Summer Lovin': Picnic Meal Ideas to Get You Excited for the Outdoors

The Joy of Summer Picnics

Nothing captures the essence of summer quite like a picnic. It's a charmingly simple way to enjoy the season's bright sun, blue skies, and fresh air. Not to mention the delight of dining al fresco with family and friends amidst a panorama of blooming flowers and chirping birds. The only challenge? Coming up with perfect picnic meal ideas that are light, delicious, and easy to pack. Fear not, foodies! We've got you and your taste buds covered.

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Picnic Basket Essentials: It's Not Just About the Food

While the contents of your picnic meal are undoubtedly important, let's remember the other essential items that make a picnic truly enjoyable. Begin with a sturdy, spacious picnic basket or a well-insulated cooler to keep your food fresh and drinks cool. Next, pack a large, comfortable blanket that's easy to clean and big enough for everyone to lounge on.

Remember the cutlery! Pack reusable plates, cups, utensils, and a sharp knife for any last-minute cutting or spreading. It's always handy to include a cutting board as well. Napkins, wet wipes, and a small trash bag for clean-up are also necessary.

And, of course, pack some outdoor essentials: sunblock, insect repellent, a portable speaker for your favorite summer tunes, and maybe even a frisbee or a ball for post-meal fun. After all, a picnic is not just about the food; it's about the full-on experience of enjoyment under the summer sun.

Picture Perfect Sandwiches

There's a reason sandwiches are a picnic classic. They're easy to make, endlessly customizable, and don't require any utensils to eat. Start with some high-quality bread (baguette, ciabatta, or whole grain are excellent choices), add your preferred protein (like roast beef, turkey, or hummus for vegetarians), throw in some crunchy veggies, and finish with a flavorful spread. Try brie cheese, apple slices, and arugula on a baguette for a gourmet touch.

Lip-Smacking Salads

Salads are another picnic staple and for a good reason. They're light, refreshing, and packed with nutrition. And with so many options - from fruit to grain to pasta salads - you'll always be energized. One delectable option? The classic Caprese salad. With ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, it's a bite of summer in every forkful. Ensure your salad stays fresh by packing it in sealable containers.

Lemon Pasta with Chicken - The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser

Look only as far as lemon pasta with chicken for a picnic meal that's hearty yet not heavy. The pasta provides a satisfying substance, the chicken adds lean protein, and the lemon gives a refreshing zing perfect for a summer day. Plus, it tastes just as good cold as it does hot. To make it, sauté boneless chicken in olive oil and garlic, then toss it with cooked pasta, fresh lemon juice, zest, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan. Feel free to add veggies for extra crunch and color, or you can find our lemon pasta with chicken recipe here. Pack it in a sealable container, and you have a meal that'll make your fellow picnickers swoon.

Fresh and Fruity: The Perfect Picnic Desserts

What's a picnic without dessert? The key here is to go for desserts that travel well and offer sweet relief from the summer heat. Fresh, juicy fruits are the perfect choice. Try a fruit salad with a zingy honey-lime dressing for a simple, elegant dessert. Or, for a fun twist, grill up some peaches and serve them with a dollop of whipped cream. If you have more time, homemade lemon bars or blueberry muffins can also make your picnic basket a hit.

Staying Hydrated: Sips of Summer

Staying hydrated is essential, especially during the heat of summer. While water is the obvious choice, you can add a few refreshing homemade beverages. Try making a pitcher of cucumber-mint-infused water or a batch of classic lemonade if you're in the mood for some fizz; homemade iced tea with a splash of soda water does the trick. Just remember to pack your drinks in leak-proof containers.

Pack it Up, Picnic-Style.

Planning the perfect picnic is all about simplicity and convenience. Choose foods that can be prepared in advance, are easy to eat, and pack well. And most importantly, ones that cater to your and your companions' taste buds. This summer, with your picnic basket filled with delightful sandwiches, refreshing salads, hearty lemon pasta with chicken, luscious desserts, and cool drinks, you're all set to embrace the great outdoors in the tastiest way possible. Happy picnicking!

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Want To Try A New Hobby? Here Are Some Ideas

Partaking in new hobbies is a great way to explore your passions and feel more comfortable with yourself. 

If you are lost for ideas as to what hobbies to try, you have come to the right place. This guide will share some great ideas to help you find a new hobby and spend your time wisely.

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Sports classes and activities 

If you wish to spend your time working out, you can try sports classes and activities as you might wish to step outside of your comfort zone or improve your fitness. 

