Check the weather of your desired picnic location
and pack umbrellas just in case – use the BBC weather site.
To check the weather in your area click here.
Follow food safety guidelines by keeping cold foods cold (below
45°F) and hot foods hot (above 140°F). Pack an instant read
meat thermometer (available at most grocery and kitchen stores)
so you can monitor the food temperature. Remember that perishable
foods should not be left out for more than two hours and not more
than one hour if the temperature is 90° F or above.
Wine and beverages - A light Chablis or Chardonnay is a nice wine
to sip and enjoy. Iced mint tea and iced coffee are great alternatives.
Edible flowers work well as garnishes.
Include fruit in your picnic basket. It keeps well, it's nourishing,
and it's refreshing. Often fruit satisfies a craving for something
sweeter. Add fruits and fruit pieces to green salads and turkey
or chicken salads.
Don't forget paper towels for those spills and cleaning wipes to
cleanse dirty hands and faces. Put a dry towel and a wet washcloth
on your list. Stick the wet washcloth in zip-type plastic bag.
Keeping ants away - Draw chalk circles around the plates, and if
you're eating on the ground, use talcum powder. Ants won't cross
either due to the smell and texture, which are repellant to them.
Games, books and puzzles - A picnic is the perfect way to decompress.
This is a great time to read that novel or to try your hand at badminton
or croquet.
Stay safe: remember to leave some space for a small first aid kit
and some sun cream. Keep everybody’s skin safe in the sun
– and that goes for the adults as well as the kids!
Clean up thoroughly after your picnic. Remember: Whatever is packed
in, needs to be packed out. Don't litter.
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