Festivals, fireworks, food, parades and patriotic music are on order this 4th of July weekend. Whether you are traveling and will be on the beach. Supporting your local teams at games or hosting your own celebrations – there’s plenty to do. We have compiled a healthier last minute guide to all the things you need to have the perfect 4th of July weekend.
Easy Going Independence Day Recipes
Hosting can be incredibly stressful enough. However, planning a party for this monumental All-American holiday can be a particular stress. Here are some easy yet still sophisticated meals that are sure to please even the fussiest of pallets.
1. Coconut Grilled Corn
Corn is a staple side dish at any barbecue. Mix it up with this recipe by simply adding unsweetened coconut milk mixture to the timeless classic. Whilst your corn is still on the grill, combine your mixture of coconut milk, sugar, pandanus and bay leaf, and salt in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Then when your corn is ready take it off the grill. Add the coconut milk basting until nicely browned.
2. Grilled Veggie Burger
Nothing says barbecue more than a grilled burger. However, usually veggie burgers are incredibly fragile in texture and because of that are not grill friendly. However, this recipe offers the perfect mixture for a firm gill-able and delicious patty made of:
Blended toasted walnuts with spices
Sauté onion
Mash black beans
Add the remaining ingredients
Stir/mash like a madwoman/madman.
3. The Perfect Salad for the 4th Of July
Nutrition expert Jessica Pieterse says: “If weight gain over the festive season is a concern, reduce the fat and kilojoule content of the salad by using lean biltong, substituting the blue cheese for feta cheese and adding more vegetables.”
This amazing salad from our Barefoot In the Kitchen series is the tastiest way to stay on track this holiday weekend. In a bowl, combine the shredded spinach tomatoes, cucumber, spring onion, Peppadews and blue cheese with your hands, until well mixed. Transfer the contents onto a wooden board or salad bowl. Place the biltong on top of the salad and drizzle with reduced balsamic vinegar and add salt and pepper to taste.
Fireworks
What’s the 4th of July without fireworks? Here are the celebration that include fireworks:
Boston and the 4th Of July
Boston Harbofest is a 38 year-old traditional 4th of July festival featuring live music, the city of Boston’s official Independence Day commemoration, and, of course, fireworks. The festival runs from 1 – 7 July 2019 and is one of the country’s largest 4th of July celebrations. The family-friendly event was flooded with excitement, including historic re enactments, Freedom Trail walks and boat tours.
New York City on the 4th of July Weekend
Perhaps one of the most impressive 4th of July firework displays ever will be Macy’s Annual 4th of July Firework display. This massive and impressive display has lit up the New York City skyline every year for over 40 years. The Brooklyn Bridge has been the launch place for fireworks in previous years. And will be back in the same location once again this year. The fireworks are set to go off on Thursday, July 4th at approximately 9:20 p.m and will be broadcast live on television. For comfortable viewing with friends, catch the fireworks at your chosen rooftop or rooftop bar with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. Alternatively, fireworks may be viewed from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the lower East River at or below the Brooklyn Bridge with four barges positioned between Manhattan Heliport and Pier 17 in the Seaport District.
Public viewing locations and dedicated entry points will be set up along elevated portions of FDR Drive in lower Manhattan.
Los Angeles
Join legendary acts such as Nile Rodgers, CHIC, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Thomas Wilkins conductor, and DRUMLine Live as a special guest at the iconic HollyWood Bowl for your 4th of July celebrations. Dance the night away and enjoy a huge display of fireworks to end off the special occasion.
Alternatively, join the block party in Down town Los Angeles at Grand Park. You can enjoy a picnic with food from local vendors, whilst jamming along to countless live music acts until the major firework display. This is a lovely, wholesome, strictly alcohol-free family event that all ages can enjoy.
Other Ways Of Getting Outdoors…
While a lot of the 4th of July festivities are traditionally all about watching fireworks, there are many other healthy ways to have fun. Hosting your own barbecue and just getting outside is good for you. You can enjoy a fun-filled family baseball game in the backyard; go for a bike ride around the neighborhood, or just play some Frisbee on the beach. It’s the perfect day to be outdoors. Enjoy!
