It is a warm, inviting day. You would like to hit the beach with the family, or take your e-bike out around the lake with your toddler in the bike trailer! You want to hang around on your deck, talking about why the sky is blue with your 6-year old, or pick strawberries with your preschooler. Your talents as a gardener, naturalist and are in more demand than your function as the family cook.
Face it! You have better things to do in the summer than stand over a hot stove. In the summertime, when everybody’s warm and on the go, “grazing” and food that you take out or bring in are good ways to keep your schedule flexible and your summer fun.
Stock the fridge and cupboards. Children love to graze, adults do too – that is, have a little something to eat here and a little something to each there. (Just standing in front of an open refrigerator door has endless fascination for some children.)
Put in a supply of healthy food they can serve themselves: Yogurt, fresh fruit, muffins, whole-grain crackers, hard-boiled eggs, fruit juice popsicles, carrot sticks, banana bread, sliced turkey, what they like that is good for them and easy. Eating lunch or supper assembled of these items outside under the tree or in your neighborhood park will leave little clean-up and more time to do the important things in life, like have water balloon fights!
Take-out: This has gone to a new level this past year! Restaurants, grocery stores, and food trucks that have good reasonably priced take-out food and lets you have your cake-or tacos and nachos-and eat it at home, this is especially important if your kids are at a wiggly age and can’t handle dinner out at a restaurant. With take-out, you will also have portion control, knowing that your little one inevitably leaves half a meal on her plate.
The ideal take-out place is just around the corner, so you can grab supper at a moment’s notice on your way home from the beach or work, with easy parking, and knowledgeable, friendly staff. Explore your neighborhood and your familiar routes to work, the park, and your local food trucks for take-out sources.
Some of our favorites are worth going out of your way for, and are suitable for take-out or eat-in:
Broder’s Cucina Italiana – Terrific pizza plus some more unusual Italian dishes that will appeal to children. Located in Southwest Minneapolis with options for everyone.
Vietnam House – Vietnamese food is perfect for summer-flavorful and light, with lots of variety to please everyone. Brooklyn Park location. Or a quick Yelp search for a restaurant in your area.
Emily’s Lebanese Deli – Wonderful inexpensive food that kids will chow down, especially if you don’t make a point of telling them first that they are eating grape leaves. The tabouli salad, made with fresh tomatoes, parsley, and cracked wheat, is tasty and good for you. University Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
Lunds & Byerlys – Good things to eat is their motto, and they are not kidding. Great deli, from fancy pasta salads to good old baked beans. They have a frozen food section that is sure to please (the soups are so good). They have over 20 metro locations.
Midtown Global Market – A one-of-a-kind experience that needs to be on every Minnesota Parents’ to-do list with their family. From Food & Drinks, Music & Events, Shopping & Gifts, and education tours, there is so much to see, do and eat here! Visit their website to find out which events they have coming up!
Trader Joe’s – My one thought about Trader Joe’s is I wish I went there more! They have it all and then some. Their salad section is top-notch, their snacks, chips, candy options are the best, and my favorite area of the store is New Arrivals! I love this store so much. The only downside to Trader Joe’s is that they do not have online ordering. Oh well, we still love them anyway!
Drive through or order on the app: Here are a few of our favorites but every year we seem to get more and more options. Panera, Chik Fil A, Chipotle, Café Zupas, Canes, and Jersey Mikes. These new options have healthy choices too which makes this mama happy!
Speedy Delivery: Almost every restaurant at any time! Thanks to Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Chow Now, Door Dash, you all have your favorites! This is perfect for those evenings when you have decided which movie to watch with the family or the kids have friends over. There are so many options you know everyone will be happy!
