This Healthy, Fall Quinoa Salad Recipe Will Fuel You Through the Holiday Season

Anna Monette Roberts
Oct 20, 2018

Holiday season is total madness between gift shopping, hosting, attending and, well, life in general, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice eating well. We’re all about assembled meals that don’t require cooking, like this fall quinoa salad. Once you’ve steamed or pressure-cooked the quinoa, you just have to toss in the remaining ingredients for a quick and healthy meal.

With just quinoa, olive oil, and a few choice fruits, nuts, and veggies, the dish is gluten-free and vegan, so pretty much everyone can serve themselves a big spoonful even on Thanksgiving. Who doesn’t love having a little bit of something healthy and fiber-rich on their Turkey Day plate?

Fall Quinoa Salad Recipe

(Serves 4-6)

Recipe Notes: If you can find pomegranate molasses, use it in place of the pomegranate juice. While not sweet or too acidic, it adds a tartness to the dressing that’s unparalleled. Avoid making the salad when the quinoa is piping hot or else the herbs will wilt and brown. Transferring the cooked quinoa to a large bowl will help it cool down faster. Play around with different toppers. Try this with chives instead of green onion, pecans for walnuts, dates rather than cranberries, and chervil or mint in place of or in addition to the parsley.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1 Meyer lemon, zest and juice only
  • 1/4-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa (in Instant Pot or over stovetop), cooled slightly
  • 1/3 cup walnuts (or any other seed or nut), toasted
  • 1/3 cup parsley leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup green onion, sliced
  • 1 small pomegranate, arils only
  • 1/3 cup dried cherries or cranberries

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together pomegranate juice, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Add more oil if needed. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, toss together quinoa, walnuts, parsley, green onion, pomegranate arils, and dried cranberries. Drizzle on vinaigrette to taste, and toss until well-coated. We used all of the dressing, but always err on the side of caution and pour slowly! Salt and pepper to taste.

3. Serve immediately. This salad keeps in the fridge for 1-2 days.

For more Thanksgiving recipe inspo, scroll down Brit + Co’s Pinterest page.

(Recipe via Anna Monette Roberts/Brit+Co; Photos via Brittany Griffin/Brit+Co)

Upgrade Your Thanksgiving With A Crescent-Roll Cornucopia

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

The easiest and most delicious Thanksgiving crescent roll cornucopia recipe.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

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8 Easy Ways I’m Combatting Seasonal Depression This Year

It feels like every conversation I have these days involves a complaint about the sun setting super early. It’s me – I’m complaining.

I’m a notorious summer girl, so when daylight savings hit this fall, it literally felt like my energy (and general sense of self) was entirely depleted. I’m truly no stranger to the feeling. As someone with a genetic predisposition to depression, I’ve become familiar with the more intense seasonal depression (AKA seasonal affect disorder, or SAD) that sets in once the sun dips around 4pm, nights get longer, and temperatures get ridiculously colder.

An estimated 10 million Americans experience SAD. Plus, women are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than men. SAD can generally manifest in symptoms like having little to no energy for daily tasks, lost motivation for work or hobbies, trouble sleeping (and waking up), and weight gain.

Seasonal depression does not feel good – it’s impacted my relationships, quality of work, and physique – so this year, I decided to do something about it. As opposed to years prior, I came into ‘winter blues’ season with an intention to better my mindset, mental health, and physical wellbeing.

If you’re deep in the blues, too, I’m sharing 8 things I do regularly to feel like a real human being and combat seasonal depression, despite the bleakness of it all.

Meredith Holser

1. Get outside for at least 20 minutes everyday.

My seasonal depression is definitely perpetuated by my work setup – I work remotely full-time, which means a big chunk of my days are spent inside in isolation.

Knowing that being in nature can soothe the tension caused by not only locking in on work tasks for hours at a time, but sitting in the same place for just as long, I’ve been prioritizing getting outside for at least 20 minutes a day. Even just sipping in a breath of fresh air can provide a nice restart to a not-so-great day.

Whether it’s going for a walk, coffee run, or to let your dog out, getting outside for a change of scenery can absolutely improve your mental health.

