As we move further into the warm season, the opportunity for spring activities is finally here! For many people, this means getting active and venturing outdoors for exercise and fresh air. Whether that means hiking, biking, long walks, or simply a relaxing day at the lake, many are ready to enjoy the nice weather and seasonal activities regularly. But getting out of the house and springing into action means preparing and taking food along to keep you going.

Spring Activities for the Family

Some families and kids love to get really involved in spring activities with sports and more. It’s a great time to get kids outside and encourage healthy habits (like exercising and spending time in nature). Many families participate in such spring activities because it’s important to stay active and generally move your body in your free time! That’s why hobbies like biking, long walks, and sports like softball and soccer are so common in the springtime. But if you have an active family, you’re likely constantly looking for new ways to keep the energy up with healthy food as nourishment.

• When hiking, biking, kayaking, etc.: Go for finger foods and easy-to-eat snacks. This means cut vegetables, energy bars, nuts and seeds, and anything else that doesn’t require a fork or spoon. You can continue the activity without having to stop for a snack break or to sit down to eat.

• When picnicking, boating, watching sports, etc.: You could get a bit more creative with sit-down foods like salads, sandwiches and wraps, or something that requires two hands for dipping (like fruit and nut butter). Meal-prep ahead of time so you’re ready to go when you’re in the mood for more relaxed spring activities.

Snacks for Active Kids

It can be hard to come up with snacks for active kids at the last minute. It seems like they’re always hungry! But by keeping stocked on some staples, you can be sure to have food ready to go when you’re on the move or getting ready for those spring activities. Snacks for active kids and families should usually include fresh fruit or vegetables, fiber, and protein: Grabbing two or three ingredients in lunchbox-style snacking is quick and doable for many families. Some examples of this style of snacking include:

• Pear and Boar’s Head Gouda Cheese
• Apples and SunButter Sunflower Seed Butter
• Carrots, crackers, and Nomad Food Co. Hummus
• Berries and Ellenos Greek Yogurt
• Cucumbers, sliced turkey, and Northwest Delights Raw Almonds 
• Celery, Wonderful Pistachios, and Nancy’s Probiotic Cream Cheese
• Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps and Wholly Guacamole

Anything can be a snack if you keep moderation in check! It’s easy to start with whatever your kids enjoy and get more creative and healthy from there. For more ideas, browse Tacoma Boys blog all about healthy spring snacks.

Family Friendly Recipes for Any Time

When everyone is involved in the activity, you’ll need to have family friendly recipes that everyone will enjoy. This means making sure it’s something that everyone likes to eat that’s also nutritious and full of protein and fiber to keep you going throughout a busy day.  Plan family friendly recipes for when the whole family is out participating in spring activities as well as the end of an active day.

• Three Bean Salad by Little Spice Jar: Throw the salad in a jar for a super easy way to meal prep ahead of time and take things on the go!
• Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken and Veggies by Gimme Delicious: Sheet pan dinners are popular because they are so easy to prepare and clean up. You can even cook everything ahead of time and throw the whole thing back in the oven when it’s time to chow down.
• Classic Italian Sub: This easy-to-make sandwich is a sure-fire way to please the kids and feel full and satisfied.
• Breakfast burritos: Make a batch of burritos with different fillings like eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and sausage. Fill them up and freeze for quick and easy reheating in the morning!
• Homemade trail mix: Tacoma Boys has everything you need for a homemade trail mix made your way, like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips, and more. Try a blend of almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and freeze dried strawberries for something new for the family to munch on.

Prepare For Spring Activities with Tacoma Boys

Whatever you and your family feel like doing to get active this spring, there are a variety of ways to stay nourished and healthy through food. It’s all about preparing ahead of time and having fun in the kitchen! For more inspiration and ideas, check out Tacoma Boys recipes and then stop on by to see what’s in store for you. And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

The last frost is melting, flowers are blooming, and it’s just about time to start eating some healthy spring snacks! Spring is a great time of the year to get creative in the kitchen and enjoy light and bright refreshments. And it’s always a good time to look forward to eating healthy. Tacoma Boys is always sure to have a variety of ingredients and seasonal foods for your favorite healthy spring snacks.

