conscious eating
THANK YOU
OUTDOOR FEASTS N
Inspired Picnics and Healthy Grills by Marlaina Donato
othing defi nes the summer sea- son quite like fi ring up the grill or escaping with a picnic basket to a
To the healthcare professionals who are risking their lives during this epidemic, thank you for fighting COVID-19 on the front lines.
favorite hideaway. From luscious fruits to gorgeous greens, enjoying a meal outdoors inspires us to eat what is in season and invites us to sip the moment. Most of all, it gives us special time with loved ones or with ourselves. Ashley English, of Candler, North
Carolina, author of A Year of Picnics: Recipes for Dining Well in the Great Outdoors, sees picnics as a delicious excuse to eat healthy and in sync with the seasons. “No matter what time of year you’re picnicking, there’s always going to be something ripe and in season to showcase. We all know that foods eaten at their peak time of ripeness simply taste better, so use your summertime picnic as an opportunity to bite into a ripe water- melon or your autumn picnic as the ideal time to bake an apple crisp.”
Portable Pleasures T inking outside the box can jazz up the ordinary. English sings the praises of
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picnicking not only in woodlands and on beaches, but on rooſt ops. Being open to diff erent times of the day welcomes a shiſt in mood. “I’m particularly fond of breakfast picnics. T ey’re an excellent way to clear your head and get motivated, as they’re an activity fully engaging all of the senses. Twilight picnics are another favor- ite. As the sun begins to set, the light is less harsh and the mood outdoors becomes decidedly quieter. I fi nd picnics during this time of day to be especially relaxing,” says English. Simple tasks like washing salad greens
or whipping up a quick hummus dip the night before a picnic can save considerable time. Traditional picnic baskets are not required, and English recommends vintage suitcases, wooden crates or a backpack, especially if the picnic destination involves an uphill trek. She also emphasizes simplic- ity: “While a lavish spread with myriad options is quite fun, a simple picnic can be equally enjoyable. A grazing board to-go is quite easy. Pack up a medley of fruits, veggies, charcuterie or cheeses, crackers,
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