RX: Nature

Getting Outdoors For Your Health

Remember the days of playing outdoors with your neighbors until the street lamps turned on? Do your kids? With technology overrunning our world, it is our duty to make sure that our kids are still enjoying their youth the way we did... learning outdoors through experience, falling and scrapping their knees, seeing things in person rather than on the internet. On this National Children's Health Day, we are  urging you to get your children outdoors as much as possible for their mental and physical health. Not convinced? Here's some more reasons.

1. Body

Physical fitness is increased when outdoors, whether your playing tag, hiking, even on a swing... it's a lot more than sitting on a couch. Prevent obesity, play outside. Vitamin D is also absorbed from the sun. Can't get that from the indoors. Sight is also benefited from being outdoors. There is more range to stretch your eyes, therefore lowering the risk nearsightedness.

2. Mind

Statistical records show that time spent outdoors directly correlates to better focus and attention in school. ADHD has a lower chance of setting in if your child spends more time outdoors. Critical thinking is also improved. Significant time spent outdoors in children has also been shown to reduce stress, improve social relations and increase creativity and problem solving skills.

3. Spirit

Connectivity to nature has proven to elevate a child's awareness to himself and the world around him by improving his emotional, cognitive and behavioral abilities in social and physical environments. Being exposed to natural life including plants, water, and fresh air is relaxing and grounding, maybe you should get outdoors more too!

Here are some activities that you can do as a family

Disc Golf

An easy walk in the park with the family made more enticing with a fun game that anyone can play. Also a fairly cheap sport as all you need are a few discs per person. Make it a day with a picnic planned. Most Disc Golf parks have picnic tables and if you're lucky a creek or lake nearby. This accessible outdoor activity is family friendly for all ages and a quick escape to the outdoors. No more excuses.

Take A Hike

Literally. Find a nearby place or when planning a camping trip, pick out a few hikes to do with the family.  Many sites online especially within a national forest or park will list all of the hikes with ratings of difficulty and sights that you will see. Get up and out of the house and into the wilderness. Jump in a freezing cold lake or a relaxing hot spring. The world has so much to offer, and it's not from your laptop.

Stargazing

The most accessible if you live in a rural area, if not you may have to take a drive to get a good look at the starry night and way from city lights. Also you will need to check the weather to plan around rain and clouds. This activity includes the whole family, some hot chocolate, blankets and your imagination. Don't look at your mobile stargazing app, just make images of the stars the same way you would with clouds. 

Happy National Children's Health Day, Be sure to get outdoors and improve the health of your whole family today.

Outdoor Gatherings: Glam up your Space

When creating your outdoor space, whether it is your backyard, campsite, RV or even tailgate, do you consider style and comfortability? Who's to say you should treat your outdoor space the same as your indoor? Grasshaven Outdoor is here to tell you and show you that the outdoors is more than just a picnic or a hike, it is where memories are made, and that those memories can be beautiful in all respects. Take a look below to see how we revolutionize the outdoor dining space, cooking space and

Outdoor Dining

Get rid of paper plates already. Upgrading to beautiful melamine dinnerware that complements the colors of the outdoors, that makes the picnic table look rustic rather than dirty. Make that picnic table your dining room. Think centerpieces of flowers, pinecones, candles, etc. Just because the outdoors isn't synonymous with style doesn't mean it shouldn't be. Pick out your outdoor dinnerware collection here. Don't be shy to mix and match either, vibrant colors and designs do not need to be sacrificed. Whether it is your backyard, a campsite, the RV or even a picnic or BBQ, style can always be at your side to elevate your experience. Another thing that does not have to be sacrificed... Cooking.

Outdoor Cooking

Please no more hotdogs. One thing that can help an outdoor meal grandly is a little bit of at home prep. It is not necessary but doing some chopping of vegetables or marinating before that actual campsite prep can go a long way. Check our list of recipes that have been tried and true to the Grasshaven Team for find what works for your outdoor event. Next up, everything you need to make these meals.

The Outdoor Kitchen

You have more than a campfire and a stick... Again, make your outdoor cooking space your kitchen. You should be comfortable and at ease when cooking in the outdoors, it makes more time to have great memories with your family and friends. Want to see some convenient gadgets for your outdoor kitchen? Make Camping Easy

The Campsite

Putting it all together. Your campsite is your temporary home, and it should feel no less than that. Your kitchen, living room around a grand fire, dining room and bedroom are all there, the only place that is a bit hard to make feel like home is the bathroom, but we'll find a solution to that soon enough. Every little thing adds to that campsite: Tablecloth, centerpiece, vase, dinnerware, kitchen, games, lanterns, blankets... accessories! Make the campsite your home! We can help. Make the outdoors even more beautiful then it already is. 

