We had a wonderful and busy 4th of July holiday. Monday morning I could smell that one of the neighbors was starting to barbeque outside. I asked myself, how close could I come to a traditional, yet BTD friendly, 4th of July meal?

I grilled beef and turkey burgers outside. They were delicious. I fixed sweet potato fries for the Os and opened a package of baked corn chips for the As. I fixed spicy pinto beans for the As and grilled onions for the Os.

I was happy eating my burger, onions, and lettuce with a fork, but the family wanted buns. I sent my daughter to the grocery store. She came back saying, "They didn't have anything but wheat buns, but look this package says no trans-fats." (I'll have to write another day about the new labeling laws, but at that moment I was pleased that my kids know what trans-fats are and know it is best to avoid them.)

In the evening we went to a concert and fire works display at a local park. We spread our blanket on the grass and ate a picnic dinner while we waited for the fireworks. Type As are so easy to take on picnics. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Ezekiel bread is both portable and beneficial.

For myself on picnics I usually roll meat up in sushi nori seaweed papers. When I have done this in the past they have been good, but tough. Yesterday I took two sushi nori papers and spread them with buttery spread (ghee and olive oil). I rolled them up with lots of sliced turkey and put them in a plastic bag in my daughter's backpack. The day was warm. The buttery spread melted and soaked into the seaweed. By the time I ate them they were soft and full of flavor. A little messy, but nothing a napkin couldn't handle.

I leave you with a Bible verse so appropriate for the 4th of July:

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16