Enjoy our 4th of July related posts:

Style Tips:

4th Of July: Avoid The Tacky Clothing

Must-Have Swimwear For July 4th [PHOTOS]

Fitness:

Skinny Summer Cocktails: Drink Without Guilt This 4th Of July

Safety Tips:

Firework Safety Tips For 4th of July

Food:

Patriotic Cupcakes For Your July 4th Bash

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What better way to celebrate the birth of this country than to get your best girlfriends together and have a good time? There are many ways you could spend this holiday with your family, but still spend some quality time with your girls. Here are some quick and easy plans that could add a spark to your 4th of July:

1. Have a BBQ with your family and the girls. What better way to combine your plans than by having a barbecue? Have your friends bring their families, too and while they’re occupied, you can bond with the girls. Hot dogs, hamburgers, summer treats, streamers, drinks, and even the nation’s colors, red, white, and blue. What more could you ask for? Maybe your girls will even bring some of their guy friends over – the fireworks don’t only have to be in the sky!

2. Have some poolside drinks and enjoy the weather in style. Seriously, what’s summer without warm weather and the use of a pool? Getting the cocktails out is a definite perk, as well. Relax with your friends and enjoy the time – maybe get some red, white, and blue pool rafts and enjoy your drinks out on the water!

3. Take a trip to the beach. Make the 4th of July special by getting out the bathing suits and enjoying the summer breeze! You and your girls can have some cocktails, catch some rays, and maybe even play some beach volleyball (maybe some guys will join you!). Have the time of your life with your partners in crime – maybe you’ll even get to see the fireworks from the beach and get to enjoy the day with more than just your friends!

Firework Safety Tips For 4th of July

4. Find some fun locations to watch the fireworks. Mix it up a little bit! Check out a waterside venue if you’re not normally near one. Go to a beautiful woodsy area if it’s new to you. Take a road trip with the girls and be adventurous! If you want to know some of the best ranked fireworks destinations, check out this link.

5. Enjoy the 4th by clubbing it up. Check out the hottest bars and festivities in your area and wear your best patriotic gear. You can never go wrong by celebrating with drinks and the girls!

Be independent ladies this 4th of July and make sure to make the most of your summer holiday plans! What are some events with the girls that have made your past 4th of July’s special? Post them below in the comments.

Summer Lovin’: What Makes It A Blast?

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Even if you’re not a veggie someone who shows up to your barbecue could be a non-meat eater. It’s always a good idea to be prepared with some vegetarian friendly options and here’s how you can do it!

Veggie Burgers

The oldest staple for a vegetarian barbeque is the veggie burger. They are produced by a multitude of manufacturers, the most well-known being Gardenburger, Boca, and Morningstar Farms. For those unfamiliar with vegetarian food, there are many varieties of veggie burgers to choose from. The options range from the original Gardenburger, to the Boca Cheeseburger, to the Philly Cheesesteak Burgers by Morningstar Farms. Veggie burgers can be grilled just like normal hamburgers; however, if grilled next to real meat, veggie burgers can be wrapped in foil to keep them from coming in contact with the meat’s juices. Veggie burgers can be garnished any way one likes, with or without cheese, on a traditional bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, or on whole-wheat bread with sprouts and honey-mustard.

Newer options for vegetarian grilling are imitation hotdogs and imitation chicken. These items are usually found next to the veggie burgers in the frozen foods section of your supermarket. Veggie dogs are fairly simple, and do not come in as many varieties as veggie burgers, but they taste like the real thing, and cook quickly. Eat them with or without a bun, with mustard, ketchup, or relish. An added bonus: these dogs are low in calories and fat, so you can eat more than one without feeling guilty.
Imitation Chicken

Imitation chicken comes in almost as many varieties as veggie burgers do. There are breaded chicken patties, chicken nuggets, even buffalo wings. Most of these products, including the veggie burgers and veggie dogs, contain soy as a major ingredient. However, the imitation chicken products made by the brand Quorn contain mycoprotein, a member of the fungi family, as the main ingredient. Quorn’s Naked Chik’n Cutlets are perfect for grilling, and can be dressed with any sauce (including barbeque sauce) prior to setting on the grill.

Of course, the real vegetarian staple–the vegetable–must not be forgotten. One great burger substitute is a large portabella mushroom, grilled on its own or smothered in Worcestershire sauce, and eaten on a bun, perhaps topped with some grilled onions. Shish kabobs are also great for grilling: just cut up any variety of vegetables and put them on a skewer, with or without a marinade. The veggie burgers, meatless hot dogs, and imitation chicken mentioned above are also great over salads; after grilling, just throw them on top of a bed of lettuce and top with some tomatoes, and suddenly eating a salad will become much more mouth-watering.

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