Its usually better in theory than in practice. Regardless, many of us get filled with the romantic hopes and dreams of picnics. And this dream often assumes exactly the right weather with a food stylist worthy spread.
But the quest for perfection is boring. Instead, why not make this years picnic more dedicated to health than the picnics of years past?
The good ol summer staples for picnics do not exactly swing towards quinoa and grilled vegetables. But why cant they? Most people enjoy a little deviation from the norm, and your recipes may become the new tradition. Weve compiled some tips to inspire creativity while maintaining your healthy physique when youre blanket bound:
1)Take the expected recipes and turn them on their heads. Google is your sous chef. Potato salad fan? There are scores of recipes that include everything from yogurt cheese tovinaigretteto lighten up the caloric load and excite your palate. Win-win.
2)Bring a new recipe that you have been itching to trybut is a little time consuming to be part of your regular repertoire. Cauliflower pizza crust, brown rice salad or black bean brownies are all ideas. If you succeed, you really have snuck health in an unexpected place. If you fail, there are other things to eat and there is much frolicking to be done anyway.
3)Dont worry too much about variety. When people travel they often come back with the mantra simple is best. So slice up some tomatoes from your garden, and bring along some sea salt to sprinkle on summers produce. Pack a bunch of well chilled cherries, or some hummus and flax crackers. That itself can be a great picnic, enjoyed with the people you like best.
4)Pack toys. Bring along some badminton racquets with birdies or a soccer ball and move off of the blanket at some point. Guzzle some water with lemon and come back to blanket for a nap.
Perhaps a picnic can live up to its idealistic expectations. Or, it can be perfectly imperfect.
