As summer approaches you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared with some great picnic ideas that will make this year one to remember
The word picnic is a curious one and, as you can probably already tell, has its roots in French. The first usage of the work was traced back to the 1692 edition of Tony Willis’, Origines de la Langue Française.
That edition mentioned the French word “pique-nique” which was used to describe a group of people who dined together in a restaurant, but brought their own wine.
That’s where the whole idea of a picnic, where each person contributes something, comes from, hence its name.
The last thing you want to do is to bring out the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that you make for every picnic
They are boring! Kids need variety and you’ll be surprised just how experimental the little ones can be food wise, given half the chance.
There are so many nutritious and healthy picnic idea options that are easy to organize and often very cost effective.
Junk food costs more than healthy food, as long as you know how and where to shop and what to do with produce you buy.
So the picnic ideas that we at Lifedaily came up with for you today are, on the whole, healthy ones, in our quest to help you keep your kids healthy, while not breaking the bank to do so.
We hope you will find these picnic ideas useful and that you will get some inspiration for your family picnics this summer.
Crudités
No we’re not trying to sound all smart and baffle you will French, Crudités are traditional French appetizers consisting of sliced raw vegetables which are dipped in a vinaigrette or mayonnaise sauce. Another great option is to cut up a bunch of healthy crisp veggies and have a pot of humous in the middle for dipping. Humous is made from garbanzo beans and is very healthy for growing kids.
Quinoa salads
While quinoa looks very much like couscous, it is, in fact, considered to be a superfood. It is a grain crop which is harvested for its seeds and is somewhere between a cereal and the grass family. It’s simple to prepare, and can be mixed very well with things like cucumber, avocados, tomatoes, and peppers to produce a delicious and nutritious salad.
Wholegrain Sandwiches
We’re sure you know by now that whole grains a lot healthier for you and your family than white bread. We can save the lecture on this one for another Lifedaily article but for now people, BUY WHOLE GRAINS! Did I make myself clear? The health benefits are numerous, but you’ll also find that brown or black bread is way more filling than the bleached white stuff and will leave kiddies bellies fuller for longer.
Real fruit juices and smoothies
Most of the sodas or even fruit juices on offer commercially have more sugar, preservatives and E numbers than you can imagine. They are not a healthy option no matter how natural the container may look. It’s worth taking the time and effort to make your own fresh fruit juices or even smoothies, which you pack up in large pitchers, keep cold on ice, and serve at the picnic. It’s worth persisting with this and getting your family used to homemade juices rather than the overpriced, unhealthy supermarket options.
Homemade Ices
Staying with the natural vibe, there’s nothing quite like some cold refreshing ices on a hot summer’s day to keep you and your family nice and cool. But be aware! The commercial ices you find in stores are full of sugar and preservatives and aren’t necessarily the healthiest option. It’s simple enough to take some lemon and mint leaves, or some freshly squeezed orange juice, and freeze it. One great idea is to use ice cube trays, but instead of filling them with water for normal ice why not try adding your favorite fresh juice.
So there you have it, some great healthy picnic ideas to keep you inspired this summer and keep your family happy and, hopefully, in good health.
If you have any healthy picnic idea suggestions please share them with our readers in the comments feed provided below.
