Picnic Safety
Summer has officially arrived! Like many of you, I like spending time outdoors especially having cookouts, picnics and other activities centered around food. Good food, fun, and family are my summer favorites. But before planning any outdoor food activity, here are a few simple tips to consider to ensure that unwanted bacteria won’t have a place at the table.
Wash Hands Often Bring moist towelettes or soap and water to clean your hands and surfaces often. Also, make sure your cooler is clean.
Keep Raw Meats, Poultry, Seafood and Eggs and Ready-to- Eat Foods Separate
Bring extra plates — one for handling raw foods and another for cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Marinate foods in the refrigerator.
Don’t reuse marinade used on raw meat or poultry unless boiled.
Properly packing a cooler can help reduce cross-contamination that might lead to food poisoning.
Cook to Proper Temperatures
Cook your favorite foods to the right temperature by using a food thermometer; hamburger to at least 160°F and chicken breasts to 165°F.
Never partially grill meat or poultry to finish cooking later.
Refrigerate Promptly below 40°F
Pack food in a well-insulated cooler with plenty of ice or ice packs to keep the temperature below 40°F.
Transport the cooler in the back seat of your air-conditioned car instead of in your hot trunk.
Remove from the cooler only the amount of raw meat that will fit on the grill.
Defrost meat, poultry, and seafood in the refrigerator before taking them to the grill.
Don’t leave food outside in hot weather (90°F or above) for more than one hour.
Enjoy!
Stephanie
Stephanie is an Extension Associate for NC EFNEP.
Source: http://www.eatright.org/resource/homefoodsafety/safety-tips/outdoor-dining/keep-your-picnic-safe
Duck, Duck, Goose
Duck, Duck, Goose is similar to tag, but on a smaller scale. It helps children get their heart rate up in the context of a game rather than organized sports. These things make it great physical activity for younger children! You can play at the park, in your yard, or even inside.
Ideally, you’ll have at least 5 people to play, but you can play with many more, or even less. Just make sure you have at least three players–two to sit and one that is “it.” To begin, everyone should sit in a circle except the player who is “it.” This player walks around the circle and as they go, they tap each player’s head and either say “duck” or “goose.” When they say “duck” the player should stay sitting and “it” will keep going. But when “it” says “goose,” that player tapped (the “goose”) must get up and tag the player that’s “it” before “it” can take the “goose’s” seat. If “it” gets tagged before they get the seat, they’re “it” again. But if “it” gets the seat, now the “goose” is “it.”
For a fun, summer spin on Duck, Duck Goose, visit http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/activities-games-and-crafts/duck-duck-goose.
Where will you play Duck, Duck, Goose with your children?
Quick and Easy Summer Salad
Summer is the time when I am looking for great recipes to add to my go-to list. My new found Tomatoes, Onion & Cucumber Salad has been on my rotating list for side-dishes for a few months now, and it’s delicious every time I make it.
It tastes great with everything from grilled fish to chicken. You can also add pasta to this and make a great tasting pasta salad for your next picnic or get-together at home.
The salad is best served at room temperature but tastes excellent otherwise as well. I have made the recipe as is but I have also used red onions and cherry tomatoes because that is what I had on hand that day. However, I reduced the amount of red onion because it is bit overpowering for me. You can choose to edit this recipe to match your liking, and I am sure it will taste great.
Here is the recipe in detail for your reference.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper, or more to taste
- 2 medium cucumber
- 4 medium tomatoes , cut into 1/2- inch wedges
- 1 Vidalia onion, or other sweet onion, halved and very thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley, chives and/or tarragon
DIRECTIONS:
- Whisk vinegar, oil, honey, salt and pepper in a larger shallow bowl.
- Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds. Add the cucumber slices, tomatoes, and onion to the dressing; gently toss to combine. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
Enjoy!
Neha
Neha is a Special Programs Assistant for NC EFNEP
Nutrition information:
- Per serving: 66 calories; 3 g fat(0 g sat); 2 g fiber; 10 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 36 mcg folate; 0 mg cholesterol; 7 g sugars; 1 g added sugars; 838 IU vitamin A; 18 mg vitamin C; 31 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 204 mg sodium; 361 mg potassium
- Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (30% daily value)
Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/250275/summer-tomato-onion-cucumber-salad/
Make a List
Lists can help keep your schedule more organized as you balance family, work, and everything in between. While grocery lists and meal plans can guide healthy and budget-friendly meals for your week, a list of your family’s favorite activities can motivate your family to get moving.
Get your family together and make a list of activities that everyone can enjoy. For example, your list might include softball, going for a bike ride, tag, or a game of basketball. Put your list on the refrigerator. Plan the days you are going to do each activity. Make the commitment to try at least one activity together this week!
Here’s a list of activity ideas to help get you started:
- Everyday Activities
- Playing outside
- Helping with chores around the house
- Picking up toys
- Walking
- Active Aerobic Activities
- Playing basketball
- Playground games
- Swimming
- Jumping rope
- Biking
- Flexibility and Strength Activities
- Stretching
- Practicing yoga
- Practicing martial arts
- Doing push-ups
- Monkey bars
- Everyday Activities for the Entire Family
- Playing soccer
- Throwing a frisbee
- Dance party
- Grocery shopping
- Washing the car
- Walking the dog
For even more activities to do with your children, visit http://www.healthychildcare.org/PDF/LetsMove%20CalendarENGLCalendarFULL.pdf.
What will you add to your activity list?
Park and Play
The park is a great place to get active with your family. Many parks have playgrounds appropriate for younger children in addition to basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, walking trails and many other opportunities for activity that the whole family can enjoy. You can even play games like hide-and-seek and red rover in an open grassy area. Make a day of it and pack a healthy picnic lunch!
While parks provide great ways to Move More, be aware of potential hazards that may harm your children. The most important way you can prevent park and playground-related injuries is to properly supervise your children. Here are some ways you can keep the park a safe experience for your family:
- Make sure the play area is free of rocks, tree roots, and broken glass. Check equipment to make sure it’s functioning properly before using it. Also, read any posted safety guidelines.
- Check the temperature of playground equipment before using, especially in the summer when the hot sun can make metal equipment hot enough to burn your skin.
- Teach children to use the equipment properly and to make sure no other children are in the way if they’re going down a slide or other equipment. Also, teach them not to roughhouse on the playground.
- Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially on hot days.
For more tips, check out http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/playground.html.
Not sure where to find a park near you? Visit https://mapofplay.kaboom.org and enter your zip code to find locations and details of playspaces to help you plan your next park outing. You can also check with your local faith-based community to see if they have an open-use policy for their playground equipment.
What day will you go to the park with your kids this week?