By Chef Mick Brown

Courtesy of http://www.BBQRESCUES.org

Hope to see you in Fort Worth, TX. this week for the NBBQA “I AM BBQ 2018” Conference. Since 1991, The National Barbecue and Grilling Association (NBBQA) has led the way in sharing and expanding the diverse culture of Barbecue through networking and education. I plan to participate in a Session “Making Barbecue Healthy and Authentic” on Thursday. March 14, 2017 (10:30am) at this year’s Conference to be held at The River Ranch Stockyards. We will provide Samples of Authentic Vegan BBQ, and more.

What is Authentic BBQ?

The word “Authentic” can mean different things to different people. For most of us in America “Authentic BBQ” is the kind we grew up with- whether it’s from South Carolina, Tennessee, St. Louis or Texas. To me, the term can also be applied to the Grilled Foods that were prepared in Ancient Greece. Back then, they didn’t have access to Cuisinarts, Refrigeration or even Pellet Grills. Most households had a simple Fire Pit for cooking everything.

On a recent trip to Greece, I encountered Grilled Vegetables on the Menus of (literally) every restaurant I went to. In Ancient Greece, they grew lush gardens and groves of trees. The Olive ones became especially popular when it was discovered that they made awesome cooking oils, marinades and sauces. Sorry to break the news to Pitt Masters everywhere, but Olive Oil with Spices and Fresh Herbs was the Original BBQ Sauce.

Of course, Greek Cuisine kicked off what is known today as the “Mediterranean Diet”, which also includes Fresh Fish. I had the chance to visit an authentic Greek Fish Market where a fair amount of the available goods were still snapping or squirming around. I also took a BBQ Cruise on a Catamaran (with a Weber Grill attached). The Menu included lots of Salads, Grilled Veggies and fresh Seafood. Where were the Ribs?

What is Healthy BBQ?

The word “Healthy” when it comes to Food is a tricky thing. This is because the most “Healthy” thing people can do is to include Exercise to their weekly regimens. When it comes to Cooking, “Healthier” is synonymous with “Nutritious”. In other words, certain foods provide you with helpful Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins and Antioxidants known to be good for the human body. Some of these are known as Superfoods or High Vibrational Foods. Other foods that are considered not as “Healthy” contain excess Fats, Sugars and Sodium, with little or no Nutritional value.

It’s amazing how us in the BBQ Community (including me) can take perfectly Healthy Vegetables and add Butter, Cheese, Sour Cream, Bacon and Meat Fats to make them taste better. We are also not shy about throwing in plenty of Salt, White (and Brown) Sugar, Molasses, etc… to everything. High Vibrational Eating is about going back to nature and eating Fruits and Veggies fresh off-the-vine, whenever possible. Also using the most nutritious fresh herbs and spices for seasoning, with Low or No Salt and Sugar. Let’s call High Vibrational ingredients the “Super-Duper Superfoods”.

How Can the BBQ Community Benefit?

Good Question! For those attending Conference, the main presenter in my Session is Abraham Kamarak of True Made Foods. He will be delivering a very convincing mix of Facts and Statistics to show that Nutrition is the “New Black” when it comes to the Multi-Billion Dollar Food Industry. BBQ Product manufacturers should take heed and try to develop more All Natural, Low Fat/Sugar/Sodium products to add to Brand Product Lines.

4 TIPS For HEALTHIER BBQ

For Home Cooks and BBQ Restaurants (or Caterers), here are 3 Tips that will help you along the way to serving Healthier, more Nutritious BBQ

1. While choosing your Ingredients for Healthier Recipes, try to include as many Fresh Herbs and Vegetables as possible. You can never go wrong with Fresh Veggies- the Fresher, the Better! Also consider controlling Portions when putting together BBQ Plates (See Diabetic BBQ Article).

2. For Sauces and Condiments, be sure to read the Labels or check for Nutritional Info Online. Avoid Products with High Levels of Fat, Salt and Sugars. Remember just because a product is Organic or Gluten Free, doesn’t mean it is healthy. Checking the number of Calories per Serving is also a good thing. Even if you don’t understand what Calories actually are, the Lower the Calories, the more likely that the product is consistent with Nutritious eating.

3. Be Creative! Most of my Recipes start with a smoky, well seasoned Vegan/Vegetarian base or broth. So everyone can enjoy them. I try to make it taste good without the meat. Adding nicely Smoked or Barbecued Meats afterwards (or on the side) kicks it up a level for Carnivores.

4. #BBQProject2020– Let the World know that you have decided to add Fresh Grilled (or Smoked) Vegetables to your Menu by using hashtag on all Social Media platforms. #BBQProject2020 is a new Initiative the recommends All Restaurants/Caterers that serve Barbecue add Fresh Veggies by the year 2020. We can do it!

