Heading to a Picnic? Keep These Food Storage Safety Guidelines in Mind!

The only thing that can spoil a picnic more than rain is spoilage in another area: the food! You might be so concerned about mastering your mom’s potato salad recipe that you forget to properly protect it from the hot sun, and that will put quite a damper on your fun day outdoors. Follow these safety tips for properly storing and serving picnic food:

  • Keep cold foods cold. This may seem obvious, but you’ll need to thoroughly line a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs to ensure that your food stays cold even as the temperatures rise. This includes things like creamy salads, meats, and cheeses.
  • Use a thermometer. Perishable foods should be stored at a temperature of 40°F or below, so use a thermometer to make sure that you maintain that temperature all day long.
  • Keep the cooler closed. Store water and soft drinks in a separate cooler from the perishable food to minimize the how often the cooler is opened throughout the day.
  • Prevent cross-contamination. If you’re grilling meats at your picnic, be sure to thoroughly wrap them in plastic wrap or store them in plastic containers. Always wash your hands after handling raw meat, and don’t let meats touch fruit, veggies, or other foods.

Eating Outdoors, Handling Food Safely [FDA]
Perfect Food Safe Picnics! [FoodSafety.gov]
Picnic Food Kids Will Love: Pack A Safe & Healthy Basket [Parents]

All-Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes This Summer

You spray and swat, but most of the time, you still end up itching and scratching after the night is through. Luckily, these all-natural mosquito repellents will help you to keep the pesky bugs away — without the use of potentially harmful chemicals or additives.

  • Lavender oil. Create a simple mixture of 30 drops of lavender oil blended with two tablespoons of vegetable oil and rub it on the skin to keep mosquitoes away.
  • Rosemary. If you find yourself swatting at mosquitoes while standing over the barbecue grill, throw a few branches of rosemary on the grill to keep those bugs away.
  • Neem oil. Neem oil, which is extracted from the Neem tree that is native to India, is one of the most effective natural mosquito repellents. You can purchase this oil from most organic health food stores.
  • Apple cider vinegar. To repel mosquitoes from the inside out, mix one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with your usual drinking water earlier in the day.
  • Remove standing water. Above all else, you’ll need to remove the areas where mosquitoes breed to really get rid of the mosquitoes in your area. This means removing all buckets, tarps, and even pet bowls that collect standing water.

13 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away [Natural Living Ideas]
All-Natural Homemade Bug Spray Recipes That Work! [Wellness Mama]
DIY: Homemade Insect Repellent Sprays and Lotions [Inhabitat]

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