February Picnic Teaches Kids about Firefighting

Just Monday the community of Capri had their annual picnic.  This year however the picnic was like any others had previously.  Almost 400 people were in attendance.  Some rode golf carts while some listened to the band playing.  There were games for the children to play in the field to keep them entertained.  Also the GNF Station 90 firefighters and paramedics were present to keep the outing safe as well as show the kids their truck, equipment, and teach them about their duties.  Most in attendance stayed until the last minute were very satisfied with how fun the outing was.  If you would like to read more about this picnic you can read here.  Do you have any similar picnics for your community?

Does the word "Picnic" come from lynch mob gatherings?

Where does the word "picnic" come from?  Some people believe it came from gatherings for lynch hangings.  Is this the truth or is there another meaning that makes more sense?  There is a small amount on inappropriate language in this article.  Read it to find the answer.  What do you think about the right meaning of the word?

Want to go Somewhere Warm for the Rest of Winter?

If you find yourself ready for warmer weather now perhaps you should think about taking a vacation.  It is true spring is less than a month away and hopefully spring weather along with it.  If you are ready to walk around in a t-shirt and shorts again you should think about one of these great vacation spots.  What vacations did you take this winter to get away from the cold?

Last Call for a Winter Picnic

We are now in the last month of winter.  It went by so fast but not as fast as spring and summer will.  Anyway lets not get too far ahead of ourselves.  If you have no yet had a chance to get outside this winter for a picnic there is still time.  Maybe your family has elderly people or people who are not well and could not attend during mid January.  Now as we get closer to spring you may be able to pick and choose days that are well above freezing that you could make it work.  Whatever you do make sure everyone is comfortable with what you are planning.  Bring extra layers in case the cold decides to creep back in.  Don't forget how drinks to give you that little extra warmth you may need.  Have you had your winter picnic yet?  How cold was it and was it with snow on the ground ?

Winter Picnic Menu and Recipes

New winter picnic ides to put on your menu.  Have a favorite recipe to use for winter picnics let us know below.

Have a Winter Picnic before Spring

It is not too late to have a winter picnic this winter.  Spring is coming fast and you may feel like you should hold off until then.  However, not waiting until Spring to get outside and exercise is always a good idea.  There are many activities you can only do in winter with snow on the ground.  Above all else at a winter picnic dress accordingly with at least 3 layers on.  Bring extra clothes if you feel you will need it as well as hot chocolate and other hot drinks.  Here are some more tips on staying warm and planning a winter picnic with activities.  Have you already had your winter picnic this winter?

Valentines Day Picnic and Other Ideas

This Valentines Day surprise the one you love and go against the usual dinner.  Have you ever had just a picnic for you and the one you love?  What better time than this Sunday for Valentines Day?  Lay out a blanket have and have the dinner that you prepared there with some wine.  Just you and the one you love.  If you have the option you could have the picnic where you first met or where you had your first date.  You could sip on hot chocolate and watch the sunrise or sunset.  The ideas are endless.  If picnics are not for you consider one of these other options to still stay away from the norm.  What valentines day idea worked best for you?

Bonfire and Campfire Night Picnic Treats

Do you love sitting by the campfire to stay warm?  Why not have a campfire picnic?  Hot chocolate with marshmallows are a great way to stay warm.  Its nothing like sitting by a campfire with friends and family.  Besides the usual campfire food like smores and mountain pies consider some of these other meals, desserts, and snacks this winter.

Weird Winter Picnic Theme in Scotland

Check out this weird Scotland winter picnic theme in Edinburgh's St Andrew Square.  After seeing this weird themed video for yourself we want to know what you think about it?  If it was in the center of your town would you find yourself starring at it or be happy when it is taken down?

Red Wine and Cheese Pairings

Keeping with cheese and wine we found a very short yet informational video dealing with Red Wine and Cheese Pairings.  This video is only a little over a minute long but can be very valuable for someone short on time hosing an event.  We hope you enjoy this short video.  If you have any other pairings to share with us feel free to!

Amazing Cheeses in Beverly Hills

Did you ever have that long aged perfect tasting cheese that you couldn't get enough of?  In this short video you will se some of the well known cheeses and their wine pairings as well as some of the more rare cheese from around the world that you may not be familiar with.  Cheese with truffles anyone?  Let us know what you think about it below.

Winter Workout Activities

To end this week of winter activities we thought we would give you some more workout oriented activities.  If you are looking for something to do this weekend to get outside and remain active this winter these activities are right for you.  These activities you most likely already know about but maybe you didn't know just how much of a workout they really are. 

Cross Country Skiing

Cross Country Skiing can be done in different workout modes.  One thing you have to consider is do you want to take a trail that is flat, uphill, or downhill?  Obviously the more treacherous the path you choose the more calories you will burn.  Next thing you can consider is how brisk of a pace you would like to travel at.  The faster you travel the more calories you will burn.