Texas BBQ Goes Vegan! (Well, Kinda Sorta…)

Last year while in San Antonio, I learned that some long lost Cousins actually owned a BBQ place called Brown’s Bar-B-Que. So I went to visit with my Mom who, it turns out, tries to eat as Nutritiously as possible- almost to the point of being Vegan. Upon meeting our Kin for the first time, they were very nice as the Restaurant was coming off of a late Lunch Crowd rush. After noting that the only fresh Veggie on their Menu was a Baked Potato, we asked if they had Salads or any Vegan dishes? They said regrettably “No”, but wished they did because there is a nearby community of Joggers and “Healthier Types” who would probably patronize them if they served more Veggies.

BBQ RESCUES! To the Rescue. Check out the following 2 Minute Video to catch a 40+ year old Smoker cook Veggies for the first time, and see what the owners of Brown B Que Restaurant in San Antonio, TX. thought of their first Vegan BBQ Recipe. [This is a Preview, Short Film coming soon.]

VIDEO- Texas BBQ Goes Vegan! (Well, Kinda Sorta…)

RELATED LINKS

NBBQA “I Am BBQ 2018”- March 14-17th- River Ranch Stockyards Fort Worth, Tx.

Successful BBQ people know that strong relationships with others who can help them navigate, problem solve, find solutions and thrive is the pathway to success.  It’s also these relationships which help make our BBQ journeys rewarding and worthwhile.

https://www.iambbq2018.com/

Ancient Greek BBQ Grilling

In ancient Greece, fruit and vegetables were a significant part of the diet, as the ancient Greeks consumed much less meat than is usual today.^[40] Legumes would have been important crops, as their ability to replenish exhausted soil was known at least by the time of Xenophon.^[41] As one of the first domesticated crops to be introduced to Greece, lentils are commonly found at archaeological sites in the region from the Upper Paleolithic.^[42]

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_cuisine}

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet they follow has been linked to lower rates of cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and—most recently—heart disease. And although we can’t adopt all aspects of the Greek-island lifestyle, we can incorporate some of the eating patterns and dietary traditions practiced there. The best part? Eating like a Greek is not only healthy; it’s also delicious.

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20681632,00.html#the-real-mediterranean-diet-0

http://www.eatingwell.com/article/16372/8-ways-to-follow-the-mediterranean-diet-for-better-health/

BBQ Cruise in Athens Greece

Enjoy stops to swim or snorkel, stay refreshed with unlimited complimentary drinks, and savor a delicious Greek meal, including barbecue dishes, served by the crew. Choose a morning or sunset cruise when you book.

Read more about Athens Riviera Morning or Sunset Cruise with Greek Meal 2018 at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Athens/5-hr-Luxury-Catamaran-Cruise-from-Athens-with-Traditional-Greek-Meal-and-BBQ/d496-7679P1?pub=vcps

Superfoods

Some of the nutrients that certain superfoods contain include antioxidants, thought to ward off cancer; healthy fats, thought to prevent heart disease; fiber, thought to prevent diabetes and digestive problems; or phytochemicals, the chemicals in plants responsible for deep colors and smells, which can have numerous health benefits.

https://www.livescience.com/34693-superfoods.html

High Vibrational Eating

Foods with high vibrational energy and nutrients include organic nuts, fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs. Keep to a minimum foods such as meat, poultry and sugar, and foods that are highly processed, microwaved, chemically altered, genetically altered (GMO), contain chemical additives or have being mistreated by a person.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11996/how-to-make-sure-youre-eating-highvibrational-food.html

Diabetic BBQ Advice

Consider grilling kabobs. To keep your protein portions controlled, alternate one small piece of the total meat serving with three servings of non-starchy vegetables and then repeat. The mixture of the two adds bulk, and the meat and vegetable juices make for a flavorful dish.

https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/nutrition-exercise/meal-planning/healthy-bbq-tips-diabetes/?amp

True Made Foods

True Made Foods remasters classic American sauces like Ketchup, BBQ Sauce and Sriracha, taking out the corn syrup and adding real vegetables like spinach, carrots and butternut squash, naturally sweetening the sauces, reducing the sugar and turning these empty-calorie American staples into Paleo, Nutrient Dense…

https://www.truemadefoods.com/

Demand Growing for Healthier Food Products

Global sales of healthy food products, in fact, are estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2017, according to Euromonitor. While the health fads and trends have come and gone (remember oat bran in the 1980s or low-fat everything in the 1990s?), this time the category appears to have serious stamina.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nancygagliardi/2015/02/18/consumers-want-healthy-foods-and-will-pay-more-for-them/#21d0c38075c5

