GUILT-FREE BBQ | Body Ecology

Thinking of hosting a BBQ? We’ve got healthy, delicious tips to make your BBQ with family and friends that much better.

The Secret’s in the Sauce. Trade out store bought barbecue sauces full of sugar by making your own sugar-free sauce. Lakanto is a great all-natural sweetener that is zero calorie, zero glycemic index, and has no influence on your blood sugar or insulin release. Slather our sugar-free barbecue sauce on veggie skewers, organic meat, or even on top of steamed quinoa.

So, what’s in the sauce?

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 roasted red peppers, chopped
• 3 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Lakanto
• A pinch of each: chili powder, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne pepper, Celtic sea salt

1. Very gently, sauté onions in coconut oil in a non-toxic pan until they begin to turn translucent and slightly brown.
2. Warm the roasted red peppers in the pan for a few minutes.
3. Blend all of the ingredients in your Vitamix™ or in a high-speed blender.

Enjoy a Sugar-Free Mocktail. Did you know that sugar is more addictive than cocaine?[1] Studies have shown that sugar contributes to obesity and suppresses the immune system[2]. Instead of making sugary lemonade, mix up your own refreshing Body Ecology summer mocktail by combining 3 ounces of Dong Quai with sparkling mineral water, freshly squeezed lemon, a few drops of stevia, and mint. Sip on this delicious and guilt-free beverage that adds healthy probiotics to your inner ecosystem.

Food Combining is critical for proper digestion. Our digestive tracts like simple, combined meals that are easy to digest. It’s important to note that when grilling, not to overcook your meat because the more you cook it, the harder it is to digest.

And you’ll need to take steps to reduce heterocyclicamines (HCA) —highly carcinogenic chemicals that are formed in animal products during cooking. Be sure to eat organic, grass-fed proteins withnon-starchy vegetables, like asparagus, green beans, and broccoli. Roast some broccoli and zucchini on the grill, or create a wonderful farmer’s market salad to serve with that delicious barbecued meat!

Follow the Principle of 80/20. Somewhere between not enough and too much, there is a place that is just right. The Body Ecology Principle of 80/20 tells us that this sweet spot is when you are roughly 80% full. At 80% full, the digestive enzymes in your stomach and small intestine have the best opportunity to do their job properly.

Serve Fermented Foods. Sauerkraut is a fermented food that has been a BBQ staple, enjoyed for many generations. Loaded with beneficial bacteria that make B vitamins, they also enhance assimilation, help balance the immune system, and support mental well-being.

Why not try preparing your own? It’s fun and easy, and the benefits are well worth it. Sauerkraut and fermented vegetables are both made with cabbage and are a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants that protect against stress and fight disease. I always recommend using a Veggie Culture Starter, and checking out some of our favorite cultured recipes.

Walk It Off. Invite your guests for a neighborhood walk at the end of the evening! Walking improves mental and physical health rapidly, with studies indicating that even light exercise can boost immunity and mood[4].

Source: Body Ecology – http://bodyecology.com/articles/guilt-free-bbq-recipe

[1] M Lenoir, et al. Intense Sweetness Surpasses Cocaine Reward. PLoS ONE. 2007; 2(8): e698.

[2] Family Nutrition: Sugar. AskDrSears.com.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045000.asp

[3] Dunn, Andrea, Ph.D., “[Exercise] affects the biology in the brain in the same way that anti-depressant drugs do.”http://www.fitcommerce.com/BLUEPRINT/WebControls/Announcements/ViewAnnouncement.aspx?ItemID=787&mid=112&portalId=2&cid=112

[4] Dunn, Andrea, Ph.D., “[Exercise] affects the biology in the brain in the same way that anti-depressant drugs do.” http://www.fitcommerce.com/BLUEPRINT/WebControls/Announcements/ViewAnnouncement.aspx?ItemID=787&mid=112&portalId=2&cid=112