How to Fuel Up for Summer Fun

PLUS an Eating Out Guide + Summer Sunrise Smoothie Recipe!

Summer is an excellent time to relax and hang around the house more. Not quite. It’s not filled with your everyday activities, but there is a lot of go-go, even if it’s for fun reasons. 

No one likes being hungry, and after a fun outing, a restaurant is the last place you want to be exhausted from a day of summer fun. Sure, there’s always the drive-thru, but not many good food options are in a drive-thru bag. 

With some forethought, summer outings can be fun and less stressful. 

Headed to the beach? Here’s what’s in our bag: 

• Protein – peanut butter or turkey sandwich on sprouted grain bread or a container of pistachios or another nut. Other options would be organic beef sticks, turkey pepperonis, and cheese.

• A fruit and veggie

• Bar – brands we love: Clif organic Zbar, Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar, Nature Valley granola bars, or Annie’s chocolate chip bar

• Snack – like Pirate’s Booty, veggie sticks, whole wheat pretzels, or something similar

• Water bottle

Are summer sports going strong? Packing for the beach is similar, but having lots of water is important, too! And if the weather is warm, bring extra fresh fruit to help with hydration. 

• String cheese, nuts, turkey breast, pepperonis, leftover organic beef hot dogs, hummus packs, guacamole packs

• Oranges, blueberries, strawberries, applesauce, carrot sticks, jicama sticks, cucumbers

• A box of organic Zbars, a box of Rx bars, a box of Nature’s Bakery fig bars, a box of Aussie bites from Costco, almond butter cookies from Trader Joe’s

• Air-popped popcorn, veggie sticks, tortilla chips, whole wheat pita chips.

• Two one-gallon water bottles, a 24-pack of water bottles, and Honest Kids juice boxes.

The mall is the one place you can go without bringing a feast. Many food courts have salad and Asian cuisine options with rice and veggie bowls. Jamba Juice is a great place to grab a smoothie if you know how to order it (no sherbet and added greens and Greek yogurt). 

If you are out on an unexpected adventure and it’s time to eat, there are a few places we recommend:

Here at CCN, we believe it’s always better to eat than skip meals. Even with all the prep and planning, real life happens, and plans change. Keeping nuts or bars in your car or purse is a good idea. An even better idea is to have a health-conscious carb to go with them, like apples or oranges, which both travel well. 

And for those summer vacations, you can read our CCN Travel Blog HERE. 

One quick and easy way to start your summer adventures off right is with a CCN smoothie. Take advantage of the beautiful stone fruit in season and blend up a smoothie before you head out the door. This Summer Sunrise Smoothie has everything you need to keep you full and satisfied until lunch. 

Summer Sunrise Smoothie

Blend:

• 1/2 frozen banana

• 1 pitted apricot

• 5-6 strawberries

• 5 baby carrots

• 1 teaspoon beet powder (optional)

• 1 Tablespoon hemp seeds

• 1 Tablespoon cashew butter

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 scoop collagen peptides (optional)

• 4-8 ounces of unsweetened coconut or nut milk

• Ice, if desired