Barbecue aficionados may lament the end of summer, but the truth is that fall is a great time to keep the grill burning. Combining classic grill favorites with seasonal vegetables and flavorful spices is an ideal way to make the most of the autumn, all while boosting your health and promoting drug and alcohol addiction recovery. Addiction experts stress the importance of quality nutrition during the recovery process and note that eating well (and enjoying your food) makes for excellent therapy.
Sample Autumn Recipes for the Grill
If you’ve never tried grilling autumn veggies or fruits, rehab is a perfect time to step outside your dietary comfort zone and experience something new. Here are some savory, satisfying recipes perfect for a side dish or main course:
SKEWERED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Squash is underrated as an ideal grill food. This simple recipe is a unique complement to meaty main courses.
Ingredients
1 butternut squash (medium size)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
Preparation
Peel the squash. Remove the seeds. Cut into 1-inch chunks.
Boil the squash until slightly tender, about 10 minutes.
Drain and rinse under cold water.
Toss squash chunks in olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Place squash chunks on skewers.
Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush the grill with olive oil.
Grill the skewered squash for about 3 minutes, brushing with leftover oil.
Turn and repeat until both sides are browned.
MOLASSES-GLAZED GRILLED SWEET POTATOES
Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, sweet potatoes are the perfect food for a crisp fall day. Molasses and allspice make this dish burst with flavor, and it’s fast and easy to boot.
Ingredients
4 sweet potatoes (medium size)
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon melted, unsalted butter
Allspice
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil
Preparation
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into ½-inch chunks.
Place sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with 1 inch of cold water.
Simmer partly covered until sweet potatoes begin to tenderize, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove sweet potatoes from heat and drain.
Mix molasses, orange juice, allspice, butter, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
Preheat grill to medium. Brush grill with vegetable oil.
Place sweet potatoes on grill and cook for about 2 minutes.
Flip potatoes over and cook for 2 minutes more.
Brush the exposed side of the sweet potatoes with marinade mixture and flip for 30 seconds.
Brush the other side of the sweet potatoes with marinade and flip for 30 seconds more.
Remove from heat and serve.
The Benefits of Eating Well during the Rehab Process
Following a healthy diet featuring plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is an excellent support strategy to use during the rehab process. Cooking whole, healthy foods is a strategy that complements your group or individual therapy process, since it ensures that your body is getting the vitamins and nutrients it needs to recover from the damage caused by alcohol or drug addiction.
Specific additional physical benefits of proper nutrition during the recovery process include:
- A boost to the immune system
- Support for repairing damage to internal tissues & organs
- Increased energy
- Improved mood
Studies also show that poor dietary habits can lead to relapse, so it’s critical to focus on giving your body the nutrients you need in order to achieve sustained recovery.
At 10 Acre Ranch, our counselors understand the importance of a complete, individually tailored recovery plan that takes nutrition into careful account. If you or someone you care about is trapped in the throes of addiction, we can help. Please contact an admissions counselor today to request insurance verification, discuss medical detox, or inquire about payment assistance.
