Ready for all the 4th of July festivities?
Celebrate our country's past AND the planet's future all at the same time! Celia Chen, an entertaining expert and Editor-in-Chief of notesonaparty.com shares her tips for throwing an eco-friendly Independence Day bash.
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Go Organic
Food that is farm fresh and free of hormones, pesticides and chemicals not only tastes good but is good for you. Be patriotic by supporting your American farmer by buying your fruit, vegetables and dairy from a local market. For those of you that love to BBQ, make sure you serve certified organic meat and free range poultry that is humanely raised. And don't forget to serve a vegetarian option! Grilled portobello mushrooms marinated with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar makes a hearty filler for a hamburger bun!
Improvise With Your Tableware
Be a creative hostess and find new ways to use what you already have instead of rushing out to buy new specialty dinnerware that you may never use again. Anything flat from a slab of marble to a wooden chopping block can be used to create a cheese platter. Small mismatched bowls can add some color to an all white coordinated dinner set. New York sustainable catering company Relish Caterers makes a crudité tray using a variety of left over glassware, including a martini glass, bud vase and a water glass to hold veggie slices. It's a fresh way to present the typical platter and solves the problem of including different sized vegetables from carrot sticks to broccoli florets.
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Turn Your Watermelon Into Punchbowl
Here's a trick that your guests will love. Turn a regular watermelon into a festive punch bowl. First cut the bottom to make it lay flat on your table. Then cut off the top and use an ice cream scoop to hollow it out. Pour in your favorite punch, sliced summer fruit and mint, surround with small glasses and you have a 4th of July centerpiece that says "fun in the Summer sun!"
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Stay Away From Disposables
Need a non-glass alternative for your BBQ or holiday picnic? Think twice about disposable plastic ware that is used once and sent to a landfill. Sustainable Party (www.sustainableparty.com), an online store that sells eco-friendly party supplies, features brands like VerTerra, who make compostable plates and trays out of pressed palm leaves. They are light and portable for easy transporting, as well as a chic addition to your table. Other items include cups and cutlery made out of corn or plant starch that biodegrade in 90 to 120 days.
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