Instructional &
Informational Posts
Your health is an everyday journey, but some days (and particular situations) can be tough to keep it up. We’re sharing tips on how to bring health into health-sucking situations so you can still fit into your fave pair of jeans (long after the fun is done).
It’s 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 year’s 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 can’t they? Most people enjoy a little deviation from the norm, and your recipes may become the new tradition. We’ve compiled some tips to inspire creativity while maintaining your healthy physique when you’re 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 to vinaigrette to lighten up the caloric load and excite your palate. Win-win.
2) Bring a new recipe that you have been itching to try but 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) Don’t 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 summer’s 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.
--
Courtney Sunday has two cats and a boyfriend who are very patient with her health and wellness obsessions. She teaches yoga, Pilates and indoor cycling and gives Thai massages through her Toronto business Om at Home Yoga. When she is tuckered out, she takes up the sport of sleeping.
