Paleo Picnic Ideas for Early Fall
As the weather gets cooler, don’t be tempted to stay indoors. Autumn is a great time to plan a picnic! Enjoy the colorful scenery and gentle breezes while snacking on fresh apples, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and sippin’ on a chai latte.
But don’t head into the park without a plan. Picnicking in the fall can be a little trickier than in the summer. Follow these easy steps to plan the perfect picnic.
Leave no trace
The Girl Scouts said it best: Always leave an area cleaner than you found it. One easy way to do this is to pack your food in reusable Tupperware and bring reusable plates, cups, and silverware. Plastic and glass containers aren’t only better for the environment, but aren’t going to blow away in the wind. Plus, metal silverware isn’t going to snap when you’re cutting through a crisp apple.
Bring layers
One of the positives of fall picnics is the cooler temperatures. You won’t be so desperate to find shade or feel sticky with sweat, but you also might get a little cold if you stay out for too long. Bring an extra sweatshirt, and if it’s especially chilly out, pack one or two extra blankets to wrap around yourself. Bonus points if they’re plaid!
Get moving
One easy way to stay warm is to be active. Toss around a football, kick a soccer ball, or just play catch—anything to keep your fingers and toes moving. Sports and games can be great for family bonding and keeping up with exercise even in the colder months. You could even start the day with a hike, and picnic at the top of a hill. Since the temperature is cool, your food isn’t likely to spoil if you eat it later.
Make it Paleo
Time outdoors can be rejuvenating. Make it even more beneficial by packing healthy Paleo foods! Apples aren’t the only seasonal produce this time of year—grapes, sliced bell peppers, celery, and carrots are fresh and easy picnic foods too.
Don’t feel limited to these simple finger-foods, though. Here are some of our favorite autumn-inspired Paleo recipes to prep ahead of time.
Pumpkin Spice Balls are an energizing, satiating fall treat you won’t want to miss. They’re made with Medjool dates, which have a low glycemic load and are high in fiber. This will keep your blood sugar levels from spiking, then crashing, as they do with prepackaged sugary snacks. Plus, they’re an easy, no-bake snack to prep, and they’re perfect for hikes in the fall since they won’t melt!
Fresh Brussels sprouts are lightly roasted before being tossed with red onion, sweet cranberries, and a lemon Dijon vinaigrette. This fall salad can be enjoyed cold, or you could bring aluminum foil to warm it in a packet on an outdoor grill.
Apple cider isn’t just a classic fall drink, it also makes for a great marinade for meats and veggies. You can use any cut of chicken you want for this recipe, but we recommend wings and drumsticks—that way you don’t need a fork and knife to eat them. As with the Brussels sprouts salad, cook the chicken ahead of time and eat cold or warm on a grill once you get there.
Happy picnicking!
