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Tag:

picnic

spring picnic
FoodLifestyle

7 Ways to Pack the Perfect Picnic This Spring

by Guest Post May 18, 2018
written by Guest Post

Food safety should always be a priority. When packing a picnic lunch, it’s easy to depend heavily on prepackaged foods, so you don’t have to worry about food temperatures. The truth is, you can have the best of both worlds. You can pack a healthy, fun lunch without leaning too much on processed foods that might have less nutritional value. Here are 7 way to pack the perfect spring picnic.

spring picnic

1. Plan for the Weather

Your first step in setting up an outdoor outing should be to adjust your plans according to the weather. If you’re planning a picnic, the weather’s probably at least somewhat warm. You should use the average temperatures to try and determine what kind of safety precautions you need to take for your foods. Insulated bags are a great option to help you maintain proper temperatures, but if you’re going out in the heat, they won’t keep popsicles from melting! There are some great hacks for packing the perfect cooler to keep everything fresh and chilled until you are ready to eat it.

2. Keep It Simple

If your kids are school-aged, you probably pack lunches for them, so you may have already had time to experiment some. In this case, the classics are classics for a reason. They keep better at room temperature for longer! It’s that simple. And if you’re going with kids, you know it won’t be the food that draws them in as much as the novelty. Keep things simple, and you’ll leave plenty of room for fun.

3. Sandwiches

This basic staple is easy to customize to fit anyone’s taste buds, no matter how picky an eater you’re dealing with. Picky eaters are nothing to worry about, but making it easier on yourself and the rest of the family is the best way to cope. Picnics are the perfect time to make sandwiches! If you’re still worried about getting your kids to eat, try using cookie cutters to present sandwiches in fun shapes. Making a sandwich “bouquet” of flowers might be enough to tempt them to try something they’re currently refusing.

As for food safety, try using a filling that doesn’t require refrigeration. If you know the kids will eat as soon as they get there, ham sandwiches would be OK. But if not, options like chocolate-hazelnut spread or peanut butter and honey will keep for a long time in a pack. Make sure to wrap them up to keep the bread fresh!

4. Fruit

Fruit is nature’s candy. A lot of it also doesn’t require refrigeration. Specific kinds of fruit work best, though. Whole fruit that’s easy to transport is excellent, and most kids love it anyway because it’s sweet. However, once you cut the fruit up, you need to keep it in the cooler.

Apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, grapes and even slices of watermelon can keep for a decent amount of time. Pretty much nothing will beat apples, but keep them whole if you can. Also, if you bring grapes or raisins, make sure not to leave any lying around. They are highly poisonous for dogs, so any pups that might be out for the day could end up with a trip to the vet ER.

5. Dips and Toppings

Dips can be a little tricky, but with proper planning and a cooler, you should be good to go. Try to focus on dips that don’t have a cream or cheese base, because dairy spoils very quickly in the heat. Dips can include store-bought options like hummus if your kids will go for it. But dips and relishes aren’t often on kids’ list of favorite foods, so it’s OK to make these some adult additives. Something sweet and spicy, like a pineapple-jalapeño relish, can transform your family-friendly picnic into something a bit more sophisticated. That’s something all parents can use from time to time.

6. Nuts and Snacks

Snacks are one area where taking the easy, prepackaged route is a good option. Almost no kid on the planet will refuse to eat chips, and technically, they are a vegetable. The idea of snacks is to keep things light, so while at home you might regularly offer cheese and crackers, the dairy might not travel as well in the heat.

Nuts, on the other hand, are a great option. They’re healthy, travel well and are significantly less packaged than most other options. They also tend to be full of healthy fats, protein and fiber, so they can give you a substantial energy boost to keep up with the kids.

7. Drinks

You can’t expect to take the family out or a few hours with food and not bring anything to drink. Sugar helps keep things from spoiling, so juice is a good option. However, anything sweet has the potential to attract pests. Wasps, bees and ants follow sweet smells. You wouldn’t be the first to take a sip of soda and find it full of ants or to get stung on the lip just as you grab some juice. It can make a fun picnic much more exciting, but not in a good way.

If you pack sweet drinks, make sure you bring them in sealed containers. Leaks aren’t a big deal outside, but you do want to make sure nothing can get into them. If you’re keeping them cool, ice in the cooler can play double duty. As long as you thoroughly wash the cooler before you fill it with ice, pull some out for drinks and you’re good to go!

Planning a picnic shouldn’t be stressful. The whole point of the event is to relax and enjoy some family time. Make things easy, and keep everyone safe. If it’s above 90 degrees outside, your food can be at room temperature for about an hour. If it’s cooler weather, you have two hours to eat. After that, focus on play and family time, and save the snacks for at home.

