Planning the Perfect Picnic

When warm weather arrives dining al fresco is a popular activity. Give your backyard barbecue a break and pack a picnic for your local park or campground. Often synonymous with summer, a picnic is a perfect way to kick back for some me time.

	Brought to you by Maris Callahan www.ingoodtasteblog.net

Whether you’re picnicking with the family or turning a sunset picnic into date night with your spouse or significant other, there are a few key elements that will make your outing simple and satisfying. You can even save preparation time – and use that extra half hour for a second glass of wine.

Rain, Rain, Go Away: If an unpredicted afternoon shower rains on your parade, don’t let it bring you down. Spreading a blanket or mat on your living room floor can be just as fun and spontaneous as a picnic in the great outdoors. If you’re entertaining the kids, dim the lights and take turns telling jokes or ghost stories. If you’re picnicking indoors with a special someone, light a few candles for a romantic atmosphere.

Plan Ahead: If you’re making your meal from scratch, do the prep work at home. Wash and chop fruit and vegetables and assemble sandwiches ahead of time. If you’re preparing picnic for a large group, websites like GoPicnic.com offer a variety of shelf-stable, ready to eat boxed meal combinations made with organic and all natural ingredients – the next best thing to a homemade picnic. Healthy meals made up of ingredients like couscous, Wild Alaskan Salmon, vegetables, organic crackers and dried fruit.

Don’t Sweat It: If you’re spending the afternoon outdoors, be sure to dress for the weather. Though a picnic can be a special occasion, some parts of the country grow quite hot during warmer seasons. Wearing loose cotton clothing and drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion – and leaves you with plenty of energy for a game of Frisbee.

No More Brown Bagging: If you’re picnicking in a mountainous area and expect to be climbing some hills to or from your destination, there is no need to haul a heavy picnic basket. Instead, an insulated, eco-friendly tote like the Neela bag (pictured) can fit as many items as the average picnic basket and comes with a convenient shoulder strap for easy lifting.

Play it Safe: Outdoor dining can be pleasurable, but also leaves food susceptible to unknown germs and bacteria. “Pack plenty of ice in your cooler or picnic basket to keep cold foods cold, “ said Rebecca Houseal, registered dietitian. “Foods left out in the hot temperatures longer than one hour are likely to spoil and are best discarded.” And of course, practice handwashing as you normally would before meals.

Pass the Bubbly: If you’re sharing a picnic with a significant other and want to sip something a more special than cola, don’t worry about packing wine glasses and a corkscrew in your picnic basket. Some brands of wine and champagne are available in single serving bottles – and some in cans! Perfect for portion control, Sofia Minis from Francis Ford Coppola come in a petite pink container, offering ¼ a bottle of wine per serving ($15). They even have wrapped straws for sipping – perfect for a day in a park where glassware may not be permitted.

Maris Callahan: Since graduating from Susquehanna University in 2006, Maris has worked in the world of PR. While she began her career in the fashion/beauty industry, she now works in the consumer sector. She maintains a personal blog, In Good Taste, primarily about cooking, food and life. In her “me” time she enjoys running, knitting, yoga and a good latte.