Should You Eat Carbs, Or Avoid Them?

Carbohydrates have been put into the spotlight ever since diets like the Atkin’s Diet and the South Beach Diet have recommended cutting carbohydrates out of your meals as much as possible. However, before you make any drastic decisions about what foods to include and not include, it is crucial to learn about carbohydrates and what they do for your body.

Simple or "bad" carbs (Photo credit: Newbirth35)

In short, carbohydrates can be good or bad for your body. It is necessary to eat enough good carbohydrates, because that is how our body has enough energy for low-intensity activities during the day. Carbohydrates are famously found in breads and grains, but actually they are also found in a number of other foods as well, such as fruits and vegetables. When keeping an eye on your intake of carbohydrates it is important to distinguish the good from the bad.

What Are Carbs?

All carbohydrates are basically sugars. Complex carbohydrates are the good carbohydrates for your body. These strings of sugar are very difficult to break down and trap other nutrients like vitamins and minerals in the sugar strings. As they slowly break down, the other nutrients are also released into your body, and provide you with fuel for a number of hours.

Bad carbohydrates, on the other hand, are simple sugars. Because their structure is not complex, it is easy to break down and holds little nutrients for your body other than the sugars. Your body breaks down these carbohydrates rather quickly and what it cannot use is converted to fat and stored in the body. Staying away from simple carbohydrates is what most diets recommend, since they have little nutritional value when compared to complex carbohydrates.

Eating The Right Carbs

Good carbs - Fresh fruit and vegetables (Photo credit: Mundoo)

More importantly than how carbohydrates work in the body and the difference between good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates is how you actually eat these carbohydrates! First, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods include complex carbohydrates, but also a variety of other nutrients needed by your body. Another great tip is to cut the white bread and bread products out of your diet and replace them with whole grain or multi-grain breads instead. Look at the packaging. Foods rich in fiber are probably a source of good carbohydrates.

Learning the difference between good and bad carbohydrates is very important if you wish to have a healthy diet. It is not good for your body to cut out carbohydrates completely—in fact, that is very difficult to do unless you only eat meat! Eating a healthy and balanced diet means including good carbohydrates in your meals along with protein and healthy fats.

To learn more about health, carbs, and the dangerous lies we've been told about them, we highly recommend Gary Taube's book, Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health.

And stay tuned to this blog for some good, low-carb recipes featuring healthy, whole ingredients.

Learn More About Carbs & Healthy Eating: 
    

Recipe: Roasted Baby Beets with Greens and Grapefruit Salad

This unique salad idea will tantalize your tastebuds with the sweet earthiness of beets, countered by the tang of grapefruit. The beet greens are a mild, tasty addition full of vitamins. It's actually a pretty simple recipe, but is guaranteed to please the most gourmet palate! Plus it's absolutely packed with heart-healthy antioxidants and vitamins. This is a great way to use up some of those extra beets from your CSA!

Roasted Baby Beets with Greens and Grapefruit Salad

A bundle of organic beets from a local farm food co-op program. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

6 small-medium fresh beets with greens attached
1 medium ruby red grapefruit (and reserved juice)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 medium shallot, minced very fine
1/3 cup light olive oil
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp fresh thyme

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Trim greens off beets, trim any thick stalks, wash, dry, and coarsely chop fresh greens. Put in bowl and cover with plastic, refrigerate while preparing the rest of the salad.
• Scrub the beats, trim off any extra green tops or roots, then place them on a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle oil over beets to coat well, then fold the foil up to form a sealed packet around the beets. Place on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until fork tender. Remove and let cool until you can pull off the skins, then slice into wedges.
• While the beets are roasting, peel the grapefruit, making sure you remove all the white pithy coating.  With a sharp paring knife, remove each segment, making sure you do not include any of the skin.  Do this over a bowl so you can capture the juice. Set the segments and juice aside.
• Prepare the dressing by whisking together the reserved grapefruit juice, the red wine vinegar, and the shallots. When combined, start pouring in olive oil, whisking steadily until creamy, then continue whisking and add the salt, pepper, and thyme, whisking until just combined.
• To assemble the salad, place the cold beet greens on salad plates, top with beets, then with grapefruit segments. Drizzle the vinaigrette dressing over the top of each salad, then adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve immediately.

