Cooler Treats and Hot Dog Meats
The long, lazy days of summer - evenings and weekends outside enjoying the warm weather, trips to the beach, hiking through the woods, and, most importantly, picnic feasts.

There are so many summer foods to enjoy that we couldn't cover them all, so consider this a start. And what better place to begin our culinary summer food journey than with hot dogs, watermelon and iced tea, as well as some other useful picnic information.

If you're wondering what to make and where to go to find ingredients, your first stop should be your local farm or farmers market. To find one in your area, visit our Farmers Markets section in Shop Sustainable. Lettuce and greens are abundant right now, with many other crops and vegetables being harvested each week.

Farmers markets are becoming an excellent place to find sustainably-raised meat. If you're interested in purchasing some, but aren't sure what to do or what questions to ask, read our Questions for a Farmer section. We provide you with the questions to ask, and we also supply the answers so you know what to listen for. Actually meeting the farmer who's growing or raising your food is one of the best parts of the market. So join in the food revolution sweeping across not only the country, but the world, and make friends with your local farmer!

And don't forget about our Eat Well Guide! If you want to find a farm, store or restaurant near you that sells sustainably-raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs, look no further!

Hot Dogs
What exactly is in a hot dog, and is it really that unhealthy? The answer depends on the type of dog you buy and the ingredients that make them up. If you choose the mass-produced varieties that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates and miscellaneous byproducts, you will not be choosing the healthiest option.

But if you want to enjoy this all-American favorite, there are other choices that do not contain any fillers, byproducts or additives like MSG or nitrates. Another option is to skip the meat altogether and try a vegetarian soy dog.

Read our Hot Dog Days of Summer article to find out more about all these options before you purchase your next package of franks. And if you're planning on cooking hamburgers or other types of beef, read our Summer Sizzle feature article from last month for information on healthier hamburgers and delicious grilling recipes.

Watermelon Wonder
Do you only think of watermelon as a juicy dessert treat to have after your picnic main course? Well, think again. Watermelon can be chopped, grilled, pureed and added in as an ingredient to many recipes.

And to make it even more enticing, watermelon has no fat or cholesterol and is high in vitamins like A and B6. If you aren't tempted to eat it yet, watermelon is also high in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps prevent cancer and promote healthy kidneys.

Read Watermelon Wonder to find out all you ever wanted to know about watermelon, from the history of the fruit to storing tips to fun facts and recipes.

Beverages
If you're seeking healthy beverage options to round out your summer picnics, you might have begrudgingly decided against soda - but don't despair. Although not the healthiest of beverage choices, there are better carbonated alternatives to regular sodas - tasty organic options that use the sweetness of pure cane juice or honey, rather than sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup and aspartame.

Fresh-squeezed juices and homemade iced teas provide even healthier, more refreshing alternatives to processed beverages. Tea has differing levels of health benefits, depending on how it is processed, but teas contain polyphenols, an antioxidant that helps protect against heart disease and cancer.

And don't forget - the most thirst quenching option is still water! Squeeze some fresh organic lemon or lime into cold, plain water or sparkling mineral water for a refreshing treat.

Read our Picnic Beverages article for more information on colas and teas.

If you're trying to get your children (or yourself!) to drink healthier beverages, follow these tips from the Pennsylvania Department of Health:

• Dilute 100% juices with water
• Mix juice with seltzer water to replace soda
• Serve water in your child's favorite cup and include a straw

• Add a squeeze of lemon or lime to water
• Keep a container of water readily available in the refrigerator

• Set an example. Have a drink of water with your child.

Worried about bugs bothering you while you eat? Don't fear - there are simple things you can do to help ensure insects do not overrun your picnic feast.

Avoiding the Sting
Bees play a vital role in the ecosystem by helping to pollinate plants. But it really hurts when they sting you. Most bees and other stinging insects won't attack unless provoked - so if one of these creatures flies into your picnic area, don't swing or swat! You can avoid attracting stinging insects to your next outing by following these tips:

• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Avoid using perfumed soaps, shampoos, and deodorants.
• Avoid wearing perfume or cologne.
• Keep foods covered until you're ready to eat.
• Avoid flowering plants.
• Keep picnic areas clean - be sure to remove food from picnic tables and grills.
• If you have severe allergic reactions to bee stings, carry an insect allergy kit.

Bugging Out
Nobody likes to be eaten alive during a picnic. Along with charred burgers and unexpected rainstorms, insect bites are among the more frustrating elements of outdoor dining.

Although these creatures are often dismissed as little more than a minor annoyance, insects can transmit diseases which pose serious threats to human health; for instance, while mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus, encephalitis, and malaria, ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Want to know what you can do about it? Read on.

Good Clean Fun
Nobody likes a litterbug! Leave your picnic area cleaner than you found it - be sure to remove all garbage and food, including any grease or food scraps left on the grill. This will allow others to enjoy the picnic site and will prevent animals from being attracted to the site in the future.

And now you can compost your disposable plates and utensils right along with the food scraps! That's right ­ biodegradable picnic ware is now available, made from sugar cane and cornstarch. Celebrate guilt-free disposable living this picnic season!

Overnight Camping
Planning to camp overnight? Check out this article to learn about outdoor food storage techniques that will prevent bears and other wildlife from feasting on your provisions. Includes step-by-step instructions to help you set up the perfect bear bag!

Enjoy the outdoors this summer - and don't forget to use sunscreen!

- by Diane Hatz, Chris Hunt and Jill Peterson
with additional research by Vanessa Peck and Christina Petit