Night Time Swimming and Pool Dinners

If you have followed me for any length of time you know we love the pool.  We take every advantage we get to be in the sun and in the water.  Lately we have been doing a little night swimming too.

We enrolled the big boys in a junior tennis program at our club, Pelican Athletic Club.  It has been really great but we have to be there at 5:30 which is right in the middle of our dinner time.  The past few weeks I have been packing up dinner to take to the club so we can eat before their lesson.

This has been such a great arrangement for us because the baby can play at the splash pad while the Bigs are playing tennis and then we all have some pool time after their lesson.  Plus I cook early and the kitchen is clean when I come home.  Put the containers we bring to the pool in the dishwasher and done.

Another bonus has been extra time with our friends.   The evenings at PAC are filled with Tri Kids, Swim Team and more so many of the boys friends and ours are already at the club.  It’s been fun to sit back and enjoy some extra time with everyone.

I have had to be a little creative when it comes to my meals.  It needs to be something that easily fits into Tupperware and all can go in one container.  I don’t want to bring 20 containers to the pool.  Also, if it is a hot meal I needed to find a way to package it to keep it hot.

Chicken Tacos:

• 3 to 4 Chicken Breast
• 1 package Fontera Chicken Taco Sauce

In the crock pot I cook the chicken for 4 to 6 hours on low.  I drain the liquid and add the taco sauce and shred the chicken.

We make tacos with the chicken and each person puts the toppings they want.  Corn, black beans, salsa, lettuce, onions, cheese and sour cream.  I wrap the tacos in aluminum foil and we pack into Tupperware.  Sometimes we bring chips and salsa too.

Charcuterie and Cheese:

• Assorted Meats: salami, pepperoni, prosciutto
• Cheeses pre sliced: Havarti, cheddar, swiss, goat, brie
• Fruits: Strawberries, blueberries, grapes, apples
• Nuts: almonds, walnuts, peanuts
• Crackers

This is one of the easier meals and the kids love it.  We try all kinds of different meats and cheeses and they love to be able to make their own plates.

Hummus Bowls:

• Hummus
• Pita
• Feta
• Cucumbers
• Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Red onions
• Chicken

This is another great semi homemade.  I usually buy a rotisserie chicken for this so there is basically no cooking for me.  Just like the chicken tacos each person gets to choose what things they want in their bowl and also the way it is assembled.  They all go into Tupperware containers and we are ready to go.

Italian Finger Sandwiches:

• Bread
• Pesto
• Provolone
• Salami
• Pepperoni
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes

I make these two different ways.  If we are all in the mood for bread then we make it into sandwiches.  If we are not wanting bread I make them into skewers.  This can easily also be made into a pasta salad.  Basically you can do anything you want with this.

Cobb Salads:

• Rotisserie Chicken
• Romaine
• Tomatoes
• Red onions
• Eggs
• Bacon
• Bleu Cheese
• Green Onions
• Avocado

Make sure to leave the dressing on the side for this one.  I have a blue cheese dressing from Trader Joe’s that is phenomenal.

We just do simple, good food that is easy to transport and will stay fresh.