FDA Recommend Calorie Guidelines

Food and nutrition play a crucial role in health promotion and chronic disease prevention. Every 5 years, HHS and USDA publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Nation’s go-to source for nutrition advice. The latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines reflects the current body of nutrition science, helps health professionals and policymakers guide Americans to make healthy food and beverage choices, and serves as the science-based foundation for vital nutrition policies and programs across the United States.

https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/

Eating Healthy at BBQ Restaurants

The good news is BBQ food can be healthy and relatively low in calories as well as finger-licking good. Grilling is a geat way to cook meat without additional fat and some of the fat in the meat will sizzle away. Forget the fatty sausages – do something different.

https://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/healthy_eating/barbeque.htm

Vegan BBQ is Winning Over New Yorkers

“The subject of ‘vegan barbecue’ is obviously a touchy one for barbecue purists,” Kim admits. “No pigs or cows are slaughtered, so we are automatically not a traditional barbecue joint.”

http://gothamist.com/2016/08/09/vegan_bbq_nyc.php

11 BBQ Restaurants That Do Not Neglect Vegetarians

Diners who request vegetarians dishes at a restaurant known for smoked slabs of slow-cooked, tenderly marinated pork and beef are sure to get laughed out of the place, right?

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-barbecue-restaurants-vegetarians-dc

When You Make Kids’ Meals Healthier By Default, They Still Eat ‘Em Up

Customers want healthier options for their kids, Hengst says. “We tempt them with the stuff they like, but we make sure it’s also good for them,” he says.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/04/29/403086469/when-you-make-kids-meals-healthier-by-default-they-still-eat-em-up

Brown—B-Que, San Antonio, TX.- Catering

Jan 4, 2018 – A Message From Our Family To Yours. Dear customers and friends, thanks for allowing us to serve you for almost 3 years. Brown B Que Restaurant is transitioning from restaurant to solely catering. Please follow us on Facebook for further information. Thank you!! Thurman, Kenneth and Claudia. The Browns … [Contact For Catering]

http://brownbque.net

BBQ Revolutiion- Austin, Tx.

We believe that BBQ doesn’t equal meat and it can be better when there is no cruelty involved. Using traditional techniques, we are able to bring out a flavor that no other vegan places have been able to replicate.

http://www.bbqrevolt.com

Six Rules of Eating Wisely by Michael Pollan

My aim was simply to figure out what–as a nutritional, ethical, political and environmental matter–I should eat. Along the way, I’ve collected a few rules of thumb that may be useful in navigating what I call the Omnivore’s Dilemma.

https://bbqrescues.com/2017/04/15/six-rules-for-eating-wisely-by-michael-pollan/

Voyage LA Magazine interview with Chef Mick Brown

My Catering and BBQ Rub companies are on the “first wave” of Healthier Grilling, and the industry is slow to change. We are still one of the few Onsite Caterers in the country that regularly offers Gluten-Free, Vegan and Vegetarian BBQ Menus. Through the BBQ RESCUES Foundation, I hope to influence more caterers and restaurants to offer Healthier Grilling Options to their customers. In Los Angeles, as well as around the U.S.

http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-mick-brown-bbq-rescues-la-metro-surrounding-areas/

BBQ RESCUES! Nutritious Vegan Recipes

No Salt/Sugar Superfood Rub

https://bbqrescues.com/2015/09/12/bbq-rescues-smoking-recipes-for-homemade-bbq-rubs/

Smoking Grilled Veggies

https://bbqrescues.com/2015/09/17/bbq-rescues-smoking-grilled-vegetables-recipe/

Vegan Gluten Free, All Natural Smoked BBQ Gumbo

https://bbqrescues.com/2017/02/27/not-so-fat-tuesday-grilled-gumbo/

VIDEO- Vegan Gluten/Lactose Free White Asparagus Mac N Cheese

https://youtu.be/hFfVpUoKU44

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Chef Mick Brown is a Food Blogger/Purveyor based in Los Angeles, with over 30 years BBQ and Grilling experience. Aside from Caterer and Private Grilling Instructor, his passions are creating Easy Grilling Recipes and searching for the World’s Best Flavors as General Manager of Tastee BQ Grilling Co.  In May of 2015, he won Grill Master Champion on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen on special BBQ episode “Grill or Be Grilled” (Season 8, Episode 3). He also recently appeared on Bravo TV, catering for the Cast of Vanderpump Rules (Season Finale). He is also author of web blogs  The Adventures of Tastee BQ and  BBQ Catering Confidential. His latest media project BBQ RESCUES!, includes a Blog Talk Radio Show, Youtube TV Channel and Podcasts on iTunes. The new Non-Profit BBQ RESCUES! Foundation is sponsoring the #BBQProject2020, that does outreach to the Barbecue Community to promote Smarter and Healthier Grilling in the fight against preventable diseases like Childhood Obesity, Diabetes as well as other important Causes. Email- Mick@BBQRESCUES.org.