By Jackie Pope-Ganser, Culinary Director, Meadows at Mercy Creek

The holiday season and cooler weather tends to kick start our natural baking instincts. It is the time of the year when we pull out our decadent signature recipes — many that have been passed down through generations. This year, instead of preparing traditional family recipes, challenge yourself to explore a more healthful-minded collection of festive baked goods. With dietary and lifestyle choices of gluten-free; vegan preferences; clean eating; heart-healthy; low-fat; low-carbohydrate; utilizing local ingredients and more; we have so many options for preparation to meet many of these needs without putting limitations on flavor, flair, or decadence.

If you will be hosting the family Thanksgiving meal this year, impress your guests with new family favorites that provide a greater nutrient base as well as tremendous flavor and eye appeal. Try preparing a beautiful Maple Walnut Cranberry Pie rather than a traditional sugar-laden pecan pie. Use a local maple syrup and farm fresh eggs for the decadent base and nutrient rich cranberries and walnuts for texture and eye appeal. Cranberries are traditional in holiday preparation and have excellent nutrition and anti-oxidant benefits. Health benefits may include helping to prevent certain cancers, decreasing blood pressure, and lowering risks of urinary tract infections.

Another great holiday option that is gluten-free and allows you to use local ingredients is Baked Apples Stuffed with Cinnamon Date Pecan Oatmeal. The aromas that will fill your home as you’re creating this decadent dessert will tempt everyone. Apples have long been touted as one of the healthiest foods a person can eat. Many of the major supermarkets have gluten free oatmeal and granolas that make these delicious baked apples much like an inside-out apple pie. Cinnamon, a natural paired with apples and oats, has a plethora of health benefits which include lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics.

As you are planning your holiday meals or what you may be taking to another holiday celebration, remember to do your research. Many of the traditional ingredients used in holiday baking such as pumpkin, pureed sweet potatoes, and squash are tremendous bases to quick breads, stuffing, and pies. Walnuts, almonds, and pecans are loaded with nutrients. Oats and dried fruits can spark a recipe and add heart healthy anti-oxidants and needed fiber to a recipe. Fill your baked goods with love and some healthy ingredients that are good for the mind, body and soul – that is something to celebrate!

For more information about senior living, you may contact Meadows Senior Director of Marketing Holly Hall at 309-268-1501. Meadows offers a full range of senior living options—Independent Living, Independent Living-PLUS, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing Care and Rehab Therapy—with two locations: Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community in Chenoa and Meadows at Mercy Creek in Normal.

^{Photo credit: Sue Ding/iStock}

Maple Walnut Cranberry Pie

Ingredients
1 single pie crust (your favorite recipe)
1/2 c. pure maple syrup (locally harvested if possible)
1/2 c. dark corn syrup
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
3 large eggs, lightly beaten (locally raised if possible)
1 1/2 c. fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
3/4 c. coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Roll dough into an 11-inch circle; fit into pie plate, fold edges under and flute. Line bottom of dough with a piece of parchment paper, fill with pie weights to prevent shrinkage or bubbling of crust. Place in oven for 5 minutes. Remove pie weights and parchment; bake 1 more minute. Remove from oven and cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Combine maple syrup, corn syrup, butter, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon and eggs in medium bowl. Whisk ingredients until incorporated. Gently stir in cranberries and walnuts. Pour mixture into prepared pie crust. Place pie on sheet pan and bake in 350 degrees oven for 45 minutes or until filling is just set. To prevent crust from burning, shield edges with pie crust protector or foil around edges after 15 minutes of baking. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours before serving.