Category Archives: Picnics

Picnics 301—Staying Out of the Danger Zone

In response to a wonderful comment made regarding my blog: Picnics 101, I decided to write another blog on picnics. The person who wrote the comment shared a great idea: instant picnics. If you keep a cooler in the car with basic staples such as plates, utensils, and cups, when the mood hits you can swing through a drive-thru or stop at a store to pick up food, then head to a park… and viola—instant picnic. The idea served as the inspiration for this blog that deals with picnics and food safety. Here’s some food for thought regarding picnic food: … Continue reading →

Picnics 201—Keeping the Great Outdoors Great

In Picnics 101 I listed items that no picnicker should leave home without. In Picnic 201 we cover another essential park of picnicking—location. Choosing a picnic destination can be just as exciting as deciding what you will pack in your basket. Whether you choose to dine at the beach, at a national park or at your neighborhood playground it is always a good idea to be responsible when using a public area. By remembering to exercise the following rules you not only insure that the area you are picnicking in will be viable for years to come, you also set … Continue reading →

Picnics 101

Whenever I am asked to list my favorite hobby I can never decide whether to answer “eating” or “traveling.” I love to do both. I think that’s why I love picnics, because I get to combine both my passions. There’s nothing like traveling to a national park (or one right in your own neighborhood) and spreading out a feast to share with friends and family members. You can plan a picnic to celebrate a special occasion or for no other reason than to take advantage of a beautiful summer day. Of course, a picnic (no matter what the size) takes … Continue reading →

TIPS FOR SAFE PICNIC GRILLING

Once the weather turns warm, spending time at your local park for a picnic is a great outdoor activity. However, as you plan your next picnic, you need to be aware of some issues that could cause illness or injury. The primary key with picnic safety has to do the food preparation and transportation. Regardless of the occasion or the types of food being served, it would be worth your while to take a few precautions to avoid food borne illnesses. •For starters, when temperatures are between 40 and 140 degrees, bacteria begins to multiply. Therefore, food should be kept … Continue reading →

PACKING THE PERFECT PICNIC BASKET

Spending time outdoors on a perfect is the perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends, or a special occasion with that someone special. When planning a picnic to your local park, you want everything to be just right. Although packing a picnic basket seems basic, the rule is to pack no more and no less than what you need. In other words, you need to find the perfect balance of what to add to the basket. For starters, you might invest in an inexpensive picnic basket. This type of basket is sturdy and designed specifically to hold food, … Continue reading →

PICNIC BASKET RECIPES

When packing for a picnic, you want to take foods that will work best in an outdoor environment. Instead of gooey chocolate cake that might melt in the hot sun, you could opt for oatmeal/pecan cookies. The key is to pack your picnic basket carefully, making sure any perishable foods are on ice. To ensure food does not become soggy, plastic zipper bags work great. Even if the ice melts, the food stays fresh. Usually, everyone has a special recipe he or she prefers but the following are some great recommendations that most people love for a picnic: Lemonade You … Continue reading →