With flowers in bloom and the warm sun beckoning, a picnic in the park is just what's needed to push you out of your funk. While a trip to the ready-made section of the grocery store may be an easy fix, a light and healthy menu keeps you on track with your pre-summer slimdown plan.

We suggest this delicious picnic feast, low in fat but packed with fiber, protein and vitamins. Grab a few friends; there's enough here for 4.

Sweet Potato Salad

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Toss sweet potato in olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheet, Bake at 300F (150C) until golden and tender, about 30 minutes.


1/2 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup cooked chickpeas
1/2 cup whole almonds, toasted in oven for 15 minutes

Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp cumin

Allow sweet potatoes to cool, then mix with dressing and remaining ingredients


Roasted Chicken Sandwich

Combine in a small bowl:
1/3 cup finely chopped parsley or cilantro
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp each paprika and oregano
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Coat in parsley mixture:
2 Large Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Place chicken in a small baking dish, bake at 300F (150C) until cooked through, about 50 minutes. Once chicken is cool, cut breasts in half width-wise. On your favourite whole-grain bread or bun, arrange 1/2 of a chicken breast with:

Apple Butter
Dijon mustard
Edam Cheese, sliced
Thinly sliced red onion
Thinly sliced apple
Mixed greens, or lettuce of your choice

Homemade Lemon Iced Tea (tastes just like Starbucks' Iced Tea Lemonade!)

5 cups boiling water
3 bags of black Tea

Steep for 10 minutes, remove tea bags then add:
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 can of frozen lemonade concentrate
2 cups cold water
1 cup ice cubes

Mix well and refrigerate until cold.

No-Bake Macaroons

Heat together until melted:
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
5 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup sugar

Remove from heat and add:
1 cup coconut
3 cups rolled oats

Drop by teaspoon fulls onto wax paper, refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Yield: about 24

by Pamela Derksen