How to Host a Green Picnic or Barbecue

Enjoy the beauty of nature by spending time outdoors. Why not host a green picnic or barbecue that minimizes your impact on Mother Earth? Here's a simple how-to on hosting a green picnic or barbecue.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• organic food
• eco-friendly grill
• sugar water
• cloth tablecloths and napkins
• real plates and utensils
• Sharpie
• trash bags
• reusable container

1. Send out e-vites for your celebration. Better yet, use the power of word-of-mouth to invite others to your get-together.

2. Buy organic – both produce and meat. Go to your local farmers market. Just a note about corns - leave the husk on, soak in water for a bit and then put on the grill. No need for aluminum foil. It works!

3. Decorate with nature. You know those party balloons, streamers, ribbons, etcetera? No need for that. Use nature's flowers and plants to beautify your party.

4. Use an electric grill, instead of a charcoal grill. Unless you use eco-friendly charcoal.

5. Be sweet. Downside of having a picnic or barbecue outdoors? Insects flitting around your food. Don't use harsh insect repellents. Prepare sugar water and leave it in an open jar a couple of feet away from where you are. The insects will get attracted to the sugar water, not to your food.

6. Leave wildlife in peace. Look. Take pictures. But don't touch. Stay in designated picnic areas and trails.

7. Get trendy. You already own cloth tablecloths and napkins. Use these for your picnic to score stylish points. Wash and reuse after your party. No need to throw it out. You throw it in the washing machine. Voilà! It’s ready for the next picnic.

8. Get real. Use real plates and utensils. Don't buy! If using disposable is unavoidable, bring a Sharpie and tell everyone to put their names on their cups. That way, each person will use only one cup.

9. Keep recycling. Don't forget to bring trash bags to sort out whatever garbage you'll have. Set up a recycling bin.

10. Lastly, pack it all up. Don't throw away the leftovers. Put them in reusable containers and give them to your guests. Make sure that in your invitation, you specify for your guests to bring their own reusable containers for after-party food.

Resources

• Green Unlimited

[MariM]

on 3/7/2009 The sugar water idea is good.5* recmd

[Susanh]

on 8/26/2008 Wonderful suggestions! :)

[vikki9]

on 8/26/2008 Great Green suggestions. Thank you.

[vanilla-caramel]

on 8/6/2008 Thanks! Glad you liked it.