Suggestions for picnic type lunches please

[worm761]

We like to go out and be busy on the weekends. Last weekend we went hiking in some nature trails at a state park. We will go to other state parks in the area, the zoo, parks, and whatever else I can find. We are often out during lunch time. I prefer that we pack a lunch to take with us. It is generally healthier and cheaper.

Last weekend we took sandwiches with deli meat and fruit. We will be taking along the same this coming weekend. Other than sandwiches, I know that wraps travel well too. We are stopping and eating on trails or some places have picnic tables but not really the ability to cook so much. I am thinking that sandwiches/salads/wraps are going to get boring. Just looking for some good ideas of what to take. I have me, DH, DS17, and DD3.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Southernmiss]

We like to go out and be busy on the weekends. Last weekend we went hiking in some nature trails at a state park. We will go to other state parks in the area, the zoo, parks, and whatever else I can find. We are often out during lunch time. I prefer that we pack a lunch to take with us. It is generally healthier and cheaper.

Last weekend we took sandwiches with deli meat and fruit. We will be taking along the same this coming weekend. Other than sandwiches, I know that wraps travel well too. We are stopping and eating on trails or some places have picnic tables but not really the ability to cook so much. I am thinking that sandwiches/salads/wraps are going to get boring. Just looking for some good ideas of what to take. I have me, DH, DS17, and DD3.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Hummus and vegetables or cheese and pepperoni/salami and crackers

 

[wishesuponastar]

We are planning on going to the beach this Sunday and I want to take some cold fried chicken!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Do they like boiled eggs? If no allergies, peanut butter, or just nuts. Some good protein. Cheese sticks, fruit of any kind, apple sauce or any other type of the squeeze packs of fruits.

 

[zoemurr]

Try some frozen smoothies

Use plain or vanilla yogurt. We usually mix in some OJ, spinach and a banana in the blender. Freeze in small containers. My kids put them in their lunches. It keeps the other food cold and is still mostly frozen for them to eat at lunch time.

Bagels and cream cheese might be something different.. pizza wraps, a big chef salad, rice cakes with peanut butter, home made granola..

We usually do what we call "snack lunch". Crackers, cheese, pepperoni, fruit, carrot sticks and ranch, or any other small finger foods. Then everyone can mix and match what they want.

 

[worm761]

Thank you for the suggestions. It seems so simple and yet, I draw a blank.

 

[Dizneydaz]

My mom has this thing that she wants tuna fish when we go to the beach so we mix up some tuna fish (have to due 2 types-my DD13 likes really mayo and no celery, my DM and I like Miracle Whip with celery.)

We don't make the sandwiches ahead, don't want soggy bread. Also bring along some pickles and potato chips, to add to the sandwiches. If we are low on bread we will bring along crackers and eat the tuna on crackers.

I also like the idea of fried/baked chicken. We've done that as well. Either bringing it along cold, or pick some up and eating it hot/warm (just eat it soon so you won't get sick.)

Cheese and crackers with our without meats is good.

Freeze juice bags ahead of time and they will keep your food cold and be refreshing when you drink them.

We've also enjoyed cut up melons-watermelon, cantaloupe, etc. Carrot sticks too.

 

[Sagginit]

look up the idea of bento boxes. my coworker got one and does them with italian food. she does pasta salad, cheese, meats (some like sausage that are cured are better for not staying super cold), giardinera (sp?) its italian pickled veggies. the vinegar salads also cut down on food spoiling a bit. you can also experiment with the asian food combos.

try mixing up the brands you buy for variety. there are tons of flavors of crackers for example. i pack my lunch for work and a simple thing like mixing up the lettuce and dressing on my turkey sandwich make all the difference.

when i hike in my backpack other than a sandwich i bring yogurt (eaten within a few hours), nuts or trail mixes, dried fruit, protein bars, fruit, water. i keep it to things that won't leak and dont have tons of packaging since its all in my backpack with me going in and out.

 

[wishesuponastar]

My tip if you bring watermelon is to bring toothpicks to eat it without getting sandy from your hands.

 

[worm761]

Thank you for the added suggestions. Three of us wear camelbacks since it is so hot out here in Florida. We are trying to get it so we are carrying the minimum. I know we will get better with practice. I love the idea of the crackers/cheese/meat and the bento box type meals. Will have to look more at that.

 

[Rosiekins]

I was going to suggest Bento Boxes too. I do them for myself to eat at home or out. In fact I am nibbling one as I type this filled with Caprese salad, sliced chicken, raw peas, chopped peaches and strawberries. I do the character ones a lot but you certainly do not have to do that much work!

I love them cause you can fill them with anything! Sandwiches, veggies, leftovers, etc. As long as you fill them full (lining with lettuce helps) they travel so so well! You don't have to stick to Asian food but Onigiri (Rice balls, you can have them plain or stuffed) is so so yummy and travels excellently plus it is great cold or room temp! You can get them off Amazon or http://www.allthingsforsale.com/104-bento-box-lunch-box. I think the metal ones or the ones from MonBento would be excellent for hiking! You can check out some blogs for ideas on how to fill them.

 

[Soulsearching]

Boil water and put into a thermos, add hot dogs and screw on the lid. Pack buns and condiments, Hot hot dogs ready to go.

The night before, boil bow tie macaroni, add Italian salad dressing, add olives, cherry tomatoes, put in the fridge, ready to go in the morning. Won't go bad.

Add fruit and water.

Good to go.

 

[pjlla]

Dried fruit, nuts, cold cereal, yogurt, mini bagels (plain or pre-spread with nut butter or cream cheese or hummus), individual cheese portions, grapes, melon chunks, bananas, apples, cold pizza, hard-boiled eggs, carrot /celery/jicama sticks/grape tomatoes and hummus, just ideas......P

 

[Lisa71]

We buy a few Go Picnic boxes that do not have to be kept cold for backup and ditto the other suggestions.

 

[monorailsilver]

Just thinking of my kids school lunches, they have the thermos metal containers and I have sent Mac and cheese and soup and my daughter has told me at times that the soup is still too hot to eat 5 hours later. Not that you want soup in the heat. Or pasta too.

I have also put chicken nuggets in there for my son. I just heat up the container with water and dump it after the nuggets are cooked. I keep the nuggets wrapped in foil and put them in the container and they are still hot.

Cold pizza

Stuffed breads-sausage, sausage and peppers, meatball, spinach, broccoli, pepperoni, etc...

Cold fried/BBQ chicken.

Now I am hungry !