A Few Other Tasty Beet Recipes:

• Strawberry Beet Smoothie

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• Wheatless Wednesday: Roasted Beets & Sauteed Greens

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• Roasted Beets with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

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Garden Salads - The Ultimate Antioxidant Food

One could say that a fresh garden salad is the best source of antioxidants you can find. A variety of colorful vegetables, picked straight from the garden, and eaten raw, is packed with vitamins and antioxidants at their finest. However, don't just think of salads as a bowl full of lettuce - the best and healthiest salads take a more creative approach, and can incorporate a wider variety of fruits and vegetables than you might first imagine.

A simple garden salad (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Growing a salad garden is all about looking forward to the harvest.  In our imagination, all our hard work seems to come together in one big salad bowl.  No matter what we plant, we can see it all freshly picked and served right out of the garden in all its glory with a nice, light dressing. 

But, sometimes our imagination doesn't quite take shape when we start planting. We suddenly get limited in our thinking when it comes to salads.  We know we should plant some lettuce.  We know we should plant something to go on top of the lettuce, like tomatoes, and cucumbers.

From the first glimmer of the perfect garden, to the reality of the harvest, something gets lost.  It could be all the hard work, or it could be there are too many choices.  Perhaps we fall into the same pattern each growing season.  No matter what the reason, our beautiful harvest salad bowl becomes mundane - and less healthy than it could potentially be.

Is there something we could do between planting leaf lettuce for the bottom of our salad and planting tomatoes for the top?  There sure is!  We can get our bountiful gourmet salad back in our imagination, in our garden, and on our table by following a few simple tips to create the basis for our beautiful and healthy salad - you'll add a lot more antioxidant vitamins - not to mention flavor!

Choose Creative Greens For Your Salad Base

Sometimes all a gourmet garden salad needs is different types of greens to make it something unique, interesting, and more flavorful. Step away from the standard lettuce varieties you've planted year after year and consider the countless varieties of lettuce available, and so much more.

You'll recognize some of these greens from a fancy dinner menu.  Why not include them in your own garden and on your own table?  Plant gourmet greens like arugula, endive, Bibb, Boston, radicchio, watercress, and spinach (packed with vitamins & antioxidants) along with the better known varieties of romaine lettuce and  red and green leaf lettuce. A mixture of young salad greens, sometimes called mesclun, can also be found in the garden supply shops to plant for your gourmet salad.

A garden salad with lettuce, sundried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, beets, cucumber and feta cheese (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Think beyond lettuce and plant vegetables like kale, kohlrabi, mustard, Swiss chard, escarole, and collard greens.  And don't forget red and green cabbage. There are many vegetables that can be turned into the 'bed' to create a new and interesting salad.  For instance, grow broccoli and use the stems to create a salad by shredding the tender insides.  Shave curls from firm fresh cucumbers to create another surprising basis for a salad bowl.

Sweet onions tossed with balsamic vinaigrette can also form the 'bed' of your salad.  Add more crunch with sweet carrot shreds, or even a bit of spicy 'bite' with chopped radishes.  Who says a salad has to be 'green?'  But, if you want to include some green to keep the comfort level of your salad, flash-blanch some string beans and toss in with the onions.  Or, try tossing your sweet onions and balsamic vinaigrette salad with snow peas or cucumber slices.  Your 'greens' – the bed or basis of your salad – can really be any color, just as long as it can support the other ingredients.

As you can see, the bed or greens of a good gourmet salad can be as varied as the toppings - and more variety means more antioxidants.  Look beyond a leaf of lettuce to find the surprising ingredients needed to bring your dreams of a glorious - and super healthy - garden salad to light.

