Jul 11 2009
Blurt: What’s in that Picnic Basket?
Looking for more summertime fun in the sun? Need something to do this weekend? You can enjoy a healthy picnic in the park. Yes, I said healthy. I am not talking about chips, potato salad, macaroni salad, fried chicken and beer. I know, I know that all sounds good to me too, in moderation. We are living a healthy lifestyle now, right? I am talking about making some healthy choices that are satisfying, filling and delicious with a day filled with lots of play time to get our exercise.
Get there early to make sure you get a picnic table and start the day off with some exercise. Bring a Frisbee®, baseball gloves, baseball, kick ball and/or a soccer ball to enjoy running around and playing some games. You can also have races and play games like tag and red rover if your gang is large enough.
Choose healthy foods to bring. Set out a spread of healthy appetizers. This can include celery sticks, carrot sticks, broccoli, cucumbers, mushrooms, fat free dip, whole wheat crackers, cheese chunks and fruit.
Bring drinks like water and iced tea made with a sugar substitute and/or lemon. If you must have alcohol, opt for wine instead of beer and sugar filled drinks like daiquiris and margaritas. Again, remember the key to our success is moderation.
For the meal you can have sandwiches made with lean roast beef, turkey and/or chicken on whole wheat bread. Be sure to have all the fixings to put on them like lettuce, tomato, onions, peppers, bean sprouts, relish and mustard.
If you are going to grill use boneless skinless chicken breasts, veggie burgers, corn and baked potatoes.
For dessert have watermelon and other fruits available. Stay away from desserts filled with sugar or use a sugar substitute when baking. Make an angel food cake with strawberries or blueberries as toppings.
Finish the day with a leisurely stroll or a bicycle ride through the park or maybe a game of Frisbee® golf.
It is possible to have a picnic filled with healthy foods and exercise. Do not think you have to bring a separate meal for your children since they do not have a weight problem. It is a lifestyle change that we are trying to achieve. We want them to live healthy as well. I was once an active child without a weight problem but it was my unhealthy habits that led to my weight gain. We are not on a diet; a diet is only the foods that we consume. It can be healthy or unhealthy depending on the choices that we make. We can achieve the weight loss we are seeking. It only takes our willingness to make the healthy choices in our lives. I have now lost over 80 pounds and I am on my way to being a happier and healthier me. You can do it as well. Just commit yourself to your goals. I am sure you can make it. God Bless and enjoy this summer by taking a picnic.
How have you made healthy choices in your path to achieve your goals?
Oh I love summer, and picnics. However, I can not weight till football time. I am going to start to make different salsa instead of buying the can stuff. I do believe that eating is hard for everyone. Its so much fun to eat the bad stuff. But I need to be held accountable for what I put in my mouth!!! Good luck with your Journey and I hope that you have a blessed week
Mary
Mary,
MMM, Homemade salsa sounds good with football. My son makes some that has just the right amount of fire to it. It sure is good and white corn tortilla chips are not that high in calories as compared to other chips. We have to remember to follow serving sizes and eat in moderation. That is the problem I have. I love them so much before I know it the whole bag is gone. So I have learned to portion them out and put the bag away.
I also like to put salsa on other things like turkey burgers and in sandwich wraps. I will make my own wraps using whole wheat soft taco shells and add lean sandwich meat, salsa, bell peppers, lettuce and a small amount of shredded cheese. They are really good and not too high in calories.
Thank you for your comments and I wish you the best of luck on your path to your goals of living a healthier lifestyle.
God Bless,
Brian, the old man
Thanks for your kind words. I did enjoy your blog post on High Fructose Corn Syrup and I will keep tabs on it and hope that you will keep tabs on mine as well. I hope you enjoy your trip to Lake Lanier. I have been there numerous times and always find it enjoyable. It’s a great place for picnics and fun in the sun. Have a great time. Thanks again for your comments. Take care.
Brian, the old man
Wow!…I didn’t realize that eating healthy could include so much delicious foods.Some of the things that you mentioned made my mouth water.I agree with you,everything in moderation is the key.A little of this,a little of that.Binging is the problem. You asked…”How have you made healthy choices in your path to achieve your goals?” To be honest with you,I haven’t as yet really.Is it too late for me?
The picture that you have up has me wishing that I was at that lake right now!
We can eat healthy even on a picnic. We can choose healthy foods and enjoy our day with lots of fun and exercise. It is never too late to make healthy choices in our lives. I am sure you will enjoy my article entitled, Blurt: Too Old, Too Busy to Exercise? Dare to Dream. It highlights a couple of success stories that I found motivating.
I’m with you, I would love to be at that lake right now! Take care and hAv a Gr8 dAy!
Brian, the old man