Have, fun, good luck, and get ready to camp in style. Everything else you need can be found here.

Summer Bucket List

It's Not Over Yet!

August has arrived and summer is winding down, but its not quite time to go back to school shopping. There are still a few weeks left in summer and why not enjoy it outdoors. Because there is only a short amount of time left, we made you a bucket list to get your summer priorities straight!

Summer 2015 Bucket List

1. The Beach

You don't have to be near the coast to go to the beach, most lakes and rivers have great beaches, some with snack bars,  water sport rentals and lifeguard. However, you don't need all of that to have a successful beach day. Necessities: Beach Towels, Sunscreen, Water, Snacks, Hat. Luxuries: Water Toys, Beach Chairs, Chilled Beverages, Picnic, Grill etc. Get inspiration here.

2.  Camping

Okay, so it may be too late to get reservations at a lot of the good campgrounds, but don't forget about first come, first serve locations. Go to recreation.gov to explore and filter to find the perfect campground near you. You can also explore areas such as national or state parks that allow dispersed camping. Do not fear the thought of backpacking, a lot of these spots can be found off of dirt roads and side streets with turn outs for parking. You may have to walk 50-100 ft. Rather than winging it and hoping to find something, you can also look for reviews on google or the parks site. Tent, chairs, outdoor friendly dinnerware, games, kitchen utensils and gadgets, grill, and much more can be found here.

3. Backyard Party

Pool party or not, gathering your friends and family for an easy outdoor gathering is a must this summer. You can even make it potluck to decrease the workload and share the food prep responsibilities.  Here are some of our favorite recipes: Salted Carmel Monkey S'mores, Lavender Mint Lemonade, Fire Roasted Corn with Rosemary Butter, Lovage Infused Coleslaw,  and Rib-eye with Pecan Shallot Butter. Enjoy! Fun outdoor dinnerware and accessories also help the party look festive and stylish!

4. Take Me Out To A Ball Game

Even if you're not a baseball fan, any occasion that gets a group of friends together to spend the day outdoors is a good occasion. Plan to arrive early and have someone designated to tailgate. Everyone brings something to contribute to a great bbq before the game. Remember to bring a football or frisbee for tailgate activities, and of course,  corn hole. Grilling gadgets and portable grills can be found here. 

5. Stargazing

Even if camping isn't your thing, you need to take a night to hang out with our moon and stars. If you don't live near a big city, you can most likely do this in your backyard. Get an air mattress or a kiddy pool and fill with pillows and blankets, make popcorn and hot chocolate watch. Make sure to check the weather to be sure it is clear. You can also check to see when the next meteor shower is or what planets will be visible when you plan your gazing night. Star charts can make this fun for picking out constellations. Also watch out for moving stars (satellites), and shooting stars!

Think we missed a big one? Add it to the comments and we will add it to the post! Have a great rest of summer!

DIY Fourth of July

Create a Festive 4th this Saturday with DIY Snacks, Crafts, and More!

Independence Day is all about getting the family outdoors and celebrating with great food and fun games. We've cooked up a few ideas to help your party take off!

American Appetizers 

      

Skewer Flag

Simple and stunning: Skewer marshmallows, strawberries and blueberries in the fashion of the American Flag and let your guest enjoy this sweet snack!

                                  

Rocket Dogs

3, 2, 1... blastoff with these awesome rocket dogs! Fun to make and eat.  Wrap hot dog in raw crescent roll and bake at 350˚ for 20 min or until crescent roll browns. Meanwhile, use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut american cheese and skewer together like so --->
Display in a mason jar with a decorative inverted muffin cup. 

Pool Water and Water Noodles

Pool Water? YES! Kids don't tend to be big iced tea drinkers, and this is something they will get excited about. Sprite, blue food coloring, blueberries and ice makes this a colorful and fun summer drink that also fits in with the red white and blue theme!

 Next to the pool water you can have the pool noodles! Red Licorice in a mason jar displayed in the same way as the rocket dogs with the inverted muffin cup makes these look a bit more presentable. Perfect for an outdoor pool party this independence day or any other this summer!

Crafts for the Kids  

                   

Sparkler Safe 

Sparkler protectants for your hands can be turned into a fun craft for the kids. Simply decorate a solo cup and poke a hole at the end and use it as your shield from the sparks.

For the younger kids who cannot play with sparklers comes yet another craft. Grab a bunch of those birthday whistles and lay out with streamers, scissors, tape and stickers for an activity to get them excited while the others light sparklers.

