Clinton Kelly’s “Real” Green Bean Casserole Recipe

I know, I know. The holidays are over, so the days of green bean casserole (healthy or not) are traditionally far, far behind us. Or at least months and months ahead of us. But I had a bit of an ah-ha recently that’s turned into a healthy obsession—holiday season or not.
Last month I had the opportunity to talk to Clinton Kelly (you know, from What Not to Wear and The Chew) for this article I was doing on tips to revamp your holiday party. And, dude, Clinton (I think we’re on a first name basis…) was awesome. Like really awesome and down to earth and just full of so many great ideas. And his take on holiday food and healthy eating? Well, it pretty much sums up why we started Fit Bottomed Eats!
“People like the family tradition that’s a little tacky, but there are ways to elevate these things,” he says. “Think about the shortcuts you’ve been taking. Are they really worth taking? Do you really want to eat all that processed food? There are ways to upgrade with natural food. It might take more time, but it’s really worth it. If I’m going to splurge, I’m going to do it really naturally. What I do on The Chew and What Not to Wear is all about conscious living and paying attention to the foods you put in your body and start paying attention.”
Brilliant, right? During our interview, he specifically talked about his more natural green bean casserole recipe that he made for Sargento cheese that really spoke to this healthy eating philosophy. Yes, it’s not low-fat or really that healthy beyond the green beans in it, but there’s nothing fake about it. Like Clinton says, it takes a little more time to make, but it’s better for you because of it—and I’d like to add to that thought that you also better appreciate food when it takes a little more time and effort to prepare and put on the table. It makes meal-time special, and it makes you want to slow down and savor it. Be grateful for what’s on your plate, in fact. So the healthy obsession I can’t stop making and enjoying? Clinton’s green bean casserole—and his take on healthy eating. Holiday time or not, it’s truly a fit way to eat and live.
Do you  have a healthy eating philosophy? Does it jive with Clinton Kelly’s? And do you have a holiday favorite that you make year-round? —Jenn