Welcome to Blueprint 8 Insider, your newest ally in the journey towards optimal health and wellness!

Tips for a Healthier, Naturally Nourishing Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and of course, food. But for many, it can also be a time of overindulgence, leaving us feeling sluggish, bloated, and less than our best. What if this year could be different? A healthier Thanksgiving doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or tradition—it means embracing whole, nourishing ingredients that support your body and honor the spirit of the holiday.

Here’s how to create a Thanksgiving feast free of ultra-processed foods, refined flours, and sugars, while still making your table as inviting and delicious as ever.

1. Prioritize Whole, Natural Ingredients

Start with whole, minimally processed foods. Base your dishes on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and high-quality proteins. For example:

• Choose whole sweet potatoes over canned versions packed with syrups.

• Use fresh cranberries to make a naturally sweetened sauce instead of store-bought versions.

• Swap boxed stuffing mixes for a homemade option using whole-grain bread or gluten-free alternatives.

2. Ditch Refined Sugar

Refined sugar spikes blood sugar and leaves you feeling fatigued. Instead, use natural sweeteners like:

• Pure maple syrup: A rich, natural option for baked goods and glazes.

• Monk fruit sweetener: A zero-calorie sweetener that tastes like sugar and works well in most recipes.

• Raw honey or date paste: Perfect for sweetening desserts or sauces.

3. Choose Healthy Fats

Say goodbye to hydrogenated oils and margarine. Instead:

• Use grass-fed butter for its nutrient density and creamy flavor.

• Incorporate extra virgin olive oil for roasting vegetables or making dressings.

• Use avocado oil for high-heat cooking.

4. Skip Refined Flours

Instead of all-purpose white flour, opt for:

• Ground wheat berries or coconut flour for gluten-free baked goods.

• Whole-grain spelt or freshly ground wheat flour for a nuttier, wholesome flavor.

5. Add a Fresh Twist to Classics

Traditional dishes can shine with healthier tweaks:

• Brighten your recipes with lemon juice to enhance natural flavors without extra sodium.

• Use vanilla extract to bring depth and sweetness to desserts or even savory dishes.

• Sprinkle in herbs and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for rich, warming flavors.

6. Embrace Balanced Portions

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate, not restrict, but you can enjoy the meal without overdoing it. Build your plate with balance in mind:

• Half of your plate should be colorful vegetables.

• A quarter for lean protein like turkey or plant-based alternatives.

• The remaining quarter for whole grains or starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes.

7. Engage the Whole Family

Healthy eating can bring people together. Get your family involved by:

• Inviting kids to help prepare dishes, making it a fun and educational experience.

• Sharing the story of why you’re choosing whole, natural ingredients.

8. Mindful Eating

Finally, take a moment to savor your meal. Gratitude extends beyond the food—it’s in the way we appreciate it. Slow down, enjoy each bite, and focus on the joy of connecting with loved ones.

Sliced Sweet Potatoes with Lemon-Maple Glaze

This sliced sweet potato recipe is an elegant and delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes is enhanced with pure maple syrup and monk fruit, while lemon juice brightens the dish. Grass-fed butter adds richness, and vanilla extract provides a subtle warmth. This dish is naturally sweetened and free of refined ingredients, making it a healthier take on a holiday classic.

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

• 3 tablespoons grass-fed butter, melted

• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener

• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• Pinch of sea salt

• Optional garnish: chopped pecans, lemon zest, or a light drizzle of maple syrup

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

   • Arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer, slightly overlapping, in the prepared baking dish.

3. Make the Glaze

   • In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, monk fruit sweetener, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of sea salt until well combined.

4. Coat the Sweet Potatoes

   • Pour the glaze evenly over the sweet potato slices, making sure each piece is well-coated. Use a brush or spoon to spread the glaze if needed.

5. Bake the Sweet Potatoes

   • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and lightly caramelized around the edges.

6. Garnish and Serve

   • Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. If desired, garnish with chopped pecans for a crunchy texture, a sprinkle of lemon zest for brightness, or an extra drizzle of maple syrup for added shine.

7. Enjoy

   • Serve warm and watch these beautifully glazed, naturally sweetened sweet potato slices become a Thanksgiving favorite.

Struggling to Make Lasting Changes? Blueprint 8 is Here to Help.

Special pricing now available!

My story:

My story was anything but glamorous. I grew up on Long Island, New York, in an Italian family. As you can imagine, my childhood was filled with pasta, bread, and pastries. I didn’t grow up knowing much about nutrition, nor did I have anyone to guide me. I wasn’t an athlete, and I was definitely not naturally slim. In fact, it was quite the opposite. During my teenage years, I went through an awkward phase. I naturally carried a little extra weight, which was even more noticeable on my 5'2" frame.

Being bullied in school took a toll on my self-esteem and made me feel like I wasn’t worth it. This was a difficult hurdle to overcome, but over time, working out and eating better helped me develop a healthier mindset. Eventually, I worked through the lingering effects of low self-esteem caused by years of emotional abuse.

As I got older, my weight fluctuated. By my late 30s, I hit a frustrating plateau. After years of counting calories and following restrictive diets, I realized those methods just weren’t working for me anymore. Female hormone fluctuations and the constant battle of weight gain and loss left me feeling defeated. While I never let things get out of control, the changes in how my clothes fit were noticeable—and frustrating.

That’s when I began to dig deeper into health, especially the role of gut microbes. I learned how they can influence everything from metabolism and fat storage to digestion, brain function, and immune health. I stopped listening to the conventional advice that calorie counting was the only path to success. Instead, I focused on eating foods that optimized my body and supported my overall health.

The result? Something incredible happened. When I stopped counting calories—a move that seemed completely counterintuitive at the time—I didn’t gain weight or lose control. In fact, the opposite happened. I became more in tune with my body’s natural cues, and I got into the best shape of my life. I looked and felt better in my 30s than I ever did in my 20s, even when I was religiously counting calories.

This shift wasn’t just life-changing for me; it became the foundation of what I wanted to share with others. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of people implement these strategies, and I knew I needed to create a platform to reach even more.

That’s why I created Blueprint 8. This program was a year in the making because I wanted to ensure it included everything people need to finally break through plateaus, lose weight, build muscle, gain energy, and enjoy their food—without restrictive diets or calorie counting.

Today, I’m inviting you to join Blueprint 8 for only $149 a month! With this program, you’ll have access to everything you need to succeed:

• Workouts designed to build muscle and support heart health.

• Custom recipes tailored to your unique needs.

• A private online community to keep you supported and motivated.

• Online courses that teach you how to take control of your health instead of blindly following trends.

• Weekly live webinars with me and my team.

• Ongoing, 100% support to guide you every step of the way.

My mission is personal. Helping people transform their lives, enjoy food, and feel confident in their own skin is something I’m deeply passionate about. Life is too short to spend it battling diets that don’t work or feeling out of control. You deserve to feel your best while enjoying every moment.

Christina Nicci

This Week’s Sponsor:

Was this email forwarded to you? You can subscribe here.