Wed. July 4th

Happy 4th of July!!

BBQ Dinner!

Daily Tidbit:  Holidays and especially BBQs can be a tough when you are trying to make healthy food choices.  I always scan the buffet first to identify good choices and to find one treat that is really worth the indulgence (in this case it was a super yummy cupcake!) Also, I always try to have a super good start to the day with a solid Breakfast and Lunch as well to keep me from overeating later!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Breakfast:  Oatmeal with Walnuts

1/2 cup plain Oatmeal (this is a pre-cook measurement)

microwaved in Fat Free Milk

2 tbsp Walnuts

2 shakes of Plain Cinnamon

5 oz. OJ

Regular Coffee, black

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lunch:  PBB Wrap in the car!

It could not be easier to throw 1 tbsp of Low Sodium All Natural Peanut Butter and a Banana onto a Whole Grain wrap when you are on the go!   

Yes, I ate on the way to the BBQ.  I didn't want to arrive and dive right into the food, so I didn't want to show up hungry. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chips & Salsa

Strawberry Lemonade

Snacking:  We were at the BBQ most of the day so lots of noshing was going on throughout the day, making it hard to keep track...but I ate bites of these various things throughout the afternoon....

-Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Baby Carrots

-Corn Chips with jarred Salsa

-Potato Chips with Onion Dip

-White Sangria (Recipe is below)

-Strawberry Lemonade

-LOTS of Water (it was a very hot day!)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

BBQ Dinner Sampler!

Dinner:  BBQ Sampler!

1/2 BBQ Chicken Breast

2 different Pasta Salads with Veggies

Cole Slaw

Green Salad 

Dal & Basmati Rice (Dal is a delicious Indian dish made with Lentils)

White Sangria

Dal with Basmati Rice & Chutney

I went back for a second plate of the Dal & Basmati Rice with Chutney a little later on, because it was absolutely delicious with a great kick to it, and something I don't make at home. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I ate the Lemon one (it has the Blueberry on top!)  YUM!!

Dessert:  The most delicious Lemon Blueberry Cupcake ever.  My friend Lauren could open a bake shop around this cupcake!  Delicious Lemon cake with a Blueberry filling - YUM!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Amy's White Sangria Recipe:

3 Bottles of Dry White Wine (I used Pinot Grigio - $3 a bottle at Trader Joe's!)

2 Cups of Mandarin Orange Seltzer 

Chopped Fruit:  1 Gala Apple, 1 Green Apple, 1 Orange, 1/2 Peach


For best results, let the Sangria sit for 24 hours in the fridge to let the flavors marry.  For a stronger, sweeter Sangria you can add Grand Marnier.  It was a hot day, so I kept it on the light side by just using the Seltzer and no additional liquor.  Also you can make it with a mix of Berries or even Kiwi!