Attending jeet kune do classes, you can practice martial arts and try out a new hobby. Although you might know nothing about martial arts, there is a reason to step outside of your comfort zone. It will enable you to gain more confidence and maybe even find a new sports activity that you love.

It makes sense to try exercising as a new hobby as there are many benefits you can attain.

For instance, there are health benefits of kayaking, cycling, swimming, and so many more activities. Therefore, it makes sense to attain two benefits in one and spend your spare time exercising. If you can improve your health through a new hobby, it makes sense to give it a go.

Learning to play an instrument

If you love music yet do not know how to play your own instrument, why not take this as an opportunity to learn to play a new instrument?

Playing an instrument is a beautiful thing. It might even encourage you to pursue it for work when you get good enough. Music is a great thing to relax you and get creative, so pick up an instrument that interests you and start learning to play today. 

Arts and crafts

Whether you are good at art or wish to enhance your skills, doing arts and crafts in your spare time is a great way to relax. 

You could paint your garden, knit new clothes, or create artwork for your home. There are various arts and crafts and activities you can choose from. Hence, there will be something that satisfies your needs. 

Enhance your cooking skills

Want to be a better cook? Why not spend your time practicing new cooking skills so you can become a more confident chef?

You can learn to bake new things, follow recipes, or attend cooking classes. All of these will ensure to help boost your cooking knowledge and experience so you can become a better chef. 

Hiking trails

If you enjoy spending time outside in nature and want to improve your health, why not go hiking? Hiking trails are everywhere and it is a cheap hobby idea. If you live somewhere with mountains or hills, there will be endless free routes to choose from. 

Hiking is a great way to get fit and spend time outside. You can do this in any weather if you are well-prepared. You can safely do it alone or with friends, whichever suits you best. 

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3 Foods that Make Your Skin Glow

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Taking care of your skin is not just about what you put on it. It is also about what you put inside your body as well. Your dermatologist will likely agree that what you put inside your body is even more important for your skin than what you do externally. 

You may be wondering what are some of the best foods to keep your skin glowing and healthy. Understanding which foods are best will help you to create a diet plan that will not only incorporate those foods.

Here are some of the best foods for making your skin glow.

Eat Fatty Fish

If you want your skin to glow then fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel will help. They are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and these help your skin to remain supple and smooth. 

They also help to fight inflammation in your skin. This means that your skin will be better able to fight off pimples and it will also get a lot of protection from UV rays. 

Fatty fish has a lot of vitamin E in it as well and this can help to slow down the signs of aging. The nutrients in fatty fish have been known to not only strengthen your skin but help with the production of new skin cells as well. 

Eat More Avocados

Avocados help to keep your skin very nourished. They contain vitamins C and E. 

These vitamins are essential because they help to stop free radicals. Free radicals can be very damaging to your skin and can make it look tired and less youthful.

Avocados also contain a lot of biotin. This vitamin is essential for helping your hair to grow healthy. It is also good for your skin as well. Often when there is a biotin deficiency you may notice that your skin develops rashes, and dermatitis.

Eating avocados ensures that you get the right amount of nutrients to prevent all of this from happening. The good thing about avocados is that you can be prepared in so many different ways. Just find a way that you like and consume them regularly.

Add Carrots to Your Diet

Carrots are also a great source of nutrients for your skin. They contain a lot of vitamin A. 

This makes it one of the most effective vegetables for fighting wrinkles, sunburn, and overall dullness of the skin.

You can eat your carrots chopped up and raw. You can also choose to juice them. 

When carrot juice is put in a juicer it comes out very sweet. Making it very palatable. An added benefit of carrots is that they are also very good for your hair as well.

Glow Up

Now that you know exactly which foods can make your skin look beautiful. The only thing you will need to think about is how you're going to incorporate them into your diet. Try to eat them as much as possible throughout the week so that you can reap the benefits.

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How to Feel More Comfortable With Yourself

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Do you ever feel uncomfortable with yourself? Have you always felt this way about yourself? Honestly, this is something that’s fairly normal; some people aren’t comfortable in the skin they’re in. But it’s not their fault, as trends are constantly changing; nowadays, it’s micro trends, and you’re questioning if you look good. The beauty standards keep changing, too; one-week glass skin was in, and now oily skin is what’s trending. 

The same goes for skin tones (tans vs. non-tans), hair colors, haircuts, clothing, and so much more. It’s hard to keep up, and honestly, it feels like there is this impossible social pressure to keep up when you know you can’t keep up.  So, how can you get yourself to break away from these pressures and just feel good in the skin you're in? Keep reading on to find out!

