Ayurvedic
Picnic
There
is no July 4th celebration without a picnic or barbecue. But
you don't need a national holiday to enjoy fresh air, delicious
food and good company. Take your sweetheart on a romantic
picnic, or grab the kids and spend a day playing and eating
in the open air. You can even substitute the junk food with
ayurvedic meals.
The
origins of picnic
The word picnic originates from the French piquenique, which
came into use around the end of the 17th century. The word
denoted a party to which everyone brought along some food.
The notion of an outdoor meal did not emerge until the 19th
century.
Fashionable
people of the early 19th century England formed the Picnic
Society for purposes of entertainment. Each member was expected
to provide a share of the entertainment and of the refreshments.
The idea of mutual sharing and cooperation was fundamental
to the original significance of the picnic. The concept of
sharing food on an outdoor excursion, however, is not the
invention of the French or the English. The Greeks held symposiums
where guests ate and discussed important matters.
The
word picnic today includes almost every type of informal outdoor
meal from barbecue to fish-fry.
Fancy
or simple
If you want to create a memorable event, you can plan ahead,
collect the accessories and entertain your friends just like
you would do at home. You will need a picnic basket or backpack
with china, glasses, silverware and napkins. You can reserve
a picnic spot in a nearby park if it's popular, or find a
secluded table in a less frequented area.
Soups
or stews can be kept warm in thermos bottles for hours. A
rice pilaf will stay warm if you make it just before you leave
and wrap the pot well in a blanket.
Nevertheless,
you don't have to go all out and bring half the kitchen with
you. Washable plastic or stainless steel plates and cups are
lighter to carry and won't break. If each person brings their
own water bottle, you can skip the cups. Equipped with a cooler,
you can serve salads, sandwiches and fresh fruits.
Food
ideas
Select items that will not spoil easily such as sandwiches
with pesto spread or apples, oranges, grapes and nuts. Avoid
mayonnaise, desserts with cream, and soft fruits that bruise
easily like raspberries.
Ditch
the junk food such as hot dogs, burgers, chips, candy bars
and sodas. They are highly processed and contain lots of fat
or sugar with low nutritional value. Also avoid leftovers
because they are hard to digest. Instead, prepare your own
fresh meals. Make a sandwich with lettuce and roasted zucchini
and panir, bake some vegetable-filled samosas, or make a simple
salad and serve it with tortillas, pita bread or parathas
(Indian flatbreads). For dessert, bring a small jar of Maharishi
Ayurveda Cashew Delight or Rose Petal Jam, or muffins, which
are easy to serve and won't spoil. You can also pack a bag
of mixed nuts and dried fruits for a quick snack. Apples and
pears are also good for snacks and dessert. You can wash and
dry them before you leave, in case there is no water available
at your picnic site.
Water
is the best choice of drink because it quenches your thirst
and keeps you hydrated. Make a few quarts and cool before
you leave. After lunch take a walk to stimulate your digestion
and uplift your mood.
Food
Safety
In
order to avoid food poisoning or an upset stomach, you have
to follow some basic rules.
•
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Bacteria prefer temperatures
between 50-125 degrees F.
• Prepare foods as close to picnic time as possible.
• Have plenty of ice for your cooler, especially if
you go for a whole-day outing.
• Pack food in small airtight containers inside larger
containers.
• Put foods in the cooler in the order opposite to using
them. Pack first the food you will use last.
• Take out the food only as you need it. Repack the
containers and keep them in a shady spot.
• Don't leave food unattended. Creatures small and large
can take a few or more bites. Beware of flies, wasps, squirrels,
chipmunks and bears. They are very good at finding food!
What
else to bring
Pack
a tablecloth for your table and a blanket if you are going
to sit on the ground. Bring a sweater or a windbreaker in
case of a sudden summer storm. Wear a hat and sunglasses if
it's sunny, and put on some sunscreen.
Respect
the environment
A very important rule of camping and picnicking is not to
leave anything behind. Collect your garbage and take it to
the dumpster, or home if there is none provided.
To
minimize waste, avoid paper and styrofoam plates and cups,
and plastic forks. They are surely easier to use, but create
unnecessary trash.
Certain
parks warn against eating outside for a reason. Wildlife may
be close by and for everyone's safety, look for a spot where
eating is permitted. Do not upset nature's balance by feeding
animals. Don't make a fire unless it's permitted and extinguish
it completely before you leave. Forest fires ruin thousands
of acres of trees every year.
Recipe
ideas
Summer picnics can be a lot of fun, if you plan ahead and
observe some basic rules. You can create lots of fresh ayurvedic
meals that will keep you satisfied and energized for the whole
trip. The following recipes are simple to make and provide
a light picnic meal.
Sweet
Potato Salad with Spicy Yogurt Dressing
