By Lucie, communication In Consuming better 20 May 2022 Duration ~ 5 min Our tips for a perfect, healthy and ecological picnic Make the most of your Sunday by organising a delicious, healthy and environmentally friendly meal for couples, families and friends. Here are 10 tips for a healthy and ecological picnic. It’s up to you to pick the best ideas! 1. Find the perfect place for a healthy and ecological picnic If you don’t mind getting sand on your plate, you can have a picnic on the beach. To avoid the crowds, choose the mountains. To get back to your roots, choose a picnic in the forest. To find some peace and quiet, choose the countryside. You can also have a cheap picnic by sitting in the middle of your garden or going to a secret corner of your village. In fact, no matter where you choose to go, the main thing is to have fun with family and friends. 2. Choose reusable containers Luminarc’s mobile storage boxes can be taken anywhere. Their durable and ecological aspect will seduce you, unlike single-use plastic. Lightweight, they can be slipped into a backpack for your hikes in the mountains. There are also small, practical isothermal bags for carrying your drinks. For a slightly more glamorous look, you can opt for the picnic basket. Full of charm, you can put your reusable glass boxes, light crockery and healthy, gourmet dishes in it. Salad bowl, cutlery, plates, tablecloths, but also cold meats, hard-boiled eggs, banana cakes… Everything will be well installed! 3. Prepare a healthy and tasty menu Take advantage of this family time to prepare delicious recipes with healthy and tasty ingredients. A few club sandwiches, with eggs, chicken and tomatoes, are perfect for a hike. Think about convenience by choosing individual portions or a single dish to take away in a large recyclable glass bowl. For a gourmet picnic, many dishes will please you: gazpacho, mimosa eggs, cold meats, brochettes, raw vegetables with vinaigrette, pasta salad, cheese, bread… And for dessert, strawberries, muffins or gourmet cakes, the choice is yours. Don’t forget to thank the cooks. 4. Think about transporting your drinks While a simple water bottle can be provided for a quick picnic, more elaborate drinks can be prepared to satisfy. In the middle of summer, a delicious homemade lemonade in a nice reusable glass pitcher will be welcome. To keep all your drinks cool, put them in a cooler. For spring evenings, you can pack a hot drink in a simple thermos. A delicious herbal tea will do you a world of good. 5. Make sure you have everything you need for comfort To make yourself comfortable, consider taking a nice tablecloth or a simple blanket. If your picnic is not too far from the car park, you can afford to use other accessories. If the sun is shining, you can take out the parasol to create a shady spot for your snack. You can bring a few cushions or you can take a camping table with a few folding chairs. It’s up to you to choose the combination that suits you best. 6. Don’t forget the essential accessories In order not to forget anything, make a list of the necessary accessories to take with you. If you are taking a bottle of wine, it is best to take a corkscrew. A bottle opener and a can opener will be indispensable for others. A Swiss Army knife can be the solution to all your problems. Have garbage bags available to put all your rubbish in. Ice packs can keep your food fresh. And a camera will allow you to capture the best moments with your family… 7. Plan some outdoor activities In a picnic, the lunch is not the only thing to consider. It is nice to eat in the middle of nature. But it is also a good way to enjoy the outdoors. If you are picnicking with children, take along some outdoor games such as a ball, a Frisbee, a wooden bowling alley or bocce balls. For the beach, think bucket and spade and for you, a nice book to read. 8. Don’t skimp on decorative elements For a romantic picnic, what could be nicer than a country-style decoration? Have a few candles, pretty cloth napkins, a wooden serving dish, pretty dishes with reusable plates and pretty glasses with elegant curves. Leave the plastic cups and single-use cutlery behind. It’s time to think about the planet by choosing reusable tableware. And when it comes to serving wine, there’s nothing better than a quality stemmed glass, even for picnics. 9. Remember to protect yourself Depending on where you are going, you will need several items to protect yourself. If you are going on a picnic in the mountains or by the sea, remember to take sun cream. A pair of sunglasses, a cap or a hat may also be essential. Don’t forget to take mosquito repellent, citronella candle or lavender essential oil with you to repel the unwanted. Use natural products and Mother Nature will thank you. 10. Take a first aid kit with you To avoid any accidents, remember to bring a first aid kit. Plasters, gauze pads, stretchy bandages, painkillers, anti-diarrhoea medication and eye drops can be provided. A little soap and water may also be useful. You may want to bring a survival blanket, a pair of vinyl gloves, splinter and tick forceps, a pair of scissors and two or three safety pins to be fully prepared.