Average Calories Burned:
170 lb person = 617 calories
190 lb person = 689 calories

Ice Skating

Did you know that ice skating is a great way to burn calories?  Looking at someone ice skating it may not appear to be a great workout but you would be wrong.  Ice skating like skiing requires a lot of work with your legs.  Pushing off with your legs and moving your arms to help propel you along.  Even if you are not a very good skater and don't want to use it as a workout routine it can still be a fun way to spend the day.

Average Calories Burned:
170 lb person = 540 calories
190 lb person = 603 calories

Sledding and tobogganing

When you think about sledding and tobogganing you probably only think about the fun part going down the hill.  You may have did a lot of it when you were a child and maybe not so much as an adult.  Now you are thinking what does riding down a hill have to do with working out?  Well don't forget about the not so fun part of sledding and tobogganing, the climb back to the top.  All of those steps you take to come right back down again is like climbing flights of stairs.  However in this case you get to reward yourself by going back down the hill.

Average Calories Burned:
170 lb person = 540 calories
190 lb person = 603 calories

Stream Fishing

Maybe fishing is not often seen as exactly workout activity.  Maybe more so than lounging around watching TV all day, unless you are taking a nap on a boat.  Fishing in a stream with no boat involved can be a great workout.  Think about walking upstream in your waders and even if you prefer to walk downstream you still have to fight keeping your balance on the possibly slippery rocks and against the current pushing against you.  Even if you just want to walk along the bank there is nothing wrong with that.  You can get a good workout either way.  Maybe even catch yourself some dinner!

Average Calories Burned (waders):
170 lb person = 463 calories
190 lb person = 517 calories

Average Calories Burned (from bank):
170 lb person = 270 calories
190 lb person = 302 calories


It is important to note that all the average calories burned above are for their noted weights.  Other factors such as age, height, and gender can also fluctuate this calculation.  Tell us which of these winter workouts are your favorite!

7 Winter Outdoor Learning Activities no matter where you are

Are you looking for activities to do outside this winter?  Look no further.  You could learn how to form rock art, make earth jewelry, or make ice candles.  If you are going for a nature walk you could bring a few branches how and make some wishing sticks.  If you long for a little more complex activity you could make your own version of Stonehenge (much smaller of course).  If you have little ones running around you could do some meteorologist or astronomy activities.  Have fun this winter with these seven activities.  Which one is your favorite?

Winter Activities for your Kids

Do you kids love going out in the snow to play?  Whether they love playing in the snow or staying inside here are some winter activities for them to enjoy the winter.  Go outside and let them play their usual snow filled activities.  Maybe even start a snowball fight with them.  If you would rather stay inside.  Consider baking cookies for an indoor picnic.  Whether you pretend you are at the beach or just lay down a blanket and fill your favorite basket winter picnics can help pass the winter by.  Do you have any activities that were missed in the article?  Let us know about them.

Big Ideas for Reducing Global Food Waste

Yesterday the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland set forth two initiates.  The first initiative is called Champions 12.3 is run by the likes of Nestle, WWF, Unilever, and the African Union.  Its focus is to reduce global food waste by half by 2030.  The United States alone wastes a staggering 40% of its food.  With almost half of all the nations food from farm to fork being thrown away something needs to be done.  The World Economic Forum focused on this issue on a global scale.  The second initiative is a $130 million project run by the Rockefeller Foundation.  This will focus on post-harvest spoilage of food in sub-Saharan Africa.  On a quieter note these initiatives if successful will reduce green house emission.  World food waste contributes to 7% off all the worlds green gas emissions.  If you cut that in half it could make a big impact.  This clearer is a big issue. We want to know if you think these two initiatives are a good start to battling this issue or do you believe there is nothing to worry about?  Let us know.

Food Waste Smart Meter Allows Resturants to Save on Food Waste?

The Winnow Smart Meter is currently in use in over 200 kitchens.  The smart meter calculates how much food has been wasted daily and gives suggestions on how to reduce the waste which in return saves money.  Those restaurants claim to be seeing a 30-60 percent increase in food profitability.  The old way food waste was record was just using pen and paper.  Now the waste is input through a set of smart scales and a tablet app.  The chefs will get daily updates and suggestions from the app as to how to decrease its food waste.  The food waste issue was first taken on by everyday consumers.  Now industries and the government are getting on board as well.  France has already banned supermarkets from wasting food.  Perhaps something similar could be ahead for the ones here in the U.S.  What do you think about this new way to measure food waste?

Food used as Medicine

Did you know that some foods can be used as medicine?  It's true.  Some food can help you digest nutrients,  some can help with circulation or mental functions, even some can be used as an anti-inflammatory or help fight cancer.  Some of these foods you already eat on a regular basis and didn't even know about it.  Others you may have never even tried before.  To see which foods can be considered medicine for your body feel free to look at this article.  Do you know of any other foods that can be used as medicine?

