My son asks to eat outdoors no matter if it’s spring, summer, or fall, so it has become a common occurrence for our family. Over the years I’ve learned a few tips that make outdoor eating more enjoyable and free from the heat, bugs, and clean up.

Food Tent for Eating Outdoors

Pardon me for prying, but are you a topper, a mixer or a dipper? The next time you sit down to a big bowl of your favorite salad, take a good gander at a behavior you probably haven’t ever given much thought -- how you’re applying the dressing. A survey conducted for the Association of Dressings & Sauces found that the various techniques we use to tackle the task reveals plenty about our personality and demographics.

In the four decades since the 1950’s, hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and other meats have captured prime positions on the American backyard grill. For years there seemed little room (or tolerance) for non-traditional grilling fare, like fruit, on the grill. However, the food renaissance of the past few years has encouraged curiosity and creative experimentation with food and the use of the grill as a transformative element for not only meats, but for food items from nearly every food group.