Do you like picnics? We love it, and we want to share our love of eating out with you now that the warm weather is here with spring.

In fact, we're fans of finding time for picnics at any time of year and for any meal , whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, or supper. We love group picnics, the kind where each person brings something to share with the rest; but we also love solo picnics, and we prepare them with great care, as if it were a date with just one person.

WHY A PICNIC CAN BE HEALTHIER

When we talk about a picnic, we mean eating outside the home, outdoors, with homemade food . And this already has many ingredients to make it a good thing for our health .

If we eat out, but in restaurants, the healthy options are significantly reduced (depending on where we go) and we'll also encounter more temptations, such as desserts with a lot of sugar, very tasty but high-calorie dishes...

We don't want to demonize restaurant meals. We also like to go out, have our meals prepared, try new and delicious things, enjoy flavors and company. We believe there's time for everything. If you're someone who, for example, eats out frequently for work, consider whether it's an option to have those meals at picnics instead of in restaurants , or at least some of them.

If you switch to picnics, you can bring food from home, prepared by you, and choose foods you know are good for you , cooked your way to make them healthy. Later, we'll give you ideas for meals to bring from home.

Maybe you're already one of those people who takes their Tupperware to work and packs healthy options. But do you go out to eat it? If it's an option, we strongly encourage you to do so. Because eating in a park, in the countryside, or on a simple bench in a square has benefits beyond eating healthy food cooked by you.

If it's not too hot, find a spot in the sun so your body can benefit from the much-needed vitamin D we're so lacking. Observe your surroundings; make this moment about more than just nutrition (which isn't a small thing). Get out of the office, put your phone away, and connect with your surroundings: listen to the sounds, observe animals, plants, and people, look at the sky, feel the ambient temperature, savor your food... This presence in the moment can generate great emotional well-being . Don't tell me you don't feel like it.

PICNIC ALONE OR IN COMPANY?

If you go out to eat alone , you'll see that you can develop a whole ritual and turn mealtime into a date with yourself. You deserve it, I'm sure. How many opportunities do you have in your daily life to dedicate time exclusively to yourself? It could be the perfect moment.

But going out to eat with company is also wonderful. What if you go out with your family to a nice park this weekend and have a snack there? Planning a family picnic can be a great time to connect. Do you eat with your colleagues at the office? What if you suggested having a picnic once a week? Everyone can bring food or something to share. And so on, every time you meet up with someone. Every time the situation arises, consider whether a picnic is a good idea.

PICNIC ALL YEAR ROUND, ANYTIME

When the weather is nice, eating out becomes more appealing. But, at least in Madrid, where we live, picnics are possible at any time of year . When it's cold, having lunch, dinner, or a snack outside is a great way to recharge our batteries by soaking up the sun , which is available to us for fewer hours a day. If it's freezing, you might find yourself craving hot food. It's possible! It's just a matter of getting organized. You can heat up your food just before going out to eat ; or, if that's not an option, use thermoses like these or these that keep your food and drinks hot from the moment you leave the house until lunchtime .

When it's really hot, choose to have breakfast or dinner outside . Plus, you'll be able to enjoy sunrises and sunsets . What more could you ask for? You escape the heat, but you also get the opportunity to connect with nature. For these moments, have insulated bottles for cold drinks and opt for fresh, hydrating foods like salads or fruit.

HEALTHY PICNIC FOOD IDEAS

We want to offer you ideas that go beyond cold cuts.

• Canned Salads

Fill the jar in layers with your favorite ingredients, placing the moistest ingredients at the bottom. Set aside the dressing to add at the last minute.

• Spreads

Hummus of all kinds and vegetable pâtés (eggplant, olives, almonds, etc.) are very useful. You can make them yourself or buy them ready-made. You can accompany them with raw vegetables or toasted bread; they're delicious.

• Snacks or sandwiches

They're perfect for when you need a quick, ready-made meal. Get creative and fill them with healthy foods, like the pâtés above, and avoid the typical sausages.

• Creams, purees, soups or stews

They'll be great for cold days. Pack them in a thermos and enjoy eating them in the sun. How wonderful!

• Tortillas

Any kind. They're great because they hold up well in transit and are delicious both hot and cold.

• Empanadas and savory cakes

Use your imagination and fill them with whatever you like. They can also be eaten cold and are always a delight.

• Natural nuts

Avoid low-nutrient snacks with nuts. They're delicious and healthy.

• Homemade infusions and soft drinks

Prepare your favorite drinks and place them in an insulated bottle to maintain their temperature, whether hot or cold. And enjoy!

• Fruits already cut and peeled

It's hard to resist this. Having fruit ready is a great way to get anyone to eat it. Yum!

• Healthy sweets

Make your own cookies, cakes, or pastries. Here's the recipe for some delicious chocolate rocks . We owe you the recipe for Ana's pumpkin pie, which you've been asking for. We'll have it soon.

ZERO WASTE PICNIC BASICS

With a little advance planning, you can ensure your picnics are sustainable and waste-free . As much as possible, avoid buying food from vending machines or supermarkets with takeout sections , as these products are often overpackaged and generate a lot of waste. As you can see, we're committed to bringing food from home to make it easier not only to eat healthier but also to generate less waste.

We don't want you to carry the whole house on your shoulders, but we do suggest a few things we think are essential and can help you avoid single-use products. Our picnic essentials:

• Cloth tablecloth and/or towels

This way, we avoid disposable paper tablecloths and have a clean, defined space to place food.

• Cloth bags

A tote bag will be great for carrying all your picnic essentials. You can organize the interior with small bags like these to keep everything organized. It would also be nice to use one of these bags to collect any waste that may have been generated.

• Reusable food carriers

At Alma Eko, we have so many different types, and we don't know which one we like best. You can choose from lunchboxes, snack holders, wax wraps, sandwich holders that also double as tablecloths... You'll find all the options here .

• Insulated bottles and thermoses

As we've already mentioned, they're ideal for transporting drinks and food and keeping them cold or hot, depending on your needs. Take a look at our bottles, cups, and thermoses and let us know if you can choose, hehe.

• Reusable cutlery

This may not be a must-have. What I mean is that the cutlery you normally use at home is perfectly fine. What we want is for you to rule out disposable options. You can bring your own cutlery from home or have a set for on the go, like these. They're ideal for eating out because they're more compact and you can easily carry them in your purse or backpack and always have them available.

• Cloth napkins or handkerchiefs

Don't forget! Bring tissues or Always have cloth napkins on hand. The truth is, you might need them at any time, not just at mealtime. They're reusable, washable, and waste-free.

What do you think of our suggestions? Are you up for picnics? Do you already do them often?