Gluten free is thought to be one of the most difficult types of diets to shop for and to cook for. However, a gluten-free diet often yields itself quite well to a gourmet menu. Let’s look at some of the choices for a full day of meals that are both gluten free and have a certain gourmet appeal:

Breakfast

This is the time of day that is meant for a gluten free diet. Many foods are naturally gluten free, and when they are not, you’ll often find direct substitutes to make the ingredients work for you. The first food we think of for breakfast is eggs. Eggs are a naturally gluten-free food. Other essentials you may consider for a gourmet frittata include ingredients like onions, cheese, chicken sausage, pancetta, and asparagus. Fill up an omelet with veggies and meats and not only do you have a healthy breakfast that is extremely filling, but you can enjoy this gourmet feast while remaining gluten free.

Sweet and Salty Snacks

Treats and snacks, especially sweet ones, can be tricky for the gluten-free diet. If you’re limiting your snacking to fruits and nuts, take heart. There is no reason you should have to keep the same old boring snacks on hand when there are so many ways to go gourmet. Using gluten-free baking ingredients, you can make a chocolate dipped almond biscotti or even amaretti cookies. The same goes for salty snacks. Don’t just grab a gluten-free bag of corn chips. Give your salty snack a gourmet style and taste. Mix up wonderfully flavorful dips and spreads using Greek yogurt, natural peanut butter, and fresh avocado, lime, and a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices. Gluten-free snacking means fresh, whole ingredients which lends itself very well to a gourmet treat.

Salads

Probably the easiest to adapt to a gluten-free diet are salads. All vegetables are considered gluten free, so making a fresh salad that is out of this world is extremely easy to do. But, you don’t want to linger in salad boredom day after day using the same old tired vegetables. To bump up the gourmet factor, try some of the following ingredients in your next salad:

mango
almonds
jicama slaw
feta cheese
shallots
lentils
lime
remoulade sauce
fennel
cumin

These are just a few items to think about the next time you go salad shopping. There are literally thousands of variations you can create with gluten-free salad ingredients; you just need to stop thinking about what you’ve always used, and start thinking ‘gourmet.’

Entrees

Just think fresh, fresh, fresh, and you’ll be on your way to developing a menu of meals that are not only gluten free, but gourmet, as well. Wholesome ingredients like fresh fish, lamb, beef, seafood, and chicken will get you started. Fresh vegetables and fruits used in unusual ways will give your entrees a decidedly gourmet flare. Many Asian inspired dishes lend very well to a gluten free main course. A spicy Thai-style lettuce wrap followed by lime and ginger smothered Hawaiian chicken can make for a great gourmet dinner or lunch. Take a gourmet vacation around the world with gluten-free dishes based on many cultural cooking styles. This is a wide-open arena for cooking gluten-free and gourmet at the same time. Just look at the great foods you can eat on a gluten-free diet and use them in new ways. That’s what gourmet cooking is all about.

Desserts

Passing on the usual cakes, cookies, and pies isn’t difficult on a gluten-free diet when you have so many other gourmet options available. How much more gourmet can you get than a decadent dessert like chocolate covered fruit? Try a variety of fruit dipped in a chocolate shell coating. Or for something more exotic, try making a balsamic reduction and drizzle over a medley of berries. You could also make a sweet frozen yogurt with pomegranates or other fun fruit. If you are striving for an over-the-top gluten-free gourmet dessert, make a dulce de leche crème brulee using condensed milk, vanilla, sugar, eggs and a pinch of salt. It’s simple and oh so gourmet!

Eating gluten-free doesn’t mean giving up your gourmet tastes. In many ways, the foods that are gluten-free are the ingredients most desirable in gourmet cooking. Think about the freshest, most colorful and flavorful food items in your grocery store and you’ll find a wealth of gluten-free ingredients among them. Now just mix them up and use your imagination to create your gourmet gluten-free day.

By definition, an eclectic gourmet is someone who doesn’t have a preference for certain types of food, but instead, enjoys trying new things from around the world. These food-enthusiasts are looking for distinct tastes rather than being stuck on certain ingredients. They also are on a hunt for different methods of cooking, from the traditional saute to the Tandoori of India there is a wide variety of cooking methods to explore.

Think Long Term to Understand Real Value

When the eclectic gourmet is shopping, he or she is thinking long term when it comes to purchases. For instance, a jar of tahini, gourmet balsamic vinaigrette, small capers, or exotic mushrooms, can be a bit high for the budget. But when you understand these products will probably last for a long time because you use very little in a dish, the cost falls within the realm of possibility.

Thinking long term when it comes to more expensive ingredients is helpful when it comes to meal planning, too. The trick is to buy in the largest amount possible to keep the price lower and to have on hand for as many meals as possible. With a pantry shelf or refrigerator well stocked with just a few gourmet ingredients, your can try new dishes easily and without the added effort of shopping around again.

