We spend endless hours in the summer on the dock of our lake, swimming, sunning, playing Uno, reading and laughing. Some of my favourite family memories have been made in the weather-beaten red adirondack chairs, as we share a story and a snack.
Every day around noon, I traipse back up to the kitchen to rustle up a healthy, tasty, “sun-proof” & portable lunch, and drag it all back down to the waterʼs edge. So, I thought I would share a couple of our favourite summer lunch items that are portable and picnic-worthy:
Frozen Cubed Fruit: keep whole strawberries, blueberries, grapes and banana slices in your freezer, then grab a baggie, and go. If they are still frozen by the time you get around to eating them, they are that much more refreshing (Freezing also eliminates the annoying summer fruit flies!)
Fresh Hummus and carrots, celery and whole wheat pita pieces
Fruit Kabobs: you can also make these and freeze in advance
“Banana Wrap”: whole wheat pita spread with peanut or almond butter and wrapped around a banana
Deli Plates: nitrate-free sliced turkey or chicken, cubed cheese, whole grain crackers, raisins, olives, baby tomatoes, sliced apples and carrots
PB&J: Never underestimate the power of this simple sandwich, parents! Made with whole grain bread, natural peanut or almond butter and a low sugar, natural fruit spread, this is an awesome source of protein, complex carbs and healthy fat!
Dinner for Lunch: leftover BBQ chicken, sliced and served cold with veggies and fruit
Cold Pesto Pasta Salad: I keep a tub of pre-cooked whole grain pasta in the fridge in the summer. I also usually freeze leftover pesto in ice-cube trays then transfer to baggies. I just defrost a cube, and toss with the pasta and some shredded carrots, baby tomatoes, zucchini, or other seasonal fruit, and maybe some leftover cubed chicken, then serve cold.
Water with floating lemon, cucumber slices, or frozen berries: For some reason, kids will drink twice as much “fancy water” as plain water! Remember, their thirst sensors are not as fine-tuned as adults, so make regular hydration non-negotiable on hot days!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far! Stay healthy and happy.
Wendy McCallum, LLB, RHN, is passionate about providing busy parents with the tools & support they need to feed their families wholesome food, so everyone can play, learn, and feel better! She is a mother of two terrific nine-year old kids. For information and recipe ideas, visit her website or pick-up her cookbook