Homemade Cranberry Sauce is one of the easiest recipes to make for your Thanksgiving meal. Making it in your kitchen is also healthier than store bought, canned cranberry sauce which is loaded with sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
Save your sugary treat for dessert on Thanksgiving, because whether you are trying to lose weight, tone your muscles, strengthen, or rehabilitate from an injury, sugar gets in the way!
Sugar and processed foods cause inflammation, disrupt hormone balance and damage your metabolism. A high intake of sugar prompts a spike in blood sugar, along with triggering an increased amount of the stress hormone cortisol.
This impedes the body’s healing and repair ability, whether for rehabilitation, or getting fit and strong. Proteins, however, in their natural and ‘clean form’ (no hormones and antibiotics added) stabilize blood sugar and provide essential ‘raw materials’ for muscle, joint and bone tissue repair. Your body needs protein to not only build muscles, but to maintain the muscles you have already developed.
The fresh cranberries in this recipe, sweetened and flavored with an orange, offers a range of health benefits! The cranberry’s high nutrient and antioxidant content have many considering them to be a super-food. Some evidence suggests they help to prevent certain types of cancer, improve immune function, and decreased blood pressure.
Cranberry Sauce Recipe:
2-3 cups of fresh cranberries
1 orange, peeled
1/2 – 3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground clove
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/8 tsp. all spice
- Add the cranberries and orange and just enough water so it all blends up nice in your food processor or blender.
- Pour into a sauce pan and add the spices.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes. (Your kitchen is going to smell wonderful!)
- Let it cool and serve with your Thanksgiving feast.