10 Delicious December Recipes to Help You Thrive Beyond 60

Bright citrus, cozy greens, and simple comfort bowls—December is perfect for steady energy, strong immunity, and feel-good meals that support your heart, brain, gut, and bones. Below are 10 quick, healthy recipes built around my December Focus Foods: navel oranges, satsuma mandarins, Meyer lemons, ruby red grapefruit, collard greens, Swiss chard, Savoy cabbage, rutabaga, daikon radish, and Medjool dates. Each recipe includes servings and nutrition estimates so you can flex your plant power and thrive beyond 60 all month.

Healthy Benefits at a Glance

• Citrus (navel oranges, satsumas, Meyer lemons, grapefruit): Vitamin C for immune, gums, and skin; flavanones and lycopene (ruby red) for heart health; zest adds flavor without extra salt.
• Collard greens & Swiss chard: Calcium and vitamin K for bones; magnesium in chard for muscle and sleep; gentle when cooked to tenderness.
• Savoy cabbage: Tender crucifer that’s easy to digest; budget-friendly bulk fiber.
• Rutabaga: Potassium + fiber with a lower glycemic load than many starches.
• Daikon radish: Light peppery crunch; supportive to digestion; great raw or lightly cooked.
• Medjool dates: Natural sweetness with fiber and potassium; perfect binder for whole-food treats.

Note: Grapefruit can interact with certain medications. If you’re unsure, choose oranges or mandarins instead.

The Recipes

1) Orange–Avocado Savoy Slaw (Zesty Tahini)

Focus foods: Navel Orange, Savoy Cabbage
Serves: 3 • Serving size: ~1 cup

Ingredients

• 3 cups finely shredded Savoy cabbage
• 1 large navel orange, segmented (save 1 tsp zest)
• ½ ripe avocado, diced
• 1 tbsp tahini • 1 tbsp orange juice (from segments) • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp orange zest • pinch sea salt • black pepper

Instructions

1. Whisk tahini, orange juice, vinegar, zest, salt, pepper (thin with a spoon of water if needed).
2. Toss cabbage with dressing; fold in orange segments and avocado. Serve immediately.

Per serving (approx): 170 kcal • 3g protein • 16g carbs • 5g fiber • 11g fat • 120mg sodium

2) Satsuma “Truffle” Cups (Date–Tahini Dip)

Focus foods: Satsuma Mandarin, Medjool Dates
Serves: 2 • Serving size: ~2 satsumas’ worth

Ingredients

• 4 satsuma mandarins, segmented
• Dip: 2 Medjool dates (pitted), 1 tbsp tahini, 1–2 tbsp warm water, pinch cinnamon, tiny pinch salt

Instructions

1. Blend dip until smooth.
2. Serve satsuma segments with the creamy date–tahini dip.

Per serving (approx): 220 kcal • 3g protein • 48g carbs • 6g fiber • 5g fat • 40mg sodium

3) Meyer Lemon Chickpea–Chard Orzo Skillet

Focus foods: Meyer Lemon, Swiss Chard
Serves: 3 • Serving size: ~1¼ cups

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 small onion, diced • 2 cups chopped Swiss chard (stems & leaves separated)
• ½ cup dry whole-wheat orzo (or GF orzo)
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 tsp Meyer lemon zest + 1½ tbsp Meyer lemon juice
• 1½ cups low-sodium veggie broth • sea salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté onion + chard stems in oil 3–4 min; add orzo and toast 1 min.
2. Add broth; simmer 6–8 min, stirring. Fold in chickpeas + chard leaves; cook 2–3 min.
3. Finish with zest, juice, salt, pepper.

Per serving (approx): 290 kcal • 10g protein • 46g carbs • 8g fiber • 7g fat • 300mg sodium

4) Broiled Ruby Red Grapefruit with Cinnamon “Brûlée”

Focus food: Ruby Red Grapefruit
Serves: 2 • Serving size: ½ grapefruit

Ingredients

• 1 ruby red grapefruit, halved
• ½ tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp maple syrup (optional) • pinch sea salt

Instructions

1. Loosen segments with a paring knife. Sprinkle cinnamon and optional maple; tiny pinch salt.
2. Broil 4–6 inches from heat for 3–4 minutes until bubbling and lightly browned.

Per serving (approx): 80 kcal • 1g protein • 21g carbs • 3g fiber • 0g fat • 5mg sodium
Medication note: Skip grapefruit if your medications interact.

5) Collard Wraps with Roasted Rutabaga & Hummus

Focus foods: Collard Greens, Rutabaga
Serves: 2 • Serving size: 2 loaded wraps

Ingredients

• 4 large collard leaves, stems trimmed flat
• 2 cups rutabaga, ½-inch sticks
• 1 tsp olive oil • ¼ tsp smoked paprika • pinch salt
• ½ cup hummus • ½ cup shredded Savoy cabbage • lemon wedge

Instructions

1. Toss rutabaga with oil, paprika, salt; roast at 425°F for 20–25 min until tender.
2. Blanch collard leaves 30 seconds in boiling water, then pat dry.
3. Spread hummus, add rutabaga and cabbage, squeeze lemon, roll tight.

