Tag Archives: July 4th

14 Patio Perfect Memorial Day Recipes Your BBQ Can’t Live Without

It’s officially the unofficial start to summer that we’ve all been craving! You know, that time of year when people start getting extra friendly with a neighbor or pal with a swimming pool. Memorial Day is here and, like most Americans, you probably have plans to spend the sunny day-off outside, on a deck, by the water, with good food, drink, and better friends.

Remember, these aren’t the cookouts of your youth; don’t allow your buddies to grill packaged weenies and frozen burger patties. This is a new era; your golden age of Memorial Day cookouts. We’ve compiled the very best of our cookout-inspired recipes — simple, delicious summer foods that may even be good for you (shhh!)

sam adams summertime lemonade

Sam Adams Summertime Slush

The flavor combination in this beer cocktail tastes exactly like summer is supposed to taste — light, sweet, refreshing, and maybe just a little bit boozy! We made our own fresh-squeezed lemonade, slushed it up in the blender, and topped it off with ice cold Sam Adams Summer Ale.

bayou kabobs

Bayou Kabobs

Add color, spice, and a little flare to your cookout spread with this Cajun-inspired recipe. We layered Andouille sausage with shrimp, peppers, and sausage for something like a shrimp boil on a stick! Serve with grilled corn and potatoes to really pull the theme together.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Roasted Tomatillo and Pineapple Salsa

Are you tired of bland, store-bought salsa, but intimidated about making your own homemade chip-dip? This roasted tomatillo and pineapple salsa is sweet and refreshing, with a perfect amount of spicy bite. It’s full of complex flavor notes and a breeze to make. The tomatillo is tangy, the pineapple saccharine, and salsa staples like cilantro, lime juice, garlic, onion, and salt strike a harmonious balance. Throw this salsa down with some blue corn tortilla chips and watch your guests lick the bowl clean.

frozen talenti sangria

Talenti Frozen Sangria 

With great entertaining comes great responsibility, so make sure your Memorial Day guests have a tasty bev to wash down your delicious food. The only thing better than a cool summer cocktail is a frozen summer cocktail. The Talenti Sorbetto in this recipe is brilliant in color and light in calories. All you need is your favorite bottle of cheap cab sauv, a little lime juice, mixed berries, and a blender. With only 222 calories per 8 oz serving, it’s the perfect summer cocktail. (more…)

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Health Buzz

July Fourth Recovery Menu: One-Day Clean Eating Plan

You went for it. Frankly, we all did. With the franks – hot dogs. And burgers. Potato salad, someone’s aunt’s best apple pie, sodas, beer, and ice cream, too. You celebrated July Fourth like most Americans. smoothie

Today? Not feeling so hot. All is not lost. It’s actually pretty easy to put yesterday’s holiday bender behind you and focus forward on a healthful summer. It starts today, right now.

This isn’t a detox – we think your body is aptly equipped to handle that on its own but ONLY if you’re giving it what it needs. Another full day of beers and brats and your digestive system is going to boycott the whole idea of helping you out!

Stick to our July Fourth Recovery Menu and you’ll feel better throughout the day, not to mention how much more energy you’ll have to take on the rest of the weekend’s events.  (more…)

Posted on July 5, 2024 by Natalie K

Your Guide to Red, White and Blue Recipes for July 4th

The Fourth of July really is the only day of the year we can all just stop, breathe, enjoy. There’s no political tip-toeing around verbiage that may or may not offend. There are no gifts to buy, or tacky sweaters to awkwardly return. In my opinion, it’s the purest day on the American calendar.

We’d be remiss in celebrating everything that is grand about our country and its freedoms if we didn’t include the food. It’s the focal point of any celebration no matter where on the map you call home. In a time when we all need things to be just a little easier, this holiday comes with its own built-in color palette.

