Would you share some ideas for picnic foods?

Stash a half watermelon in the fridge overnight and bring a knife. Bring some tea bags and some simple syrup (melt 1C sugar in 1C water), and some water and a clear pitcher and you can make sun tea: just put the tea bags in the water first thing, in the clear pitcher, and leave it out in the sun for a while. Cool it down with ice when you drink it and add the syrup for sweetening (much easier than stirring in sugar, which doesn't dissolve so easily).

For the main thing, I might make some suped-up tuna salad, with nuts and grapes, and stuff them in pita bread. It's nice at the beach to not have to have plates and utensils.

A nice crisp Chicken Caesar Salad. Pack the chicken and dressing separate from the salad so that your greens don't wilt.

Another idea and this one is my all-time favorite. Can be made with chicken or shrimp (I prefer shrimp). Trust me, it'll become a staple in your home. Lemonade would be a nice accompanying beverage.

Chicken and Couscous Salad

A great way to use leftover chicken, this 20-minute dinner salad uses quick-to-cook couscous and lots of brightly flavored herbs.

SALAD:

1 1/4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1 (5.7-ounce) box uncooked couscous

1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken (about 6 ounces)

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup diced radishes (about 3 large)

1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

DRESSING:

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

To prepare salad, bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Spoon couscous into a large bowl; refrigerate to cool. Add chicken, onions, radishes, cucumber, parsley, and pine nuts; toss gently to combine.

To prepare dressing, combine vinegar and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss to combine.

Note: You can toast nuts quickly in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Stir frequently, and as soon as they become fragrant, remove the nuts from the pan.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

And for your girlfriend:

CALORIES 334 (29% from fat); FAT 10.9g (sat 2g,mono 5.9g,poly 2.1g); IRON 1.8mg; CHOLESTEROL 39mg; CALCIUM 23mg; CARBOHYDRATE 35.8g; SODIUM 484mg; PROTEIN 20.9g; FIBER 2.9g

Strawberries are sure to be a winner, and you could even take some low fat yoghurt to dip them in. Maybe some low fat flavoured sparkling mineral water. Watermelon, Salad wraps. And don't forget plenty of affection.

deviled eggs

grilled or baked chicken no skin or fish

pickles, olives

salad with lots of veggies. or coleslaw

sugar free pudding or jello

diet soda and water