Your Summer BBQ Survival Guide
Summer is about to officially kick off with Memorial Day Weekend!
These next 3 months are an action-packed time of year, so even if you aren’t firing up the grill over the long 3-day weekend…
You’re bound to find yourself at a barbecue, potluck, or outdoor party at some point this sunny summer.
So here are 12 tips for surviving (aka staying on track!)...
#1 Have a drink or dessert, not both (and not two!).
#2 Survey the buffet and all the options BEFORE plating. Choose only what you really want, rather than taking a spoonful of everything you don't dislike.
#3 Bring a healthy dish you and everyone else can enjoy and use it as your main portion.
#4 Always start with a plate of veggies or a big salad first.
#5 If there is a grill, bring lots of vegetables!
#6 Use the smallest plate possible or eat off a napkin. If you have a big plate, you'll fill the big plate…and if you try to be good and "portion control," a little bit of food on a big plate will make you feel deprived. Feel like a king (or queen!) with an overflowing amount of food on a small plate.
#7 Converse far away from the food. Don't stand by it, talk by it, man it, or sit facing it. Sit as far away as possible, preferably with your back turned.
#8 Do your best to ignore all peer pressure-y comments made by family and friends telling you to “Just live a little!” or “Treat yourself!” Remember that they're trying to pressure you so they can feel better about their own consumption.
#9 Don't peer pressure yourself. You're not missing out. You're not missing out. (Do I need to say it again?) And "just this once" is the abracadabra to open Pandora's box…DON'T OPEN PANDORA'S BOX.
(I like to ask myself…is feeding myself things that aren’t good for me…is maintaining or reactivating a food addiction really how I can treat myself well?)
#10 Have a plan in place. Visualize your successful endeavor and you're halfway there.
#11 Walk walk walk. Don't sit and socialize, buzz like a bee!
MOST IMPORTANTLY if you do slip up or indulge…don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! (#12)
I'm guilty of this too – when I "screw up" I go on and dig the hole deeper. I have to tell myself, "Stop friggin' digging Lindsay. Climb out of the hole while you still can!" Don't succumb to the ahscrewit moment.
Because BELIEVE ME, you’ll be 1000x happier if you stay on track.
I know that I beat myself up for DAYS – 100x longer than the 10 minutes of junk food tasted in my mouth. (And my body pays for it too.)
Hold on to the perspective! BIG picture folks!
My own personal summer barbecue mantra: “I am not here for the food. I am not here for the food.”
You’re there for the FUN and socializing!
Food is not fun or entertainment…it is fuel to HAVE FUN.
Happy summer!
P.S. If you’re a member, you also have 35+ recipes in our exclusive Potluck Cookbook (download it from your dashboard when logged in).