The Picnic Challenge

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It's summer picnic season, and time to enjoy fun, friends and family in the back yard. And with great summer picnics comes the 'pot luck' nature of everyone bringing their favorite dish to share. You'll see every kind of pasta salad and potato salad imaginable, along with the cheese and ring bologna platters (with some salami and wild game thrown in) to five kinds of 7 layer dip, to be eaten with any number of potato and tortilla chips. What's a nutritionally-conscious eater to do?

The simple answer is, "roll with it." I've said for years that Jennifer and I aren't militant about our power pantry wellness lifestyle. Our ability to make good food and eating choices has taken time to solidify, but it's now solid. Not that we aren't tempted by yummy bad-for-you stuff that shows up at the big picnic, it's just that we know the consequences of each poor food choice. Aching joints, the drooping lethargy and congestion from lots of dairy, the skin breakouts, the gut issues... not to mention the instant addition of numerous pounds of unneeded weight.

And yet hiding among all those tasty, calorie laden selections, there are always some gems worthy of a power pantry. Is there a veggie tray? How about fresh lettuce and sliced tomatoes for burgers? Maybe a red-skinned potato salad made with light mayo? Put a burger on a bed of lettuce and skip the roll (or go for whole wheat if they're available) and complement it with the veggies and a little potato salad... viola! You're eating an okay meal, and don't have to skimp too much.

Baked beans are a good option as well, in moderation, and a layered dip with fresh guacamole and light on the dairy could be a winner. I think successful picnic eating really comes down to perspective and attitude. I always challenge myself, "there certainly must be something among the picnic food that would fit in our power pantry"; I assume success and look until I find it. And I rarely go home hungry. And for dessert, there's bound to be some fresh fruit or watermelon available. And maybe you can sneak that bite of chocolate brownie, and close your eyes and savor it with a sense of accomplishment, once you've conquered yet another gathering, while making nutritious food choices.

Good luck this picnic season - I know you can enjoy the time with family and friends and still respect all you've accomplished through your power pantry.

By the Way

Jen and I have settled into being the ones to take something 'healthier' to the outings we attend. Not something too off the wall or weird just something that tips the needle more to the nutritious side than not. So we'll take a bowl of grapes, or a veggie tray, or a bag of corn chips and jar of salsa. 

The point is, belief in the value of power pantry choices starts with us, and we need to walk the talk and provide what resources we can to folks. Happy Summer!