Fourth of July picnics are all about friends, fireworks, and lots and lots of food.  I mean, who hasn’t celebrated our country’s birthday by knocking back a few drinks and eating as many red, white and blue cupcakes as humanly possible?  And who hasn’t spent July 5^th slightly green around the edges and repenting the day sugar, butter and flour were ever so deliciously combined? 

To avoid the July 5^th junk food crash, check out our tips for the healthiest snacks this side of the Declaration of Independence. 

First, if you’re going to have a picnic/cook-out/bbq, check out our tips for keeping your gathering as green as possible.  There are a lot of alternatives for green grilling, and we have them for you here.  Further, transport everything in biodegradable storage.  Try to use paper bags, but you can get great cellulous options.  If you must use paper plates, opt for an option made of sugarcane.   Bringing a picnic basket?  Try this eco-friendly option.  

As for food, be sure to use local produce.  Visiting your area Farmer’s Market is the quickest and best way to keep your picnic’s carbon footprint low.

And now for the snacks!  Let’s start with the easy-to-transport organic finger fruits.  You can keep things going with a patriotic color scheme by picking up organic strawberries, blueberries, cherries and more.  According to sources, melon and strawberries are 90% water, so they can contribute to your fluid intake.  If you want to go for the ultimate sweetness, bring some organic honey to dip the fruit in.  Though you might want to carrying along wooden fondue forks if you’re going to go sticky.  Unless you want a flock of festive bees joining your picnic. 

Then there are tasty organic nuts.  These are a fantastic snack option, as they are cholesterol-free and contain healthy, unsaturated fats to lower the risk of heart disease.  They contain zinc, magnesium, and other good vitamins.   Almonds especially are high in the good fats – and therefore will fill you up and stave off hunger for less nutritious foods.  You can usually find bags or nuts at the Farmer’s Market.  And these nuts from EcoExpress are free from any pesticides, fertilizers and are made ecologically-responsibly.

Want organic cookies and cakes?  These super-yum inspiring cookies from The Raw Bakery are 100% organic.  They offer chocolate macaroons, oatmeal apple cookies with agave, sweet vanilla cakes, chocolate chip cookies and more.

For a traditional dinner salad, get out your list for the Farmer’s Market.  Pick up mixed greens, green beans, small tomatoes, and small potatoes.  Using the lettuce as a base, add blanched green beans, a layer of tomatoes, and cook up the potatoes and dice them in half; add some fresh salad dressing and you've got a filling, local meal.  If you want to go a step further, check out this delicious recipe for Farmer’s Market Salad with Spiced Goat Rounds.  (Yum!)  

Want to mix in greens with more goodness?  This mango quinoa salad from Greenopia foodie Jennifer Spaide combines the best of both worlds.  Quinoa is rich in amino acids, loaded with vitamin and minerals, and a fantastic source of fiber.

Keep snack sandwiches simple with these organic turkey wraps.  They are easy to transport, as they come in their own edible carrying case.  This quick and easy recipe combines 3 oz organic turkey breast, 5 olives, 3 tbsp feta cheese, 2 tbsp each diced cucumber and tomato, 6 spinach leaves up in a whole-wheat pita.  

Want an organic veggie wrap?  This yummy recipe will tempt your patriotic taste buds.  Combine ricotta, spinach, and parmesan cheese in a whole wheat wrap. Place 2 cups loosely packed raw spinach leaves in food processor and grind. Mix in 1/2 cup fat-free ricotta and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, and wrap in a whole wheat burrito. 

If you are in the mood for a sweet sandwich, try this pear concoction!  Spread 3 tbsp almond butter or peanut butter on two slices of whole-wheat bread, add half of a sliced pair and sprinkle it with 1/8 tsp cinnamon.

And finally, if you want to go the distance, remake this American classic with a healthy bent.  Instead of fat-filled fried chicken, bring along this nourishing version of southern fried comfort.  Make up healthy fried chicken by brushing boneless, skinless organic chicken thighs and breasts with olive oil.  Sprinkle them with Farmer’s Market thyme, rosemary.  Add salt and pepper.  Bake or grill until juices run clear, about 45 minutes. Chill overnight and bring along on your picnic.   Don’t want to eat meat or just love tofu?  Here’s a recipe for chicken-fried tofu.   

>> Check out "Three Recipes for the Best Farmer's Market Summer Cocktails" for great summer cocktails!