Be sure to check back Friday for a really tasty gourmet garden salad recipe packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and flavor!

Choosing Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Antioxidants are essential to any diet.  They not only keep us healthy and functioning properly, the may also prevent cancer and aging.  So, if you’ve decided you need more of these wonderful nutrients, you’re probably wondering “where can I find them?” Here’s a list of foods and supplements that will help you get the antioxidants you need to live a happy, healthy life. 

While you can get supplements with antioxidants, the best delivery system is your food.  Of course most people know that fruits and vegetables are the best sources around. But which ones pack the greatest punch? A study was done recently to determine which foods were highest in antioxidants and these are some of the ones that made the list.

Red kidney beans (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Beans.   You’ve probably always known that beans were good for you, but you may not have known that they are one of the best food sources around for antioxidants.  Beans that provide the most antioxidants are small red beans, red kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans.  Small Red beans were actually found to be the best antioxidant source of any food!

* Fresh fruits.  We all know apples are good for us, but what about blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, and plums?  These are all tasty ways to get your antioxidants.  If you’re still partial to apples, stick to Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Gala apples.  They have more antioxidants than other varieties.

* Fresh vegetables. Obviously fruits & veggies are some of the top food sources of antioxidants. But which veggies made the list? Most vegetables have fairly high antioxidant levels, but as a general rule of thumb, if you eat colorful veggies you will get more antioxidants - and other vitamins. Red & orange peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, and greens such as collards, kale, and mustard greens are all very high on the list. Onions and garlic are also great.

And of course be aware that antioxidant levels are highest in fresh, ripe fruits & vegetables. They start to decline rather quickly once harvested, so for the highest amounts of antioxidants, eat fruit & vegetables that are fully ripe, and preferably just picked. (The best sources for this quality of produce are local farmer's markets and CSAs. http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html.)

* Artichokes.  This is an interesting one, and while some people cringe at the thought of eating an artichoke heart, they might be more inclined to chow down when they find out they’re one of the top ten best sources of antioxidants. Artichokes can be tricky to prepare, but you can find them jarred and they are quite tasty - although the antioxidant content is lower due to the cooking & canning process.

If you don’t eat enough of these foods, you can always get antioxidants from supplements.  Just remember to look closely at the labels before you buy; supplements need to come from natural sources - not be artificially manufactured.  That way you’ll get the best benefit for your money.  The best supplements for antioxidant properties are: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium, carotenes, copper, and zinc.

Fruits and vegetables (Photo credit: nutrilover)

Instead of buying 6 different individual supplements, you should look for something that contains all these vitamins and minerals in one pill.  Not only will you be saving money, some studies indicate that a combination pill is a safer and more effective delivery system for antioxidants.  We prefer, recommend, and use Garden of Life - they use organic, whole-food sources, and also are an environmentally responsible company. You can find some of our favorites at: http://www.newholisticliving.com/products.html#TLProducts - towards the bottom of the panel. We like their Raw One multi-vitamins - they are the highest potency and quality that we've found in a multivitamin. 

In addition to the foods listed above, those that contain the vitamins and minerals listed as supplements can also be eaten to increase you antioxidant intake if you don’t want to use supplements.  For example, try eating an orange for vitamin C or carrots as a source of beta carotene.

By taking supplements or making healthy diet changes, you can drastically increase your antioxidant intake and improve your health and quality of life. 


   

Recipe - Salmon Patties with Cool Dill Sauce

Here's another great salmon recipe. Canned salmon is easy and convenient (and cheap) for this recipe, but for a fresher taste, you can also use leftover grilled, broiled, or poached salmon - just flake it finely, or process in a food processor until well chopped. The oats make the patties more substantial and help them hold together, and this simple and healthy recipe gets it's kick from the fresh, summery sauce made with fresh garden veggies and dill - a great combo with the salmon!

