Healthy BBQ Parties

Everyone loves a good barbecue with the BBQ smoking, potato salad cooling and corn on the cob dripping with butter and salt. And then of course, there are the brownies and the ice cream or popsicles. But are these foods healthy? Heck NO!

Of course we know that the brownies are full of sugar and gluten grains and the ice cream and popsicles are full of sugars, additives and artificial colors. But what is wrong with the BBQ meat, corn on the cob and the potato salad? Oh golly, MUST we be purists? How can we create a healthy, cell-healing BBQ for our family and friends without letting them know we are feeding them “health food”?

Here are some guidelines you can follow to support your party guests good health. And when they leave your party, their happy tummies and liver will be singing hallelujah. No anti-acids or gas relievers necessary!First of all, let’s chat about what you cook on the BBQ. Whatever meat you choose, please make sure it is GRASS FED and GRASS FINISHED: meaning that the animal was never fed GMO grains.

When you put the meat on your grill, please make sure that the temperature is medium heat. Also be sure that you don’t have fire flares from meat juices dripping down on the coals. This will tend to cause more charring of the meat.

I know that so many folks LOVE charred, broiled meats, but blackened meat can be carcinogenic. I decided to peruse Bon Appetite magazine to see what chefs have to say about this subject and I was thrilled to find this research listed in Bon Appetite magazine by Sam Dean: June 20, 2013, “ Is Grilling Good for You? Or Bad? Here’s What Science Says”:

“On the most basic level, the smoky flavor and the char that you get from a well-grilled steak is not particularly good for you. When fat from the cooking meat drips down on the hot coals, the smoke that forms contains stuff called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). And the charred exterior of the meat (or inside, if you like things extremely well-done) is chock full of something called heterocyclic amines (HCA).

Both of these have been linked in studies, like one conducted by the National Cancer Institute in 1999, to higher rates of colorectal cancers, and both chemicals have been added to the DOH’s official list of carcinogens (PAH all the way back in 1981, HCA in 2005). In 2009, another study found that people who preferred their steaks “very well done” were 60 percent more likely to get pancreatic cancer than those who liked them bloody (or didn’t eat steak at all), and both compounds have been found to cause tumors in mice (and might cause even more tumors in humans, since mice process the chemicals differently).”

The article goes on to say that when you add a marinade that contains rosemary, garlic, onion, tart cherries and honey (I suggest using raw, uncooked honey) a study in 2010 showed that it cuts down on the HCA in the end product by 90%! The sticky consistency of the marinade usually doesn’t allow the surface of the meat to get charred. Make sure you are liberal with the use of organic rosemary because of its anti-oxidant properties.

Below is a nice and simple chicken marinade recipe we enjoy. Make sure you buy the best ingredients to increase health benefits: all organic and select a pastured chicken if possible.

Corn on the Cob

A BBQ party is just not the same without corn on the cob. But beware. You MUST find organic corn that is NOT GMO (genetically modified organisms) produce, as the vast majority of corn is in fact genetically modified. GMO corn is so damaging to your gut and brain because it usually contains a chemical called glyphosate.

Glyphosate harms the weeds by traveling down the Shikimate pathway. From my article, “It’s Not Just Gluten: The Glyphosate Threat,” I talk about this pathway: “… Dr. Stephanie Seneff has released many studies in the past few years that have led scientists to believe that glyphosate disrupts a pathway called a Shikimate pathway, which is needed for normal brain function. Her research shows a link for many of the diseases mentioned above because of the pathway’s role in making brain messengers (neurotransmitters) needed for most brain activities, including memory. Monsanto defends its safety claims and products by stating that humans do not have the Shikimate pathway so glyphosate is in fact safe. Seneff and others agree that humans do not have this pathway, but our gut bacteria do. The truth is, glyphosate kills the bacteria needed to make certain amino acids necessary to produce key brain messengers such as serotonin and dopamine. Other studies have shown that just .1 parts per billion (ppb) of glyphosate destroys gut bacteria in chickens 15. This puts it all into perspective regarding our massive exposure to the toxin and why this is a major crisis…”

Only buy 100% organic corn and steam or grill it and slather with raw, grass-fed butter and sea salt.

Mexican Style Corn on the Cob:

After the organic corn is boiled or grilled spread with freshly made organic mayonnaise and sprinkle with organic cotija cheese, cayenne pepper or chili powder and sea salt and enjoy!

Potato Salad:

As for potato salad, please make sure that you buy ORGANIC potatoes. They can be GMO too! Make your own mayo with organic, pastured eggs and healthy oil (olive or avocado oil) and add sea salt, ground pepper and chopped organic dill pickles.

Potato Salad:

As for potato salad, please make sure that you buy ORGANIC potatoes. They can be GMO too! Make your own mayo with organic, pastured eggs and healthy oil (olive or avocado oil) and add sea salt, ground pepper and chopped organic dill pickles.

Fresh Garden Salad:

Make a colorful salad with organic greens, avocado, your favorite veggies and feta cheese.

Healthy Desserts:

And finish with homemade popsicles, or crust-less mini pies (See Recipe Below!)

Healthy BBQ Party Recipes:

Grilled Rosemary Chicken – Lemon Marinade

• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed organic lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1/2 cup cold pressed olive oil
• 2 tsp. dijon mustard
• 2-3 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. sea salt
• Freshly ground Pepper to taste

Directions: Let chicken marinate in the sauce for 1 hour in the refrigerator. Discard the marinade and place the chicken on the grill. Here is the tricky part: grill the chicken very slowly, making sure you do NOT char the meat.

If you grill steak, perhaps another marinade would be in order. But make sure you are liberal with the rosemary!

Summer Fruit Crust-Free
Mini Pies

• In individual oven-safe ramekins, toss in any organic summer fruit: plums, nectarine, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries (berries are lower in fruit sugars)
• Pour a small amount of organic heavy whipping cream over the top with a small amount of maple syrup
• Place under the broiler for a few minutes until the ingredients start to bubble and caramelize.
• Sprinkle cinnamon or finely chopped raw nuts and a touch of sea salt and you will have a simple and attractive dessert. OR you can add to the decadence by topping those mini pies with more freshly made organic whipped cream. No sweetener needed.