Healthy 4th of July Recipes

The smell of barbecue and fireworks is in the air! Summer is officially here and July 4th is right around the corner. Surprise your family and friends with a delicious, healthy recipe from our H3 Healthy Kitchen Executive Chef Karla for the holiday. Try the  Stout Brownies, Loaded Baked Potato Salad  or one of our other favorites!

Stout Brownies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Flour

1/3 cup Cocoa powder, unsweetened

1/2 tsp Baking powder

1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 cup Semi-sweet mini baking morsels

2 T Butter, unsalted, melted

2 T Yogurt, Greek plain fat-free

1 cup Sugar

2 tsp Pure vanilla extract

1 each Egg

1 cup Dark beer (Guinness)

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.


• In a medium bowl, combine: flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and cocoa powder.


• Then mix egg, vanilla, yogurt, beer, and melted butter.


• Mix the wet ingredients into the dry.


• Fold in the chocolate chips.


• Then place mix in bottom of lightly greased 9x13 pan.


• Bake for about 15-20 minutes or just until the brownie slightly puffs up and a toothpick inserted comes out sticky.

Nutrition:

Servings: 12

Serving Size: 1/12

Calories: 130

Fat: 3.5 grams

We've planned an awesome day of healthy Independence Day activities with our Guests, including fireworks, kayaking and Healthy Kitchen events. What healthy events do you have planned with your friends and family?

Fitness Friday: H3 4th of July Ab Routine

Happy, healthy 4th of July from Hilton Head Health! We've structured our weight loss program and wellness program to include an element of fun with recreational and adventure offerings. Since we're all about having a good time, we don't want you to miss a second of the fireworks! So here's a quick 3 move ab and oblique routine to get in your work out for the day and get one step closer to your weight loss and wellness goals.

1. Plank with a twist


2. Bicycle


3. Ball toss with a twist

Have a happy, safe, and healthy 4th of July!

Healthy 4th of July Celebration

From Caralynn Arena, Program Intern

Looking for healthy ways to celebrate the 4th of July? There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday without feeling guilty. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Do something active! A long bike ride, paddle board session and outdoor games with family and friends are all great ways to enjoy the holiday while burning some calories!  It doesn’t have to be intense—remember, every little bit counts!

Try not to pick! Holidays equal lots of food, right? It just seems natural to pick at food all day long simply because it is there. Feel free to eat whatever you’d like but keep it in moderation and try to eat only at meal times.  If you do decide to pick-try to pick at fruits and veggies! They will make you feel full and are low in calories!

Ditch the sauce. BBQ is a huge 4th of July tradition it seems, but that doesn’t mean we have to smother our foods in the high calorie sauce.  Try a technique we utilize here at Hilton Head Health, dip and spear.  Ask for the sauce on the side, dip your fork in the sauce, and then spear your food.  It will greatly reduce the amount of sauce that you use and dramatically reduce your calories!

Drink wisely. For most, this is always a tough rule to live by when it comes to holidays.  Being with family and friends, it is easy to be compelled to drink more than you intended, or drink things you normally wouldn’t such as pop.  When it comes to alcohol, make sure to choose drinks that are low in calories and sugar.  When it comes to the sugary fountain drinks, try to steer clear, but if you decide to drink one- try to drink the zero calorie, diet drinks to reduce the sugar and calorie intake.  Whatever you decide to drink, drink it in moderation! Or better yet…drink water!

Lather up. Many 4th of July activities are usually outside. Be sure to lather on some sun screen before hitting the beach, going to cook-outs, or enjoying the outdoors. Sunscreen will significantly reduce the chance of getting sun burn, premature aging, and skin cancer.

The 4th of July is always a great time to get together with loved ones and to celebrate this great nation! From all of us at Hilton Head Health hope you have a healthy, happy, and safe holiday!