Salmon Patties with Dill Sauce

Ingredients:

1 can (14 oz) salmon, drained
3/4 cup old fashioned oats, uncooked
1/3 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
1/8 tsp salt

Sauce:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup finely chopped tomato
1/3 cup finely chopped cucumber
1 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill

Directions:

• Put yogurt, tomato, cucumber, onion, and dill in a small bowl and whisk together. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• In a separate bowl, put salmon, oats, egg, onion, and dill and mix together well. 
• Shape salmon mixture into patties.
• Drizzle a little olive oil into heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Cook salmon patties until golden brown on each side, about 3 or 4 minutes.
• Drizzle cool sauce over salmon patties and serve hot.

Want More Salmon Recipes?
   

Recipe - Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Salad

Here is a tasty way to use smoked salmon. The salty tang of the salmon is divine against the coolness of cucumber and dill, and the lemon, horseradish and mustard help cut the richness for a perfect balance. This one is a delight on the palate, and fancy enough to impress at a dinner party as well.

Creamy Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

1 lb. smoked salmon, flaked
1 cucumber, washed, scored, sliced lengthwise, then quartered
2 tsp prepared horseradish
2 tsp brown coarse mustard, like Old World
1/2 cup sour cream
1 fresh lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Romaine lettuce
Lemon wedges - for garnish

Directions:

• Combine the salmon and cucumber in a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the horseradish, mustard, sour cream, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper.
• Pour the creamy dressing over the salmon and cucumber, gently tossing as you add to make sure salad is coated evenly.
• Test for salt, adding more if needed.
• Tear up Romaine lettuce and divide between 4 to 6 cold salad plates.
• Top each plate with a scoop of the salmon-cucumber salad.
• Garnish with lemon wedges. 
• Serve immediately.

More Tasty Salmon Recipes: 
   

Salmon - A Super Yummy Super Food

First off, sorry for the lack of posts last week. We were catching up from vacation, and decided to take a week off from blogging. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July, and we're glad to be back at it this week with an article on salmon - a great superfood to enjoy during the summer months, as it's light, and absolutely fabulous on the grill. See below for some delicious ideas for preparing salmon, and be sure to check back later this week for some tasty recipes that use this superfood.

You've probably heard a lot of talk over the years about salmon being one of the healthiest fish to eat.  You may have even added salmon to your diet.  But, do you know why?  Let's shed some light on why salmon is a super food and what specific benefits salmon has to offer as a part of your diet.

Meet the Super Fish

Certified Sustainable Salmon (Photo credit: Walmart Stores)

The mighty salmon is probably one of the most widely studied fish we know. These studies often involve sustainability and contaminants comparing farmed salmon with wild caught salmon. Farmed salmon represents a large majority of available fish in the U.S. However, these farmed salmon have been treated with antibiotics, have more fat content, and have less beneficial omega 3. For these reasons alone, wild salmon is a much healthier choice for regular consumption.

Salmon is categorized as a 'fatty' fish, but don't let that scare or confuse you.  The fat that is referred to is where we find the most powerful super food imaginable – omega 3 fatty acids.  These fatty acids are essential nutrient elements that contribute to your body's healthy functioning, beginning right at the top with the brain, and continuing throughout the body.  And, you can get more omega 3 fatty acids in just one 4-ounce serving of salmon than you would get in several days of trying to eat other healthy foods containing some omega 3s.

With so much emphasis on the tremendous amount and availability of omega 3 fatty acids in salmon, some of the other healthy aspects have tended to be overlooked. Salmon is also rich in tryptophan, the amino acid that helps the nervous system relax, rest, and even sleep. With more than 100 IU's of vitamin D in a serving of salmon, you have one of the very best food sources of D available. Also, salmon is a super source of selenium, which is associated with decreased risk of joint inflammation, prevention of certain types of cancer, and is known to protect against cardiovascular diseases.

