I live in Minnesota where it is cold eight months out of the year. Summer is the one chance to really get out and enjoy the outdoors, so it’s best to take advantage of it while it’s here, and that usually means more outings, more running around, more activities. But it doesn’t have to mean more drive-thrus. With just a little bit of organization, you can ready yourself for a summer of easy meals and even meals on the go that don’t involve a single French fry.
Pack a Picnic Basket
You don’t really need a picnic basket for this, but what I am referring to is packing a bag or small box full of things that allow you to seize the day. Just a few weeks ago on a randomly warm day here, we were out grocery shopping as a family on the weekend.
The plan was to go home to prepare dinner, but it was so nice outside (and we weren’t quite done running around) that we decided we’d have a picnic. We simply grabbed a rotisserie chicken, a few rolls, coleslaw and grapes and set off to a picnic at the park overlooking one of the many lakes near our house in between our shopping stops.
You don’t need much to be picnic ready. A small container that slips under the seat should suffice.
What to pack:
- – paper or polycarbonate plates, one for each member of your family
- plastic forks and knives
- napkins
- bibs for younger children
- wet wipes
Make More Protein
I have found that having excess cooked protein is always a good thing. On the night when my husband is grilling, I simply toss a few extra pieces of chicken on the grill. If I’m making lentils, I make extra. It is as simple as that. I then store the protein in the fridge if I know I will need it that week, or I freeze it in airtight containers. This way I can always have a dinner ready in just a few minutes. It’s perfect for unexpected outings or when the kids’ baseball games run long.
A few simple ideas:
Chicken Salad Sandwiches: Extra chicken becomes a meal quickly when it’s chopped and tossed with a squeeze of lemon, a couple stray vegetables and some mayo. Put it between two slices of bread with a thin slice of cheese and you have a meal.
Chicken Quesadillas: We always have extra sour cream and salsa in the house. Simply top one tortilla with chicken chunks, salsa, cheese, top with another tortilla and heat on a griddle, flipping once until cheese is melted. Cut into triangles, wrap in foil and bring along wherever you’re going.
Texas Caviar: I adore chips and salsa, and this is like chips and salsa taken to the next level. Add cooked beans to diced tomatoes and peppers, maybe some canned corn and olives. Then simply add a bit of Italian dressing. Tastes better after it’s been sitting. Serve with corn chips.
Hard-boiled Eggs: This one goes without saying, really, but they make an excellent portable meal and are easy to have ready beforehand. Packed with protein and low in calories, they fill you up and keep you satisfied.
Pack a Table
Sometimes you don’t even have to leave your yard to enjoy the weather. One of my family’s favorite summertime activities is moving dinner outdoors. This became a problem when we moved three years ago without any patio furniture. Rather than give up this favorite pastime, we simply improvised. A bed sheet is large enough to hold all of us, and it will also cover dirty wagons that are converted into rolling buffets. Use an old one that you don’t use any longer. Sit on the steps, in the grass, on beach towels and, yes, your bed sheets. Get outside and enjoy eating without a roof over your head.
Simply pack a makeshift table to eat wherever you may be, even in your own house. Try stepping outside for a bowl of granola in the morning with fresh fruit. There is nothing more refreshing than a dewy morning before the summer’s hot sun starts baking the ground.
What do you do to enjoy the weather of the summer months with your family?
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My daughter has loved “picnics” in our house over the winter (cloth thrown out on the living room floor and lots of finger foods spread out)! I really need to focus this summer on getting some outdoor picnics in – thanks for the reminder and tips!
We love chicken quesadillas at our house and they are extra easy with the pre-cooked chicken like you suggested. Recently our AC was broken for a few days when it was in the 80′s and 90′s out. My hubby threw the tortilla on the grill topped it with quesadilla filling and another tortilla and then turned it when the 1st side started to crisp up. It turned out great and didn’t require heating up the house with the stove! Just thought I would pass it along.
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