Who doesn’t love packing up a picnic lunch and heading out for the day?! Whether you are driving out to the mountains, or just going to take a walk in a park, we have some great ideas for packing a delicious picnic lunch!
What are some healthy things you can include in your picnic basket? Well, for starters, we recommend you use a picnic cooler with ice or ice packs! This will ensure that your food stays cold and is not spoiled by that hot sun! Make sure you don’t leave out food for too long in warm temperatures as food can go rancid and could even make you sick.
Raw Nuts and Seeds: Include a trail mix for a light snack in your picnic basket! Mix together some of your favourite nuts and seeds, and then add some dried unsulphured fruit. My favourite is raw almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried cherries and coconut. As a treat add some natural chocolate chips (try Enjoy Life), carob chips, or if you enjoy a darker and bitter taste, try raw cacao nibs.
Cheese and Crackers: pick up some organic mild cheddar cheese (You might notice that organic cheddar cheese is not orange; yes, cheddar cheese is orange in color because producers add coloring agents to get it that way). Find some healthy crackers, like Mary’s or Dr. Krackers, and serve!
Fruit: Don’t want to drip juice down your shirt?! Cut up fruit at home into individual slices and bring them in re-sealable containers. Pack up many different types of fruits like pears, grapes, apples, oranges, and the picnic favorite watermelon. Fresh fruit provides the body with many nutrients and fruit is also high in water content, helping to keep you hydrated.
Speaking of hydration, one of the most important things to remember to pack for your picnic is water. When out in the sun it is important to stay hydrated, so bring lots of bottles of water. When we feel thirsty we are already beginning to be dehydrated, so it is important to keep drinking all day!
Salads:
Potato Salad: When people think of picnic they think of potato salad; just ensure that it stays cool and is not out in the warm sun for too long. Mix up some of this salad and serve for a family favourite! This Simple Potato Salad is made with organic mayonnaise, organic mustard, honey, and fresh dill! We also created a Creamy Potato Salad that uses organic plain yogurt, fresh herbs, and even spinach for a delicious salad!
Bean Salads: Bean salads are great to bring out on picnics; they can be eaten as a salad, or put in a whole grain wrap for a more filling meal. I bring sprouted grain wraps and fill them with some of our black bean and corn salad. This meal is a source of whole grains, protein, fiber, and vegetables. Plus it gives me energy to throw around a Frisbee!
Cut up vegetables into thin slices and have those to munch on as snacks. Bring along one of our dressings, like our Creamy Dill Dressing, and use it as a dip for the veggies!
And don’t forget the snacks. Prepare some of our granola bars on our website. Try to keep them cold or the chocolate chips will melt in the sun and they won’t be as fun to eat!
Don’t forget your sunscreen, hat, and bug spray!
