Summer is upon us and it’s hot! If you live in the Northeast you know we didn’t have much of a spring this year, so what better way to beat the summer heat than firing up the grill and having a party in the backyard or next to the pool. I find there is always a list of thoughts when it comes to preparing for a fun afternoon of entertainment: what food can you serve that is healthy, how do you keep your guests hydrated, how do you prevent any food safety issues, and what activities make bearing the heat more fun?
Good Food: 
I shy away from the traditional route of grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, because of the fat and gluten in the buns. I suggest kebabs. This gives you the opportunity to add a variety of vegetables, mix, match, or omit the meat, and serving sizes are more reasonable. Cut fruit and vegetables are easy finger foods that add lots of color to the table, and if you shop at a wholesale grocery store, like Produce Function, you can purchase your produce in bulk for a fraction of the price. For desserts, incorporate your summer fruits like berries, peaches, and cherries with low-fat ice cream or make your own sorbet, instead of serving heavier cakes and pies. Check out these additional tips on healthy grilling.
Good Drinks: On hot summer days, it’s important to keep your guests hydrated. While it’s fun to make fruity summer cocktails and drink good beer, these drinks aren’t helpful if you’re dehydrated. Make sure to have non-alcoholic beverage options for the kids and adults. Adding a slice of cucumber and lemon or mint and frozen blueberries to your water adds some flavor while keeping the sugar content low. Another great non-alcoholic beverage is mint iced tea. See my recipe at the end of this article. Here are some additional tips on preventing dehydration.
Food Safety:
It is important that food is kept in the correct temperature range when having parties to prevent food-borne illnesses. This means that any food that is perishable must not stay out more than 2 hours after preparation; when temperatures are 90 degrees or more this is reduced to 1 hour. Refrigerate your tasty kebabs until they are ready to be grilled, and serve the refrigerated items in batches, so all guests get to enjoy them. Grilled meats, like chicken, can also be baked ahead of time in the oven to an internal temperature of 165̊F and warmed on the grill. See my recipes for a dry rub at the end of this article. Here are more tips on food safety and tips specific to summer time food safety.
Play Hard: 
Break up the pace of afternoon with activities between each course. If you have access to a pool, incorporate it into the party festivities. Balls, noodles, and other pool toys keep guests entertained. For under $20, there are summer fun packs that include a volleyball/badminton net, balls, Frisbees, catch baskets, rackets, and much more that provide hours of fun. Encourage light-hearted contests by having the younger guests play against the older guests. Remember to keep your guests hydrated. Here are more summer activity ideas for kids of all ages.
Beat the summer heat and enjoy your party!
Enjoy,
Megan Carrier, MS
Eat Fit Health Intern
Lavender Mint Tea 
Ingredients:
½ gallon boiled water
3 tea bags
½ spoon-full lavender-infused honey (or plain honey)- can omit
5 large leaves mint
Directions:
Boil enough water to fill a half-gallon pitcher,
Tie 3 tea bags around the handle of the pitcher and drop in
Add a half spoon-full of lavender infused honey
Add the boiled water
Add a sprig of mint.
Let the pitcher cool for about 30 minutes, then place it in the refrigerator until cool.
Dry-Rubbed Memphis Style Grilled Chicken (Adapted from Womansday.com)- serves 8
Ingredients:
6 Tbsp. Sweet Paprika
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
2.5 tsp. Black Pepper
2 tsp. Dry Mustard (I substitute mustard seeds)
2 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Ground Cumin
2 tsp. Celery Seed
Kosher Salt (I omit this)
¼ cup White Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Yellow Mustard
Directions:
Mix the paprika, brown sugar, pepper, mustard, garlic powder, cumin, celery seeds, and kosher salt (optional) together.
Rub the spice mixture on the chicken pieces and let sit for 15 minutes.
Mix together vinegar and yellow mustard.
Before placing in the oven, brush vinegar/mustard mixture on chicken.
Bake until an internal temperature of 165̊F.