Budget Friendly Gourmet Baking

Baking is another way the eclectic gourmet can experience new flavors within a limited budget. In general, baking ingredients are similar for many cuisines and a good stash of baking essentials will last a long time. Most baking ingredients can be found to be fairly inexpensive as a whole, so you can afford to stock up on a variety of grains and flours to bake up gourmet treats any time without spending a fortune.

With a couple turns of the rolling pin or twist of the wrist, a warm wonderful aroma will be wafting from your oven, and you can enjoy gourmet pastries and breads for only a few dollars each. Take time to master the art of garlic naan, or rich cream-filled pastries from Italy. Try your hand at baked delights such as the dough wrapped mochi ice cream from Asian cultures. With just a little practice and the right ingredients, you can produce gourmet baked goods at budget prices.

Turn Leftovers Loose with New Flavors

For a true eclectic gourmet on a budget, re-purposing leftovers to make an entirely new meal is an excellent way to go. Rather than just plating up your leftover steak dinner the same way you had it last night, take the ingredients and turn them into something new. Thin slice that steak and toss it in with stir fried vegetables and spicy chili sauce in a fajita. Take the mashed potatoes and mix them with roasted garlic and use as a base for your thick and rich seafood chowder. And that roasted chicken can easily be shredded and blended with a creamy yogurt curry sauce and served over Japanese noodles.

Even leftover chicken noodle soup can get a gourmet bump by adding tamari, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts. Just because a food is ordinary doesn’t mean you can’t make it extraordinary with a few simple ingredients you already have on hand. Leftovers are the perfect opportunity to try really eclectic cuisine without destroying the budget because the dish has already been prepared and paid for. It’s the ultimate way to stretch your dollar without risking a lot.

Just because you’re trying to cook a variety of eclectic cuisine doesn’t mean you have to break your budget. Gourmet cuisine can be found anywhere at any price, you just have to know how to find it. You don’t need to spend a fortune cooking fun, eclectic gourmet meals. The eclectic gourmet is a smart gourmet!

Not all picnics have to take place in the sunshine. There are a lot of reasons to host a picnic at night; perhaps that’s when you want to eat, you may want to enjoy a full moon, or an eclipse, or the heat of the day may be just too intense. When the night time is the right time, you want a picnic that fits the mood of the evening.

Depending on the weather where you are, an evening may be chilly, or not. A picnic by moonlight requires a few special accessories and maybe a tweak in the menu. Let’s take a look at some ideas for your picnic under the stars:

Staging Your Picnic for a Moonlit Night

There really isn’t much more than a full moon and a sky full of stars that you can improve upon for your picnic. However, there are some necessities to keep in mind to keep you and your guests comfortable.

Start with a candlelit walkway to your picnic spot. Use sturdy metal pails filled with sand, then insert chunky candles. Light them before your guests arrive so the way is clear, especially if the spot is relatively unknown.

If you’ve chosen a clear night with a big full moon, much of the lighting will be provided, but not usually enough to eat by. Again, you want a good amount of candles strategically placed so your area is lit well enough to see your food. A lantern may be helpful especially for grilling and serving the food. You can always turn the lights down again once the food is served.

Nights can bring on the dew, so chairs and tables are a better choice than blankets on the grass. However, it all depends on your area. Choose one or the other for eating and relaxing. Be sure to bring extra blankets if the night temperatures drop. You want everyone to be comfortable enough to stay and enjoy the night.

Plan your menu according to your cooking facilities. Be sure to have everything arranged very well so you aren’t digging in the dark for food and utensils. Separate coolers are helpful for this purpose. It’s better to carry three or four small coolers than one big one in this instance.

Maps of the stars are a great thing to have along. Telescopes are fun, too. Many phones now have apps for stargazing. If anyone has one, bring it along. It will turn you into an astronomer before you know it. Other fun things to do with a sky full of stars is to tell stories and sing songs. Be ready with a couple stories and pass out the lyrics to a few songs to keep the party going.

If a campfire is possible, build one. It enhances the mood of the evening, making the sky even darker. But keep it small so the light doesn’t totally obliterate the stars and moon. And plan to start letting it go out at least one to two hours before you’re ready to leave, then douse the logs with water and shovel sand over the top.

Like I said, there’s not much more you can do to accessorize a picnic by moonlight. So, let’s explore the food for a picnic by moonlight.

Eating By Moonlight

Eating basically by moonlight can be tricky, especially if you don’t want to ‘pollute’ the dark with a lot of candles or lantern light. The solution is to keep the food ultra simple.

Finger food is a great idea when you don’t want to struggle with utensils in the semi-dark. Roll-ups and pinwheels for a main dish are an excellent choice. Create a delicious roll up using small tortillas filled with a slice of ham, fresh asparagus, and a slice of smoked provolone cheese, then roll up into a cigar shape and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Make a couple for each guest. They’re delicious and very easy to serve and eat, and no dishes required.

