Fall will be here before you know it, so why not get out there and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts! Fill a basket with your favorite goodies, grab a couple of your closest pals and throw a blanket on the grass - July is National Picnic Month, after all. 

Packing a picnic can’t be that complicated right? Not necessarily, but the more prepared you are, the more likely you will pack a healthy and delicious picnic when sunshine, nature and your tummy are calling.

Below are 4 tips to help you pack the perfect picnic: 

1. Be picnic prepared

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your picnic destination and realizing that you forgot to pack your dinnerware. To avoid the unnecessary embarrassment of eating your salad with your hands, we suggest using the below checklist to keep your picnic kit filled with all of the essentials:

The Picnic Checklist: 

♦ Picnic basket:  Invest in a sturdy, easy to carry picnic basket that will fit all of your delicious eats and supplies. 

♦ Dinnerware: That means eating utensils, cups, plates and serving utensils in a standard 4-6 piece setting. Reusable is always the best choice and if you want to be extra eco-friendly, there are many lightweight and sustainable options out there such as bamboo dinnerware.

♦ Cutting knife & a bamboo cutting board: Wrap the knife in a kitchen towel to protect the sharp blade (and your fingers). The kitchen towel can be used for cleanup afterwards.

♦ Moist towelettes: These nifty time-savers double as napkins for cleaning your hands and for wiping down dinnerware after your meal.

♦ Ice packs: To keep your food cool & fresh.

♦ Picnic blanket: The bigger the better. 

2. Opt for simple & Healthy Food

When it comes to packing the perfect picnic, simple is better. Don’t stress yourself by trying to
prepare a gourmet meal that's messy and complicated. We suggest opting for a low maintenance picnic with sandwiches, salads and healthy snacks (fruit, veggies, assorted cheeses etc.) that you can prepare at home beforehand.

Looking for summer salad inspiration? Try our Superfood Tomato Salad recipe - your taste buds (and your skin) will thank you!

3. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key during the summer months - and the best way to stay hydrated is with plain old H20. Too boring? Why not spice up your water with a few of one of our fruit infused water recipes. If this sounds a little too complicated to prepare beforehand, then we suggest slicing a few pieces of fruit - like watermelon, lemons and summer berries - and placing them in empty Éminence jars for easy storage. You can snack on the fruit later, or add them to your water for a little extra flavor.

Quick tip: If bottled H2o adds too much weight to your picnic basket, then we recommend quenching your thirst and feeding your hunger with water-rich fruits and veggies like watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, lettuce, celery and tomatoes (Health.com). 

4. Find a shady spot 

Don’t bother packing a large umbrella for shade - use nature’s canopy instead and seek out a grassy spot tucked under a tree. For those of you that prefer a picnic area that’s more on the sunny side, then make sure to stay sun safe – don’t forget your hat, sunglasses and your favorite Éminence SPF!

Do you have any tips for packing the perfect picnic? Tell us in the comments below. 

Happy picnic season!

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