Nothing says summer in America like piling into the car with your entire family or all of the friends you can fit (plus one) to drive to the water or some entertaining destination. Whether you’re doing a proper cross-country roadtrip or spending a day at the beach, these cooler-friendly recipes will keep you in yummy meals and luscious sweet treats while keeping you on track with your nutrition goals.
Couscous & Cherry Salad
There’s a little cheese in the recipe, but you can skip it for a picnic–we found the flavor amazing without it. And with this one, a little extra time to marinate only improve the awesome final flavors. (2 Guiding Stars)
Chickpea Salad
Front-load the serving work on this dish by layering it into single-serving containers, keeping the roasted chickpeas on the side to keep them crisp. (2 Guiding Stars)
Brussels Sprouts Slaw
Whether you’re eating it as a side salad with grilled fish or using it to add crunchy flavor to a veggie burger, this mayo-free slaw brings great flavor to the picnic table without food safety concerns. (2 Guiding Stars)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Similar to the two-ingredient cake mix recipe but with much better nutrition, these amazing little morsels will melt in your mouth. Do keep them in a cooler to prevent the chocolate from melting before it hits your tongue, though. (2 Guiding Stars)
Quinoa Granola
Granola is an awesome snack for driving, hiking, scooping up after a swim. Many pre-made versions are packed with sugar, but this lightly sweetened version will give you the whole-grain energy without the sugar crash. (2 Guiding Stars)
Thai Carrot Salad
Pinky-swear: this is going to be your new favorite salad for a beach party. Crisp crunch, zesty flavor–it’s all around a refreshing, cooler-safe option for a snack or side on a hot day. (1 Guiding Star)
Homemade Snack Bars
These eat like a tasty, hippy version of one of your favorite childhood treats. Made gooey with date paste, they’re a fun alternative to graham crackers to play with if you’re making s’mores around a campfire. (1 Guiding Star)