A time for picnics

Summer is still going strong out there, so it's time to take to the park and embrace the picnic. Eating outdoors -- especially with a gaggle of friends and family -- is one of the loveliest and most relaxing ways to get into the summer spirit. And the best thing about picnics? They can be as fancy or as low

Bring props. The most important of these? Something to sit on. Make it a beautiful blanket, a towel, or even just an extra shirt that happens to be hanging out in your bag, but be sure to bring something to put between you and the three thousand granules of sand that are determined to make it into your sandwich. Get extravagant with cushy pillows, umbrellas, and camping chairs or keep it simple with beach blanket and hat. If it's easy to tuck some of the entertainment kinds of props into your bag too -- cards, books, games, music -- do that! It can be nice to have a reason to stay out in the park longer and reading in good company is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Don't forget your liquids. Make that fabulous ginger-puckered lemonade you've been imagining and sling it full of ice or pack the corkscrew and wine bottle. But bring something that resembles water to stay hydrated and cool. There's nothing like having a delicious dinner of salty snacks and having nothing close by to wash it down with!

Who would we be if we didn't recommend that you go green? Pack reusable napkins, reusable water bottles and real dishes if you can. Just because the stuff you're throwing out isn't going to start in the garbage at home doesn't mean it won't end up in the same place. Tread lightly on the earth when picnicking by only setting up camp in areas that have been approved for human feet (i.e. not on that sensitive sand dune whose ecosystem is destroyed when people walk on it), carrying out whatever you carry in, and not racking up a ton of trash just because you're not at home.

Serve food that will make people feel good, not get sick. The easiest way to make sure of this is to serve up cold foods, but if you want to bring hot dishes, either make them on site on a barbeque or be absolutely certain they've been able to stay at the appropriate temperature. Hot foods that could make you sick -- meat dishes, for example -- need to be kept at 140 degrees to be considered hot. Use insulated containers to transport these dishes and plan them only for picnics that don't require a lot of travel time.

Speaking of safety, here are a couple more tips to make sure that your picnic is a delicious success!

Cover up your feast when you're not eating it to keep bugs and dirt out of the food. When you're packing everything up to go picnicking, it can be tempting to lay it all out the way you would on the blanket, with open bowls and elegant cheese boards. But how are you going to transport that stuff? A better way to go is to pack up food in reusable containers and then arrange when you arrive.

Bring a way to wash your hands. If there isn't a washroom or sink nearby, bring biodegradable soap and water or even just some handwipes. Make sure you can keep your fingers clean!

Have fun! Most of the safety concerns around picnicking aren't all that different from the common sense you use with food when cooking at home, so don't stress. You probably already know how to have a delicious and fabulous picnic -- whether it's on the beach at sunset or even in your own backyard.
key as you like, easily tailored to just about any occasion. Here are a few ideas to make any meal an instant picnic success!