Friendship Hike and Picnic

June 3, 2008


Hiking
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    Enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise while you work up an appetite with simple tips for preparing for a low-key day hike in your favorite natural habitat. We’ve provided picnic packing basics and a deliciously portable recipe for a relaxing end to your walk. It’s the perfect way to kick off summer and bond with your friends before the season really heats up with vacations and family activities.

Step 1: Decide Your Destination 
When choosing a trail, be sure to consider all of your friends’ hiking abilities. It’s probably best to choose a nearby trail that will give you some good exercise but won’t completely wear you out or require advanced hiking skills. Many local parks have well-marked trails or nature preserves that will allow you to enjoy the scenery without a compass!

Look for trails with scenic views or picnic grounds so you can enjoy a relaxing space to spread out for your picnic.

Step 2: Coordinate Your Date 
Check the weather for the upcoming weeks and contact your friends to pick a date for your hike and picnic. To ensure you’ll have a variety of picnic dishes, ask your friends to bring different foods such as main dishes, sides, drinks and snacks. You can also designate one person to supply plates and utensils.

Step 3: Hike Preparation 
Starting with a few basic items for your hike is a good idea. Sun protection is a must in the summer, so bring along sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm and a hat with visor. Grab a lightweight daypack or hip bag for your sun protection, insect repellant and anything else you would like to carry along.

Don’t miss an opportunity to capture a beautiful summer day or vibrant flora and fauna. Bring your camera to snap some photos of nature and your friends having fun so you have a few nice memories to display at home or in a scrapbook. You may even find some decorating inspiration!

Step 4: Make Your Picnic Dish 
Your picnic lunch should be easy to carry, filling, and refreshing all at the same time. Foods high in fiber and complex carbohydrates are especially helpful because they can provide the energy boost you need to finish your hike. For snacking while you hike, try making this simple and satisfying trail mix recipe.

The following recipe makes the perfect choice for a picnic side, because it’s filling without weighing you down. It’s also simple to pack for a fun day out because it doesn’t need to be kept cold.

Three Bean Salad 
hm body img hm 01 jun08 

INGREDIENTS 
1 can (15 ounces) white beans (canelli), well drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, well drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans (chickpeas), well drained and rinsed
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Dressing
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 
  1. In a large bowl, mix the beans, celery, onion, bell pepper and cilantro.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the dressing to the beans and toss gently to coat.
  3. Allow the beans to soak up the flavor of the dressing by chilling them in the refrigerator for several hours. Place your Three Bean Salad in a tightly sealed plastic container.

Tip: Need a shortcut? Use 2/3 cup of your favorite red wine vinaigrette dressing instead.

Step 5: Pack Your Picnic
Though classic wicker baskets are still a picnic staple, there are many new options out there to fit your specific needs. If you’re planning on hiking to your perfect picnic spot, you may want to opt for a backpack picnic bag or a compact nylon bag or cooler you can comfortably throw over your arm or shoulder.

Carrying plenty of water and staying well-hydrated is essential on a hike, especially in the summer. Three quarts per person, per day is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind. The night before, freeze your water bottles. Not only will your water stay cold longer the next day, but they'll also help keep your food chilled!

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