Friday Favorites 11/14/15

Happy Friday! Hope you all have had a fantastic week! I've been getting back into the swing of things after our big trip to France. Still a little jet lagged. My body has apparently decided 9pm is a normal bedtime for a 30 year old...or maybe I'm just getting old.

Between travel and work, we hadn't been able to see our friends much the past month, so it was great to see so many people we hadn't seen in a month or so. Saturday we went to a chili cook off in downtown Five Points, and although we arrived late and missed the chili, we still had a blast (and I got to play with a 145 pound Leonberger!). Sunday, we had an Italian themed supper club. I brought a vegan lasagna made with this "ricotta." I was nervous if people would like it, but it turned out to be a huge hit. Unfortunately didn't grab pictures, but I might need to make it again just to photograph and share. Then on Wednesday, we played an intense game of kickball to win the championship. Check out our trophy!

This week, I've got lots of Thanksgiving friendly recipes, thoughts on binge eating and some bad news for 85% of you who enjoy a glass of wine in the evening. For more throughout the week, follow me on facebook, twitter and pinterest.

Photo credit: Min from Adventures of MJ and Hungryman

Vegetarian Cauliflower Cornbread Dressing with Mushrooms (The Adventures of MJ and Hungryman) --> Don't tell my mom, but her dressing might get the boot for this veggie packed version!

Black Bean Butternut Sliders (How Sweet Eats) --> We've all had black bean burgers before, but with chipotle ketchup? Now we're talkin'!

Photo Credit: Jessica of How Sweet Eats

Savory Muffins With Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Pesto (What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today) --> They had me at savory muffin. The salmon, cream cheese and pesto are sprinkles.

Photo Credit: Marta of What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today

Healthy Mushroom Alfredo Bake (Pinch of Yum) --> I am eternally grateful to Lindsay and Bjork over at Pinch of Yum for bringing the world cauliflower alfredo. Their latest incarnation is nothing short of perfection.

Edamame Sliders (The Lean Green Bean) --> I love edamame, but I am so boring with my use of it - always in a noodle salad or steamed with sea salt. Love the idea of working it into a veggie burger, especially this Thanksgiving-friendly one.

How to Eat Healthy When Traveling (Love & Zest) --> Spoiler alert - the key is planning ahead.

Thoughts on Disordered Eating (and overnight oats) (Yeah...Imma Eat That) --> I am so appreciative of Kylie opening up to share her journey from disordered eating to a healthy relationship with food. Many of my clients come to me with an unhealthy relationship with food. I think one of the biggest things that holds them back is the expectation that there will be one thing, one sudden epiphany and all of a sudden they'll start eating normally. But that's not the case. It's a long process, and sometimes it starts with something as simple as overnight oats.

Moving Away From Binge Eating: The Lessons (Can You Stay For Dinner?) --> Another poignant post on disordered eating. In it, Andie shares the lessons she's learned and continued to learn as she battles binge eating. If you want to feel a little less crazy with your eating habits, read this. Not because she's crazy, just honest.

The Portlandia Cookbook Is Everything We Wanted It To Be And More (Huffington Post) --> Stop everything. There is a Portlandia cookbook and I do not own it already?? It better be packed with pickles and cacao and happy, organic, hazelnut fed chickens named Collin (if you watch the show, you're laughing with me right now).

Moderate Drinking Is Only Healthy For Some People (Science Daily) --> Moderate alcohol may be cardioprotective, but only for about 15% of people with a specific genotype. Although I do love a glass of red when I cook, there are plenty of other, more effective ways to protect your heart, like stress management, a plant based diet and avoidance of processed carbs. Still, I really hope I'm in that 15%...

Vegan Diet Best For Weight Loss (Science Daily) --> Interesting new study from right down the road at University of South Carolina. Although I don't think you necessarily have to be vegan or vegetarian to be healthy (I'm not), moving towards that pattern of eating is by fat the best things you can do for your health.

This week on Avocado:
Mixed Potatoes Anna --> A gorgeous holiday side dish, minus the 2 sticks of butter.
Why French Women Really Don't Get Fat --> I've got my own theory after spending a long week in France. 
Healthy Fruit and Cream Oatmeal --> Toasted oats cooked in creamy coconut milk and topped with a wild blueberry chia jam.
Tips for Taming Your Holiday Sweet Tooth (Pure Barre) --> While still enjoying a slice of pie.
Peanut Butter Lovers Month Roundup (Nutricilicious) --> Yes, there is an entire month for us peanut butter lovers. Check out this roundup featuring my PBJ granola and PBJ chocolate cups.
Healthy Breakfast Roundup (The Fresh Beet) --> Need some inspiration for a healthy breakfast? This post is a great place to start.
Healthy Vegetable Sides For Thanksgiving (Meal Makeover Moms) --> Are my Monday Thanksgiving side posts not enough? Check out all the yummies on this post!