And that's not all. Don't forget the protein. Salmon, like other fish, is a great, low fat, low calorie source of protein.  Then you get B3 (niacin), B12, B6, phosphorus, and magnesium.  And not just minimal amounts either... you're getting serious doses of nutrients in this seriously delicious fish.

More Salmon Benefits

As you can see, salmon has a lot to offer, but along with all those vitamins, minerals, and omega 3s, salmon is also lower in cholesterol than other seafood and shellfish, like shrimp and lobster.  So, while the omega 3s are improving cardiovascular health, the salmon is not adding a lot of cholesterol to counteract all the benefits.

The all-important omega 3s we've been talking about in salmon not only contribute to better brain function and memory, but also supports skin health, joint health, heart health, and digestive health, along with a host of other benefits.

Grilled Salmon, Tomato Salsa, Avocado (Photo credit: avlxyz)

Salmon also has selenium and certain amino acids that protect the nervous system from the effects of the aging process. It is also known to lower the risk of Parkinson and Alzheimer's disease, and can help prevent blood clots that can contribute to stroke.

Salmon tends to speed up the metabolism which helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body. That little four ounce serving of salmon we talked about earlier provides up to 30 grams of protein, which we know supports muscle strength. But, don't forget about one of our most important muscles – the heart. Yes, salmon has a lot of offer every system of our body. But, how can you enjoy salmon a couple of times a week without getting tired of it?

Preparing Tasty Salmon Dishes

A broiled, baked, or grilled salmon fillet is delicious all on its own, for most fish lovers.  But for some, the unique flavor of salmon is better when fixed in slightly different dishes or with a variety of sauces.

Cooked salmon works well with a lot of flavors.  A number of different glazes and seasonings can turn each salmon experience into a unique one.  Some herbs and spices to try in your rubs or sauces include cayenne pepper, mustard, fennel, ginger, and paprika.  A classic sauce for salmon that's worthy of your time is a maple syrup glaze. Made simply by reducing a mixture of maple syrup with various ingredients like brown sugar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and even chili powder, makes a splendidly sweet and savory glaze that compliments the salmon perfectly.

Creamed soups are another good option for enjoying salmon.  Much like lobster bisque, salmon bisque has a rich flavor that can be slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and definitely delicious.  Keep this bisque simple as the flavor of the salmon will carry it just fine.

Rye bread with smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Salmon that has been cooked, cooled, and tossed in a big salad with mixed greens is a great choice for folks who like a little crunch surrounding their salmon. Choose a light vinaigrette and a variety of vegetables for your salmon salads. One vegetable that is especially complimentary with salmon is cucumbers. Try making a simple flaked salmon and diced cucumber sandwich spread for something extra special.  Just mix in a bit of light mayonnaise and spread on toasted English muffins or hearty crackers.

Of course, a favorite for holidays and buffet tables is smoked salmon. A few pieces of smoked salmon on a hearty cracker with a dab of cream cheese is enough to convince most non-believers that salmon is a food to favor.  But, you can also used smoked salmon to create wonderful salads, spreads, and more.  There is really no end to the ways you can enjoy this super super-food.

This popular fish lends itself to lots of different ideas and recipes, so don't be afraid to experiment with new flavors to find the ones you like best. Salmon is a very healthy food that provides countless beneficial nutrients all wrapped up in a super tasty fish.

Summer Recipe: Grilled Peaches with Pecans

Create a surprise treat on the grill this summer with this amazing summer dessert. This takes fruit to a whole new level! Sweet ripe peaches enhanced with brown sugar, over ice cream and topped with pecans - you really can't get much better than that....  Plus it's a really fast and easy dessert if you've already got the grill fired up. Impress folks at your next barbecue with this innovative yet easy recipe. For an adult twist, try adding a splash of brandy instead of the vanilla.

