PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FAMILY GETAWAYS!

Collaboration with St-Méthode Bakery

 

Vacation season is in full swing! Summer means festivities, snacking at snack bars, and family picnics… but it also comes with its own host of challenges, both in terms of balanced diets and proper food safety. Here are some tips to help make for a fun—and healthy—summer!

A nutritious picnic spread

Everyone loves this fun and family-friendly activity! In a park, at the beach, or anywhere really, picnics can be balanced and healthy.

Here are a few sandwich ideas the whole family can dig into:

• Campagnolo bread with hummus and grilled vegetables

• Homestyle bread with tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, and basil

• Quinoa bread with tuna salad, celery, and apples

• Homestyle bread with Turkey à la Carl (see recipe below)

For a change from traditional mayonnaise, try spreading your bread with hummus, ricotta, pesto, or puréed eggplant. As a side, raw veggies and dip are always a hit! Vegetable and cheese skewers are a great option too.

While wicker picnic baskets may look charming, a cooler is essential to keep food fresh. Freezer gel packs are a must too. You can also use a frozen bottle of water… doing double duty as an ice pack at first and then as a beverage once it thaws. 

Boost your energy for hikes and other sports activities

If you’re the active type who likes to take advantage of the good weather to climb a mountain on foot or by bike, you need to make sure your breakfast provides you with the energy you need for these endurance activities. The keyword is carbohydrates! Carbs are the essential fuel your muscles need during exercise. Before heading out for your activity, make sure to eat a breakfast consisting of 2 slices of bread and some fruit to get 45 g of carbs, which will come in quite handy over the course of the day. During your hike, a drink containing electrolytes (sodium and potassium) and some sources of fast-acting carbohydrates (fruit bars, dried fruits, bananas, etc.) will help maintain your energy level throughout your activity. 

The Snack Bar… Reimagined

Planning to spend hours on the road as you head out to visit some of Quebec’s most beautiful regions? You may be tempted to succumb to the hot dog—an iconic symbol of “vacation.” But why not save a little and bring along a lunch for the whole family instead? Carl Pouliot, General Director of St-Méthode Bakery, loves turkey subs with a generous slathering of mayonnaise. To please his palate, I revisited his recipe using Homestyle bread, a classic that everyone is sure to enjoy. With 9 g of protein and 4 g of fibre, it’s a perfect blend of great taste and nutrients. See my recipe for a Chop Chop Turkey and Mayo Sandwich, created for the General Director:

 

Think Safe and Clean!

To fully enjoy eating outdoors, you need to follow certain safety guidelines to avoid food poisoning.

• Clean your hands with disinfectant wipes or an alcohol-based gel before handling food.

• Use a cooler, freezer packs, and cooler bags.

• Keep your cooler in the shade.

• Throw out perishable foods that have been exposed to the ambient temperature for more than 2 hours.

For over 70 years now, St-Méthode Bakery has been making healthy breads that are a perfect fit for summer menus. Explore the whole range of breads here: boulangeriestmethode.com/en

 

Want to know more about the St-Méthode Bakery product line? CLICK HERE

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