 

Author Bio

Jennifer Landis is a 29-year-old healthy living blogger who loves yoga, running, and dancing it out with her toddler! You can find more from Jennifer at her blog, Mindfulness Mama, or by following her on Twitter: @jenniferelandis.

 

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Bonding Activities
Teenager

​7 Fun Bonding Activities For Moms and Teen Girls

by Guest Post May 3, 2018
written by Guest Post

A study recently found that parents spend more time with their kids than in the last fifty years, but it is doubtful that most modern parents feel like that is the case for them. Running around doing errands, working, after school activities––it takes up such a huge chunk of the day that any time at all can seem like a luxury.

If you have found yourself struggling to find the time and energy to bond with your teenage daughter, you could be really feeling the pain. But here are seven activities busy moms can squeeze into the week for some quality time with their teens.

Bonding Activities

1. Movie Night

After a long day, the last thing you want to do is something that takes a lot of energy. That is why settling in to watch a movie, especially at home, can be such a nice way to unwind. When you do it with your kids it is even better!

2. Spa Day

Do you like to get your nails done? A mani/pedi? Facial? You can get one together. It may seem a little cliche, but it can be a fun way to bond and spend time talking, while getting in a little pampering time yourself.

3. Saturday Picnic

Have a Saturday afternoon free? Why not throw together some sandwiches and head to the park. It is such a simple but satisfying way to waste an afternoon, especially when you don’t have many to waste to begin with.

4.Morning/Evening Walk

Walking is one of the best exercises you can do. It is also a great time to connect and chat because it doesn’t inhibit the ability to hold a conversation like so much exercise does. Squeeze one in during the morning and evening and be healthy together.

5. Preparing Meals

Everyone has to eat. Making a meal is such a fantastic way to bond and also wonderful for building memories while teaching a skill that everyone should have. Even if it is just once a week, aim to make a meal together.

6. Homework Help

Homework gets so much harder once high school begins. You can help alleviate some of your teen’s stress by assisting them, while showing support for their academic goals. It is also perfect for staying involved, particularly when you don’t feel like you have been doing enough in that regard (as so many of us feel).

7. Dinner

One of my children’s teachers once told me that the most powerful and important way to stay involved is to just sit down for dinner each night. I didn’t believe them…until I made it a priority. Just sitting down for dinner is such a perfect bonding tool that fosters conversation and draws the entire family together. Dinner doesn’t work? Breakfast can work, too!

Ultimately, any time you spend with your teenage daughter having an open conversation is valuable. When life is hectic it can be overwhelming, so don’t worry about the activity. Just be there, love them and connect whenever possible. They will remember those times fondly.

 

Author Bio

Tyler Jacobson is a father of three and avid outdoor enthusiast. He’s learned a thing or two about parenting and has turned from a full time career in digital media to helping fellow parents of teenagers. He pulls from his own life experiences raising spunky, free-spirited children, as well as his work with various organizations that help teens be their best selves. During his free time, Tyler enjoys taking his family into the mountains to connect with a simpler side of life which he finds grounding and rejuvenating.

 

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Tips & Ideas

24 Picnic Ideas Kid Will Love!

by Karly Wood January 18, 2015
written by Karly Wood

As the Spring and Summer seasons approach, moms everywhere are starting to plan ways to get their kids out of the house. A long winter has meant all activities and meals have been shared inside, and it’s time to get some fresh air! An easy way to get the kids out of the house is to plan a picnic! Kids love doing anything out of their routine and having a meal outside is super simple. We’ve come up with a bunch of great ideas that will make picnicking a breeze!

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Picnic Themes

1. Teddy Bear Picnic– This doesn’t have to be an exclusive teddy bear-only invite! Have your kids bring any stuffed animals they love and have an outside rendezvous with all their buddies!

2. Family Dinner Picnic– Instead of eating dinner together at the kitchen table, move the party outside. You can have a special dinner like pizza, or just do your usual. Either way, kids will love the change!

3. Permanent Picnic– If you’ve got a backyard, set up a stable spot where you can always picnic on a whim. This can be a durable blanket that always stays outside or your kids cute picnic table. If you don’t have the creative juices to come up with a new idea, you always have your fail safe permanent picnic spot!

4. Picnic On the Go– This is also known as a travel or road trip picnic. If you’re vacationing via car, you will save yourself tons of money by packing a picnic lunch or dinner instead of eating out. Take some time to actually pull over and make a “date” of it instead of just eating in the car. Your kids will appreciate the break!

5. Living Room Picnic– Drag your kitchen table into the living or family room and turn off all the lights. Have dinner by candlelight! We know this one isn’t an outside picnic, but it’s definitely still fun! You can also just use a blanket on the floor if you’d rather not rearrange your furniture!

6. Tea Party Picnic– Your daughters will love having their girlfriends over for an outside tea party picnic! Serve iced tea to avoid burns from spills and make teeny tiny sandwiches.

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