Monday, May 16, 2011

Summer (Indoor) Picnic Essentials for the Urban Dweller!

By: Finance Foodie

Ahhh summertime is just around the corner (in Boston, this means it's safe to go outdoors now without a heavy jacket). Time to hop into shorts, get out those sunnies, and go for a picnic in the park!

But if you are anything like me, outdoor picnics really mean ants, grass stains, and no AC (read: uncomfortable and inconvenient!). It also means limited food options -- every picnic in the park I've attended always consisted of the usual sandwiches, chips, and other items that don't need to be heated or kept in a freezer.

Unsure why anyone (meaning me mostly) would want to put themselves through bugs battles and limited grub options, I've devised my own way of ringing in the summertime -- an indoor picnic! With easy access to all the modern advances of the 20th century (oven, freezer, running water), this method totally gives you all the feelings of a picnic without all the hassles of being outdoors. (Now if you insist on getting some rays, you can always take a walk in the park after eating).
Most importantly, what goodies am I filling my picnic basket with? Well, here are my essential treats to pulling off a rocking indoor picnic party!
1. Fever Tree Ginger Beer -- This stuff is totally da' bomb! Unlike some of the other ginger beers on the market (*cough* Gosling's *cough*), Fever Tree's GB is all natural and contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners -- in fact, you can see real bits of ginger floating in this non-alcoholic beer!

2. Evol Flatbread -- Another all natural product, this frozen gourmet flatbread made by Evol, who's probably best known for their frozen burritos, could totally pass for something that was prepared by hand (when secretly all it took was a quick pop into the oven ;). The flatbread comes in four flavors -- they are all excellent, but my favorite (by a hair of a margin) was the oh-so-flavorful BBQ chicken and mozzarella.
In addition to their burritos and flatbread, Evol has a line of all-natural frozen bowls inspired by their burritos. I'm not really a big fan of beans in general (and 3 out of the 4 bowl flavors include generous heaping of said ingredient), so I was really glad they had a bean-free teriyaki chicken flavor bowl. Also, just a pre-warning, the portion size for each bowl is pretty small, so you might want to "pack" two per person!

3. Farm Rich Stuffed Pretzel Bites -- I like my food bite sized and convenient (without tasting convenient!), so these new pretzel bites stuffed with cheddar cheese from Farm Rich totally fit the bill. Pop these frozen suckers in the oven for 10 minutes and you got yourself a quick and yummy warm treat. Farm Rich also produces a whole host of other awesome easy to prep frozen appetizers like mozzarella bites and mini Philly cheese steaks, so be sure to check those out as well!
4. Dove Ice Cream bars -- an excellent summertime favorite and a great way to cap off the picnic. The newest bar, the peanut butter swirl ice cream with a milk chocolate and peanut shell, is super sinfully sweet and super creative, but my favorite will always be the original (vanilla ice cream with a milk chocolate shell) that I used to have as a snack after getting home from high school!

5. Dove Ice Cream pints -- Who can resist ice cream topped with ganache? (Hint: not my guest nor me!)
6. Sour Patch Kids Chillerz -- Basically, the original Sour Patch with a minty after-bite -- this after-meal mint is a good alternative sweet ending for those watching their waistline. (Although given a choice between Dove ice cream and what is basically a mint, I'd totally go for the former! But it's good to have options for your guests :)

7. Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Globrush -- Because after eating all those treats, you definitely need to brush you teeth to keep them cavity free and pearly white! The color changing timer also makes brushing fun and, dare I say?...cool too.
So go all out for an fabulous picnic indoors! Happy Summertime to you all!

*****Giveaway********
Congrats Prize Pack #1 Winner #37 - Emily Eating
Congrats Prize Pack #2 Winner #96 - Anonymous

So the fine folks at Farm Rich and Evol want to help two of my readers have their own winning indoor picnic, so they are giving away two prize packs on financefoodie.com

Prize Pack #1
-Twenty five (25) free product coupons for Evol bowls

Prize Pack #2
-Three (3) free product coupons for Farm Rich products

You can enter up to THREE times:

1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me what prize pack you want.
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave a separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave a separate comment telling me this)

Contest ended Thursday May 19 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night!

[Full disclosure: giveaways provided by Evol and Farm Fresh]

91 comments:

Hillary Gras said...

I definitely want the Evol bowls!! Prize Pack #1!

Hillary Gras said...

I'm now following you on twitter!

Steph said...

I'd like Prize Pack #2. Thanks!

ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

Steph said...

Following you on Twitter (@1day1dollar)

ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

kayte71 said...

Oh- I LOVE Evol burritos! Would love to try the bowls. Prize #1 please!
kaytewatts AT aol DOT com

kayte71 said...

I follow you on Twitter @kayte71
kaytewatts AT aol DOT com

kayte71 said...

http://twitter.com/#!/kayte71/status/70340000042074112
kaytewatts AT aol DOT com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

evol bowls is first choice either is great

wcc said...

I would love the Evol prize pack. Thanks for the chance!! :)
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com

wcc said...

I follow you on twitter (username: @whitechocolatec).

whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com

wcc said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/whitechocolatec/statuses/70398248539521024
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com

Unknown said...

prize pack 2. i would go with 1 but im allergic to all the bowls. :(

ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

twitter follower @xferriza2

ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kaitlin said...

Lovely blog, dear! I'd probably have to go with prize pack #2!

sweepmom said...

I like both prize packs but if I have to pick only one, I would go with prize pack #1.

Erica C. said...

I'd really love either prize pack, but I could especially use the Farm Fresh one!

Linda said...

I would like Pack #2

Linda said...

Sorry I forgot to add my address. I would like Pack #2
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

AB Smith said...

