This savory Paleo Butternut Rice Pilaf is topped with juicy pomegranate seeds and is one of my favorite low carb dishes! It also makes a great option for a Thanksgiving side. 

Happy day before Thanksgiving! Have you begun you’re cooking yet? I can’t say I have anything ready for tomorrow, but I have the whole day to cook and watch Netflix originals and the holiday with mom. When I was younger, Thanksgiving was for watching the Thanksgiving day parade. It was always boring but you kept waiting for it to get exciting so you’ve watched it anyways. Now, I no longer have a TV so we watch things we actually enjoy.

On a more serious note, I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Even on my worst days,  I’m extremely thankful that I’m finding what’s working for me and I’m gradually feeling better as time goes on. On the grand scale of health complications, the things that I face are minor. Yes, it’s a lot of work, and can be debilitating at times. I’m not trying to diminish the pain that autoimmune conditions cause us. If I didn’t work to take care of myself, I wouldn’t have a good quality of life. But I have a manageable condition that  doesn’t prevent me from doing the things that I enjoy or being with the people that I love.  Autoimmune diseases has brought me a great community and cooking for us all has become a sort of creative outlet for me.

It’s easy to be Thankful on a day that is literally named after the act, but I don’t want to limit this gratitude to just Thanksgiving. If anything, I think this day should be a reminder to be thankful for all the blessings we have throughout each and every day. Besides, I think being grateful and thankful can be a means to heal in and of itself. Thankfulness belongs in every day of an autoimmune protocol or gut healing phase. When you are thankful and at peace with your current situation, you are able to act and react with more clarity and composure when the boat gets rocky. Thankfulness can ultimately reduce our stress.

So especially if you’re trying to heal, remember gratitude. I certainly need to get better at this, so lets work on it together.

Also, I’m so very thankful for you. Have a wonderful holiday with the special people in your life, and eat alllll of the delicious turkey you can get your hands on. See you this weekend!

PRINT

Paleo Butternut Rice Pilaf

PREP TIME 5 minutes

COOK TIME 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME 25 minutes

SERVINGS 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp coconut oil or ghee
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 4 stalks celery chopped
• 1/4 sweet onion chopped
• 1 cup butternut squash cubed
• 5 cups cauliflower rice
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place a skillet over medium heat. Add oil and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add onion, celery, and butternut squash. Sauté for 7-8 more minutes, until the squash is soft.

2. Add cauliflower rice and stir to combine.
3. Pour in broth and bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer.
4. Simmer for 7-8 minutes until the rice is softened and the liquid is reduced.
5. Stir in pomegranate seeds and enjoy!