Skip To Main Content

picnic

Create the Ultimate Picnic with Perfectly Packable Meals

by Leave a Comment

 

 

With bright sunny days and warm summer nights, it’s no surprise July is National Picnic Month. August may be right around the corner, but that’s no reason to let the outdoor festivities end. Now’s the time to plan your own family (or friends) picnic.

The key to having a successful picnic is to plan ahead! Pack your picnic bag with reusable plastic or metal plates & utensils, a blanket or tablecloth, and some hand wipes for easy cleanup before and after eating. And of course, don’t forget the food and drinks! Libby’s® Canned Fruits and Vegetables can help create a yummy, easy-to-pack meal you can bring to your local park, pool or even your own backyard!

Pack the Chips & Crackers

For a picnic that is anything but boring, try this Sunshine Salsa for a unique (and colorful) twist on classic salsa. Use a can of Libby’s® Peach Slices and a can of Whole Kernel Sweet Corn for an appetizer bursting with flavor. Don’t forget to pack the tortilla chips or flatbread!

 

Sunshine Salsa

Keep it Fresh

Hot summer days call for light, fresh foods like this Summer Garbanzo Bean Salad. Bonus: By mixing all the ingredients the night before, the dish is ready to pack for your picnic, plus it will be super tangy and delicious after the flavors have marinated all night!

Summer Garbanzo Bean Salad

Portable Protein

Just because your food will be easily packable doesn’t mean they need to skimp on nutrients! Use a can of Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables to prepare and bake these Turkey and Vegetable Empanadas ahead of time for a portable source of protein your family will love. These empanadas can be served cold or at room temperature, making them a perfect handheld picnic snack!

Turkey and Vegetable Empanadas

 

Perfect the Picnic: Recipes for Al Fresco Feasting

by Leave a Comment

Is it just us or is summer whizzing by? Before we know it, we’ll be back in back-to-school mode. Until then, soak up the last of these lazy days with the kids. One particularly fun and no-fuss way to do so is with a picnic. The following recipes are quick, healthy and ideal for open-air dining. Plus, they’re all finger-friendly, so you can ditch your cutlery and dig in!

 

Dip Into This

 

Start things off on a healthy high note with this Sweet Pea Dip, a light, creamy and easy peas-y concoction starring Libby’s® Sweet Peas. It’s a dipping delight with pita bread, raw veggies and multi-grain crackers, and you can also spread any leftovers on the next day’s sandwiches (although we’re betting it will be devoured on-site!).

Whimsical Meets Wholesome

Research has shown that giving nutritious food a fun name increases a child’s likelihood of eating it. Test out the theory yourself with these Green Wheels and Ham Sandwiches, made with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans, whole-wheat tortillas, ham and spreadable cheese. They’re tasty, quick to pull together and easily portable—a prime pick for a picnic.

Mini Morsels

 

The only thing better than cake is cake you can eat with your hands. Complete your feast with these gooey, guilt-free Carrot Cake Bites. They’re full of whole wheat flour and Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and low in sugar and fat. Go ahead – have another…it’ll be one less thing to pack up!

Camping in Your Own Backyard

by Leave a Comment

As the weather warms up, encourage your kids to get active outdoors and play! Camping doesn’t need to be a stressful family excursion when you can pitch a tent in your own backyard. Especially for little ones, backyard camping is an exciting adventure close to the comforts of home and is a great birthday party for slightly older children. Below are our tips to making camping with your family a walk in the park.

 Prepare Snacking Supplies

Avoid hungry, cranky campers by preparing a variety of portable, easy-to-eat snacks. Frozen pops made from Libby’s® Vegetable Cups are a refreshing and nutritious way to cool down on a hot summer’s day.

 Prepare sandwiches or healthy wraps ahead of time and pack along with your camping gear for a quick and filling meal. Green Wheels and Ham incorporate green beans with kid-friendly ham and cheese to ensure your family gets their greens on the go.

 Gather Your Gear

Provide supplies for your family’s adventure including a tent, sleeping bags, pillows, flashlights, bug spray and sunscreen. Don’t forget about entertainment; include cards, bubbles, toys and binoculars in a backpack. An advantage of camping in your backyard is if you have forgotten something, you can easily grab it indoors!

 Organize Game time

Come prepared to your camp-out with a variety of field games for good, family fun. Revisit the classics with three-legged races, water balloon tosses and Simon Says. With a little advanced planning, set up a scavenger hunt with items found in nature such as green leaves, white rocks, sticks for marshmallow roasting or special items that you’ve placed in the backyard for the game.  

 Have you tried outdoor camping in your backyard? Share your stories and other tips for fun and healthy summertime activities on our Facebook page.