Grilled Peaches with Pecans
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

4 peaches (ripe, but not mushy), cut in half and pit removed
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 tbsp soft brown sugar (you can use less if the peaches are very sweet)
Large handful of chopped pecans
Frozen low-fat vanilla yogurt - enough for 4 servings

Instructions:

1. Place the peaches into a bowl and add the sugar and drizzle with the vanilla extract. Toss to coat lightly. Set aside and allow to soak up the flavors for about 15-20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat a grill to medium-high and grill the peach halves for about 5 - 8 minutes, then turn over and grill for a further 2 - 3 minutes. There should be grill marks on the peaches. 
3. Divide into 4 dishes and serve immediately with frozen yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.

Recipe - Street Cart Hot Dog Stuffed Pitas

Happy 4th of July!!  If you're grilling out today, here's an interesting twist on the loaded hot-dog concept. Pitas make these less messy to eat, and you can use whole wheat if for more fiber - I like the taste of the whole wheat ones better anyway. Stuff your pitas full of goodness, and chow down - street-cart style!

Street Cart Hot Dog Stuffed Pitas
Ingredients:

1/2 lb hot dogs, cubed
1/2 lb sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (2 oz) jar stuffed green olives, chopped
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup chili sauce
1 tsp mustard
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
4 pita rounds
Heavy duty aluminum foil

Instructions:

• Cut hot dogs lengthwise into fourths, then slice into small pieces and put in a bowl.
• To the bowl, add the cheese, olives, onions, chili sauce, mustard, eggs, and mayonnaise, and mix together until well combined.
• Cut pita rounds in half, open and fill them almost full (use up the filling.)
• Take heavy duty foil and tightly wrap each pita packet separately.
• Refrigerate until ready to grill.
• Set grill to hot, and place foil-wrapped pita pockets on grill, cooking for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once.
• Remove pitas from foil and continue grilling until crisp, about 10 minutes more.  Flip if you can, but be careful to keep filling inside.
• Serve with cold dipping sauces if desired.

Celebrate the 4th With An All-American Baseball Picnic

Think of baseball, and many things come to mind - warm weather, the spirit of competition, and of course, stadium food. This makes it a great theme for a 4th of July picnic.  Ballparks aren't the only places you can enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, fries, peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream treats, though. Choose a baseball theme for your next picnic and enjoy the spirit of the sport as well as the tasty food we all know and love. Here are a few ideas for bringing the ballpark to your picnic:

Hot Dogs, Get Your Hot Dogs

Grilled hot dogs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Let's start with inside the stadium.  When you walk through those gates, the first thing you want is to find the food stands.  Those hot dogs are calling your name.  Or maybe it's a nice juicy hamburger or hot Italian sausage with the works.  For your baseball themed picnic, these are the classics. 

No matter where you picnic, in your backyard or at a neighborhood park, you'll probably need a  portable grill.  This will allow you to cook hot dogs, sausages, and burgers to perfection.  Bring along plenty of mustard, ketchup, relish, diced onion, and pickles for a real ballpark experience.  Don't forget to grill up some onions and peppers, too, in order to complete the ballpark concession stand favorites.

Beyond the traditional hot dogs, sausages, and hamburgers, you have nachos.  The easiest way to provide this classic ballpark snack is to buy nacho cheese sauce.  You'll find it in cans in your grocery store.  Bring a grill-safe dish to heat the sauce and pour over tortilla chips in individual paper bowls.  Top with jalapeno peppers if desired and serve.

Peanuts, in the shells, of course, and popcorn are classics that can easily be added to your picnic.  Put a cup or two of unshelled peanuts in small paper bags and leave them around the table for guests to help themselves.  Fill bags with popcorn, too.  These are simple snacks, but because they are classic ballpark fare, they are a must. 

