If you’re going to a 4th of July barbecue, you don’t have to be the “weird” one refusing to eat. Oh no! The way you eat (ie healthy, whole foods that support your body!) doesn’t have to be a big deal for you or anyone else at the party. At the same time, you certainly don’t have to succumb to eating crap to try to fit in with everyone else (nor will you ever be asking yourself “why is my stool green?” lol!) The key is having options available for you and for all that want to partake (without being pushy of course), and just having a good time.
Here are some 4th of July recipes you can either take with you or make for the people coming over:
Veggie Kabobs
Veggie Kabobs- Any veggies you want—zucchini, squash, peppers, mushrooms, onions, cherry tomatoes, etc!
Slice them into chunks, skewer, and grill! You don’t have to have meat on the skewer to have something delicious that everyone—not just Beauty Detoxers or vegetarians—will enjoy.
Mac and “Cheese” with Quinoa Noodles
- 6 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1 Tbsp turmeric - ½ tsp minced garlic
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp high-quality sea salt
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1 tsp paprika
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 cups gluten-free quinoa noodles (brown rice noodles would work also)
Boil and drain the noodles and set them aside. Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl and pour over the noodles. Mix well.
Kale Chips
- 3 bunches of kale
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon high quality sea salt
- Chili powder to taste (optional)
- Juice of one lime (optional)
** This recipe is for all, not a raw recipe for only those that have a dehydrator.
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Wash and dry your kale (get it as dry as you can!). Tear it off the stem and break it into small pieces. Melt the coconut oil, add in the salt and chili powder (if desired), and coat the kale with the mixture. Put the kale onto a baking sheet (try to spread them out as much as possible, but it’s okay if they touch in spots). Bake the kale for 10 minutes, flip it, then bake it for 10 more, until it’s crispy (but still green!). Drizzle the lime juice on top if you would like to have spicy lime chips.
Sweet Potato Fries
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 4 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ Tablespoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon high-quality sea salt
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel your sweet potatoes if you’d like (leaving the skin on is fine) and slice them into thin pieces. Toss them in the mixture of coconut oil, allspice, cayenne, pepper, and salt. Bake the fries for 15 minutes, then flip them and bake 10 to 15 more minutes, until they’re lightly browned.
Alkaline-Grain Veggie Burgers
Alkaline-Grain Veggie BurgersMy recipe for Alkaline-Grain Veggie Burgers is perfect for cookouts. You can eat eat on a collard or romaine leaf and wrap it up, put it it on some gluten-free bread, or lightly grill a portobello mushroom cap (or you can bake it) and use it as the bottom “bun” of an open-faced burger.
Another option is to use the portobello mushroom as the burger, again in a collard leaf or on gluten-free bread. Pile it high with veggies!
Pineapple Kabobs
- 1-2 pineapples, cut into chunks
- 1 cup maple syrup
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup tamari
- 1 tsp chili powder
While I’m usually an advocate of consuming fruit raw, this is a time when it’s fun to eat something off the grill…and at least it is a whole fruit. Eat on an empty stomach though still! Try the veggie skewers as a grill option also.
Mix all the ingredients (except pineapple) in a large bowl. Marinate the pineapple chunks in the sauce, then skewer. Rotate on the grill until the edges begin to brown. Serve while warm.
Patriotic Berry, Avocado, and Coconut Salad
- 2 ripe avocados, cut into chunks
- 3 cups of blueberries
- 2 cups of strawberries, sliced
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 Tablespoon coconut nectar
This is a patriotic twist on one of my recipes in The Beauty Detox Foods. Combine the fruits, then mix with the lime and coconut nectar. Optional: Serve on a bed of romaine or spinach. The green is an extra in this red, white, and blue mixture, but the avocado adds some healthy fat to your meal, and you can never go wrong with greens like romaine and spinach.
Watermelon Slushie
Watermelon Slushie- 6 cups frozen watermelon
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- Mint or basil to taste (optional)
Mix the ingredients in the blender. Pour into cold glasses and garnish with mint or basil.