Healthy Spring Snacks

Enjoying healthy spring snacks can be as simple as pairing some of Tacoma Boys fresh local seasonal produce with another bite of protein or healthy fats. Something like Tillamook’s Smoked Black Pepper White Cheddar, Wild Friends’ Classic Creamy Peanut Butter, or a handful of Tacoma Boys’ Mixed Nuts will round out the snack. It’s a great time to get the kids involved and teach them about healthy eating. For quick packaged (but not processed) bites that the kids can grab themselves, try:

• Delreal Organic Coconut Date Rolls
• Karen’s Freeze Dried Fruit like strawberries and bananas, apples, raspberries, pomegranate, mango, and more.
• Northwest Delights Veggie Crisps
• Field Day Organic Apple Sauce 

Local Seasonal Produce

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than by enjoying some of the Pacific Northwest’s best fresh seasonal produce? Washington has abundantly great produce all year-round. But when the sun starts shining and spring harvest rolls around, this is especially true. 

Cooking with local seasonal produce is a sustainable and helpful way to support your local economy. That’s why Tacoma Boys has all the classic seasonal produce for your healthy spring snacks! Just be sure to browse our weekly specials and stop by regularly to enjoy rotating options. And if you need a guide to the basics of eating local seasonal food, check out our blog all about the topic. 

Each spring, the Pacific Northwest and South Sound is ripe with these fruits and vegetables that are great for snacking.

Mushrooms

While mushrooms grow abundantly year-round, spring is one of the best times of the year to forage. This means it’s also a great time for mushroom farmers with the likes of cremini, baby bella, chanterelle mushrooms, and more.

Watercress

Watercress is a leafy green that is in the same family as kale and broccoli. The vegetable is often used as a garnish. But since it’s packed with all the good nutrients of a dark leafy green, it’s become even more popular as a simple salad foundation.

Apricots

The pitted fruit is not as juicy and more tart than others, making it perfect for snacking on the go. They tend to last a little while too, compared to sensitive soft fruit that’s more prone to bruising and rapid rot. 

Cherries

Cherries usually come into play for Washingtonians near the tail end of spring and beginning of summer. Rainier and Bing cherries are popular varieties that grow in Washington state. Small and sweet, cherries make for easy snacking at home.

Grapefruits 

The winter citrus fruit stays flavorful and juicy throughout the beginning of spring, too. It’s a great option as a healthy snack because all you need is a spoon and maybe a sprinkling of sweetener if you’d like.

Healthy Snack Recipes

A few of our favorite healthy snack recipes are simple to make and always tasty. Get creative or start here for some ideas for healthy snack recipes.

• Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits by A Cup Full of Sass. We like Ellenos Yogurt and the freshest local seasonal produce. Fruit & overnight oats is another great option.

• Black Bean and Corn Salad by Two Spoons. This recipe can be a snack all on its own or served as a side to sandwiches or tacos.  
• Beet and Watercress Salad by My Darling Lemon Thyme. For an extra dose of the spring season, sprinkle in some of Tacoma Boys’ Humble Honey Co. Bee Pollen!
• Homemade Trail Mix recipes by Fresh Off The Grid. This is a great way to customize your snack to exactly what you want. All you need to start is Tacoma Boys Nuts, Seeds, and Dried Fruit.
• Hummus and Raw Vegetables is a simple healthy snack recipe that’s quick to assemble together. Tacoma Boys likes Nomad Food Co. Garlic and Lemon Hummus with fresh snap peas and sliced bell pepper.

Shop For Spring Snacks

Enjoying healthy snack recipes is easy when shopping at Tacoma Boys for local spring produce. You can get all the ingredients you’ll need for a week’s worth of healthy snacking. It’s the perfect time of year to refresh your eating routine and try new fun food! To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!