Picnic Tips and Tricks
The most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything. Make a list on the computer of everything you might need for a picnic. Then as you pack, check off the items that you really need. Save the list for the next picnic or camping trip. When you return, add items that you wished you had taken. Eventually, you'll have the perfect list for your family.
? Everyone likes to lounge on a picnic blanket but sometimes the ground is wet. Bring along a plastic tarp to put underneath the blanket. The tarp will last many years if kept out of the sunlight and can be hosed clean at home if needed.
? Pick your picnic spot strategically. If mosquitoes are a problem, choose a higher, drier spot that is in full sun and exposed to a breeze-mosquitoes have trouble in the wind and don't like heat. On the other hand, if staying warm is a problem, choose a spot exposed to the sun and protected from cool breezes. If it's hot, pick a spot that will be in the cool of the shade in the hottest part of the afternoon.
? Think safety. If you have kids along, make sure there are no hazards nearby: busy roads, deep water, or cliffs.
? Don't forget the tablecloth. Inexpensive plastic coated ones make great picnic equipment, especially with kids.
? Speaking of kids, 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.
? Bring plenty of liquids. Active kids playing in the hot sun need to be reminded to drink. Water is the best hydrator but consider juices and slushes. Try mixing soda pop with juice-half juice and half soda or try freezing punches or juices to a slush to take along in the cooler.
? 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.
? Bring along a cutting board and a couple good knives. You'll be surprised how often you will use them. Cutting boards are especially useful if you are without a picnic table. The hard plastic types are great for picnics. For cleanup, just stick the cutting board in the dishwasher when you get home.
? Perishable foods must be kept cold. Bacteria grow best above forty degrees and it takes plenty of ice in a cooler to keep foods below forty degrees. Perishable foods should only be allowed to remain above forty degrees for a couple hours.
? Stick a first aid kit in the car and leave it there all summer. If you have kids, chances are you will need it. Likewise, keep sunscreen and calamine lotion in the car.
? In the heat of the summer, be prepared for a summer thunderstorm. Know the rules of lightning safety. Be prepared to retreat to a place of shelter. Waiting out a summer storm is much more pleasant with a few good books or a game the family enjoys.
? If you are going into the mountains or woods-off the beaten track-be sure that someone you trust knows where you are going and when you plan to return. Remember that you may not be able to use your cell phone in more remote areas or in the mountains.
Dennis Weaver is the general manager at The Prepared Pantry (http://www.preparedpantry.com) with recipes, ideas, and the best selection of mixes and ingredients. Visit the free Bakers' Library for more articles like this, free baking guides, and tested recipes.
 Google News Updated : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:49:09 GMT Eagles' Westbrook out for Sunday's game - Sports Network
Sports Network - Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will not play on Sunday at San Francisco. Westbrook, who has been hampered by a sprained ankle he suffered in the Week 3 victory over Pittsburgh, fractured his ribs in ... Brian Westbrook: Ruled Out Les Bowen: Eagles vs. 49ers: The pick Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:20:18 GMT Coleman calls off negative ads - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune - By Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune ...and it has nothing at all to do with several outlets (including one of Franken's ads) letting us know that a Coleman ad that wants us to … read more see Franken looking out of control/angry, is actually video of ... Coleman: I'll remove negative ads and urge others to do same Coleman says he'll pull negative ads to focus on economy Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:25:04 GMT States probe possible voter registration fraud - Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune - Questions about possible cases of fraudulent voter registrations were being raised this week as officials in several states investigated hundreds of questionable or duplicate registration forms submitted by an advocacy group. Carnahan statement on ACORN registration mess Republicans try to tie Obama to vote fraud cases Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:48:10 GMT A Cautious Approach to Gardasil Shot - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - News today cheering the fact that 1 in 4 teen girls has received the Gardasil vaccine sounds to me like some serious spin from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the government agency pushing girls as young as 9 to get the shot. Cancer Vaccine Used by 25% of Girls 13 to 17 Quarter of adolescent US girls received HPV vaccine Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:14:13 GMT UPDATE 1-Bush says US moving quickly to solve market crisis - Forbes
Forbes - WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Friday the US government was moving aggressively to address the financial markets crisis, but he acknowledged that anxiety was feeding on itself as stocks continued to plunge. Bush appeals for confidence Bush Says Markets Must Remain Calm Despite Challenges Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:33:45 GMT NATO agrees on Afghan drug role for military - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - NATO defense ministers Friday authorized their troops in Afghanistan to attack drug barons blamed for pumping up to US$100 million (euro74 million) a year into the coffers of resurgent Taliban fighters. NATO Joins Drug War in Afghanistan NATO to Hit Drug Trade in Afghanistan Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:11:48 GMT Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Lifespring Health - MarketWatch
