Summertime is outside-time, and it’s just around the corner! Say goodbye to restaurants during the warm season and get outdoors! Create a picnic! Start planning now.
Forget eating indoors, go outside! Enjoy the warm weather, cool breezes, and fresh atmosphere.
Summer can be vacation time. School’s out! Let’s forget about work, housework, and homework for a minute and plan some healthy family picnics because healthy minds and healthy bodies go hand in hand.
Picnics offer quality time we can spend with loved ones. With good planning, that quality time will include healthy, quality foods. Imagine the goodness of a picnic at a beach or in the mountains with your family. If you don’t have a beach or mountains, use the internet to locate the greatest parks near you. Feel that cool summer breeze on your face while you relax in the warmth of the sun. With a beach or swimming hole, splashing in the cool water is also super fun.
Think of some other activities that will take you outside.
- Play fetch with the dog
- Fly a kite with your loved ones
- Play with a Frisbee
- Go for a nature walk
- Get a group together and play volleyball or basketball
- Just sit under the cool shade of a tree and enjoy your healthy, happy picnic afternoon
In today’s world, we’ve become so stressed and intense, everybody’s in the race to do more, win something, achieve something, or climb to the top. We’re losing the sense of goodness in the little things. We’re missing out on the real pleasures of life. So it’s become very important to let yourself out for a day without worrying about the business deal you’re working on, the clothes that need to be washed, or the lawn that needs mowed. Go on, Relax. Have some fun with your family--celebrate your time with them. It’s the most beneficial way of keeping yourself healthy after long, stressful days.
Tips for Picnic Day:
- PB&J is the king of all sandwiches. Try organic nut butters and higher quality jams that are fruit only. For example, almond butter, cashew butter, macadamia nut butter and even tahini.
- Pack all sauces and tomatoes separately.
- If you can, assemble onsite better for the crispness of the sandwich.
- If you have a little camping stove, you can make hot sandwiches on your picnic.
- I don’t do mayo or vegan cheese, but some people do. Adjust your picnics to your own taste.
Cold
- Hummus, pesto, and roasted veggies with arugula
- Vegan meatball with marinara and vegan cheese on a French roll
- Vegan bacon, lettuce, and tomato with onion and avocado
- Grilled tofu with avocado, onion, and alfalfa sprouts
- Salad sandwich because most great salads with great dressing are extra great in a sandwich; use this dressing to make sure it’s extra awesome
- Turkey avocado with vegan turkey slices, onions, avocado, mustard, or mayo options.
Hot
- Avocado on toast with added nooch if desired; it’s simple and amazing
- Vegan meatball with marinara and vegan cheese on a French roll
- Vegan Reuben with grilled rye bread, avocado, sauerkraut, mustard, and grilled tempeh inside
- Vegan burger with pickles, lettuce, tomato, arugula, and avocado
- Hummus, grilled peppers, vegan steak strips (like fajitas topped with cilantro) or vegan Italian sausage (like sausage and peppers top with basil), or vegan sage sausage (more German with grilled onions and sauerkraut).
The Devil’s in the Details
- Bring some organic chips, salsa, pickles, and olives, and you’re all set!
- Don’t forget plates and such. To avoid paper plate waste, if you have an unbreakable set of plates and cups bring those along, then take them home in a bag or bin to wash. Not that big of a deal.
Hopefully I’ve included everything you need here except puppies and Frisbees to make your outing amazing. Don’t forget your ice chest full of Sunwarrior smoothies too!
