BONUS: Thanksgiving Day Recipes!

If you're anything like me, you're a huge fan of Thanksgiving because of the food (yum). For me, the day is normally filled with friends, family and food: the essential trifecta for any good holiday. Are you a sports fan? Add in football for a magical fourth "f."

Thanksgiving is known for being a day of cooking. Lots and lots of cooking. Normally, you start early in the morning, roasting and basting the turkey, and you end well into the afternoon with your salads and mashed potato dishes.

As a bonus article this week, I'm going to share with you some of my favorite recipes that you can make to impress your family and friends today.

Disclaimer: I am vegetarian, so I have included some veggie-friendly and vegan recipes below.

Symbols: (V) - Vegetarian, (V!) - Vegan, (GF) - Gluten-free, (DF) - Dairy-free

Main Dishes

Everyone who celebrates a more traditional Thanksgiving knows that the main dish is the turkey. However, there are tons of other options available. Check out some of them here.

• Maple Glazed Turkey (GF)
• Simple Roast Chicken with Garlic & Lemon (GF)
• Rosemary & Garlic Roast Beef (GF)
• Turkey & Spinach Lasagna
• Vegan Butternut Squash Shells (V!, DF)
• Classic Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing
• Apple Cranberry Stuffing (V!, DF, GF)

Side Dishes

This is personally my favorite part of Thanksgiving and I end up loading my plates with all different things. Normally, I tend to make salads, to balance the creamier dishes, as well as the very traditional, rich dishes.

• Chickpea, Avocado and Feta Salad (V, GF)
• Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad (V, GF)
• Herb Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Bacon & Gruyere (GF)
• Quinoa & Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes (V, GF)
• Mashed Potatoes & Mushroom Gravy (V!, GF, DF)
• Summer Vegetable Tian (V, GF)
• Sweet Potato Casserole (V!, GF, DF)
• Green Bean Casserole
• Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce (V!, GF, DF)

Desserts

Now for the dishes that are eaten most quickly in my household: desserts. I love a really great, traditional pecan or apple pie. Here are some variations that I've found that I really want to try out.

• Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie (V)
• Swedish Apple Pie (V!, GF, DF)
• Strawberry & Chocolate Chip Cake (V)
• Flourless Chocolate Cake (V, GF, DF)

Drinks

When I think about fall, cider is the first thing that comes to mind. Whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, drinks really help the meal feel festive and wash down all of the amazing food.

• Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
• Hot Pumpkin Nog
• Cranberry Apple Sangria - Alcoholic
• Pumpkin Spiced Chai - Alcoholic

Final Notes

So that's it - a round-up of some easy, sometimes healthy, Thanksgiving recipes. I hope that you all have a great day and that, for those of you who are lucky, you enjoy your long weekend!

Got any favorite recipes? Share them in the comments below or over on our Twitter.

Cheers!