Per serving (approx): 310 kcal • 10g protein • 44g carbs • 10g fiber • 11g fat • 340mg sodium

6) Swiss Chard & White Bean Lemon Soup

Focus foods: Swiss Chard, Meyer Lemon
Serves: 3 • Serving size: ~1½ cups

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 small carrot, diced • 1 celery stalk, diced • 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cups low-sodium veggie broth • 1 cup cooked cannellini beans
• 3 cups chopped Swiss chard (stems & leaves)
• 1 tsp Meyer lemon zest + 1 tbsp juice • sea salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté onion, carrot, celery in oil 4–5 min.
2. Add broth + beans; simmer 5 min. Add chard; simmer 3–4 min.
3. Finish with zest, juice, salt, pepper.

Per serving (approx): 210 kcal • 8g protein • 29g carbs • 7g fiber • 7g fat • 420mg sodium

7) Savoy Cabbage–Daikon Ginger Stir-Fry (Tofu Optional)

Focus foods: Savoy Cabbage, Daikon Radish
Serves: 2 • Serving size: ~1½ cups

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded Savoy cabbage
• 1½ cups daikon, thin matchsticks
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil • 1 tsp grated ginger • 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1–2 tsp low-sodium tamari • 1 tsp rice vinegar • sesame seeds
• Optional: 6 oz firm tofu, cubed

Instructions

1. Heat oil; sauté daikon 2–3 min with ginger & garlic.
2. Add cabbage; cook 2–3 min until just tender.
3. Splash with tamari + vinegar. Add tofu if using to warm through; sprinkle sesame.

Per serving (w/out tofu, approx): 120 kcal • 4g protein • 17g carbs • 5g fiber • 4g fat • 360mg sodium
With tofu: ~220 kcal • 15g protein • 19g carbs • 6g fiber • 9g fat • 380mg sodium

8) Rutabaga Home Fries (Paprika–Rosemary)

Focus food: Rutabaga
Serves: 3 • Serving size: ~¾ cup

Ingredients

• 1½ lb rutabaga, peeled, ½-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil • ½ tsp smoked paprika • ½ tsp dried rosemary • ¼ tsp sea salt • pepper

Instructions

1. Toss rutabaga with oil and seasonings.
2. Roast at 425°F for 25–30 minutes, tossing once, until edges are crisp.

Per serving (approx): 170 kcal • 3g protein • 26g carbs • 6g fiber • 7g fat • 260mg sodium

9) Quick Meyer Lemon Daikon Pickles

Focus foods: Daikon Radish, Meyer Lemon
Serves: 8 (condiment) • Serving size: ~2 tbsp

Ingredients

• 2 cups daikon, thin half-moons
• 2 tbsp Meyer lemon juice + 1 tsp zest
• ¼ cup rice vinegar • ¼ cup water • ½ tsp sea salt • ½ tsp maple syrup

Instructions

1. Whisk liquids, salt, maple; add daikon + zest.
2. Chill 30+ minutes (better after 2–3 hours). Keeps 4–5 days.

Per serving (approx): 10 kcal • 0g protein • 2g carbs • 0.3g fiber • 0g fat • 65mg sodium

10) Orange–Date Tahini Truffles (3-Ingredient Base)

Focus foods: Medjool Dates, Navel Orange (zest)
Serves: 10 truffles • Serving size: 1 truffle

Ingredients

• 10 Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 tsp orange zest
• Optional coat: unsweetened cocoa or finely chopped nuts

Instructions

1. Pulse dates, tahini, zest to a dough.
2. Roll into balls; dust with cocoa or nuts. Chill 20 minutes to set.

Per truffle (approx): 75 kcal • 1g protein • 12g carbs • 1.5g fiber • 2g fat • 2mg sodium

Quick Notes & Swaps

• Protein boost: Add tofu/tempeh/edamame or white beans to bowls and salads.
• Gluten-free: Use GF orzo or brown rice.
• Gentle digestion: Cook greens until tender; build up raw cabbage/daikon gradually.

Closing Thoughts (and Cross-Links)

Keep this post handy and rotate two or three recipes each week for effortless meal planning. Pair them with December’s habits—morning light, consistent sleep window, simple strength work—and you’ll stack wins for immunity, energy, mood, and longevity.

• Link from your December Focus Foods article to this recipe post so readers can jump straight into the kitchen.
• Add a link back to your Focus Foods post here (insert your URL) for readers who want the full seasonal guide and longevity context.

Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle, especially if you have existing conditions or take medication.

💌Want plant-based tips each week

Join the Plant Based Flex newsletter. It’s free, and when you confirm your email I’ll send you a 7-Day Kickstart Wellness Bundle to help you thrive beyond 60.

👉 Join the newsletter!