Meredith Holser

2. Engage in exercise that feels good.

I’m lucky to have found a combination of workouts that feel good to my body and mind. Climbing, hot yoga, and outdoor walks have truly kept me sane this far in the season!

Exercising (of any kind) releases dopamine and serotonin, which arecommonly linked to treating depression. It can also improve neuroplasticity, learning, and memory in the long-term, which, to me, sounds like a win-win for everyone.

The key for committing to an exercise routine in the depths of seasonal depression (and beyond) is only engaging in workouts that bring you joy – exercise should not serve as punishment, nor does it have to be painful.

Meredith Holser

3. Delete social media when I know it’s impacting my mental health.

This one is huge. I could talk for hours – heck, even days – about how hurtful social media can be for my mental health. To make a long story short, social media (Instagram in particular) degrades my attention span, sense of reality, and self-confidence.

There was a period of time where I had screen time limits on apps like Instagram and TikTok, but I would override them 99% of the time. Now, I'm making an actual conscious effort to delete the apps off my phone entirely when I feel the doomscrolling has gone too far. It’s helped so much: I don’t feel a constant sense of FOMO (which is a massive challenge when 69% of adults use social media), pressure to buy unnecessary things, or distracted from the present moment.

Of course, I’ll still download the apps every once in a while to check in – there’s a delicate balance between wanting to feel simultaneously connected and disconnected – but the biggest part of this is maintaining the boundaries I set for myself.

If you feel like deleting social media apps cold-turkey isn’t quite the step you need to take at the moment, I suggest making use of screen time limits and sticking to them, so you can live and be present in your (real) life!

Meredith Holser

4. Prioritize seeing my friends in person.

As I mentioned, working from home is quite isolating. I know many of my friends feel isolated this time of year, even if they work in-person jobs. I don't have any family members that live very close to me, so my besties have truly become my chosen family.

Speaking from experience, having a friend group (or even just a golden best friend) to turn to in those quiet moments after the workday is the ultimate cure for loneliness, boredom, and depression. In fact,studies like this onehave shown that a positive sense of community is associated with reduced reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

So, gather your pals for a movie, craft night, potluck, or even just time to rot on the couch together. A lot of times, your friends may be feeling the exact same way you are.

Meredith Holser

5. Cook nourishing and rewarding meals.

Winter time is comfort👏 food👏 central👏, so there’s no excuse to not whip up a delectable soup or casserole fit for the season. Seasonal depression most certainly takes a toll on my executive function, though, so finding (or rather, making) the time and motivation to cook something for myself can be rough. Don’t even get me started on going to the grocery store.

That’s why I like to turn to recipes that yield big ol’ batches of food, so I can eat on leftovers for a week or so rather than cook something new every single day. Bonus points if the dish is healthy! Maybe the meal preppers are onto something…

You can find tons of delicious, easy, healthy, meal prep-friendly recipes here!

Meredith Holser

6. Be cognizant of my water intake.

As important as eating healthy is, it doesn’t mean much if you’re not hydrated. Drinking adequate amounts of water every day simply sets me right – I notice I have so much more energy than the days my water bottle’s not tied to my hip.

Experts recommend that women drink roughly 11 cups of water daily in order to benefit the body, from your immune system to your mood. I’ve been making the ritual even more enjoyable with a fun water bottle, customized with stickers and all.

Meredith Holser

7. Journal regularly.

Journaling can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hostility, as well as encourage self-awareness and resilience against the daily grind, which is why I aim to commit a tiny slice of my day to writing (or drawing). Even if there’s nothing “bad” or dramatic going on in my life, journaling about the mundane is super helpful in simply getting to know myself.

To incorporate journaling into your routine, I suggest writing right before bed, right before you wake up, or on a quick break during the day. Even just 5 minutes alone with your thoughts and your pen can transform your mindset.

You can find some really helpful journal prompts for improving your mental health here!

Meredith Holser

8. Go to therapy regularly.

Seeing a therapist on a regular basis has been a huge game-changer for me. When I started to go several years ago, I denounced therapy as a whole, but I started to really love it after a few months worth of sessions.

A good therapist can help you manage depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health struggles, plus provide effective methods for self regulation, self awareness, communication, problem solving, and a whole lot more.

