LiveSmart: Whip Up a Fun, Flavorful 4th!

The 4^th of July is right around the corner! Whether you are planning to have a barbeque with friends or a picnic with family, it is the perfect time to include vibrant, healthy meals and snacks that everyone will love.

Grilling is a great cooking method that adds flavor without the added fat. Try out these recipes that will add taste, color, and nutrition to your cookout this 4^th of July.

Blueberry Barbecued Chicken
Source: https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/recipes/blueberry-barbecued-chicken-recipe

½ cup diced onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups frozen wild blueberries
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ tsp salt
6 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1. Prepare and heat grill.
2. On a stove, heat a medium saucepan to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and sauté onion for 2 minutes, or until translucent. Add blueberries, ketchup, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and salt. Stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes.
3. Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender) to blend until smooth. Transfer ½ cup of sauce to one bowl and reserve for serving. Transfer remaining sauce to a second bowl for grilling.
4. Pound chicken breasts to flatten to ½-inch thickness. Place flattened chicken breasts on prepared grill. Cook for 5 minutes on one side, turn and grill another 5 minutes.
5. Spread blueberry barbecue sauce evenly over chicken; grill 1 minute.
6. Turn chicken and spoon larger portion of sauce evenly over other side; grill 1 minute longer. Chicken is cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. Serve with reserved ½ cup blueberry barbecue sauce.

Watermelon Slushie
8 cups 1-inch seedless watermelon cubes, frozen
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp honey
1 jalapeño, halved and seeded
Mint sprigs and watermelon wedge, for garnish

1. Process watermelon, lime juice, honey, and jalapeño in a blender until smooth. Serve over ice.
2. Garnish with mint sprigs and watermelon wedge.

Embracing good nutrition is just one part of living your best life! Annual checkups with a primary care physician is another crucial tool. If you need help establishing a relationship with a primary care doctor, St. Peter’s Health Partners has a FREE physician referral and information line at 518-525-2CARE (518-525-2227) or visit http://www.sphp.com/find-a-physician.