Pinwheels can be made in a similar fashion, but are cut into bite sized pieces. Lay out a large tortilla and spread with a mixture of flaked salmon, chopped cucumbers, chives, and cream cheese. Roll tightly in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour. Then cut into discs and lay in a large tray. Cover and take to your picnic and let everyone dig in.

If you long to fire up your grill, choose foods that are easy to cook and serve. Cut chicken breasts and thighs into strips, then marinade or coat in your favorite toppings. Grill for a few minutes, then flip and grill until cooked through. This boneless chicken in strips makes it easy to eat and there are no bones to worry about having to discard.

Other grilled favorites are burritos or calzones. Wrap them up ahead of time, then get the grill going and cook them until toasty brown on all sides. Bring a grilling tray along so you don’t have to worry about them falling through the grates, or cleaning the grates, especially if it’s a public grill at a park.

You can even serve salads as finger foods! Romaine lettuce leaves are perfect for wrapping up a green salad, tuna salad, or chicken salad. If you decide to bring potato salad or pasta salads, pack them in individual paper bowls to make it easier to serve. Wrap the fork right in and just pass them out.

Desserts are easy at a moonlight picnic. If you have a campfire, bring the makings for S’mores; marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars. If you don’t have a campfire, brownies or cookies are perfect. Serving pie can be troublesome, but you can make individual pocket-pies which are a lot of fun.

Beverages should lean toward the warming side. Choose hot chocolate, apple cider, or mulled wine for a cozy moonlit sip. Mix it up ahead of time and bring in thermoses, either individual ones or in the larger style. Choose ‘hot drink approved’ paper cups and you can burn them in your campfire. Keep this in mind with all your utensils; cleaning up in the dark is not easy, so keep everything at a minimal amount.

No matter what your reason is for having a picnic late at night, whether you are in love with the moonlight, you fancy yourself a stargazer, you find the night sounds relaxing, or you just like to eat late, a picnic under a sky full of stars and a moon shining bright is a great place to be! Make your plans and invite your night-owl friends to join in the fun at your moonlight picnic.

For many people, a sandwich isn’t a sandwich unless it’s encased in two pieces of bread, most often one of only a few standard varieties ? white, wheat, or rye. Some people don’t even know that dozens of flat, sweet, and corn breads, like broa, lavash, papadum, and zwieback, even exist.

Thus, you can literally reinvent your sandwiches simply by substituting other breads filled with your favorite ingredients. Let’s take a look at a few ideas to start you re-thinking your bread choices when making your next picnic sandwich.

Hard Crusts

Ask the French or the Italians about bread, and their first choices will be hard breads like baguettes, boule, or fougasse. These choices add gourmet flair and flavor to more traditional sandwiches. As an added bonus, these breads make it easier to stack juicy, messy ingredients inside without worrying about having your tasty ingredients end all over your hands instead of in your tummy where they belong.

Grilled or Pressed Breads

Then there are those sandwiches that have been grilled, something many sandwich shops call paninis. Although not a specific type of bread, there are some common types used to create grilled sandwiches that are pressed with those familiar grill marks. Grilling and pressing gives a sandwich added flavor and texture, and a delightful appearance. Ciabatta, foccacia, and sourdough are some of the more popular bread choices you will want to try.

Wrap and Roll

Sandwich bread varieties don’t stop there. In fact, some sandwiches don’t even require traditional breads to be complete. Take tortilla wraps, for example. The versatility of these lightweight flatbreads makes them tasty candidates for combining with common sandwich ingredients like meats, cheeses, lettuce, vegetables, and dressings, as well as less common sandwich makings like grilled fish and fruit.

You’ve probably seen these wraps beginning to replace traditional sandwich breads, even in the fast-food joints. With a wide variety of tortilla flavors like tomato-basil, spinach, sun-dried tomato, corn, and flour, it’s not difficult to create new tastes in the American diet. These soft tortillas are commonly used to make the pinwheel and roll-up sandwiches seen at parties and special events, but certainly are also a perfect choice for easy to eat sandwiches in a picnic basket.

In addition, many countries have their own flatbreads they use to make delicious sandwiches. In Norway, it’s lefse, used in rakfisk wraps with potatoes, onions, and sour cream. In the Middle East, it’s lavash, used by Jillian Michaels as a secret weapon of one of her most popular diet plans. People in Afghanistan bake a vegan flat bread called bolani, stuffing it with any number of vegetables and potatoes.

There are enough bread varieties to allow for individual tastes and exciting new possibilities with our ‘standard’ sandwich ingredients. Try a few of these exotic breads at your nearest grocer or bakery, and you’ll soon discover how easy it is to travel the world of flavor and variety with sandwiches that excite your palate and sense of adventure.

Thinking of pumpkin as a nutritious super food can be a bit puzzling. After all, isn’t the image that comes to mind sweet and smooth and covered in whipped cream? But, according to nutritionists, we should be thinking of pumpkin more often than during the annual Charlie Brown cartoon or as a delicious way to top off a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner.

Pumpkin is a vegetable, regardless of those images. In fact, pumpkin is a nutrient-rich super food that has a great number of health benefits. Let’s take a look at why pumpkin should get its just desserts… beyond desserts.

A Well-Rounded Vegetable

The list of nutrients in pumpkin is almost endless. Starting with the basic vitamins and minerals we all know, pumpkin has a healthy amount of vitamins C and E, and is a rich source of potassium and magnesium. Pumpkin is also right up there with other super foods in the dietary fiber category.

Pumpkin also contains two lesser known elements called carotenoids, which are alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. These carotenoids are fat-soluble compounds that are specifically linked to decreasing the risk of a number of cancers, as well as lowering the risk for heart disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Beta carotene is an important antioxidant. Foods rich in beta carotene, like pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots, have the potential to lower cholesterol and to slow the aging process of our vital organs. Antioxidant rich foods, like pumpkin, are key to fighting the free radicals which attack our healthy cells.

And, it’s not just the flesh, the insides, of the pumpkin that is healthy. The seeds from the pumpkin also earn their super food status. These seeds, or pepitas, are also nutrient-rich and beneficial, containing high concentrations of phosphorous, zinc, copper, selenium, and other nutrients. The seeds also have essential Omega 3 fatty acids and even the amino acid typtophan, known for its anti-depressant benefits. So, as you see, the pumpkin has a lot more to offer than you might think.

Thinking Outside the Pie Pan

Of course, pumpkin is associated first with pie. Beyond pie, many folks know about making pumpkin muffins or cake. These are great and delicious, but trying to branch out into more pumpkin dishes takes a little more imagination.

But, first to clarify; no, pumpkin does not taste like pumpkin pie. That flavor comes from the spices used in the pie, like nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon. Because pumpkin basically has very little flavor of its own, it will taste like whatever you want it to taste like.

Pumpkin is truly versatile enough to go into soup, chowder, stews, casseroles, and other main dishes. You can puree pumpkin and add to soups as a thickener and to add great fiber and nutrition. Try roasting pumpkin and mashing like you would any squash. Flavor with herbs, salt, and pepper for added taste. You can steam it, boil it, or puree it to use in a variety of other recipes, like pumpkin pancakes for breakfast. The seeds, of course, can be roasted in a number of ways, then added to cereal, trail mix, or salads.

For a real different twist, and a very pretty presentation, scoop out the flesh from several small pumpkins, chop up and add to your choice of meat, vegetables, rice or bread cubes, and seasonings. Then stuff the pumpkin shells with the mixture and bake to make an entrée that your guests won’t soon forget.

Pumpkin has definitely earned its place among the top super foods for a healthy diet. Colorful, nutritious, delicious, and oh so versatile ? all the things a super food should be!

When you think of New York street vendors, you might think only of hot dogs, hamburgers, and other “fast food.” But, given that New York City is an ethnic melting pot, that really doesn’t make sense.

Many different nationalities live together, sometimes in areas where congestion and busy streets are a way of life. Consequently, street vendors are also from many different nationalities. So, it doesn’t make sense for all these ethnic groups to be selling hotdogs and hamburgers. Let’s take a look at what the street vendor has to tell us about creating a picnic:

The Street Vendor Glorified

There is actually an annual competition called the Vendy Awards. This event commands a healthy ticket price for an all-you-can-eat-and-drink day of tasty fun. Street vendors get a chance to showcase their foods and compete for the title of “the best food on the streets.” These humble street vendors are humble no more.

Many big cities sponsor summer festivals where street vendors congregate to offer their best creations. Judging from the long lines at some of these events, this food is a welcome treat from the ordinary fare.

Finding a good street vendor means having a delicious picnic. Many city dwellers grab a bite from their favorite street vendor, then head to a local park, public square, or other outdoor seating area. Relaxing with a tasty picnic lunch is especially nice when the dishes are so varied that you’d never have to eat the same thing twice, unless, of course, you wanted to.

How can you replicate this “citified” picnic? By replicating the food, of course.

Eating Your Way Across Cultural Lines

As we discovered, hotdogs are not the only ticket in town. Because of the wide ethic reaches of a big city like New York, you will find food from around the globe. Lucky for us, each culture has held onto its legacy of food and flavors.

Start your journey at a Turkish vendor serving doner kebab, a lamb dish served with a variety of sauces, either on a platter or in a sandwich. Lamb is also a favorite in Greek dishes, most often seen in gyros, which are pitas filled with lamb and an assortment of vegetables with a nice creamy tzatziki sauce. Another favorite at the Greek street vendors is moussaka, a dish made with lamb, eggplant, cheese, and tomatoes. Very tasty either hot or room temperature, making it perfect for a picnic.

You can’t miss the German street vendors with the pungent aromas of frying sausages. The classic German bratwurst is a favorite of many picnic goers who like their hotdogs and sausages, but like them with a bit more flavor, texture, and “oomph!” You may also want to try schnitzel which is basically a piece of meat, pounded thin with a mallet, then coated in breadcrumbs and fried. It’s simplicity makes it perfect picnic food ? easy to eat either as is or in a sandwich.

Homemade tamales are a favorite, as well. These are basically the Mexican version of a sandwich. Easily transported and very tasty, they make the perfect food to carry to your picnic spot to enjoy. They are normally cooked in a leaf wrapping which is discarded before eating. The filling is varied depending on the cook. Staying authentic to the food means cooking what’s available, so you will find chicken or beef depending on the price. In larger cities near the sea, you will find more fish and shrimp. Replicating tamales at your picnic is easy to do because they grill very easily.

Visit a Middle Eastern street vendor to enjoy a nice falafel dish, either just as a snack or as a full sandwich in pita bread topped with crunchy vegetables with a tahini sauce and a dash of hot pepper sauce if desired. Falafel is a full-meal deal because they are made with chickpeas which is a protein as well as a vegetable. Again, an easy to eat picnic dish that you can recreate at home.

You don’t have to wander too far if you’re looking for halal foods, the group of foods permitted by Islamic law to be eaten by faithful Muslims. Because Islamic law requires animals be treated with respect, and only certain types of meats are eaten, the dishes prepared are very specific. Even if you are not Muslim, the consistent quality and healthy aspects of halal food is appealing to many people. You’ll find ample servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, nuts, and legumes at a street vendor who sells halal food. Your diet with thank you.

The plain truth is, urban picnics can be a lot of fun with all the choices available right there on the street. Whether you’re in New York City or other city or town, you can find plenty of food and lots of ideas for hosting your own Street Vendor Picnic right in your own backyard or neighborhood park. Enjoy a variety of dishes from all over the globe at your next picnic.

Apricots are soft, sweet, juicy, and mostly recognized for their fuzzy skin. This little orange colored fruit is packed with nutrients and great for snacking. Once you get past the giant plum-like seed casing in the middle, every bite is a delight. Let’s take at look at this fuzzy little fruit and see where it came from and a few other interesting facts.

What is it?

The apricot is the fruit produced on a rather scrawny looking tree. The tree canopy spreads out like thin arms, producing a massive amount of fruit. The actual apricot is similar in size to a small peach. The orange color may appear the shade of a basketball, and will often be darker orange or even red on the side more exposed to the sun. The single seed is enclosed in a hard pit often called a ‘stone.’ If you look at the pit, you will see three ridges running down one side, which is where the new plant breaks through once it sprouts.

History

Apricots have been cultivated in Armenia since ancient times and it is thought to be native to the area. However, other studies and excavations of ancient sites have shown that apricots have been farmed in both ancient China and India almost 1,000 years prior to the Armenians. You’ll find apricot groves in warm climates in the United States, even growing wild. The wild versions are still edible, though quite a bit smaller. If you live in a warm region, you may experience your first wild apricot sighting when you spot squirrels running around with small ‘basketballs’ in their mouth.

Health Benefits

Full of beta-carotene, giving them their orange color, and packed with fiber, apricots are a great addition to any diet. Apricot kernels contain between 2% and 2.5% hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) which, contrary to popular belief, is not enough to be harmful if consumed. The seed also contains high levels of cyanogenic glycosides which can help treat cancer and was used to treat tumors in the early 5th century. In more recent years, studies have shown that treating prostate cancers with the amygdalin found in apricot seeds may induce reduction in cancer cells.

If you are looking for heart healthy fruit, apricots are your best friend. Compared to other foods, apricots possess the highest levels of carotenoids which can help prevent heart disease and even lower bad cholesterol levels. While these are great benefits to have, other studies have shown that apricots are best when consumed in moderation and excess intake could actually be harmful to your body. As in most consumption, heed the advice “do all things in moderation.”

Fun Facts

Apricots are in the same family as plums. The full species and subgenus is Prunus armeniaca, which, when translated is “Armenian Prune.” Apricots are susceptible to bacterial and fungal diseases. One of the biggest enemies of the apricot tree is the nematode, which is why the valuable seed is grown inside the pit to make sure a new generation of apricot survives in the wild. A little lesson in nature protecting itself.

Because their natural sugars help preserve the fruit, much like honey and dried dates found in the ancient Egyptian tombs, dried apricots can last for several centuries without spoiling. The kernels of the apricot grown in some regions are so sweet they may be a substitute for almonds. Amaretto liqueur and amaretti biscotti, two Italian favorites, are often flavored with apricot extract rather than almonds to save on costs.

How to Eat

Snacking on dried apricots is a great way to add a sweet treat to your day; anytime anywhere. Throw a handful in with your cereal, or top a crisp salad with dried apricots to add an extra flavor profile to your dish. Kids especially like the surprisingly fuzzy little texture of dried apricots, along with the super sweet taste. For an extra treat, dip dried apricots in a bit of melted chocolate.

Fresh apricots can be reduced in a sauce to be used as a glaze for pecan crusted chicken. Create a simple apricot sauce to accompany grilled pork. Dice up fresh apricot for a luau inspired salad. You can even halve apricots and grill them, just like you would peaches or pineapples. Consider mashing apricots to add to pan breads for a completely different spin on baking.

No matter how you use them, apricots are a delicious and healthy way to add some sweetness to your meals, without picking up the sugar bowl. Buy some today and try to incorporate them into your daily diet. You will feel good knowing you are boosting your nutrition level with every sweet bite.

Think of baseball, and many things come to mind – warm weather, the spirit of competition, and of course, stadium food. Ballparks aren’t the only places you can enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, fries, peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream treats, though. Choose a baseball theme for your next picnic and enjoy the spirit of the sport as well as the tasty food we all know and love. Here are a few ideas for bringing the ballpark to your picnic:

Hot Dogs, Get Your Hot Dogs

Let’s start with inside the stadium. When you walk through those gates, the first thing you want is to find the food stands. Those hot dogs are calling your name. Or maybe it’s a nice juicy hamburger or hot Italian sausage with the works. For your baseball themed picnic, these are the classics.

No matter where you picnic, in your backyard or at a neighborhood park, you’ll probably need a portable grill. This will allow you to cook hot dogs, sausages, and burgers to perfection. Bring along plenty of mustard, ketchup, relish, diced onion, and pickles for a real ballpark experience. Don’t forget to grill up some onions and peppers, too, in order to complete the ballpark concession stand favorites.

Beyond the traditional hot dogs, sausages, and hamburgers, you have nachos. The easiest way to provide this classic ballpark snack is to buy nacho cheese sauce. You’ll find it in cans in your grocery store. Bring a grill-safe dish to heat the sauce and pour over tortilla chips in individual paper bowls. Top with jalapeno peppers if desired and serve.

Peanuts, in the shells, of course, and popcorn are classics that can easily be added to your picnic. Put a cup or two of unshelled peanuts in small paper bags and leave them around the table for guests to help themselves. Fill bags with popcorn, too. These are simple snacks, but because they are classic ballpark fare, they are a must.

Don’t forget Cracker Jacks. If you want to make your own, just follow any simple caramel corn recipe, add nuts, and you have another classic treat. Cotton candy can be purchased in plastic bags in most party stores or candy stores. These bags of cotton candy are specifically made not to melt, so they make a fun addition to a baseball theme party. Then, of course, there are the pretzels. Big, soft pretzels are great if you can make them, but if not, bags of pretzels will satisfy your guests as well.

Beyond the Basics with the Tailgate Pros

Not everyone who goes to a baseball game grabs a hot dog, a bag of peanuts, and takes their seat just in time for the first pitch. Tailgate party veterans know a thing or two about enjoying the day with a variety of foods, as well as how to pack the right foods for a whole day of outdoor fun at the ballpark.

Presuming you have access to a grill, other easy ideas for main courses include chicken drumsticks and wings, turkey legs, and even ribs. You could dice the meat and make kabobs, or add a marinade or glaze and grill the legs, wings, or ribs with fabulous results.

Chili is another classic tailgating dish that actually does double duty. A nice big bowl of chili is a filling dish all on its own. But, if your heart’s desire at a ballpark is to eat a hot dog, why not turn it into a chili dog? With a sturdy bun, grilled hot dog, a generous dollop of chili, and a sprinkling of diced sweet onion, you’ve got another ballpark classic.

You also will never go wrong with great classic sandwiches. Build stacks of sandwiches that include anything from tuna, chicken, and egg salad, to cold cuts, cheese steak, hoagies, clubs, and grilled cheese. Use your imagination to add a few extra ingredients and watch your picnic guests devour every last bite.

Fresh fruit and vegetable salads aren’t out of the question, either. As with other picnics that feature similar foods, you want to include bean salad, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, and vegetable and fruit salads that are convenient to carry along to a baseball picnic. Stick with the classics mentioned to keep the old time ballpark theme going.

Expanding on the basics within the stadium is what tailgating is all about. Rather than serve simple nachos, how about throwing in everything but the kitchen sink? Include ingredients in your ‘super nachos’ like black olives, shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh tomatoes, hot or mild peppers, and maybe some fresh basil, cilantro, or parsley. Bring along your favorite salsa to spoon on top as well.

For dessert, keep it traditional and simple. Make lemonade popsicles and popcorn balls. Of course America’s favorite pastime deserves America’s favorite pie ? apple. Another tailgater’s trick is to make individual apple pie ‘pockets’ rather than try to serve slices from a full pie. Be sure to have ice cream along, or even the classic slice of Cheddar cheese.