I’ve found my favorite part about therapy is having a third party to talk to about certain situations in my life – it’s been super beneficial when I want to talk through things I can’t (or don't necessarily want to) tell my close friends or family. Seeing a therapist regularly also helps me keep myself in check in terms of life, mental health, physical health, work, creative goals, and more.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more mental health + wellness tips!

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How to Survive Thanksgiving With Your Unwoke Relatives

Did you leave your family Thanksgiving dinner last year feeling like you were the one who got carved up and digested? You weren't alone. In an increasingly polarized sociological climate, family events where opinions differ can feel fraught with high stakes and conflicting moral obligations. And if you're already dreading Thanksgiving because all of the brawlin' that's sure to go down, you might be considering opting out of the festivities entirely.

In our Teach Me Something New podcast, Alexandra Carter, Columbia law professor and mediation expert, talks to Brit and Anj about the powers of persuasion to get the results you want in a conversation. The key to the Thanksgiving political discussion? Listening, asking open questions, and finding some common ground.

Here's what you can do to make it through Thanksgiving when your relatives just keep being problematic and things get awkward...

"I might say something like, 'I hear that you're concerned about national security and that's what led me to have this viewpoint.' So sometimes using a little bit of focusing on what you have in common can help you to have a civil conversation and not have anybody throwing mashed potatoes across the table," says Carter.

Here are more expert-backed tips for navigating the holiday awkwardness, even if it's just via Zoom. Make stuffing your face great again this Thanksgiving by implementing our seven-step plan.

Askar Abayev

1. Choose your battles ahead of time.

You're not going to change everyone's opinion about all of the things over the course of a meal and a football game. You might want to show up ready for a duel of words with your Facebook-meme-king cousin, but that's just going to put your opinionated family member on the offensive from the moment you walk in. Decide ahead of time if there's one issue that you really cannot keep your mouth shut about if it comes up, and have two or three talking points ready that clarify your position on that topic. If your hot button does get pushed, your talking points will help you keep from making things personal.

2. Confer with the host.

If you feel comfortable with the person that's organizing or hosting Thanksgiving, speak to him or her in advance about how you can be on Team Keep the Peace. Most people aren't keen on a political brouhaha breaking out around their dinner table, so they'll probably be relieved to hear that you're on board and willing to help make the day go smoothly for everyone. Brainstorm some ideas about seating arrangements or wholesome activities to fill the idle family time that can lead to trading barbs.

Element5 Digital

3. Make it a game.

Caitlin Bergstein, a Boston-based matchmaker and relationship expert for Three Day Rule, suggests a fun twist on the swear jar concept. “If your family is up for the challenge, you can even make it a game. Each time someone mentions something political, they have to put a dollar in a jar (or take a drink, depending on how your family celebrates the holiday). At the end of the night, that cash can be put aside for the next family get together!"

4. Have a moment of silence.

Sometimes the idea of a quiet table can be intimidating (all those chewing noises!), but encouraging a moment of reflection among your holiday guests can actually be transformative. Whether you observe several seconds of silence in honor of relatives you've lost, as a way to silently acknowledge your individual blessings, or as an act of prayer or meditation, you've hopefully brought the room back to focus on each other's company and the gift that it is to be together.

Monstera Production

5. Be an active listener.

If your one doggedlypersistent aunt can't let go of her obsession with the latest political scandal, reconsider what she's actually trying to tell you. Chances are, it's not just about what she saw on the news. “Assume that your polarizing relative actually probably just wants to connect, feel respected, and reduce their own anxiety about holiday gatherings, and interpret even difficult behavior as such," advises Mary Fisher, a Salt Lake City psychotherapist who specializes in family relationships. “Express the desire to connect while redirecting the conversation," Fisher recommends. Emphasize the fact that you're interested in protecting the time your family spends together. That can help soften the blow when you ask to instead hear them share a family memory or talk about a hobby you both share.

6. Disengage.

Remember that if angry words or offensive language start flying at you across the sweet potato pie, you don't have to respond. Have a script in mind to use, something like, “While I hear where you're coming from, I don't share your opinion, and I'm done talking about it today." Convey the message that you're quite clear on the matter being discussed, and you're not going to take the bait. You may have to repeat yourself several times, or you may choose to remain silent until things cool down around you. Either one is okay.

