5 Excuses To Have A Healthy Picnic In Nature

Getting together to eat outdoors, in a green environment, with family or friends, is an excellent idea for a weekend. So that no one can resist the invitation, you can add a reason, an excuse, that makes the meeting a special and fun moment. We propose some original ideas with which you can enjoy nature and company in a somewhat different way.

1. Picnic under the shower of shooting stars

Meteor showers occur throughout the year on specific days and hours. How can we not pay attention to them? On these days, when the night is clear of clouds, dozens of shooting stars can be seen in the sky. On this page of the National Geographic Institute you can find the dates of the main meteor showers.

The most spectacular rain of the year and the most pleasant to gather under the stars, is that of the Perseids, on August 11 and 12. This phenomenon occurs because at this time of year, the Earth crosses the debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. It’s the perfect time to grab a picnic blanket, prepare various delicacies, and have a late-night picnic.

2. Picnic for movie fans

In summer there are countless open-air cinemas, sometimes even with free admission. Find out in advance if you can bring your own food and drink. If so, then you and your loved ones can put together a great takeout menu. Create your own menus for every occasion. Homemade popcorn, of course, is a must at a movie picnic.

3. Children’s birthday

Any child who has a birthday will be happy to celebrate outdoors with their friends and escape the confined spaces. You should choose the appropriate location so that guests can easily reach them by public transport on foot or by bicycle.

The sanitary facilities in the surrounding area are an advantage and must be taken into account. If you want the picnic to be a little more festive , you can hang hammocks and create the atmosphere with fairy lights, flowers, dinosaurs or characters.

It is important that you always inform yourself in advance if it is allowed to have a picnic in the place you have chosen and take all the garbage that is generated or, better still, avoid it from the beginning by having guests bring their own glasses, plates and cutlery and napkins of cloth.

4. Picnic above the clouds

Sometimes you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, even the parks, which are usually crowded on weekends. Mountain hiking is a great way to find peace and quiet. You can celebrate reaching a summit with a small picnic.

You can transport stews and soups in thermos and then give them a touch with some aromatic plant that you find along the way, such as rosemary, mint or thyme.

The meal can be rounded off with homemade spelled bread and elderflower juice. All you have to do is enjoy the wonderful views. Remember that you can also make your own energy balls or muesli bars for the ascent

5. Picnic in a rowboat

The banks of a lake or a river are ideal places to have a picnic, but why not eat on the water? Whether in an inflatable boat, pedal boat or row boat , a picnic on the water is a wonderful thing. With a bit of luck, you can head to a lonely island or remote bay with the rented boat, relax a bit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

2 recipes to take on a picnic

Couscous salad

Ingredients:

• 200 g of couscous
• 300 ml of water
• 3 tomatoes
• A bunch of chives
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/4 of red pepper
• 1/4 of green pepper
• 1/4 yellow bell pepper
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil A few sprigs of fresh mint
• Juice of one lemon
• Pepper
• Salt

preparation:

1. Put the couscous in a bowl and pour 300 milliliters of boiling water over it. Put the lid on and let it rest for ten minutes. Then season with salt and pepper.
2. While the couscous is puffing, you can clean the vegetables. Wash everything thoroughly and cut it into cubes. To prevent the couscous salad from becoming too watery, you can remove the seeds from the cucumber with a spoon.
3. Wash the mint leaves and chop them finely.
4. Now you can mix the vegetables and mint with the finished couscous.
5. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice.
6. Let the salad rest for about 15 minutes to allow the aroma to unfold.

You can portion the couscous salad into portions ahead of time. Just put it in empty jars with screw caps and close them tightly. Therefore, it is not only easy to carry, but also easy to eat. You can also decorate the glass for special occasions, for example with washi tape or chalk markers.

Mediterranean quiche with spinach, feta cheese and tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet of shortcrust pastry
• 2 tomatoes
• 400 g of spinach
• 250 g of feta cheese
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4 eggs
• 100 ml milk
• 100 ml of whipped cream
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh basil

preparation:

1. Grease the quiche or cake mold well, spread the shortcrust pastry in such a way that there is an edge about three centimeters high.
2. Sauté the spinach with a little olive oil.
3. Add the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
4. Spread the spinach evenly over the dough.
5. Crumble the feta cheese and sprinkle it on top.
6. Mix the eggs, milk and whipped cream, season with salt and pepper and pour over the quiche filling.
7. Wash the tomatoes and cut them into slices. Spread them on the quiche.
8. Pour the basil on top and bake the quiche for about 45 minutes at 180ºC.