Prize Pack #1 would be awesome!

AB Smith said...

Following you on twitter - user name: @2kidsblogger

Sarah G. said...

I'll take either, but #1 is first on my list.

5webs said...

I'd be super thrilled to win either prize pack, but my first choice would be price pack #2 (Farm Rich coupons)
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

5webs said...

I Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/5webs/status/70565514140844032
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

llinda29 said...

I want Farm Rich Stuffed Pretzel Bites

Lentil said...

I want the Evol prize pack #1. Their Fire-grilled steak is awesome!

Unknown said...

prize 1
Thanks for the entry!
Janna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

prize pack #2 would be great

aarobertson75 at comcast dot net

kolpin said...

the Evol bowls!
kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

kolpin said...

twitter follower @kolpin4680 kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

kolpin said...

tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/kolpin4680/status/70861785762246657

Julie said...

Prize pack # 2 please
thanks
aunteegem@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Prize Pack Number 1 please!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

April said...

Prize pack 2 thanks for the contest

Eating Emily said...

Prize Pack #1!

Eating Emily said...

Eating Emily's email: ec1985c@comcast.net

Jessica said...

I love your picnic basket! I'm a huge fan of ginger beer so I'll have to try out that brand. I would love Prize Pack #2.
jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com

Jessica said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/Jessilyn82/status/71023590593667072

jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com

Debbie Kennedy said...

I would love prize #1 if I won - great giveaway!
cleaningrhouse at yahoo dot com

Jinxy and Me said...

I would LOOOOOOVE the evol bowls!

nesta 67 {at} live dot com

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm following you on Twitter (I'm @LuckyJinxy).

Jinxy and Me said...

tweet https://twitter.com/#!/LuckyJinxy/status/71055733189394432

candy said...

I would love either one of these. If I have to pick one I would choose 2 wilcarvic
[at]gmail[dot[com]]

pmj said...

Prize Pack #1 would be nice!
pjames330 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I'd definitely want to win Prize Pack #2!

magickalblessings26{at}yahoo.com

gcomstock said...

Big fan of Evol burritos, so I'd love to try the bowls. Thanks.

gcomstock said...

Already following you via Twitter @georgecomstock

gcomstock said...

I tweeted this giveaway here:
http://twitter.com/#!/georgecomstock/status/71123671107907584

Breanne said...

I'd like 2

Unknown said...

I want Prize Pack #1. garrettsambo@aol.com

willdebbie said...

I would like the Prize Pack #2
willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

Deadmonkeys90 said...

i like both but prize pack 1 would be my first choice!
deadmonkeys90@yahoo.com

Deadmonkeys90 said...

following you on twitter @deadmonkeys90
deadmonkeys90@yahoo.com

Dorothy7 said...

I would like Prize Pack #2

liliesrnice said...

I'd like the farm rich prize pack! Thanks!

susan1215 said...

Prize pack #1 would be my first choice but I would be happy with either one

s2s2 at comcast dot net

susan1215 said...

follow you via twitter susan1215

s2s2 at comcast dot net

susan1215 said...

http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/71210529900867584

s2s2 at comcast dot net

degood said...

I want to win prize pack #2

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Kathy P said...

id love the Three (3) free product coupons for Farm Rich products

Kathy P said...

http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/71217493997387777

cpage2323 said...

either would be awesome to have. i have never tried the evol brand before but i see on their website they sell it clse to me.
trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

cpage2323 said...

twitter follower(@trixie420247)
trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

cpage2323 said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/trixie420247/status/71228691279130626

trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

susansmoaks said...

i would love either one, but prize pack #1 is my first choice
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

twitter follower @fp4life
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life/status/71232748794290177
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

dvice12 said...

I'd like Prize Pack #1

dvice12 said...

I Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter

Anonymous said...

I'd like prize pack #2.
wonitoo@hotmail.com

cman said...

Both prizes sound good to me but if I had to chose it would be Prize Pack #2.

Unknown said...

I'd love to win Prize Pack #1. trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Prize Pack #2 unfortunately evol is not sold near me

Unknown said...

twitter Follower @Macmomof3
Jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

js22 said...

I'd love to win Prize Pack #1.
I did check to make sure they are in stores in my area!
Thanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/71278735944458240
email in blogger profile.

Barbarawr said...

My first choice would be the Twenty five (25) free product coupons for Evol bowls, but I wouldn't be disappointed if I won Prize Pack #2, either :-)

Email address is in blogger profile

Barbarawr said...

I follow you on twitter - bsw529

Email address is in blogger profile

Barbarawr said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/bsw529/status/71279949419515904

Email address is in blogger profile

Mary Gardner said...

i'd love to have the free product coupons for Farm Rich products

jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

Mary Gardner said...

i follow you on twitter as jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

Mary Gardner said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/jg4462/status/71305954221752321

jagar0047 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

The 3 Products from Farm Rich would be loved at our home!!!! Prize Pack #2-The Evol bowls look terrific but have never heard of them nor seen them in our area stores.


lknott@partnercom.net

Donna said...

I would like Prize pac #1.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I follow on twitter(donnak4)
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/donnak4/status/71314112004624386

Erica G said...

prize pack #1 is my first choice!

cinderwhims at gmail dot com

Erica G said...

like them on fb
user: Acire ACerg

cinderwhims at gmail dot com

Erica G said...

following them on twitter
user: notnethused

cinderwhims at gmail dot com

Erica G said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/notenthused/status/71317483482652672

cinderwhims at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

pRIZE pACk 2

WANDA.LEWIS.MEAT AOL DOT COM

ashirwaad-holiday-apts-goa said...

Those yellow flowers look so beautiful.

Places to stay in Goa

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