7. Duck out early.

If you feel like you have to retreat from the situation entirely, do it. One of the best things about being an adult is leaving when you want to leave. You don't have to subject yourself, your spouse, or your family to any kind of dialogue that is insulting, bigoted, or aggressive. Fisher shares these words of advice: “While we might think that the holidays are the time to resolve differences, they are actually the time to affirm and nurture connection, which can be an uphill battle with politically polarizing relatives." If you don't feel like a connection is being nurtured and the environment is not good for you to be in, say goodbye and make a break for it.

Looking for more holiday help this year? Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter so you never miss a thing!

This article has been updated from a previous post.

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14 Festive Holiday Party Theme Ideas To Stand Out This Invite Season

Party season is fast approaching, and if you're planning to host a Christmas or New Year's Eve bash, why not make it memorable with a creative theme? Whether you go for Futuristic Glam, Celestial or a Time Traveler's throwback, a themed celebration is the perfect way to make your party the best of the season. Check out these 14 creative ideas to celebrate the holidays and ring in a rockin' new year.

Here are the best holiday party themes to try this season!

Юлиана Маринина

Futuristic Glam Holiday Party

Metallic disco vibes here. Think silver or neon outfits for dress code; glow-in-the-dark drinks; and even a VR experience. Plus, DIY a future predictions time capsule!

Nicole Hill Gerulat

Swiftie Merry Era Party

Each room is inspired by Swift’s different albums and eras: Evermore/Red with cozy plaid blankets, vintage books, candles, and hot chocolate with sprinkles on top; Lover with a pastel Christmas tree, heart-shaped ornaments, and glittering pink decor serving Lover’s Lemonade; Midnights with starry backdrops, disco balls, and rich purples and blues serving Midnight Margaritas. Playlist is ofc a curated Swiftie-approved playlist. Plus, you can DIY friendship bracelets as gifts! Photo: Brit + Co x Moonpig Holiday Collection

Forever 21

Naughty or Nice Pajama Party

Whatever your guests decide, Naughty or Nice, comfort is key here. Have a fireplace going if you have one (or fake it), sleeping bags to snuggle into, and serve a Christmas breakfast with pancakes, bacon and holiday cocktails!

Shinesty

Tacky Christmas Party

Guests wear their most over-the-top Christmas sweaters or ridiculous 'fits and you serve up classic comfort foods like sliders and spiked eggnog. Create a photo booth with tacky props too!

Paige Cody

Holiday '20s Revival Party

The vibe here is the Jazz age with a modern twist as we head into 2025! Guests wear flapper dresses, pinstripes, and sequins. Your decor is filled with art deco details and Champagne towers with jazz playing in the background.

Brooke Lark

Charcuterie + Cocktails Christmas Happy Hour

Flex your charcuterie skills, even making personalized individual charcuterie boards for smaller gatherings, and check out our Christmas cocktails to sip and sparkle your way through the holidays. This is the perfect happy hour before holiday party hopping!

RDNE Stock project

Time Travelers' Ball

Celebrate every decade from the 1920s to the 2020s. Guests choose their favorite decade and each room is styled after a specific era with different music from that time!

Amazon

Winter Wonderland Party

Everyone wears white, silver, or icy blue and you decorate with snowflakes, twinkling lights, and faux fur and shearling accessories. Feature a hot chocolate bar with cinnamon sticks and whipped cream, snowflake-shaped cookies, and sparkling cocktails, and play icebreaker games like a snowman building contest (using marshmallows and toothpicks).

Amazon

Celestial Countdown Party

What does 2025 have in store for you? Try this zodiac-inspired theme with starry backdrops, constellation lights, and moon props. Everyone wears shimmering outfits, and you serve up cocktails like galaxy martinis and moon pies. Hire a tarot reader if you're feeling really fancy!

Target

Come As Your Favorite Christmas Character Party

Project holiday movies on your wall, create a popcorn bar station, and everyone dresses as their favorite Christmas movie character. Holiday movie trivia optional!