You often hear that your plates should be colorful, reflect the rainbow, in order to be most healthful. In this case, your plate is going to reflect Old Glory. There are plenty of red, white, and blue foods that you can feature at your BBQs and picnics this weekend that taste great, are good for you, and pull the theme together.

july 4th burgers and sangria

Start with our Red, White and Blue Turkey Burgers and Red, White and Blue Sangria for a delicious and refreshing start to your celebration that blends all three of our patriotic colors in to one plate or glass. Served together, they’re perfection. (more…)

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Natalie K

Joey Chestnut Starves Himself Prior to Winning Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

July 4th means fireworks, cookouts, and for some the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Every year on July 4th, Coney Island holds Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest where participants eat as many hot dogs as possible in 10 minutes. On Wednesday, Joey Chestnut won the hot dog eating contest for the sixth consecutive year. The man ate 68 hot dogs… sounds appetizing right?

I could barely finish the five BBQ chicken wings I had last night at our family’s Fourth of July cookout. I can only imagine where this man puts his food!

Well, fortunately this morning on the TODAY show Joey offered his secrets to scarfing down 68 hotdogs and buns. Joey’s girlfriend makes him 70 hotdogs and he tries to eat as much as he can within 10 minutes. And he tries to eat a little more each day than his previous attempt. Three days before the big hot dog eating contest Joey does not eat anything to prepare himself for all the hot dogs he will devour. (more…)

Posted on July 5, 2024 by Samantha

3 Ways to Keep America Beautiful, Healthy, and Vibrant

More than 200 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence we still celebrate with parades on Main Street and decorate with the red, white, and blue. From hot dogs and potato salad to roasted marshmallows around the campfire, Americans do not take the Fourth lightly. As dusk appears, the boom of fireworks and the dazzling spectacle of illuminated ash will light up the faces of generations of people who are proud to call America their home.

With current fire dangers in parts of the southwest, incidences of obesity on the rise, and an environment that desperately needs tender loving care, it might be of interest to those who truly love America to evolve their celebratory behaviors.

We’ve got just a few suggestions to help keep America the beautiful, healthy and vibrant country that we all love so dearly. (more…)

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Jill

8 Ways to Eat Watermelon – Summer’s Most Perfect Fruit

Happy Fourth of July! If you haven’t lit a sparkler and stocked up on watermelon, you’re just not doing it right.

Watermelon is so hydrating and so filling that it might be summer’s most perfect food. That bold red hue is a sign that each bite is full of cancer-fighting lycopene, the most of any fruit. Each chin-drowning juicy bite of watermelon also boasts generous amounts of vitamins A, C, and B6. As well, watermelon is a rich source of potassium, an important electrolyte especially during these hottest days of summer.

The best way to enjoy watermelon, one of three super-healing summer melons, is to refrigerate and make thick slices for everyone to eat as-is. However, watermelon’s unique flavor, stunning color, and wide availability make it simple to incorporate in to a number of recipes.

If you’ve got more watermelon on your hands than you know what to do with this summer, start checking off these recipes:

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon Honeydew Kabobs (more…)

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Natalie K

Our Healthiest (and BEST) July 4th Cookout Recipes

Fourth of July is tomorrow and everyone is looking forward to having their Wednesday off! I’ve always loved Fourth of July because my big family gets together for one day to enjoy each other’s company. And who doesn’t love getting together to eat? Everyone is just happy for one day. However, after the holiday, like a lot of people, I’m not so happy because I tend to overeat at the family BBQ.

Yes, I could have eaten less… or my family could have put more healthy plates on the table. Don’t regret the holiday food this year. We can help you ditch the regret and enjoy the holiday with these healthy cookout recipes developed by our team of foodies.

 Picnic Perfect Red and Sweet Potato Salad

The Red and Sweet Potato Salad is light and tasty, and healthier than a traditional potato salad with only 92 calories.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers

Go meatless for the Fourth this year. If most of the people at your party are vegans or vegetarians, or just reducing meat, then the Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers won’t disappoint.

Red, White, and Blueberry Turkey Burger Sliders

Nothing says Fourth of July like red, white, and blue. These turkey burger sliders are inspired by the patriotic colors of summer. Instead of ground beef the recipe calls for turkey, red bell peppers, and feta crumbles all topped with a blueberry balsamic reduction.

A Simple Red, White, and Blue Sangria Recipe

What’s Fourth of July without a little cocktail? The berries sweetened the wine and will make anyone want more than one glass of sangria. This sangria is simple and easy to make, and it’s going to wow any crowd at the cookout!

