Summer Picnic? There's an E-Bike for that
A blog by Momentum UK ambassador @destinyjoelivia
Summer is around the corner, and the UK has already experienced some hot temperatures, with gorgeous blue skies. Sounds like the perfect time for a picnic. Whether you choose to chill in your back garden, the local park, or the green outside of the office, I have gathered some helpful tips for you, (just in case it’s been too long since your last one).
I planned a lovely evening picnic for my husband and I, which meant dinner alfresco, so to the shops I headed! I can’t put into words the feeling of riding my Momentum Vida E+ amid the cooling summer winds. It’s just so freeing, and refreshing. Using less of the pedal assist to give myself more of a workout, I cycled to my nearest food store. Once I'd claimed the goods, I cycled home using the pedal assist on full, to give me more of a push since i was carrying groceries.
It was then time for some preparations. Picnics can be a lot or a little, it’s really just about enjoying the weather and having a chilled time. My menu was medium effort as it was our first picnic of the season:
- A Vegan Salad (Quinoa, chickpeas, salad greens and sides)
- Strawberry & Rhubarb Meringues
- Lots of snacks
- Iced Tea
- WATER
I’m a firm believer that salads don’t have to be boring, unless you’re into a basic leafy bowl- that’s cool. I like to add a few fun ingredients to bulk up the salads, fit for a dinner for two. My favourite dressing at the moment is a simple Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with Balsamic Vinegar, Tahini, and a little syrup. Plant-based or not, you can fill up on pulses and grains like tri-coloured quinoa and chickpeas which are easy to prepare and store. I cooked quinoa, green beans, and chickpeas at home the day before. Then stored them in multi-purpose glass dishes.
Fruits like grapes and berries are an easy picnic food, and colourful too. We had lots of reds going on, including some dried herbs for the iced-tea!
The avid tea lover in me, chose a homemade Hibiscus & Berry Iced Tea which was easily brewed at home the night before. Hibiscus has an internally cooling effect which is great for the summer heat. This blend of berries and herbs also serve as a nutritional, skin loving, & cooling cup of summer love.
To make a 700ml jug of iced tea add the following to your jug or teapot
- 1 handful of dried hibiscus
- 1 handful of freeze dried raspberries & strawberries
- 1-2 teaspoons of dried goji berries
- 1 tablespoon of dried rose petals
- Shop using a tote bag, or backpack when cycling.
- Chill some water beforehand and use a thermos to keep any drinks cold.
- Use reusable storage boxes that can double up as plates or bowls
- Don’t complicate it, use what you have and utilize the green spaces around you.
If you want to see more of Destiny and her Momentum E-Bike journey, follow her on Instagram @destinyjoelivia.
