks or weekday meals during the busy holiday season. It’s packed with greens, protein-rich quinoa, and plenty of texture and flavor.
Dr. KC’s Pick: Vegan Butternut Squash Swiss Chard Lasagna (GF/DF)
From Dr. Kathleen “KC” Cannon comes this hearty, cozy, plant-forward lasagna that checks all the boxes: Vegan. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Family-approved. The prep may take a bit of love, but the payoff is worth it — especially for gatherings that include guests with dietary restrictions. And the leftovers? Even better.
Dr. Becky’s Pick: Creamy, Crowd-Pleasing Koginut Squash Soup
Dr. Becky is feeding “a not-so-small army,” so she created this velvety, flavorful Koginut Squash Soup that’s become a staple in her home. It’s creamy, comforting, and perfect for serving a crowd during the holidays.
Created by Becky herself, this recipe is a beautiful way to bring warmth and nourishment to your table. We can’t wait to share it with you when it goes live next newsletter.
Annie’s Pick: Plant-Based All-Purpose Gravy
Annie swears by this vegan gravy — and it has converted even the most committed meat-and-potatoes crowd. It’s silky, savory, deeply flavorful, and significantly healthier than traditional gravy.
She makes it at every holiday dinner, and it pairs beautifully with anything from roasted vegetables to mashed potatoes to warm grain bowls.
Dr. Jen’s Picks: Brussels Sprouts Everything + a Festive Mocktail
Dr. Jen has been on a serious Brussels sprouts kick — roasted, crispy, caramelized — you name it, they’re making it. Her go-to holiday dish is a classic roasted Brussels sprouts recipe that’s simple, flavorful, and universally loved at any gathering.
She’s also leaning into mindful holiday sipping this season. Her favorite is a Non-Alcoholic Cranberry Moscow Mule, a refreshing mocktail that can easily be made into a cocktail by adding your vodka of choice. It’s gluten-free, bright, and festive — a perfect option for guests who prefer a lighter, alcohol-optional drink.
Maria’s Pick: Cozy Turkey, Kale & Farro Soup
Maria shared this cozy, nourishing soup that immediately became a household favorite. It’s clean, comforting, and the perfect warm bowl for winter.
She swaps farro for brown rice, doubles the ground turkey for extra protein, and mixes bone broth with regular chicken broth from Trader Joe’s for deeper flavor and added minerals.
As Maria says, this one can be even more upleveled with leftover pulled turkey and homemade bone broth after your holiday meals.
Mae’s Pick: Green Beans & Butternut Squash in Coconut Milk
Patient Care Coordinator Mae shared one of her favorite childhood dishes — a comforting, flavorful blend of green beans and butternut squash simmered gently in coconut milk.
It’s wholesome, naturally dairy-free, and perfect for cold weather. Mae sometimes adds cubed pork or chicken for a heartier variation, but it’s delicious as-is for a lighter plant-forward meal.
Bozena’s Pick: Broccoli Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
Bozena loves healthy salads that stay fresh and delicious the next day — the kind you can prep once and enjoy twice. One of her favorite sources of inspiration is Natasha’s Kitchen, especially because the Ukrainian flavors feel like home.
This Broccoli Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing is bright, crunchy, and satisfying, with a flavor profile that only gets better after a night in the fridge. It’s the perfect balance of fresh vegetables, creamy dressing, and zesty citrus — a refreshing addition to any holiday spread.
Whether your holidays are filled with hearty lasagna, bright salads, or cozy gravies, we hope these recipes bring joy to your table.
If you try any of these dishes, tag us or send a photo — we love seeing how you build nourishment into your celebrations.
Wishing you a warm, delicious, and restorative holiday season.
With love,
The Wellness Insights Team
