Ladies Night Out (side) Barbecue
It's All About Style...Low Fat & Fabulous

Fourth of July festivities, bachelorette parties and birthday celebrations are just a few theme parties where decorating is an essential ingredient. From balloons to confetti to streamers, coordinate your decorating style to add pizzazz to the party. If it's not an actual holiday, turn your grilling get-together into a fabulously themed celebration, such as a Mexican fiesta with tasteful touches and themed décor that complement the occasion.

If you're hosting a daytime gathering, make sure to set up the dining area in a location that is in the shade or under an umbrella to prevent sunburned skin and protect the food. Dress up the table with linens that reflect your personal style. Mix and match napkins, placemats, plates and even silverware.

Waiting for the sun to go down? Set the mood for the evening with lighting. Be sure to have enough light around the grill, but soften the tone with dim lighting, such as tea candles, for the dining area. Place candles and torches throughout the backyard to create your own ambiance. Use citronella candles to keep the bugs away.

You don't have to break the bank on centerpieces. Simply jazz up the patio with an assortment of flowers or plants in pots of different colors and patterns.

A simple way to add style to the party is to ditch the old cooler and fill a galvanized bucket with ice to keep drinks cool.

You Go, Girl!

Even though you're the host, you don't have to miss a minute of the fun. Show off your grillin' skills by preparing the entire menu on the grill - from appetizers to desserts - so you can spend more time gabbing with your girlfriends and less time running to the kitchen. Complete recipes are available at TheOtherWhiteMeat.com:

Get the party started with an appetizer that you can throw on the grill as soon as the gals arrive. Fast off-the-Grill Chorizo Quesadillas, featuring a variety of ingredients including black beans, cheese, cilantro and salsa, are a delicious way to kick off the festivities. Assemble the quesadillas beforehand and put them on the grill when guests arrive so they are hot and deliciously crisp.

For the main course, liven things up with Breezy and Easy Marinated Pork Tenderloin, a perfect entrée for grilling get-togethers. Like the perfect black dress that can be dressed up or down for any occasion, pork tenderloin is the grill girl's recipe basic. Spice it up with the Go Southwest marinade, or layer the flavors with the Go Asian marinade - sweet and pungent with a touch of ginger. Two winning marinades; one simple technique.

Choose side dishes that complement your entrée. Rather than serve a traditional mayonnaise-based potato salad at your next grill party, try Grilled New Potato Salad with Bacon and Scallions, which features grilled potatoes drizzled with olive oil.

Grill up a dessert, such as Caramel Frozen Yogurt Pie with Grilled Peaches, as sweet as your girlfriends. Take fresh peach halves coated in melted butter and brown sugar and grill them immediately following dinner. Place them atop a pre-made caramel frozen yogurt pie that can be assembled 1 to 2 days before the party and serve!

Ladies' night out would not be complete without a selection of delicious cocktails on hand. Whether you feature margaritas, wine or beer, keep a supply of beverages on hand and give your girlfriends a variety of choices, including non-alcoholic options.

Low-fat and Fabulous

When planning your gathering, keep in mind health-conscious partygoers. Here are a few tips to help you prepare fabulous low-fat meals without depriving your taste buds:

Use cuts with the words "loin" in their name for the leanest meats, such as pork tenderloin or loin chop. Cuts with minimal visible fat are the leanest.

Cooking on the grill is a great low-fat cooking method. It requires no added fat in cooking and maximizes the natural flavor of meat and produce.

Season meats with herbs and spices (other than salt) to boost flavor and cut back on fat and salt at the same time. Rub herbs and spices onto pork before grilling. Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and low-fat sauces and marinades to discover new ways to enjoy healthful eating.

Use favorite foods like sharp cheeses and herb-flavored oils to flavor your dishes, but cut the amount in half. Or, try low-fat cheeses or whipped or reduced-fat butter.

To get the most benefit from the vegetables you are eating, use less of a regular salad dressing or use a fat-free variety or herb-flavored vinegar instead. Instead of cream-based sauces, choose sauces made with skim milk or fat-free broth.