Well, not necessarily. You can party hard and still look like a guy (or gal) who doesn’t by employing a few simple tricks. Here’s how to enjoy this Fourth without having to plead the fifth the next morning.

How To Have A Healthy 4th Of July

1. Fill Up On Healthy Food Beforehand.

An hour or so before the festivities begin, make yourself a salad with ample amounts of fat and protein. Include a couple hard-boiled eggs or grilled chicken slices, avocado, and olive oil. A simple meat and veggie stir fry cooked in butter or coconut oil will work too. Too rushed? Drink a protein shake, but make sure it’s the thick, creamy kind that looks like a milkshake (as opposed to clear, fruity-flavored blends). A 2013 study found that subjects who drank creamy protein beverages perceived the protein content of the shake to be even higher than it was, and that enhanced fullness. By satiating yourself pre-party, you’ll crave less crap than if you start on an empty stomach.

2. Choose Your Alcohol With Care.

Drinking someone else’s blend of booze (such as from a punchbowl) gives you no control over how much alcohol and sugar you consume, and it’s bound to add up fast. Instead, I like to make my drinks ahead of time, bringing a concoction of my own to the party. It’s a win-win: everyone can enjoy it, and I know how much I’m serving myself. I use either vodka, tequila, or gin, 3 parts soda water, 1 part juice, some lemon or lime, and a squeeze of liquid stevia. You can skip the juice and stevia altogether, but they make the drink a bit more decadent and refreshing (and that may help prevent you from indulging in other booze).

Here are a couple combos I love:

Watermelon Lime Spritzer

● 1 part tequila or gin
● 3 parts club soda/mineral water
● 1 part watermelon juice
● 1/2 part lime
● Liquid stevia to taste

Hibiscus Cooler

● 1 part vodka
● 3 parts club soda/mineral water
● 1 part hibiscus punch (you can get this at a health food store)
● 1/2 part lemon juice
● Liquid stevia to taste

Make a couple large pitchers for a party or one at a time. Serve over ice with an herb or citrus garnish. If you want to get extra fancy, you can muddle some fresh fruit with basil or mint into the bottom of the glasses.

3. Remember, Party Food CAN Be Healthy!

Part of celebrating is eating food you enjoy, but that doesn’t have to mean empty calories and lots of refined carbs. Offer meals that are delicious but a bit more health-conscious. Beef, lamb, and other meats provide a lot of flavor, and are fine in controlled portions. They will always be better choices than pizza or foot-long sandwiches packed with cold cuts (too many preservatives).

Here’s a recipe I love from my cookbook Paleogasm that is sure to be a hit:

Lamb Burgers with Greek Salad & Coconut Tzatziki

Serves 4

Burgers:

● 1 ½-2 pounds ground organic lamb (or combo of lamb and beef, if desired)
● salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the grill or a heavy frying pan on medium heat. Season the meat with salt and pepper and form into patties that are about 1-inch thick. When grill or pan is hot, cook patties on each side 6–9 minutes.

Greek Salad:

● ½ pound ripe tomatoes, any variety
● 2 stalks celery
● 2 avocados, ripe but firm
● 2 red bell peppers
● 1 cup pickled onions
● 1 large English cucumber, seeds removed
● ½ cup flat-leafed parsley, chopped
● 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
● ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
● ¼ cup lemon juice
● salt and pepper to taste

Cut all veggies into about 1-inch chunks, but it doesn’t need to be perfect. Remove seeds from tomatoes (unless using baby tomatoes) and cucumber. Add the herbs, lemon, and oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Coconut Tzatziki:

● 16 oz plain coconut yogurt
● 1 cup seedless or de-seeded cucumber, chopped small
● ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
● ¼ cup lemon juice
● ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
● 2 cloves garlic, chopped small
● 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
● 2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients and allow flavors to marry 30 minutes before serving.

Looking For a Couple More Recipe Ideas?

Watch Episode 10 of my show, Camille’s Paleo Kitchen, where I’m joined by my guest, Tony Federico, co-author of Paleo Grilling. We whip up recipes for bacon jalapeno wrapped shrimp, veggie burgers with a grilled romaine and avocado salad, and a key lime parfait for dessert.

You can also get the first chapter of my cookbook, Paleogasm, free, here. It includes ideas for making every meal of the day more paleo-friendly (and delicious), and will surely get your creative juices flowing for throwing a great Fourth of July party.

The post How To Have A Healthy 4th Of July appeared first on Onnit Academy.

Ingredients:

● 1 cup coconut oil, melted
● 1 cup Walnut Almond Cashew Trilogy Butter (almond or macadamia nut butter works, too)
● 1/2 cup HempForce Active Chocolate Protein powder
● 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
● 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or raisins or dried cherries)
● 1 cup slivered almonds (or pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts)
● 1/2 cup cacao nibs
● 1/4 teaspoon salt
● 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)

Utensils:

● parchment paper
● small rimmed rectangular or square baking sheet/cake pan (mines about 6×8 with 2 inch rim)
● mixing bowl
● whisk
● large knife
● cutting board

Directions:

Whisk coconut oil, nut butter and protein powder in a medium bowl until smooth. Add remaining ingredients an stir. Line baking sheet/cake pan with parchment paper, making sure it goes all the way up the sides. Pour in batter, and don’t let the batter touch the actual pan or it will be   very messy to remove. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until solid. Lift bars out with parchment paper underneath and cut into squares on a cutting board.

Store bars in refrigerator or even the freezer!! This recipe must be kept pretty cold. If they get too warm, the coconut oil will melt and they will turn back into a puddle. Not exactly something you can take on the go, but they’re great for home.

Looking for more inspiration to make healthy meals at home fast, cheap and easy? I’d love to offer you the first chapter of my cookbook totally free, my Paleogasm Starters Guide which will show you how to get start eating paleo, offer simple tricks to make each meal more delicious, and a really easy “cheat sheet” that will teach you to cook without following a recipe. Check it out here 🙂

The post No-Bake Paleo “Cookie Dough” Recipe appeared first on Onnit Academy.