Start By Taking Care of Your Body

Taking care of yourself physically will naturally help you feel more comfortable with who you are. Sleep well, shower daily, eat healthy meals, and moisturize daily. You only get one body, so take time to pamper it on a regular basis. Touch it, and adorn it with lotions and oils that smell good. Remember that everyone's bodies are different, and that is okay. Instead of comparing yourself to other people, focus on loving your own body and what it can do for you. 

You deserve to be pampered. Give yourself big doses of self-love and compassion along the way. The journey to feeling comfortable in your skin will be a rewarding one. There are so many different ways to take care of it, from skincare to a good diet, to a nice pamper session at the spa, but overall it’s about just being happy with yourself and loving yourself.  But you can’t forget about the healthy meals and regular exercise either, as these play such a major role too.

Put Yourself First

Give yourself what you want to give yourself. You should make yourself happy with what you think is best, not what society thinks is best, especially with micro trends and micro beauty standards. So why not do what makes you happy? This can include having a discussion with Andrew Jacono M.D., about certain changes you’re after. But it doesn’t need to be grand, either. Maybe it’s just having your hair the length your want, having a color you prefer, and so on. 

The more you prioritize your own needs, the easier it will be to feel comfortable with yourself. This doesn’t mean that you’re selfish or don’t care about others. It simply means that you’re establishing your own blueprint for life and setting goals for yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the identities that society creates for you – boss, parent, daughter, spouse, etc. But you have to make it a priority to find yourself and your dreams. This includes learning to say no. Embracing this self-prioritization is the best gift you can give yourself. Never forget this, as this is the biggest learning curve and the biggest way to get yourself feeling comfortable with yourself. 

Honor Your Strengths

Honoring your strengths is the key to feeling comfortable with yourself. Everyone has a set of strengths that they naturally do well at, enjoy and feel good about. Some of these strengths are empathy, curiosity, resilience, and creativity. Choose one positive attribute of yourself that you struggle to see as a strength and dedicate time to maturing it until you can recognize it as such. It may take some time, but it is worth it. 

This doesn’t mean that you stop working towards improvement – but it does mean that you focus on the areas where you are already strong. You will find that this will help you to feel more confident in your abilities and will be able to better support others.

Don’t Be Afraid to Express Yourself

A major reason why people often feel so uncomfortable with themselves is the fact that they feel like they can’t express themselves. So you can probably imagine that there is this body inside where creativity, thoughts, and feelings need to be stored because of this feeling that it’s not welcome to be expressed. Well, it’s important not to think that way. Authentic self-expression is an essential part of life. 

It lets others know who you are, and it provides an outlet to release your emotions in a healthy way. It also helps you find a deeper sense of meaning and connection with those around you. You can express yourself in many ways besides words, including cooking, playing sports, painting, writing poetry or music, dancing, and even socializing with friends and family. However, be careful not to let other people’s expectations dictate how you express yourself.

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expectations

Ahhhh nothing cracks me up more than going through my old drafts in my blog from YEARS ago and reading posts I never posted. I feel like this post should be on the blog; even though things are way different in my life now and well I'm a different person I still feel its important to share these feelings. 

ENJOY >>>>>>

Expectations. We all have them. We all expect certain things in our daily lives. But what about expectations in relationships? With our boyfriend....we may have certain expectations in the relationships that were in but it doesn't mean we are implementing them.

I know there are certain things I expect from my boyfriend in our relationship. So when something doesn't go as I expected of course I get a little upset. But the problem I have had in the past is actually expressing those expectations to my significant other.

So then I thought about why I had trouble telling this person who is suppose to be my boyfriend how I feel.

Why was I so nervous to tell this boy who I have been seeing, who I am sleeping with that something he did upset me? Was I scared because I didn't want him to get mad? Was it because I was scared he wouldn't like me anymore? Did I think he was going to dump me?

As I sat there and thought about what I was saying I got angry. But not angry at him, angry at myself. Why the fuck was I being such an insecure little pussy? I shouldn't feel like like its all over for expressing how I feel. It made me sad I was still not confident enough in myself to know I was good enough and I was worth whatever I expected....because the truth is if something upsets me and my boyfriend doesn't want to fix it he shouldn't be my boyfriend.

I still to this day have trouble excepting that concept. I'm a people pleaser. I always have been. It makes me happy to make others happy. But sometime in the mist of me making others happy I forget about myself.