Make Barbecues Fun for the Whole Family

It wasn't long after the first humans discovered fire that someone got the idea to start barbecuing; grilling out is in our human blood! Moreover, grilling isn't just for hamburgers and hot dogs, though even the lowly hot dog is healthier cooked on the grill than fried up in butter or oil on the stove. You can prepare elegant and healthy meals from the grill.

Grilling out can also be fun for the whole family. Start with a simple recipe book of grilling ideas or tune in to the food network and watch programs on the art of grilling. The idea is to make it fun. Make a weekend afternoon out of grilling and bring out a Frisbee or a ball to get exercise with the kids.

Grilling does take a lot of the moisture out of foods, so some people like to marinate foods ahead of time, for both moisture and flavor. Instead of oil, however, try using lemon juice as a base for barbecue marinades; add spices according to your family's tastes. You can also use pineapple juice or soy sauce as your starting base. My family has grilled about every type of vegetable from asparagus to zebra squash with great results. Be sure to grill extra portions so you can serve your gourmet grilled foods chilled the next day.

Add a Comment (0)

More on: Family Nutrition

Excerpted from:

From Raising Healthy Eaters: 100 Tips for Parents by Henry Legere, M.D. Copyright � 2004. Used by arrangement with The Perseus Books Group.

To order this book visit perseusbooksgroup.com.

click here

Halloween Activities
From terrifying treats to bewitching decorations and ghoulish games, our Halloween Activities slideshow is full of freaky family fun! Sponsored by Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

Kids and Whole Grains
Are you stumped when it comes to getting your kids to eat whole grains? Or do you have some of your own tips to share? Join in on our discussion!

Create Your Own Jack-O'-Lantern
We can help! Use our fun Jack-O'-Lantern Creator tool to make your very own spooky or silly jack-o'-lantern design. Print it out as a guide to carve the perfect Halloween pumpkin, or just let the little ones color it in. Sponsored by Madagascar 2. Watch the trailer here.

Find Balance in Your Kids' Diet
The Balanced Meal Planner is a fun interactive tool that can help you plan a healthy, balanced diet for your family, based on the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid. Sponsored by Smucker's, home of more tasty ideas for kids.

Tired of the Breakfast Wars?
Set a truce with Apple Cinnamon Cheerios®, Fruity Cheerios®, Yogurt Burst Cheerios®, and Frosted Cheerios®. Four naturally sweetened flavors both parents and kids will love. Try one now with a $1 coupon.

Show Your Kids the Power of Voting
Help your kids understand the importance of the presidential-election process by giving them the chance to cast their very own vote! Encourage your child's school to get involved in the National Student/Parent Mock Election on October 30, 2008.