Don't forget Cracker Jacks.  If you want to make your own, just follow any simple caramel corn recipe, add nuts, and you have another classic treat.  Cotton candy can be purchased in plastic bags in most party stores or candy stores.  These bags of cotton candy are specifically made not to melt, so they make a fun addition to a baseball theme party.  Then, of course, there are the pretzels.  Big, soft pretzels are great if you can make them, but if not, bags of pretzels will satisfy your guests as well.

Beyond the Basics with the Tailgate Pros

Not everyone who goes to a baseball game grabs a hot dog, a bag of peanuts, and takes their seat just in time for the first pitch.  Tailgate party veterans know a thing or two about enjoying the day with a variety of foods, as well as how to pack the right foods for a whole day of outdoor fun at the ballpark. 

Presuming you have access to a grill, other easy ideas for main courses include chicken drumsticks and wings, turkey legs, and even ribs. You could dice the meat and make kabobs, or add a marinade or glaze and grill the legs, wings, or ribs with fabulous results.

Chili is another classic tailgating dish that actually does double duty.  A nice big bowl of chili is a filling dish all on its own.  But, if your heart's desire at a ballpark is to eat a hot dog, why not turn it into a chili dog?  With a sturdy bun, grilled hot dog, a generous dollop of chili, and a sprinkling of diced sweet onion, you've got another ballpark classic.

You also will never go wrong with great classic sandwiches. Build stacks of sandwiches that include anything from tuna, chicken, and egg salad, to cold cuts, cheese steak, hoagies, clubs, and grilled cheese. Use your imagination to add a few extra ingredients and watch your picnic guests devour every last bite.

Fresh fruit and vegetable salads aren't out of the question, either. As with other picnics that feature similar foods, you want to include bean salad, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, and vegetable and fruit salads that are convenient to carry along to a baseball picnic. Stick with the classics mentioned to keep the old time ballpark theme going.

Nachos (Photo credit: nebulux76)

Expanding on the basics within the stadium is what tailgating is all about.  Rather than serve simple nachos, how about throwing in everything but the kitchen sink?  Include ingredients in your 'super nachos' like black olives, shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh tomatoes, hot or mild peppers, and maybe some fresh basil, cilantro, or parsley. Bring along your favorite salsa to spoon on top as well.

For dessert, keep it traditional and simple.  Make lemonade popsicles and popcorn balls.  Of course America's favorite pastime deserves America's favorite pie – apple.  Another tailgater's trick is to make individual apple pie 'pockets' rather than try to serve slices from a full pie.  Be sure to have ice cream along, or even the classic slice of Cheddar cheese.

Set the Stadium Stage

There are many ways to set the mood for a baseball themed picnic.  To begin, you'll certainly want to play the part of true baseball fans by bringing bats, balls, mitts, jerseys, and plenty of team spirit along. This works great for 4th of July celebrations if you have family in town visiting, and the kids are sure to have a great time too.

Set up a diamond, even if it can't be very big, and invite everyone up to bat at least once.  Use whiffle balls so all ages can play.  If you don't have enough people to divide into teams, play a sort of scrimmage where everyone gets a turn up to bat, then goes to the outfield after they get home or they are called out.

The table and food service should be very, very simple.  As in a stadium, everything is served in paper dishes.  Condiments are in big containers next to the food.  Everybody helps themselves to drinks.  Put drinks, salads, and desserts in coolers and make everything easy to grab.  You can also find sports-themed serving dishes, like little plastic baseball caps, in most party stores if you wish to use them.

Decorate with baseball memorabilia, caps, and equipment if you have it.  Set up a simple scoreboard using posterboard with cut out numbers. Be sure to have a radio with a game playing in the background if you can.  And don't forget the seventh-inning stretch!  Write up the words to the song “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” on a board so everybody can sing along.

As you can see, a baseball theme for your 4th of July picnic is a great way to create family fun, camaraderie, and competitive spirit that brings people closer together.  Of course, it all starts with our favorite ballpark food.  Use these simple suggestions to put together a memorable event that will leave everyone satisfied as they leave your 'stadium.'