Memorial Day weekend is here. For many of us, this is the official start of summer. And y’all, we’ve had quite a year. We need something to celebrate, am I right?
So whether you’re planning for a pool day, beach day, picnic in the park, or just a backyard cookout, I’m here to help you celebrate in a healthy way with 4 simple grilling recipes.
Hosting or attending a cookout is always fun. Plus, it really can be an easy way to enjoy family, friends and great food while being able to control what you eat. As the host, you have control of what foods you will be serving, so use the opportunity to offer nutritious foods.
When I host, I always have a veggie platter and a fruit tray for guests (and myself) to snack on throughout the party. Buying these from the store can be expensive, so here is a tip; pick up the ingredients from the local farmers market and make it yourself. Prepping the tray will literally take less than 15 minutes and you can serve local, pesticide-free fruits and veggies for a fraction of the cost. Plus, our local economies need us right now (and always, really).
When I attend a party, I always make sure to bring foods I can eat. Always. Even when the host says “you don’t need to bring anything!” I do this so I am not as tempted and to ensure I have options. As someone who tends to be mostly plant-based, gluten free and avoids dairy, it can be really hard to find foods at a party. Bringing my own food, and enough for others, helps me stay on track, know I will have food options, and not feel deprived, because other people end up eating the foods I bring.
So with that said, here is your Memorial Day grilling lineup – whether you are the hostess with the moistest or the best guest: