Why Not Have A Picnic?

Post By: Guest Blogger, Kiersten Washle

Picnic Installation Number 1

        Picnics have been around for quite a while and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.  Perfect for dates, casual get-togethers, or pure family fun, picnics range anywhere from casual to more romantic. They are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with loved ones. The sun is shining and birds are singing; it is the perfect time to grab a picnic basket and a friend, head to a shady spot and enjoy the afternoon.

Picnics are ideal because they are so simple, honestly the hardest part is deciding what you want to eat! Personally, our favorite picnic food is a yummy mason jar meal. Recently these little meals have come into vogue, applauded for their simplicity, utility, and the fact that they are just so darn adorable! You can put anything you like into a mason jar, just layering the foods you will mix to make your meal. The trick is to put the wet ingredients on the bottom, then you can have salads and pasta that will keep fresh all day. When you are ready to eat just give the jar a little shake mixing all the ingredients. 


Here are two of our favorite mason jar meals:

Salad with Grilled Chicken
First put in the dressing of your choice, add your grilled chicken, then add a layer of spinach. Next put in some shredded lettuce, some mandarin orange slices, perhaps some shredded carrots and top that off with a little more lettuce and spinach. You can also add croutons, sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds, it is all up to you and what you prefer on your salad!

Almost Spaghetti
Take your mason jar and drop in some marinara sauce. Then add your cooked noodles, we enjoy using fun noodles like penne and farfalle, but you can use any variety. Fresh basil leaves sprinkle on top, lastly add your favorite cheese, we recommend fresh mozzarella balls or shaved Parmesan.

With mason jars you don't have to make a meal, you can also bring all the components of a meal in separate jars. By keeping everything separate and refraining from mixing the ingredients until you arrive at your destination, everything stays extra fresh.