Set the Stadium Stage

There are many ways to set the mood for a baseball themed picnic. To begin, you’ll certainly want to play the part of true baseball fans by bringing bats, balls, mitts, jerseys, and plenty of team spirit along, to enjoy the sport during the day.

Set up a diamond, even if it can’t be very big, and invite everyone up to bat at least once. Use whiffle balls so all ages can play. If you don’t have enough people to divide into teams, play a sort of scrimmage where everyone gets a turn up to bat, then goes to the outfield after they get home or they are called out.

The table and food service should be very, very simple. As in a stadium, everything is served in paper dishes. Condiments are in big containers next to the food. Everybody helps themselves to drinks. Put drinks, salads, and desserts in coolers and make everything easy to grab. You can also find sports-themed serving dishes, like little plastic baseball caps, in most party stores if you wish to use them.

Decorate with baseball memorabilia, caps, and equipment if you have it. Set up a simple scoreboard using posterboard with cut out numbers. Be sure to have a radio with a game playing in the background if you can. And don’t forget the seventh-inning stretch! Write up the words to the song “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” on a board so everybody can sing along.

As you can see, a baseball theme for your next picnic is a great way to create family fun, camaraderie, and competitive spirit that brings people closer together. Of course, it all starts with our favorite ballpark food. Use these simple suggestions to put together a memorable event that will leave everyone satisfied as they leave your ‘stadium.’

You only have to take a look at Popeye to see why spinach is considered a super food. Sure, spinach may not give you the same super powers, but it is packed with enough nutrients to give your diet a healthy blast. Spinach is part of the chenopod super-food family, along with beets, chard, and quinoa. Add spinach to your healthy diet and you are keeping some good company. Let’s take a look at why spinach has gained super food status.

Making The Case For Spinach

Years ago, spinach was not considered a very kid-friendly green. Typically, either canned or frozen spinach was served. This processed spinach could have a bitter taste or an unpleasant texture, and no matter how parents tried to disguise it, there was no getting around the fact that it wasn’t tasty.

However, with the increased availability of fresh spinach, the popularity increased considerably. Cooking fresh spinach properly, or serving it raw in salads, maintains the texture and flavor of the spinach making it much more palatable and, yes, tasty. These improved methods of serving spinach have made spinach a ‘new’ favorite super food.

Where Did Popeye Get the Power

The image of Popeye becoming super strong after eating a can of spinach is only a hint of what sorts of benefits spinach provides. The list of health benefits is very long, including off-the-chart amounts of vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, riboflavin, calcium potassium, and vitamin B6. For a complete meal, all you would need to add is an omega rich protein. That’s what makes spinach a super food!

What do all these nutrients do for you? Vitamins A helps prevent cholesterol from oxidizing inside our bodies. Spinach contains good levels of antioxidant nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, manganese, zinc, and selenium. These antioxidants help lower the risk of several blood vessel related problems, such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Antioxidants are also your first defense against the free-radicals roaming around your body trying to damage your healthy cells.

If you eat one cup of fresh spinach leaves, your body is provided with almost 200% of the daily recommended value of vitamin K. This is a remarkable amount of vitamin K which will ensure you are receiving the ultimate nutrition for your bone health.

Magnesium is a nutrient that our body just loves, considering it is the fourth most abundant mineral in our body. Magnesium protects against heart disease and helps lower blood pressure. Another important mineral found in spinach is potassium, which maintains proper pH levels in our body fluids and regulates the kidneys, heart, and adrenal glands.

Spinach has been shown to do everything from fighting cancer to lowering the risk of diabetes. Because spinach helps build strong bones, we know it helps minimize the incidence of osteoporosis. Even skin conditions ranging from acne to psoriasis to cancer can benefit from adding a healthy dose of spinach to your diet. There is also evidence that spinach can reduce the incidence of migraines, cataracts, and memory loss.

When cooked, spinach provides the most benefit from its lutein and beta-carotene values. Cooking the spinach also neutralizes oxalic acid, which inhibits iron and calcium absorption and adds to the risk of developing kidney stones. If you are not at risk for kidney stones, raw spinach may be your preferred method for enjoying, but consider the health benefits of eating cooked fresh spinach, as well.

Choose Wisely

Popeye’s canned spinach may have introduced us to the super food qualities of spinach, but the taste just couldn’t sell it. I believe that if canned spinach was our only option, spinach would not be making the super food splash it is today. However, frozen spinach is often a tasty alternative.

If you choose fresh spinach, you will receive the same super nutrition in both regular size spinach or baby spinach. Be sure to choose spinach that is a rich, dark green, and not yellow in color. If the spinach in the produce section looks slimy, avoid it. That is a sign of spoilage. Store your spinach without washing it first as moisture will cause the spinach leaves to decay quickly. You only have about a 4 or 5 day shelf life, so buy as close to serving as possible. When ready to serve, wash leaves and dry thoroughly.

