Here are a few make-over ideas for those summer favorites!
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
*Did you know you can buy Nitrate Free, No Preservative Hot Dogs? You most certainly can! I found them at my local Wal-mart and Target. One of our favorite brands are made by Ballpark, and are called Park's Finest Slow Smoked Hickory Frankfurters. Pair these clean eating dogs with some dijon mustard and a whole grain hot dog bun, and you are all set!
*Turkey Burgers are a weekly favorite at our house, even during the winter months. Simply take some ground turkey, season with garlic powder and onion powder, sea salt, and pepper. Make them into 6 ounce burgers and put them on your grill! I like topping mine with a ultra thin slice of baby swiss cheese and pico de gala. My son likes lettuce, tomatoes, and provolone cheese. My husband tops his with lettuce, onion, tomato, and avocado! We all use a whole grain bun. Top it however you like, just keep it clean!
S’more Bars
This summer treat is a difficult one to make-over, unless you are willing to do some major baking and cooking, but I was determined! I have trouble resisting this sweet summer treat! And, I don't have time to bake all day! So here is a great alternative to the gooey summer favorite!
Ingredients:
- All natural, no preservative graham crackers (I used Kinnikinnick brand) - 1 (8 oz.) package
- gently melted coconut butter, unsalted butter or unsalted vegan butter - 1/2 cup
- chopped pecans (almonds or macadamia nuts would also work) - 1/3 cup + 1 Tablespoon
- dark or semisweet chocolate - 1/2 cup
- unsweetened shredded coconut - 1/3 cup
- canned unsweetened coconut milk - 3/4 cup
Instructions:
Preheat
oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare 9" x 9" baking dish by
covering the bottom and sides with aluminum foil - pressing into place and
allowing enough to hang over the ends for lifting free of the baking dish.
Crush the graham crackers. I like to place them in a sealed plastic bag and
roll over them with a rolling pin or smash them. Then I mix them together with
the melted oil or butter and press into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Next, layer the chocolate chips, coconut and finally the chopped pecans.
Drizzle
the canned coconut milk evenly over the top. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes. Cool on
a rack and then pop into the fridge. This makes cutting them easier. When
you're ready to do that, simply lift the whole thing from the pan and place on
a hard surface. Cut into the desired number of pieces and enjoy! (recipe compliments of http://janiceameesglutenfree.com/gluten-free-coconut-pecan-smore-bars/).
Clean Eating Potato Salad
For the dressing:
2 tbsp red wine vinegar (or white)
1 small garlic clove minced
4 tbsp plain low fat greek yogurt
1/3c extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp dijon mustard
pepper to taste
minced chives- to your taste
1 small garlic clove minced
4 tbsp plain low fat greek yogurt
1/3c extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp dijon mustard
pepper to taste
minced chives- to your taste
sea salt to taste
Mix together and add to your cooked and diced potatoes, hard boiled eggs (diced), celery (thinly chopped), and onion (diced). This is a great way to clean up this summer favorite!
Ice Cream
4 bananas, just slightly overripe
(brown spots good, completely black not so good)
2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
(optional)
2 tsp. cocoa powder (Dutch process),
(optional)
DO NOT FREEZE THE WHOLE BANANA,
you’ll have a heck of a time blending them!
Peel the bananas and slice them up
into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick disks.
Place the banana slices in the
freezer for about an hour or until they are frozen solid. Put the frozen slices
in a food processor and pulse. First they will start to resemble gravel, but
keep going.
The bananas will soon turn into a
frozen mush – at this point, start scraping the sides
down (you will do this a lot). Or
you could add a dash of milk since the liquid will help
the blending. When the bananas look like
whipped ice cream, you can add your mix-ins like peanut butter and/or cocoa powder,
raspberries, anything clean! Straight out of the food processor, the ice cream
is like soft serve. You can also freeze it for a firmer texture. I find it’s
pretty hard (and therefore, brittle) when I scoop it immediately after removing
it from the freezer. Just give it a minute or two to soften up. Makes a pint. (recipe complements of userealbutter.com).
When you spend a little extra time planning and being prepared for the summer celebrations, you can still enjoy these all time food favorites, without the guilt and preservatives! So, this summer, take control of the situation and give yourself healthy options!
