People often ask me how I can cook and eat barbecue all the time without having sky high cholesterol or my cardiologist on speed dial. As far as I know, my labs are perfectly fine [if I don’t check them]. If I am being honest with you (and myself) my cholesterol might be a smidge on the high side, but #worthit. YOLO, right?! Right. The truth is, there are ways to partake and enjoy the outdoor cooking lifestyle without clogging your arteries.
Now let’s be clear here, we aren’t dieting, diet is a four-letter word in BBQ. Throughout the years I have had to create a balance to continue to look this sexy. Even the great Julia Child said, “the only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” Besides rich red meats, cooks can include low-fat proteins like turkey breast or rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, both contributing to heart health and brain function.
Moral of the story, wellness isn’t just about what you put in your mouth. It is the state of being in good health with dimensions including mental, physical, and spiritual aspects. Wellness for me comes from therapy that won’t leave me broke, crying, and questioning all my life’s decisions.
Some of my favorite and easiest smoked recipes are healthy or can be made healthier. If you are a lover of the keto lifestyle and don’t want to give up chips and dip, try this Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip (pictured pg. 14) served with celery and carrot sticks or pork rinds instead.
SMOKED BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
Ingredients:
16 oz Smoked chicken breast shredded with Meat Church
Holy Gospel
8 oz Cream cheese
1 lb. Bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1/2 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Low-carb wing sauce (I use Frank’s Red Hot)
1/4 cup Ranch dressing
1 Chopped Jalapeño
1 tbsp Meat Church Holy Cow
Combine all ingredients and put in a cast iron skillet or baking dish. Throw on the smoker at 275 degrees using a light to medium smoking wood pellet like hickory. When the top starts to brown and bubble, top with more cheese, crumbled bacon, and jalapeño.
Run another 15 minutes then pull, serve, and enjoy!
CRAVING MORE? @MEAT.THERAPY
