Never Thought I'd Be Posting This In February, But...

I love to grill year round. Yes, even when it snows and you can, too. Ever since I got my George Foreman, I use it ALL THE TIME. If you don't have one, you really should consider getting one if you love to BBQ. It cooks everything lightning fast and is a breeze to clean afterwards. Best of all, you aren't limited to grilling in just the summer months. Here's one of my favorite, healthy meals.

Before you dive into barbecue season, take heed; gobbling sausages, hotdogs and hamburgers can wreck your waistline -- and clog your arteries in the process. If you want to stay slim and trim (or even lose the winter weight), you’ll need to grill wisely, which is the healthy barbecuing way. It’ll take a little more grilling expertise and some cooking know-how, but it’ll be worth it. I love kabobs with brown rice. Super easy to make and so good!

Asparagus is probably the easiest vegetable with which to practice your healthy barbecuing. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill until tender. It's amazing. Vegetable shish kebabs can also be tasty. Pick tough veggies, like zucchini, squash, bell peppers, and pearl onions. Most vegetables pack a strong antioxidant punch, are high in fiber and low in calories. And if they taste good roasted or pan-fried, they’ll likely taste better on a grill and they have less fat. A few tips:

1. Go for flat shish kebab skewers -- your veggies won’t swivel on the skewer and they’ll cook evenly.
2. A little olive oil goes a long way. Sprinkle or mist your veggies with olive oil, don’t soak them.
3. Simple dried herbs, like herbs de Provence or basil, can add nice flavor to your kabobs.
4. Try a simple marinade - some lemon juice, olive oil and crushed garlic to taste. (Great for chicken, too!)

Here's a fabulous marinade recipe for your lean read meats to soak in prior to making your kabobs:

1/4 cup steak sauce (any kind)
2 tbsps brown sugar (packed)
2 tbsps lime juice
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
Teriyaki marinade
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsps brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp lemon juice

Have fun grilling!