Many people we know say they have gotten better at eating better, as in healthier. Grocery stores are now prominently displaying their organic fare. Some shops offer recipe cards featuring easy meal ideas using fresh proteins and produce. Even the drive-through burger places list the caloric content of each item. (Those numbers will make you take pause before you order the double or triple MAC attack!)
But how did we start on this fast food frenzy? The mid-fifties saw the franchise launch of McDonald’s, so the burgers-shakes-fries menu went mainstream. Family-friendly and affordable, this type of food tapped into a need. More women were in the workforce and homemakers needed a breather from cooking twenty-one meals a week. Could that be the reason for their original “You Deserve a Break Today” tagline and jingle? Not sure.
Today we have even crazier calendars. The non-stop pace of digital life has gotten many of us into the fast food delivery rut. And if your go-to burger or pizza place doesn’t deliver, you’ve got Uber Eats to make it happen! And let’s face it. We’re not typically having a big, green salad delivered. Sometimes, the fattening options appear to be the only ones readily available to get dinner on the table.
Enter the next, best thing to happen to mealtime: Blue Apron and Hello Fresh. This concept also fit the era perfectly. Your frig is not likely stocked with: kale, caper, roasted almonds, or two servings of fresh seafood. With sources like these, you CAN whip up Mediterranean Salmon in 35 minutes, because the ingredients are delivered right to your door. If you enjoy cooking, you can’t use the “We’re out of kale!” excuse. You can instead fire up the sauté pan and get those veggies going.
So what’s the happy medium? Everything in moderation I guess? We do need to take food prep shortcuts today. We’ve got kids, and jobs, and yoga, and dance, and recitals, and doctor appointments – while we still strive to meet those nutritious yet delicious standards.
Labor Day Menu Ideas for Pool Parties
And then there are the holidays! Those shining three-day weekends in the summer when we gather around the pool and feel free to enjoy the finest in American fare – fattening or otherwise.
Whatever the summer celebration, all you need are friends and a place to gather. We are partial to the poolside venue, because you have the best of all worlds. You can grill and chill in your own yard, while other dishes can marinate or bake in your kitchen. That’s the easiest part of the holiday BBQ – the array of food types you can make! As for the best sounds of summer – there’s the sizzle of the grill and the splashes of a pool party in progress. Nothing like it.
What are you going to make this holiday? We think Labor Day is a great time to showcase your beloved specialties. Perhaps the ones that take a little time, but have become your signature dishes?
A traditional potato salad, or your tangy sauce for ribs, or vibrant shish kebobs seared with perfectly aligned grill marks.
If you already have your staple dishes, the ones that everyone looks forward to when they visit your home, then maybe it’s time to go out on a Labor Day limb and try something you’ve always wanted to try. Step out of your culinary comfort zone! What’s the worst that could happen? It doesn’t turn out good? That’s fine. There’s plenty more food where that came from at a holiday BBQ. (The riskier move would be trying to make Coq au vin or Beef Wellington for a sit-down dinner for eight… when your only failsafe is the vegetable side dishes and the rolls!)
Why not forge ahead this holiday and try something new to add to your repertoire?
We searched around and came up with these flavorful recipes. There’s no doubt something here will pique your interest:
7-Layer Pasta Salad
You have to love when dishes look as good as they taste. From the Food Network, a large glass bowl shows off every scrumptious ingredient in this salad that includes: fresh broccoli florets, creamy avocados, the great combo of deli ham and rich cheddar cheese, crisp romaine lettuce, and juicy tomatoes – all dressed in a buttermilk chive sauce.
Herb-Stuffed Zucchini
This simple to make recipe uses a veggie favorite as the base to support panko breadcrumbs, crunchy walnuts and a chopped tomato; all blended with delicious dill mixed up with olive oil and garlic. With only 5 minutes of prep and 30 minutes at 425°, you’re good to go! You can even slice these zucchini boats up to make colorful, hand-held snacks.
Labor Day Drink Recipes
Check out these absolutely refreshing drink recipes from All Recipes. The pics and videos jump off the page with their icy deliciousness featuring: grilled cocktails, fruity sangrias, watermelon margaritas, and vintage lemonade. These beverages pack a punch.
Pineapple Bun Burgers
To add to your poolside paradise, there’s nothing like a twist on a classic. Yes, we did say you might want to try something different to get away from the same old burgers, and this could be it! And it’s a low carb alternative as this recipe, courtesy of delish, features a pineapple bun.
Ground beef and Worcestershire sauce are just the beginning for this savory creation. Plus, you can char the red onion, the pineapple, and the beef patties at the same time. Assemble this mighty stack with zesty pepper jack cheese, and the must-have bacon all sandwiched between rings of pineapple. Don’t knock it until you tried it! You can always have regular buns stashed on the side in case of emergency, but these make for a tasty alternative for pool side dining.
Guacamole Hummus
These might just be two of your favorites, but you never thought to blend them? Martha Stewart did. Or at least she thought it worthy to share on her site! This recipe is courtesy of Catherine Teniente from San Antonio, Texas. Source: Everyday Food. All you need is a food processor to drop in the chickpeas, cilantro, garlic, and avocado. Once blended, add olive oil, lemon juice, water, salt and pepper. Serve with chips and lemon wedges.
With a few covered dishes brought in by your friends and neighbors, you have all the ingredients for a Happy Labor Day pool party.
At Lyon Financial we love the difference we can make for your family by providing something that puts years of memories within reach. Call 877-754-5966 for more information about how you can install the backyard pool of your dreams at a price you can afford.
