With summer in full swing, it’s nice to get out of the house to enjoy a nice meal with your family and friends. My three (yes, three!) sisters visited me last week and we enjoyed several picnics, one in Mt. Tabor park (pictured left). Now, you might automatically start thinking about pasta salad and potato chips, but you can really do a lot more for your taste buds when enjoying the outdoors!

Picnic food can be simple or extravagant. I personally enjoy keeping it on the simple side so I can appreciate my surroundings and company.  By simple I mean fresh and easy to prepare! I go to the market, preferably a farmers market, and buy in season fruit, a loaf of fresh artisan bread, salad mix, a couple wedges of fancy cheese, and a rotisserie chicken. All of these foods burst with flavor and fill you up more than you might think.  Go heavier on the fruit and salad, keep your cheese sampling light, and you have a very balanced and healthy meal! On top of that, you can really take advantage of the location and take a walk or hike in the area for some exercise.

What are your favorite picnic spots and foods? Have you had one yet this year?

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