Family has a "Wonderland" Picnic Again After 14 Year Break

Patty and Jim Suiter, both 84, missed a fall family picnic in 1975.  After which they started their own picnic at Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs.  This event took place annually until 2001.  At this time a family member grew ill and they had to stop the picnic.  That is until Simone Benson, their daughter, started it up again last year.  Some of the things to do there included having a bonfire, hot cocoa, hot apple cider, hot dogs, playing baseball, and made up games of their own.  To everyone there it is a great way to take a break and get away outdoors during the winter months.  Have you or do you and your family have a similar tradition in the winter?

Island Destinations to Escape the Cold

If you are looking for someplace warm to get away from some of the cold this winter look no further.  These five island locations well get you away for a bit to break up the long winter.  These places are under the radar and not very well known spots.  Make no mistake though they will make you forget all about the winter temperature that are going on back home.  Be sure to check our one of these places this winter.  Do you have any spots of your own you like to go to this time of year?

Survive the Winter with these Recipes

While maybe you can't get outside as much as you would like with the weather not cooperating this winter.  Instead try and learn some new recipes that you and your family will love.  We have 47 recipes that we think you will enjoy.  Recipes to keep you warm, run your imagination, and to help you survive this winter.  Try some of these recipes for yourself and tell us what you think about it!

Incredible Winter Picnic

While the picnic you are about to learn about may have taken place in December we feel like it is a good read that could open up your eyes at ways to have picnics in the winter.  The article you are about to read is about a cook who has a picnic with family and friends every year when he goes out to pick his Christmas tree.  Yes his Christmas tree.  Again we know it is now January so bear with us.  Learn what warm food and drinks he likes to serve for a wonderful winter picnic. Do you see yourself as ever having a tailgate winter picnic as shown in this article?  Have you already?  Let us know in the comments section.

Winter Picnic Basket Gift Ideas

Picnics are a great way to have fun and relieve stress.  Many of us today feel the burden of stress.  Quite often times we fill a little more stressed this time of year from seasonal depression.  You look outside at the cold windy landscape and just wish the weather was warmer.  You just wish you were out working in the garden on a beautiful sunny summer day or taking the dog for a walk.  Fear not you can still have picnics even if the weather is not right outdoors.  If you find a nice day this winter to have an outdoor picnic take advantage of it.  If not here are some good gift basket ideas this winter.

Winter Picnic in the Snow

This winter don't stay indoors cooped up all winter long.  Instead go outdoors for a winter picnic in the snow.  When going on such a picnic it is very important to plan ahead.  Make sure you look at the weather forecast for the day.  It's fun to have a picnic in the snow but if it is too windy it may be a little too cold for comfort.  No matter what make sure you and any children bundle up.  Wear extra layers of clothing including socks.  If it is your first time going on a winter picnic start will a small meal with a warm drink.  Cookies with some hot chocolate would be a great place to start.  If you are out in the woods you could even try to build a fire.  There are plenty of ways to have a wonderful picnic in the snow this winter.  Have you ever gone to an outdoor picnic in the snow?  Would you consider having one after reading this?

Homemade Heart Birdfeeder

Make a homemade birdfeeder from scratch.  This is a very simple technique that even a young child can do almost everything on their own.  The items you will need are as follows. 

piece of toasted bread

heart shaped cookie cutter

peanut butter

bird seed

You can really use any shape cookie cutter you wish for this birdfeeder.  It does not need to be a heart shape.  Here are the steps to follow.  If you decide to make one show us what you did below.

10 Winter Food Festivals to go to this Winter

Do you normally hibernate and stay in doors all winter?  With all of the technology today it is a little more bearable to do this.  With unlimited movies and tv shows at your disposal with Netflix and Hulu you could go all winter without ever leaving your home.  However, some of us don't like being cooped up indoors.  Those of you who like to be outdoors even in winter there are food festivals taking place all of the country every winter.   Most of them take place in the south and to try and keep you outdoors and warm this winter we have a list of 10 festivals for you.  Be sure to come back and let us know if you go to any of these festivals this winter!

Toasty Winter Ideas

Winter is officially here.  We were wondering what do you do to stay toasty outside?  Do you get a brew of your favorite coffee or drink some hot chocolate?  Do you love to sit by the fireplace?  Do you dress with extra layers and wrap up in a blanket?  Do you stay in the shower extra long?  Don't be afraid to share what you do with us.  Whether it is a bizarre method that works or one of the more common ones already mentioned.  Let us know below!

Winter Picnic Tips

Now that the holidays are over we can prepare for winters long cold grip.  Depending where we are in the country when we think about winter think about slightly different things.  If you live in the north you think about the cold wind, snow, and ice.  If you live down south you think about long t-shirt weather.  Regardless of where you live winter can be a downer.  It doesn't have to be as bad if you plan picnics accordingly.  No matter if it is 70 or 20 degrees outside being outdoors is good for you.  To make sure you get your share of fresh air this winter here are some great tips to have some outdoor time this winter.

Happy New Year!