Triple Berry Sparkers are the Perfect Cool Down This 4th of July 

For the non-drinkers, and especially the little ones, these sparkling, colorful drinks are hydrating, nutritious, and low in calories. Puree berries for ice cubes and add to your choice of ice cold Perrier.

Chocolate Banana Popsicles

Ditch those stale popsicles from the store and whip up a batch of Chocolate Banana Popsicles. They are half the calories and scrumptious as well, plus loaded with good-for-you nutrients that a traditional frozen treat can’t offer. There are 11 more summer popsicle ideas over at Care2.com.

all images by Dana Shultz

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Samantha

5 Tips for Healthier 4th of July Travels

By Stephanie Mansour with Dana Shultz 

If you’re on the road this Fourth of July, that doesn’t mean your healthy ways should go out of town, too. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a little indulgence in the way of food and decadent desserts, there something to be said about keeping things in moderation as to not totally blow your diet. Below you’ll find five simple solutions from fitness guru Stephanie Mansour, that will help you keep your waistline intact while navigating this holiday the healthy way.

How much of eating healthy on the road is mentality and how much is actual choices? 

Eating healthy on the road starts with a mentality. If you intend to eat healthy and even plan ahead, you will set yourself up for successful healthy eating. But if you don’t plan or have an intention to eat healthy, you’ll probably end up eating a fattening alternative. Make sure you are eating every 3-4 hours, including a serving of protein and fruit or vegetables. Even if you stop at McDonalds or Taco Bell – get a small portion of protein and load it with a side of veggies. Think outside of the box and always remember the protein plus fruit/veggie rule!  (more…)

Posted on July 3, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Triple Berry Sparklers are the Perfect Cool Down This 4th of July

This 4th of July is going to be a hot one with temperatures already in the 100s and rising, at least here in Kansas! So we thought it would be more than appropriate to share a fizzy, tasty and healthy chilled drink to cool you down for your Independence Day celebrations.

It all starts with ice cubes. We found these fun little patriotic molds at a local craft store for a dollar or two. But of course, if you can’t find anything like this, regular ice molds will yield a similar result.

The ice cubes are incredibly healthy as they’re simply pureed berries. We chose a mix of raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. But choose whatever combination you prefer, and add a little sugar for a touch of sweetness if desired. (more…)

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Dana

Picnic Perfect Recipe for Red and Sweet Potato Salad

I can say that the Fourth of July is my hands-down favorite holiday of the year. It’s smack dab in the middle of summer and everyone is happy. It’s a good-time vibe all day, and usually all weekend when the holiday doesn’t fall on a Wednesday.

Like most Americans, I love the food aspect of these patriotic celebrations. Picnic food has got to be some of the best, but it tends to be some of the worst for us. Just like I had to rethink my go-to beef burgers and swap them for a pretty tasty turkey burger, I had to rethink my sides. Particularly potato salad.


I love potato salad! I used to day dream about that big yellow dollop on my plate. Now I kind of shudder when I see that pail of mayo-mustard mess. I felt like I owed it to myself and my guests to come up with something better, and so I did. (more…)

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Natalie K

Red, White, and Blueberry Turkey Burger Sliders Recipe for Summer Cookouts

I’m a pretty all-American girl, I like to think. I love running around barefoot in the summer, classic rock ‘n roll, a hot grill, and cool drinks. Summer is my season and I, admittedly, love to eat and drink my way through it.

I also, admittedly, like to remain relatively close to the same size at the end of the summer as I am at the start of the summer. That means a few trade offs. I (mostly) gave up beef burgers years ago. Turkey is where it’s at now. And I say this as a pretty picky eater. If I can be sold on a turkey burger, the rest of you should already be on this train.

With Memorial Day unofficially kicking off the summer this weekend, I’m ready to enjoy everything I love about the warm days ahead, minus a few unnecessary calories. So I hope you’ll join me in devouring a few of my Red, White, and Blueberry Turkey Burger Sliders.

The great thing about sliders is the automatic portion control. One or two of these little guys is all I need, and I still have plenty of room on my plate (and calories) for corn on the cob, potato salad, grilled fruit, and maybe even a little ice cream. I found the whole wheat slider buns at Kroger, but even small dinner rolls will work. (more…)

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Natalie K