Category Menus & Recipes

Parties That Cook’s Holiday Raw Cleanse with Brigitte’s Naturally Alive

The holiday season is in full swing with pies, cookies, and all things creamy taking center stage. Worried about how all of these tasty treats will affect how you look in that little black dress on New Year’s Eve? Give this a try: Start cleansing your diet early.

Earlier in the year, Parties That Cook founder and CEO, Bibby G., benefited from a week-long cleanse using Brigitte’s Naturally Alive green smoothies. Brigitte Center is the mind behind the delicious green smoothie program. She specializes in raw diets that help you eat and live well. Some of us in the office were surprised to see Bibby actually enjoying this suspiciously green beverage… Until we learned that while the smoothie is chock-full of essential vitamins and minerals found in leafy dark greens, it tastes more like fruit juice than spinach! Trying a green smoothie is a great way to fortify your diet with the nutrients we need, but most of us don’t get enough of. The sweetness of the added fruits will also help satisfy your sweet tooth while the holiday cookies are taunting you from the kitchen.

Check out Brigitte’s Naturally Alive website for more ideas on how to improve your health with other nutritious smoothie recipes. If you’re looking for recipes that look a little more familiar, she’s got those too. This year, mix up your holiday staples with equally satisfying drinkables that are actually healthful — like her RAW Mexican Maca Hot Chocolate.

The holidays are a time for sharing, so spread some of the good cheer by bringing a healthy appetizer to your holiday party. Not only will everyone love this Mediterranean Spread, but they will also have a little extra good will towards man (or woman, as it is the case in our office).

You may be looking to improve your diet as a lifestyle choice, to help combat one of many different diet-related maladies, or perhaps it really is for that dress. In any case, there is no time like to present to start! Don’t wait until January 1 to resolve to treating your body better, check out the links above, because healthy and holiday can go hand in hand.

Want to host a healthy holiday cooking party? Let us know! We can work with you to create a custom menu with dishes that fit your dietary goals. We hope to see you in the kitchen soon!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Parties That Cook’s Holiday Game Plan: Top Ten Holiday Recipes

This Thanksgiving, instead of showing up to Aunt Ethel’s house empty handed, show your family that You Can Cook. We’re bringing you the best options for each Thanksgiving course – straight from the Parties That Cook recipe library! Here are the Top 10 Holiday Appetizers, Sides and Desserts from our private cooking parties and corporate team building events! The best part about this list is that each crave-worthy recipe can be completed in an hour or less – leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the day and maybe even catch the turkey day (Niner) game.

Appetizers: Minimize the likelihood of a revolt against the oven by allowing guests to nibble on something before the big meal. Be the one to bring snacks before the bird is ready, and you’ll be a Thanksgiving hero! With appetizers this good, there’s no such thing as spoiling your appetite.
Mini Apple, Roquefort and Caramelized Onion Pies with Honey
Sweet Potato and Bacon Galettes with Sage Creme Fraiche
Oven-Roasted Figs Wrapped in Prosciutto with Melted Gorgonzola Centers

Sides: There’s more to a holiday spread than mashed potatoes. The larger your group, the more options you can incorporate into the meal. For those who don’t want to stray too far from the traditional Thanksgiving staples, we’ve included our recipe for Apple, Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing!
Lobster and Crab Macaroni and Cheese
Sweet Pumpkin and Apple Cider Soup with Sage
Apple, Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
Roasted Asparagus Bundles with Fontina and Prosciutto

Desserts: You’re in charge of dessert. No big deal. These recipes will help you impress Thanksgiving fundamentalists, while still mixing things up. Looking for a break from Pumpkin altogether? Have we got the Rosemary Caramel Nut Bar recipe for you!
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
Mini Pumpkin Roulade Filled with Ginger and Cream Cheese Frosting