Serve these first, as your guests arrive, so there will be plenty of time between the slushies and the rest of the meal for optimal digestion. Remember, melon should always be enjoyed on an empty stomach, without any additional fruits or vegetables, so drink this alone.
Other recipes you and your guests may enjoy at your cookout:
- Raw Taco Mexican Salad
- Quinoa, Avocado, and Corn Salad
- Oil-Free (Almost!) Brown Rice Tortilla Chips
- Fat-Burning Key Lime Pie Bars
Have a Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your celebration!
I love you Kimberly, I started your program back in February and stuck to it by the book for two months, and even my hair dresser noticed a difference in my hair. I loved everything I was eating. Unfortunately, my husband complained that there was nothing in the house but grass and bird food (jokingly) so I kind of fell off the wagon, hair gone back to brittle, thinner, and I feel lousy. Dying to get back on the right track.
Much success to you,
Leyla
Good luck Leyla. I do eat different than my husband but slowly I made him soemthing that I having and there has been no complaints. He has lost about 25 pounds like me with the more healthy options that we both have. I do keep certain cereals for him but I have been supportive of his celiac disease and if I don’t cook his meals he probably wouldn’t eat. Our house is gluten free cuz of his disease and that has also forced us to eat healthier. We are now doing yoga together in the evening. Men do change believe it or not. LOL
I love raw kale- I read its great for you & than some health people say not to eat it raw it can cause health problems esp with the thyroid. help- I am confused. thanks, carol
Thanks ,Kimberly
for the cool recepies
Can’t wait to try these!! They all sound sooo deliecious and go the full range of light to something a bit heartier.
PS: Does anyone know why Kim’s other watermelon smoothie with almond milk is ok?? Or maybe it’s just that it’s less than ideal but not a terrible choice. Anyways, can’t wait to try this one with coconut water! Seems so refreshing.
Wow – great ideas. I am going to try the Kale Chips. Thank you!!
Yum! I am going to make these as snacks for myself and the kids this summer!
Thanks for the recipes ! I know I’ll be trying some of them this summer season :) Have a “great” summer !
Yay!!! This is great! I’m always the WEIRD one! My diet is vegan and gluten free AND I’m allergic to tree nuts! I’m super high maintenance :( This helps! Thanks!
Hello Kimberly,
can you please suggest some foods to reduce the look of nasolabial lines as well as melasma (brown spots on face)?
Thank you
So excited to try the mac and “cheese”. I must be getting better at this because my menu for today is so similar to your suggestions! Thanks for your continued ideas and information Kim! Even my junk food loving husband is starting to get addicted to the healthier meals I have been making. I offered to make him an old favorite the other day, real mac and cheese and he said no! He prefers the other meals I have been making!
You are just amazing!
Yum 8)!
Amazing recipes, you saved me from 4.4 lb this 4th of July :) despite the fact that not everyone of my friends were open for my food I was very happy eating good stuff and without caring that the next day I`ll have to start a diet :) Thanks for these healthy and tasty recipes
Had a great 4th of July celebrating with friends. I was gone all day so I took my two smoothies in a cooler with lots of cut up veggies and hummus. I ate pretty good with all of this but broke down and ate Tootsie Rolls on the car ride home. They are my weekness but the day was 99% good eating. I bought a mug that keeps smoothies cold for 8 hours and froze two bottles of water for keep all my veggies cold on a soft over the shoulder cooler. It worked out great and kept me on track until the car ride home. Oh well, I’m back on track and hopefully I can continue eating good at a party tonight and tomorrow.
Hello Kim
I have been recently making a Protein Shakes Smoothie, the one that you suggest in your book. I would like to know if the Smoothie can hold up good for a whole day ? Another words if i make it early in the morning and take with me to work and drink it late afternoon would the Smoothie contain all the vitamins and minerals even though it was not frozen, only refrigerated ? Can you please advise. Thank you in advance
I am a mega fan of this style of eating, i bought three books one for me, two to give (to interested friends needing to understand about superfoods). i always double or triple the spices, thats just my taste buds.
after many months f cooking and eating this way, i even make up my recipes , this summer menu idea is great!!!!!
thanks kimberly
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