Endless Eating Choices

Begin your search for spinach dishes by going back in time to find classic menu fare. Let’s start with the always popular Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing. This is traditionally made with cold spinach on a plate topped with a hot sweet-sour dressing, red onions, crispy bacon, and slices of hard boiled egg.

Of course, another traditional dish that you’ll find on any good steakhouse menu is Creamed Spinach. This classic is made simply but elegantly by cooking the spinach until tender, then adding the ingredients which include garlic, heavy cream, a pinch of nutmeg, and sometimes a little Parmesan cheese.

Those two classic restaurant dishes are wonderful enough, but that’s just the beginning. Spinach goes well in a number of recipes including hot and cold pasta dishes, casseroles, and obviously a number of different salads. Spinach can form the basis for a dish, like spinach lasagna, spinach quiche, spinach soup, spinach salad, etc., or it can be a part of a dish like a ham and cheese filled omelet with spinach, pizza with spinach, fish and spinach wrap, shrimp stir fry with tangy spinach, or any number of recipes where spinach adds a nice element.

All the leafy greens like kale, collards, Swiss chard, and spinach deserve our attention. With spinach, we have the image of Popeye to help convince us that this is one super food we do not want to pass up. If you still haven’t gotten past the spinach of your childhood memory, now is the time. Fortify your nerve with a pile of great recipes, then go ahead and eat your spinach!

If you and your guests are into fun in the sun and being active during the warm days of spring and summer, consider a special ‘picnic boot camp’ that helps get people on their feet rather than sitting around the entire day.

This is the time of year when lots of outdoor events are being planned, and picnics are definitely included in that list. There are so many things to do at picnics (other than sitting around eating and socializing, that is), that the event can become more memorable just by being willing to get up and be active. Let’s take a look at some of the activities that are perfect for a picnic:

Have a Jungle Gym Challenge

If you are at a park with a swing set and jungle gym, take advantage of the opportunity by creating a few challenges. Pit the grownups against the youngsters for extra giggles. Challenge Uncle to ten chin-ups and watch Junior plot to take over the lead. Mom has to do hand-over-hands all the way across the bar if she wants to beat Auntie’s record. Cousin and Sister are pushing as hard as they can to out swing each other, while the Toddlers do their very best to get cheers as they somersault in the grass.

You can organize this or let it be free form. The key is that everyone participate to whatever degree they are able to and are comfortable with. It’s great fun to watch the little ones try to out perform the adults. And, everyone gets a bit of exercise in the doing.

Get Inspired with Simple Kiddie Games

You usually don’t find kids sitting around at a picnic. They don’t have to be inspired to play games and run around during picnics, since they soon get bored with ‘grownup talk’ and long to stretch their legs or chase each other around. Kids also like to include their parents in playtime, increasing the sense of rivalry and competition, teaming up against the grownups, which is always fun.

You don’t even need much special equipment to make this kind of interaction happen. A simple game of catch, hide and seek, tag, or an outdoor scavenger hunt might be enough to get people on their feet. A game of capture the flag will definitely get everyone moving. Just tossing around a Frisbee will get you feeling like a kid again.

If there’s a nice breeze in the air, a few kites could provide hours of fun for you and your kids. Skipping rope and hopscotch are simple games that young children enjoy, and older people will find themselves giggling as it brings back memories.

Pick a Team and Get a Game Going

Choose up sides at your picnic featuring your favorite teams and players. If you’re lucky enough to have room for a baseball diamond, or you have a couple basketball hoops, a volleyball, or even soccer goals, have each guest bring a jersey or t-shirt with their favorite player’s numbers written on it, and divide up the teams.

Other simple games to consider that are fun for all ages are Badminton, Bocce, Croquet, and Horseshoes. Oftentimes, public parks already have one or more of these games set up for you.

Are you on a lake with a few rowboats? Get a crew together and have a race. You’ll need to schedule timeouts to let everyone catch their breath, but that’s part of the fun. Plus, the spirit of competition will improve everyone’s appetite so the picnic food will taste all the better.

Active Picnics Call For Uncomplicated Food

With this type of picnic boot camp in session, you’ll want to keep your choices for food and drinks as informal and uncomplicated as possible. Finger foods like fried chicken, sandwiches, appetizers, and a host of easy salads will likely be your best bet. Have lots of ready-to-eat fruit, like sliced watermelon, cut up cantaloupe, peeled oranges, and washed grapes on hand. Playing this hard works up both an appetite and a mighty thirst, and fruit quenches both.

Of course, a handful of grapes isn’t enough. As always, you’ll want to keep everyone hydrated with lots of water and a selection of healthy drinks. You don’t want your picnic guests to be completely drained of energy before they’ve finished enjoying their active day in the sun.

If visions of laying on a blanket all day, stuffing yourself with fried foods isn’t exactly your idea of a fun day in the sun for you and your family, perhaps a more active approach is what you need. Invite your guests to a day at your Picnic Boot Camp and get ready for a day of laughs, as well as some friendly competition!