Today we're sharing some of our favorite tips and recipes for the best backyard BBQ! Everyone on the block's mouths will be watering from the amazing smells wafting out of your yard!

Entertaining friends and family is a labor of love. No one wants to go through the expense and effort only to have flavorless or worse tough, overcooked, dried-out meat. 

Mastering the BBQ isn't that hard if you follow some tried and true recipes and incorporate tips we've learned through mistakes most of us have made as rookies!

First things first, the quality of your ingredients will make a major difference. I'm not just talking about the meats or veggies, I'm talking about the seasonings and the marinades, which are the base of an exceptional finished product.

Did you know?

Herbs lose their "oomph" after about 6 months, and in less time if they're stored near a heat source or not in an airtight container.

The best and most affordable option when it comes to seasonings is to have a well-stocked Vitality^TM Essential Oil cabinet.  We should mention that these are the only oils we will use in our recipes. When you are ingesting Essential Oils, you want it to be the best quality. A product without fillers or harmful chemicals can be found as a result of the way the product is produced and distilled. Read more about purity Here. Our Vitality line is for dietary use in compliance with  FDA labeling guidelines. You can learn more about the authenticity of these oils HERE.

Essential Oils are super concentrated and a little goes a long way. Plus you have a much more robust flavor profile! Click below to see a chart of how they measure up compared to dried herbs and a cost comparison.

Tips:

1. Start with a clean grill by removing any charred remains and make sure your grates are not rusted or flaking, which will wind up as unwanted crunchy bits on your food! Our favorite cleaner is an all-natural, plant-based that is food safe, meaning we can ingest it when our food comes in contact with it. Simply spray, give it a minute to loosen grease and debris, then wipe with a scrubby sponge. 
2. Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil (they come in spray cans now) to put a non-stick coating on your grates.
3. Whether cooking over coals or gas, make sure the fire is hot before adding your food. Refer to your briquets package for suggested pre-heat time. Most gas grills will come to temp quicker, between 10-20 mins.
4. Invest in a thermometer, no one wants overcooked meats. Our favorite is a Bluetooth model that we can monitor with our phones. They can be found locally and online starting around $25.
5. Avoid overturning foods, especially if you like precise grill markings. It's sufficient to turn just once, half-way through the cooking time or at the half-way temp.
6. Know your temps for the way you like your meat. We like medium-rare for beef, which is a warm red center. The temp range for that is 124 - 135 degrees F. We typically remove the meat from the grill at the lower range and cover with foil to allow the meat to rest and come up to temp. This also prevents the meat from "bleeding" when cutting into.

Now that you have some basic tips for the "how-to's" of grilling, let's focus on preparing the food for the grill.

• Know your cuts of beef! The more fat it has, the more natural flavor and the more tender the end product will be.
• Using marinades can help to flavor and tenderize the meats. 

• Store-bought marinades have a shelf life, which means the ingredients lose freshness every day they sit there, and at the same time, the flavors lose their intensity.

• The secret to mastering marinades is in knowing the effect of various marinating durations.

  • Marinading for two hours or less will impart a surface flavor.

  • For a fully infused flavor, marinade for 8-24 hours.

NOTE: The thicker the meat, the longer it takes to absorb the flavor.

Here are a couple of my favorite marinade recipes. They’re full of flavor AND free of any preservatives.

Click Here for our Citrus Herb Vinaigrette Dressing and Marinade Recipe.

Using Vitality™ Oils in the kitchen is just one way we are improving our lifestyle by using all-natural plant-based products in our home. Explore our blog to see more ways to enjoy a healthier, happier home.

When you're ready to take the first steps, we're here to help you every step of the way! Getting started is easy, just decide which of the Vitality essential oils you'd like to add to your kitchen and we'll come alongside you to begin your transformation. Change begins now, but it happens over time. You set the pace, but we promise you won't regret it for a second! 

Start Infusing Your Meals with More Flavor Today!

Before you go, I wanted to also share where you can get these amazing oils and never pay full price!

Who wants to pay full price when you can get the same thing for LESS! Young Living has two options to help you get started as a Customer and unlock a 24% discount on all your purchases! 

1. Purchase 100 PV or more on your first order.

OR

2. Add at least one item to a Subscribe to Save order at a 1-, 2-, or 3-month frequency.

You can choose from any of the 600+ products available from www.youngliving.com so be sure to check out items specific to your health goals and needs. You can even choose one of the pre-made bundles, making your checkout experience a breeze. Please enter my Young Living number in the referral spot or use my special referral link so I can help connect you to our oily community! 

And just so you know… you are never required to sell anything when you become a Customer with Young Living. However, if you decide to share this wellness lifestyle with others and want to earn a paycheck while doing so, consider becoming a Brand Partner and purchasing a Business Essentials Kit. You can either do this on your first order or later on down the road - completely up to you! For more information on becoming a Brand Partner with Young Living please go to https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/opportunity/compensation-plan. 

HOW TO EARN LOYALTY REWARDS POINTS & Monthly Gifts with Purchase

When you add an item to your Subscribe to Save cart, you automatically score in the convenience department. But what if you could earn points on what you were buying as well? You can! 

Just make sure your Subscribe to Save order contains at least 50 PV and you’ll start earning 10% in spendable points! Do that consecutively for 3 months and you’ll start earning 20% back. Do that consecutively for 24 months and that percentage bumps up to 25%! Ordering consistently every month like this also makes you eligible for loyalty gifts- those are free products earned in addition to your points.

Don’t think you want to order 50 PV consecutively? That’s ok, too. You will still earn 10% on your 50 PV Subscribe to Save purchases - no matter the frequency.

To order a starter bundle or individual products, Click Here

Once you order your kit, reach out to me and I will get you connected to our oily community and help you get set up with many other resources to support you on your wellness journey. 

And now…the EXTRA benefits to signing up with me and my team (that you won’t find anywhere else):

• We have members on our team who have been leading the oily movement since 1995 to answer any and all of your questions.
  
  
• We do a 15 Day Jumpstart to teach you how to use all the oils and extra goodies in your new kit. This helps you get the most out of your oils and extra goodies in the kit! 
• We share DIY recipes to make products, potions and lotions, and more for yourself, your family, your pets, and gifts to others. (think of the savings and the joy, PLUS people love them soooo much more!)
  
  
• We also have weekly in-person and online classes to further your understanding of oils and their life-changing benefits. 
  
  
• We love to do DIY's and try new recipes and we share the tips, tricks, and recipes with our members. 

We truly represent wellness, purpose, and abundance in every aspect of life. And we happen to be the most giving community on the internet…so there’s that. I think you belong here.

If you've got questions, message me I'm happy to help!

As an extra Thank You...

When you join the Wendy Moore team of oilers I'll hook you up with some extra lovin' in the form of my favorite resource book and tools to get you on the fast-track and a one-on-one call to get to know you, swap a few tips & tricks and learn about your oily goals.