Nicole Michalou

Cookie + Cake Decorating Party

Here's a more casual theme that's also great for families. Let guests show off their sweet decorating skills with pre-baked cookies, plus milk and cocktails. You can do a blind taste test too and gift the winner with aCrumbs cookbook at the end of the night!

RDNE Stock project

Secret Santa Soirée

Serve up a buffet with festive finger foods and mulled wine, and host a gift exchange with games like "Guess the Gifter." You can also do gift themes like from the zodiac, color based, earth-friendly, self care, and $15 and under.

Shutterstock

Christmas Karaoke Night

Break out the karaoke machine for a night of Christmas tune belting. You can also play holiday-themed games like "Finish That Carol"!

Pavel Danilyuk

DIY Christmas Craft Party

Get your pals together for a night of DIY gift making. Serve simple easy-to-eat snacks like mini quiches and mocktails, and create craft stations for decorating ornaments, wreaths, or self care items like scrubs and soaps, even jewelry! You can turn this into potluck where each guest brings a craft too!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday outfit ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Justin & Hailey Bieber (And Baby Jack!) Get Cozy In Rare Fall Selfie

Justin & Hailey Bieber have always been the cool kids on the block — and now they're the cool parents on the block! The couple welcomed their first baby, Jack Blues Bieber, over the summer of 2024, and have been enjoying life as a family of three ever since.

When they first brought him home from the hospital, Justin shared the cutest photo of Hailey holding their son's foot on Instagramwith the caption, "WELCOME HOME JACK BLUES BIEBER 🐻." (Hopefully that emoji means they've nicknamed him Bear!). And ahead of the holidays, Hailey gave us the best gift of all: a brand new selfie featuring Justin, Hailey, and Jack. And it's got me singing "Baby" by Justin Bieber, for real.

Here's everything you need to know about Justin & Hailey Bieber's baby Jack Blues Bieber!

The Latest News On Justin & Hailey Bieber's Baby

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A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)

On August 23, Justin posted this first photo of Hailey and their brand new baby's cute little toes on Instagram. The whole world has been in love with this little ever since!

Hailey Bieber couldn't resist showing off another cute image of Baby Jack's feet on Instagram stories on October 31. It seems like he was seated in a baby carrier while wearing the cutest fuchsia onesie that had an 'I Voted' sticker on his foot. Hailey wrote, "Happy Halloween! Get out there and vote 👻," over the photo, letting us know she did her part on the spookiest day of the year!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber)

In a post celebrating the month of November (which Hailey Bieber calls "the best month of the year"), the Rhode founder posted a photo of the Bieber family on a walk. Justin is wearing a fuzzy hoodie and jacket, while Hailey bundles up with a zip-up, a fur coat, and a baseball cap, along with Jack in a little baby carrier of course! Is there anything better than getting cozy with your fam in the fall? I genuinely don't think so.

Does Hailey Bieber have a child?

Yes, Hailey Bieber gave birth to Jack Blues Bieber on August 23, 2024. Congratulations, Mama!

What is Hailey Bieber's baby name?

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A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber)

Hailey & Justin Bieber's baby's name is Jack Blues Bieber. Although when Hailey posted on Instagram on May 25, 2024 dressed in red — with a strawberry pimple patch & cherry blossom nails to boot — fans thought she was teasing a different name. "Little cherry blossoms on my nails little cherry blossom in my belly," she captioned the post. Maybe they'll bookmark Blossom for the future? ;)

Why did Justin name his son Jack Blues?

Justin Bieber is definitely not the first celeb to give his child a unique name, and Jack Blues is as cute as it is memorable. It's also a special name because according to Page Six, Jack is Justin's dad's middle name too!

What has Hailey & Justin Bieber's family said about Jack?

After Jack was born (and the world knew about it), Justin's mom tweeted her excitement over being a grandma, saying, "CONGRATULATIONS @justinbieber & Hailey. I LOVE YOU FOREVER BABY JACK" and Hailey's dad, Stephen Baldwin shared his own congratulatory tweetthat says,"Congratulations to you and may God continue to bless our family."

Jack Blues Bieber is gonna be one cute kid. Check back here for the latest Justin & Hailey Bieber baby news! Read up on Milo Ventimiglia Is A "Sweet And Attentive" Father-To-Be, And Duh!!! for more!

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