Let’s BBQ! Recipe for a Fun, Yummy & Healthy Labor Day Weekend

Grilling out on a sunny holiday weekend is a favorite pastime around the world. When it involves good food with great friends and family you can be sure to find BBQs abound.

Labor Day is one occasion we celebrate here in America and these days it’s more well-known as the unofficial end to summer and beginning of the academic year rather than a weekend for truly appreciating all our hard work day in and day out.

Interestingly, Labor Day originated in a movement for eight-hour divisions of work, recreation, and rest—even in the 1800’s they recognized the importance of creating balance in life!

If you work hard in the gym and kitchen each and every day to keep your body fit, don’t sabotage your diligent efforts on holidays, like Labor Day, by choosing poor quality foods that destroy your health and energy—not to mention your waistline.

Celebrate, instead, with my Super Healthy and Delicious recipes that will satisfy your taste buds plus keep you right in line with your fitness goals:

Avocado, Mango, & Cilantro Bison Burger          Makes: 4 servings

  • ¼ lb. bison patty (1 lb. package makes 4 burgers)
  • Ezekiel buns, gluten free buns or butter lettuce cups
  • Sea salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Black pepper
  1. Form the burger patty and season to taste.
  2. Grill on med high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side.
  3. Remove from grill & cover with foil so it can rest & redistribute juices.

Avocado, Mango, & Cilantro Salsa          Makes: 4 servings

  • 1 avocado chopped
  • 1 mango chopped
  • 4 tbsp. fresh salsa
  • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
  1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Serve on top of bison burger or wrapped in lettuce cups.

Roasted Veggie Fries          Makes: 8 servings

  • 1 lb. fresh French green beans, trimmed if needed
  • 1 medium sweet potato, washed, sliced into strips (equal in size & length to beans)
  • 1 large zucchini, washed, sliced into strips (equal in size & length to beans)
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. Mix oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  3. Place veggies in a large, glass baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  4. Drizzle seasoned oil mixture over veggies & toss to coat.
  5. Roast 10 minutes then toss veggies.
  6. Roast another 5-10mins or until desired degree of doneness.

Colorful Kale Slaw          Makes: 4 servings

  • 4 cups fresh kale leaves sliced into thin strips
  • 1 cup chopped red cabbage
  • 1 cup grated golden beet
  • 1 cup grated carrot
  • 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
  • ½ cup thinly sliced celery
  • ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
  1. Prepare salad ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Dress with Cumin-Lime Dressing just before serving.

Cumin-Lime Dressing          Makes: 4 servings

  • 4 tbsp. fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp. agave/honey
  • 6-8 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • Sea salt to taste
  •  *make this a creamy dressing by adding 1-2 tbsp. hummus, or to desired consistency
  1. Blend all ingredients until well incorporated.
  2. Mix into your Colorful Kale Slaw just before serving.

Shot in the Dark          Makes: 4 servings

  • 1 can coconut cream (or full fat coconut milk)
  • 4 tbsp Dutch cacao powder (I use Droste)
  • Sea salt to taste, usually just a sprinkle
  • Tiny bit of water or coconut milk for consistency
  1. Blend all ingredients in a blender.
  2. Separate into 4 small bowls or ramekins.
  3. Chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.

You CAN enjoy food and family during the holidays while living a healthy lifestyle that supports your fitness goals.

Stay true to your hunger and satiety cues, choose whole foods prepared wisely, and eat slowly so you can savor every juicy bite of your BBQ Burger!

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