In traveling, you can always get some fresh fruit to munch on in your adventures. But finding fresh vegetables to grab and munch is its own adventure.
Sure, you can find a regular grocery store and get cut-up carrot and celery sticks, often with a high-fat dip alongside. And you can get a regular vegetable and cut it up into strips, but getting a knife in your luggage isn't easy.
In my latest trip to Toronto, I found a great choice: pickling cucumbers. Long, thin, very easy to store, and tasty. Okay, so they were a little bland and not terribly exciting. But they had a nice crunch and made for a nice snack in my running around Canada's largest city.
Regular readers know I have been searching for good fresh vegetable options to eat on the go. I am not one of these "sit by the pool" people. And since I don't often know where I am eating, and don't always get choices with vegetables, having a backup plan makes each day healthier.
Yes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and similarly sized tomatoes do fit the bill, and carrots — even without a peeler — are easy fits. But I find in general and especially when I travel, sweeter vegetables, such as carrots and tomatoes, don't work well for me. The pickling cucumber is not sweet, which is exactly what I need.
I discovered this batch of pickling cucumbers at a small farmers market in a parking lot in an urban neighborhood, while waiting for a movie to start. I also got some wild blueberries, something I can't get at home. Wild blueberries are less sweet than their traditional counterparts.
Once I've had a good serving of fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables, I convinced myself I could eat stuff that wasn't as healthy. And I enjoy those treats guilt-free since I already had nutritious food.
On vacation, we don't eat as healthy as we should. And for the most part, we can't do too much about the "bad." But we can add more good, which can allow you to have a little fun. Oh, and walk it off seeing the sights.
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