Happy Earth Day! There's no easier way to be one with Mother Earth than with an outdoor meal — and thanks to these four eco-friendly items, your feast will be as green as the grass beneath your picnic blanket. Watch the video to see our picks for an earth-friendly picnic, plus tips on how to pack everything from bottles of wine to smelly foods.
Looking to add a dose of fresh flavor to your picnic spread? Try a sturdy salad that'll stay crisp throughout an afternoon of sipping wine and sunbathing (no leafy greens need apply). From a light and lovely pea and mint salad to heartier noodle-based options, we've got you covered.
It's shorts-wearing season, and what better way to catch some rays than to pack a leisurely afternoon picnic? Keep Mother Nature looking good by loading your picnic basket with compostable dinnerware items. It's easier than ever to purchase plates, cutlery, and cups that are 100 percent biodegradable and made from natural sources like corn and sugar-cane fiber. Click through to take a look at all the recommended items you'll need. Now go dust off the checkered blanket, and start whipping up your favorite picnic treats.
Throughout middle and high school, I practically subsisted on Nature Valley's crisp and crunchy Oats 'n Honey granola bars. To this day, a mere glimpse of the bold green wrapper gets my stomach grumbling. So when I stumbled upon a recipe hack for the snacktime staple, I knew I had to try it for myself.
My first attempt turned out a batch that, while enticing, wasn't quite right; my roommates happily scarfed them down, but to my nostalgic palate, they were slightly too soft, not quite salty enough, and tasted a little raw. Thankfully, with a few tweaks — notably, toasting the oats and swapping out half the honey for brown sugar for a deeper flavor and a crisper, toastier texture — they're everything my teenage self could've wished for. Even better, they're slightly less sweet, leaving my slightly more sophisticated mid-20s persona pleased as punch as well.
With picnic season upon us, now is the perfect time to find a chic yet practical carrier to tote your wine bottles. With a mix of sleek leather options, colorful containers, and a few accessories for your outdoor sips, we're helping you bring style to all your alfresco meals. Prep for sunny lunches by taking a look at these adorable wine bottle carriers!
It's almost picnic time, which means we need to figure out what to pack! For inspiration, we asked moms to share their perfect picnic eats — kid-friendly foods that are light, fresh, and healthy, but also easily packed. From zesty lemon bars to sausage roll-ups and fruit on a stick, these yummy eats will make the ants jealous!
Say hello to my go-to picnic and backyard barbecue dish: sesame-ginger soba noodle salad. Vibrantly flavored, full of crisp vegetables, and best served at room temperature — I'd argue it's actually tastier the second day — this noodle dish is perfectly tailored for outdoor entertaining (and is a standout brown-bag lunch option as well for similar reasons).
Don't be put off by the laundry list of ingredients; many are pantry staples or easy to source — try an Asian grocer or Amazon, or even sub sriracha for the chili oil if your supermarket doesn't stock it — and the actual prep for the salad is breezy, to say the least.
Get the recipe and toss together a heaping bowl of soba noodle salad.
We're almost at the end of Summer, so if you haven't packed a scrumptious snack and headed to a movie in the park, outdoor concert, or nearby beach, gather up your family and friends, grab your favorite portable picks, shove them in a cooler, and head out! Actually, on second thought, don't just shove them in a cooler. There's a right way to do it. Find out how when you keep reading.
Labor Day is this weekend, which means a day off to spend with friends and family. Whether heading to a gathering or lounging around the house, this holiday is the unofficial end of Summer and a big day to get out the grill and spend a few hours basting something good with barbecue sauce. Knowing that kids aren't always the most adventurous eaters, we gathered up some good eats that will make your Labor Day perfect. Click through for the perfect dish to try at your all-ages Labor Day event!
A Summer to Fall transition is the perfect time to experiment with alternatives to outdoor entertaining, like an elegant indoor picnic. Matthew David Hopkins, Creative Director of 360 Design Events, insists it's the best way to meld the laid-back feel of outdoor entertaining with the glamour of indoor dining. Impressed by his stunning Indian-inspired picnic spread, we grilled him on the details for getting the look.
CS: Is it possible for most home entertainers to pull together an indoor picnic from their own closets and cabinets?
MH: Start with the place settings. Likely, you can find most of the elements in your own kitchen cabinets. Wine glasses, silverware, napkins, trays, and votive candles (for romance) all add to the look. Choose a mix of special and everyday items.
Add metallic flair with these Antiqued Tapered Votive Holders ($18 for a set of 6).
CS: What's one unexpected item someone should use for an indoor picnic?
MH: In picking out the blanket, you might think — it's going on the floor (or ground) so it shouldn't be too nice. Switch up that thinking and go for the opposite. I have this great tapestry I found in India years ago. My Mom always said, "Why have things if you don't use them?" And that stuck with me. The blanket is the biggest opportunity to make an impression here — so go for it!
Keep reading for more of Matthew's tips on pulling off the perfect indoor picnic!
