Wondering what to make this weekend? Plan a Body Ecology friendly barbecue that your whole family will enjoy!

Planning a backyard barbecue this weekend? So many of us are getting the grills up and running, and shopping for our favorite foods to celebrate Independence Day. This holiday, you certainly don’t have to worry about the how healthy your meal will be. We’ve got your recipes covered -- from barbeque sauce to dessert, and even a delicious versatile salad in-between. There’s no reason to sacrifice your health. You can certainly enjoy a delicious AND healthy holiday barbecue.

For Starters

Probiotic Punch
Begin your celebration with a delicious punch that is abundant in the healthy bacteria that aid in your digestion.
Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle CocoBiotic, Innergy Biotic or 1 quart coconut kefir (or your favorite fermented BED style beverage
• 1-2 pineapples (Stage 2 BED friendly fruit)
• Juice of 2 limes
• Pinch ginger
• Dash vanilla
• Stevia to taste
• 2 Bottles sparkling water

Wouldn’t you love to sweeten your summer tea and lemonade without worrying about the effects of sugar? Stevia is our herbal sweetener that tastes great in your favorite drinks and treats, and even packs easily to take along with you.

Process:
Blend pineapple, lime and ginger with a small amount of pure water in your Vitamix or high-speed blender until liquefied. Pour into punch bowl. Add sparkling water and vanilla to punch bowl and stir. Pour in your fermented beverage of choice. Stir again. Add ice and Stevia to taste and serve in small glasses.

On the Side

Celebration Salad
Ingredients:

• 1 head each of chopped steamed kale, mustard greens, collard greens and arugula
• Shredded raw carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, and jicama
• 1cup raw soaked sunflower seeds
• Juice of 3 lemons
• ¼ cup raw apple cider vinegar
• Sea salt, olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, turmeric, dried mustard, basil, and oregano to taste and a pinch of nutmeg

Process:
Toss chopped greens in a large salad bowl and dress with lemon juice. Use your hands to massage the lemon juice into the greens. Then, add some sea salt and continue to massage the greens. Add in the chopped raw veggies, other spices, and apple cider vinegar.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle sunflower seeds over top. Refrigerate for an hour or more before serving.

You can even add this mixture to a wrap or sandwich on sprouted gluten-free bread with mustard.

Dilly Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 avocados
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 handfuls fresh dill
• 1 handful fresh basil
• 1 whole organic cucumber
• Celtic sea salt to taste

Process:
Blend all ingredients in your Vitamix or high-speed blender and refrigerate before serving. Enjoy as a dip for raw vegetables, gluten-free crackers or even as a spread for wraps.

The Secret’s in The Sauce

Fireworks Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients:

• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon water
• 3 chopped, roasted red peppers
• 3 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar

A pinch each of chili powder, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne pepper, Celtic sea salt
Process:
Very gently, simmer your onions in water in a non-toxic pan for about an hour, until they begin to get brown.  Then, warm the roasted red peppers in the pan and blend all of the ingredients in your Vitamix or high-speed blender.

Slather this sauce atop veggie skewers, organic meat, or even over steamed quinoa.

The Main Dish

Garlic Ginger Veggie Skewers with Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients:

• 3-4 zucchini squashes
• 2 onions
• 2 yellow peppers
• 1 bag frozen organic artichoke hearts
• Garlic powder, dried ginger, and fireworks sauce to taste
• Grill-friendly skewers

Process:
Chop your vegetables in skewer-ready sizes. Then alternate them on your skewers. Marinate for about an hour with garlic, ginger and barbecue sauce, and then grill them to taste and enjoy.

Optional: You can add your favorite organic meats to your skewers too!

Refreshment

Lavender Lemonade
This refreshing lemony beverage is perfect for summertime. Lemon is the perfect ingredient because it’s naturally refreshing and aids detoxification.
Ingredients:

• Juice of 6 lemons
• 1 cup lavender tea
• 1quart pure water
• Stevia or Lakanto to taste
• Ice

Process:
Blend lemon juice with lavender tea, water and Stevia (or Lakanto).  Add ice. Serve and enjoy!

And Now for Dessert

Key Lime Ice Cream
This dairy-free raw vegan ice cream makes for a very refreshing dessert.
Ingredients:

• 4-5 cups coconut kefir cheese
• Juice of 3 limes
• ½ cup Lakanto
• Few drops Stevia (to taste)
• 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean
• Pinch Celtic Sea Salt

Process:
In your Vitamix or food processor, combine coconut kefir cheese and lime juice, and blend for  1 minute. Add Lakanto, sea salt and vanilla and blend for another 30 seconds. Taste and add Stevia as needed. Pour into freezer-safe container or ice cream maker. Freeze until ready to enjoy!

*Note – If you do not have an ice cream maker, you will want to blend it once more before eating to get the creamiest consistency.