Mitt Romney and Barack Obama take to the podium together tonight for the first time in this presidential election. With 33 days left before election day, many Americans are still trying to finalize their votes, certain to be helped by the comments Obama and Romney share on domestic policy issues (the focus of tonight’s debate). For some, the debate will only confirm their voting decision.

As these candidates sink their teeth into some meaty issues that concern all Americans, you can sink your teeth in to some of their favorite recipes. Don’t go in to these debates lightly, or on an empty stomach!

If you run red and want a meal that Mitt Romney calls his favorite, try the Romney Meatloaf Cakes. Ann Romney prepares these with a sweet and tangy homemade ketchup sauce every year for his birthday. If things go his way, the White House chef will prepare these to celebrate his birthday in 2013.

As the governor of Massachusetts, Romney probably gets his fill of some of the best clam chowder in the state. You’ll have no regrets curling up around a piping hot bowl of this homemade Low Carb Clam Chowder, simply made with only 5 ingredients.
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Fourth of July is tomorrow and everyone is looking forward to having their Wednesday off! I’ve always loved Fourth of July because my big family gets together for one day to enjoy each other’s company. And who doesn’t love getting together to eat? Everyone is just happy for one day. However, after the holiday, like a lot of people, I’m not so happy because I tend to overeat at the family BBQ.

Yes, I could have eaten less… or my family could have put more healthy plates on the table. Don’t regret the holiday food this year. We can help you ditch the regret and enjoy the holiday with these healthy cookout recipes developed by our team of foodies.

 Picnic Perfect Red and Sweet Potato Salad

The Red and Sweet Potato Salad is light and tasty, and healthier than a traditional potato salad with only 92 calories.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers

Go meatless for the Fourth this year. If most of the people at your party are vegans or vegetarians, or just reducing meat, then the Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers won’t disappoint.

Red, White, and Blueberry Turkey Burger Sliders

Nothing says Fourth of July like red, white, and blue. These turkey burger sliders are inspired by the patriotic colors of summer. Instead of ground beef the recipe calls for turkey, red bell peppers, and feta crumbles all topped with a blueberry balsamic reduction.

A Simple Red, White, and Blue Sangria Recipe

What’s Fourth of July without a little cocktail? The berries sweetened the wine and will make anyone want more than one glass of sangria. This sangria is simple and easy to make, and it’s going to wow any crowd at the cookout!

Triple Berry Sparkers are the Perfect Cool Down This 4th of July 

For the non-drinkers, and especially the little ones, these sparkling, colorful drinks are hydrating, nutritious, and low in calories. Puree berries for ice cubes and add to your choice of ice cold Perrier.

Chocolate Banana Popsicles

Ditch those stale popsicles from the store and whip up a batch of Chocolate Banana Popsicles. They are half the calories and scrumptious as well, plus loaded with good-for-you nutrients that a traditional frozen treat can’t offer. There are 11 more summer popsicle ideas over at Care2.com.

all images by Dana Shultz

I’m a pretty all-American girl, I like to think. I love running around barefoot in the summer, classic rock ‘n roll, a hot grill, and cool drinks. Summer is my season and I, admittedly, love to eat and drink my way through it.

I also, admittedly, like to remain relatively close to the same size at the end of the summer as I am at the start of the summer. That means a few trade offs. I (mostly) gave up beef burgers years ago. Turkey is where it’s at now. And I say this as a pretty picky eater. If I can be sold on a turkey burger, the rest of you should already be on this train.

With Memorial Day unofficially kicking off the summer this weekend, I’m ready to enjoy everything I love about the warm days ahead, minus a few unnecessary calories. So I hope you’ll join me in devouring a few of my Red, White, and Blueberry Turkey Burger Sliders.

The great thing about sliders is the automatic portion control. One or two of these little guys is all I need, and I still have plenty of room on my plate (and calories) for corn on the cob, potato salad, grilled fruit, and maybe even a little ice cream. I found the whole wheat slider buns at Kroger, but even small dinner rolls will work.
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We’re still a full month away from the first day of summer, but the season unofficially starts this weekend with Memorial Day. Gas and charcoal grills the nation over are primed and ready to fire up the best warm-weather eats. But are you ready for what’s about to be dished out?

The grill can be a friend and a foe. Rather than deep- or pan-frying, you can grill for better flavor and far less calories and fat. However, depending on the cut of meat, how you dress it after, and even how you prepare it to cook can turn perfectly healthy foods in to calorie bombs. Follow our simple guide for healthier cookouts and you won’t have anything to regret by summer’s end.

Grill a Better Burger.

If you can’t bare to part with beef then select the leanest cut you can find. A 93/7 ground beef is pretty widely available and will still hold up on the grill. If you’re buying local meat, be sure to specifically request lean cuts.
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Scientists in the Netherlands have been growing meat tissues in the laboratory, and hope to create the first ever “test-tube burger” by the end of 2012. Also known as “in vitro” or “cultured” meat, the researchers have successfully used stem cells to grow strips of muscle in petri dishes. This tissue will be combined with blood and artificially grown fats to make meat with a hamburger consistency.

The project was funded by an anonymous investor, who contributed roughly $330,000. Although this is a high cost to produce just one hamburger, lead researcher Prof. Mark Post is confident that costs can be dramatically reduced by commercialization, like so many other inventions.

The concept of lab-grown meat may trigger a gag reflex in many, but a number of organizations argue that it can reduce the environmental damage caused by raising livestock. The global demand for meat continues to climb, particularly in Asia and Africa. It’s hoped that artificial meat will use fewer resources to produce, in addition to cutting down the animal cruelty so too often found in factory farms. PETA endorses lab-produced meat, going so far as to offer a million dollars to the first scientist able to bring the product to the commercial market.

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