Take Dinner Outdoors!

Did you know it stays light until almost after 8pm these day!? Switch up your routine and pick up some dinner to go or gather a super simple meal from home and head down and enjoy where we live! My family and I tend to do this all the time, and it is such a fun evening.

In my opinion, there are two way to do this:

1. Go to your local Gourmet Deli or Grocery (I like Seaside Market in Cardiff) and grab a bunch of easy finger foods, sammy's or pre-made salads- their plastic utensils and a drink or two. Be sure to grab your beach chair or towel and you're done! It's your turn to cook? This is a fantastic idea - the view and the creativeness is sure to give you a "Get Out of Jail Free" card for not cooking.

Things to watch out for:
1. Most beaches do not allow glass or alcohol. We have found a paper coffee cup works wonders in both of those department.
2. Bring a Sweater - once the sun goes down you start to feel that moisture!
3. CLEAN UP! Be sure to throw away your trash and keep our beaches clean.

2. Bring Food from home! And if you are adventurous, BBQ on the beach! A lot of local beaches will have permanent BBQ available it you don't want to lug yours down. Also, quite a few already have picnic benches for you!

TIPS:
1. Bring sturdy foods that are great served chilled. Packageable and Portable!
Cold Pasta's, Hearty Salads
2. Dips!
Guacamole and tortilla chips, salsa, Hummus and Pita or Veggies.
3. Lemonade
Nothing is more refreshing than some sweet lemonade at the beach, unless you are over 21 and a bruski sounds better - then refer to "Things to Watch Out For #1.

Sample Menu from Miss Oprah:
Click for recipes!

Fresh Lemonade
Tomato and Feta Salad

Shrimp RollsOutrageous Oreo Brownies(images/menu: oprah.com)