MarketWatch - Lifespring Health will be Donating $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Each Time you Shop Online This Month SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 10, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- October is breast cancer awareness month! Go "Passionately Pink for the Cure" on Oct. 17 Panera Bread to sell pink bagels Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:05:31 GMT Increased Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... When buying apricots, always look for those that are firm,... Read More Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious... Read More A lot of the times we mean to get in... Read More Barbecuing has long been a favorite pastime for many and... Read More Our kid birthday cake idea collection makes cake decorating fun... Read More "Can I freeze it?" is a question often asked in... Read More Have you ever wondered how a restaurant can get a... Read More As mentioned in Part 1 of the series, woks come... Read More Vegetables add colour, taste, texture and bulk to our daily... Read More Ten Proven Tips to buy the Best Meat AvailableAs you... Read More Types of BacteriaBacteria are all around us, in the air,... Read More "There's nothing more enjoyable than having friends and family gathered... Read More Food poisoning is related to unsafe food, a dirty kitchen,... Read More It is one of life's oddities that we take a... Read More The easiest way to make rice well every time is... Read More Many bakers ask for tips and instructions on decorating cookies.... Read More Hiking, camping, and boating are good activities for active people... Read More Saving money ? is something we would all like to... Read More Cobblers and dowdies, crisps and crumbles, buckles and betties-what are... Read More The whisk. A true versatile cooking utensil. Whisks come in... Read More Are you wondering if you have the time to bake... Read More Digital kitchen timers come in many shapes and sizes. Timers... Read More Pioneer CookingWhen you think of a cast iron Dutch oven,... Read More Muffins are a mainstay around our house. They are as... Read More What would you eat if you were stranded without power?... Read More
Adsense
websites
Buying, Storing, and Preparing Apricots
Season Your Pans for Non Stick Cooking
10 Simple Kitchen Organizing Tips
Weber Grills Reviewed: Quality that Lasts
Kid Birthday Cake Idea Collection - Cake Decorating Without Fear
Foods That Freeze Well
Save Time in the Kitchen - Cook Pasta the Way Restaurant Chefs Do
Wok this Way! (Part 2 of 5) Selecting a Wok
Eat your Veggies! Simple Cooking Methods
Ten Proven Tips to Buy the Best Meat Available
Bacteria and Food-borne Diseases
Barbequing, a Fun and Convenient Way to Make Dinner
10 Critical Ways To A Perfectly Food-Safe Kitchen
Keeping and Wasps and Flies Away from your Barbecue
How to Cook Rice Right
Christmas Cookie Decorating 101
10 Wide Open Tips For Food Safety In The Great Outdoors
Save Money ? The Crock Way
Whats a Pan Dowdy?
Whisk Your Way To a Perfect Meal Every Time!
Little-known Tips for Easy Holiday Baking
Digital Kitchen Timers ? Never Burn Another Dish
Dutch Oven Cooking Basics
How to Bake: Muffins (with recipes)
Emergency Bread: Can you Bake Bread Without an Oven?
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Whisk Your Way To a Perfect Meal Every Time!
The whisk. A true versatile cooking utensil. Whisks come in... Read More
ServSafe Food Program in Montana a Success
Montana has a great program for restaurant employees. Each preparer... Read More
How to Bake: Bread on the Grill
One of the slickest tricks we know is baking bread... Read More
Once-A-Month-Cooking: How to Make Your Plan Work
As one of the oldest children in a family of... Read More
Emergency Bread: Can you Bake Bread Without an Oven?
What would you eat if you were stranded without power?... Read More
Two for One Dinners: Beans
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
Picnic Tips and Tricks
The most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything.... Read More
Picnic Checklist
In the previous article, we suggested that you start a... Read More
Low-Budget Meals In a Minute
Ever go home and look in the fridge only to... Read More
Fruit Cake
Are you the fruit cake in your family? Before you... Read More
Secrets of Great Breads
Often we field questions about making great bread. Great bread... Read More
What You Need in a Gourmet Kitchen
The best way to decide what you need in your... Read More
Two for One Dinners: Turkey
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
Grill Your Corn for Maximum Flavor
There's two basic theories on grilling corn. Some people prefer... Read More
Outdoor Chefs Choose Gas Grills
How many of you remember dad trying to get the... Read More
Understanding Baking: How Yeast Works
Did you ever wonder why flour tastes like sawdust but... Read More
Do you own an AGA or RAYBURN cooker ?
The Cooker-rail....This is a novel way of increasing the drying... Read More
Caring For Your Wooden Cutting Board
Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving... Read More
Is Cooked Food Really All That Good For Us?
In nature all animals eat living foods as yielded up... Read More
Homemade Whipped Cream
Most grocery stores carry cans of whipping cream ready to... Read More
Buying, Storing, and Preparing Apricots
When buying apricots, always look for those that are firm,... Read More
What is a Serving Size?
Have you ever wondered how much a serving really is.... Read More
Old-Fashioned Taffy Pull Party--How to Host Your Own
Want a unique party idea for your child's birthday-or even... Read More
Cookware ? Whats In It?
Have you ever wanted to buy new cookware but didn't... Read More
The Perfect Omelet(te), How to Cook It
Omelet(te)sThey're easy to cook, right?We'll see.The first thing to remember... Read More
Cooking Tips |