The Stay-cation and Picnic

The stay-cation is all the rage. I have been asked to write 2 -3 articles about it already. It is definitely a sign of the times…vacationing in your own back yard. I like it really; I have been doing it for years. Day trips to places the kids love or are family friendly. Pack a picnic or splurge on a meal as part of the day. It is very nice, really and much less expensive than getting on a plane or driving for 4+ hours. Here in Northern California we have tons of parks, hiking trails and beaches to go to. In the rest of the United States…well there are tons of parks, hiking trails, beaches, lakes, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, etc. The US has no shortage of places to go visit within 2 hours of your front door…no matter where you live. Sometimes it takes a bit of organization and investigation to pull off a great day, but mostly it just takes the desire to get up, get out and have fun.

July is National Picnic Month. Yes a month devoted to picnics so get out and find yourself a great stay-cation location and have a picnic. Here is what you need to know to get started. Back Roads is a great resource of information, as is your local regional parks system.

Next you need to be equipped with a picnic and supplies:

First the equipment; if you don’t already have a well outfitted picnic basket and don’t want to invest a small fortune on one that is already pre-assembled, try this out. Get a large galvanized bucket from the hardware store or a large, strong basket with handles from a home goods outlet store. If you get the bucket, it can double as a small garbage can or drinks bucket once you set up. Fill it with the following items from the dollar store or other bargain store in your area:
  • Plates, dishwasher safe and preferable unbreakable
  • Cups or glasses
  • Flatware and a few serving pieces
  • Cloth napkins
  • Vinyl table cloth or oil cloth that is easy to wipe down
  • Salt and pepper containers with closeable lids
  • Set of re-useable containers in various sizes, as needed.
  • Bug candles or lanterns
  • Cutting board or mat and an all purpose knife
  • Extra Large zip lock bag filled with garbage bags, matches, bottle/wine opener, zip lock baggies, wipes for the table and for hands, biodegradable soap and a 2 clothes one for washing and one for drying.
Additional important items:
  • Cooler (I like the soft one on wheels with a luggage handle, it makes it easy to carry a lot of stuff; my second favorites are the large cooler bag with easy to carry handles or the cooler backpack.)
  • Re-freezable “ice” sheets
  • Bag or basket for non perishable items and BBQ equipment (if cooking on site)
  • Blanket or mat for sitting in the grass.
For the serious hikers you want to look for backpack coolers like the Thermos Sling that each person can carry on their own. It holds a day’s worth of snacks, water and food.

Second, food safety! Hot summer days and perishable items can lead to really bad tummies, so pack it safely and think it through.
  • Don’t pack more than you will need, after a day in the sun, no food will be safe to eat once you get home.
  • Pack cold items when they are cold…really cold. Make salads with dressings and meat and cheese items the night before and chill well in the refrigerator before packing in the cooler. Pack them last with lots of ice packs.
  • If you are going to pack it in the cooler, chill it down first, even if it isn’t usually served cold, like jars of olives or pickles and condiments.
  • Make sandwiches on frozen bread to stay colder longer. Cookies and brownies can also be packed frozen.
  • Freeze juice boxes/pouches, they will double as ice packs.
  • Make sure raw meats are double bagged so they don’t leak and contaminate other foods, or pack them separately all together. You can pack them frozen too, and the will defrost in route.
  • Cut up fruit must be kept cold, however whole fruits are safe at room temperature.
  • Nuts, trail mix and granola are safe at room temperature, but if it has chocolate chips in it you should keep it cold.
  • For more information on Food Safety on the road go to the USDA site.
Third, don’t forget the snacks and the water. If you are planning a long day out in the hot summer sun, it is really important that you keep your family well hydrated, especially if you will be engaging in a hike, bike ride or other sports. Invest in a stainless steel water bottle for each member of the family and use them. They are safer for your family and the environment than standard plastic water bottles. For quick and portable energy snacks stick to nuts, seeds, dried fruit, trail mixes, and protein bars or snack bars. Yes, there is a difference. Protein bars will have 10 or more grams of protein and 10 or more grams of carbohydrates. Look for ones with all natural ingredients and no refined or artificial sweeteners. Snack bars and granola bars have 2-9 grams of protein and depending on the brand may be more like a candy bar than a good source of nutrition…read the labels so you know what you are getting. Homemade bars or muffins are also a good choice.
Last but not least, while your standard PB&J or ham and cheese sandwiches with a bag of chips and an apple will work and even be your family’s favorites, here are some other great menus ideas and recipes to try. Recipes are available on iLunchBox.com.

Menu 1:
Menu 2: with ideas for making it gluten free
Menu 3: For a no fuss BBQ and gluten free meal