Scavenger Hunt for America

This is a fun game for kids of all ages at your festive backyard party. Gather up about 20 miniature american flags and with either a label printer of a marker, write a letter and a number on each flag. Hide and scatter the flags around the yard and let the kids know they have to find all of them (that's why they're numbered). 

Once they find them all they have to unscramble the letters to find out what is says (popsicle time, firework time, water balloon fight, etc.), and when they do its time for whatever activity it spells out! 

Red White & Blue, DIY, Treats and More this 4th of July

Happy Independence Day!

Having a party, especially for a holiday, can rack up quite a large bill. That's why grasshaven has come up with some fun and inexpensive ideas, from recipes to DIY, that will make your party rock!

Patriotic Mason Jars : A DIY Project

 Pre-party DIY crafts are a blast! They get you in the party spirit and most of all, handmade decor looks awesome! This simple project requires three mason jars, red white and blue acrylic paint, a paint brush, and any additional decor to ones own liking. First paint two jars completely red, the other completely blue. Wait for them to dry and add the white stripes and stars. We used the jars to hold flatware for the party, but had to use a bit of tissue paper inside the jar to elevate the flatware. They can also be used as centerpieces with flowers inside, as lanterns with tea light candles, or as jugs to drink out of with a straw. Have fun and get creative!

Every Party Needs a Fruit Salad!

 It's true, every party is better with a fruit salad. In the spirit of the fourth, why not make it a red white and blue one! Simple enough! Chop red apples to squares or triangles, rinse red raspberries or strawberries and blueberries and mix together in a festive bowl or platter.

Dipped and Sprinkled: Patriotic Party Treats

Easy peasy treats for the party that everyone will love! Gotta have all the flavors: salty, sweet, and fruity. The pretzels and strawberries are the easiest: dip in melted white chocolate and set on parchment paper, add red and white sprinkles and let dry. The marshmallows get a bit trickier, but we have faith in you ;) Dip either end in the white chocolate and slip onto a skewer or toothpick. Sprinkle each end of the marshmallow with a different color and let dry sticking upwards so it does not smudge. You can use other people's hands to hold, or place into a jar as seen in the picture.

Red White and Blue Everything: last but not least, Patriotic Parfaits!

Simple and delicious treat to satisfy everyones sweet tooth at the party! In a clear glass (martini, margarita, mason jar, ice cream bowl, etc...) add a layer of raspberries, followed by a layer of cool whip, then blueberries, and cool whip one last time, then drizzle with raspberries and sprinkles! Add a spoon and they'll be gone in seconds.

Grasshaven Product to get your Party Stylin'

a. Red and White Checkered "Paper" Plates: 7.99 b. Red "Solo" Melamine Cup: 6.99
c. Blue "Solo" Melamine Cup: 5.99 d.+ e. Red and Blue Vintage LED Lanterns: 24.00
g. Melamine "Paper" Plate  Dinnerware: 5.75 - 24.45

Summer Brings Picnic Perfect Conditions in Colorado

Tired of going to the same overcrowded places to enjoy a picnic? Whether its with your family, friends, or as a romantic getaway, escaping for a couple hours makes a huge difference. We've come up with a few of our favorite places to enjoy the outdoors for a day, hopefully with a bit less people and a lot more nature. 

1.Gross Reservoir

This spot feels remote but its only about 30 minutes from Boulder.  Gross reservoir is a mixture of wildlife and a pristine mountain lake.  Come up in the evening or do a sunrise picnic and you might even see moose or elk lazily near the water's edge.  http://www.denverwater.org/Recreation/GrossReservoir/

2. O'Fallon Park

With it's pine trees and stone chimney barbecue couldn't be more picturesque.  Bear Creek is close to the picnic area and hiking trails.  It can get busy on the weekends so save this beautiful spot for weekday getaways.  http://dayhikesneardenver.com/ofallon-park-trails/

3. Betasso Preserve 

Quite and under-discovered spots for an intimate picnic.  Your neighbors are generally the squirrels making this picnic destination a peaceful opportunity for lunching in nature.  Betasso preserve also has a shelter that can be reserved for a slight fee.  http://www.bouldercounty.org/os/events/pages/picnicshelters.aspx http://www.bouldercounty.org/os/parks/pages/betassopreserve.aspx

4. Red Rocks Park

Overlooking Denver, Red Rocks Park has a picnic area that rivals the views of most state parks. A short drive from Denver this destination features geologic wonders, breathtaking views and high energy concerts to make this a premium picnic destination. Hike around the megalithic red stones, visit the Visitor’s Center for information on the area and check out one of the many concerts while you picnic.  http://dayhikesneardenver.com/trading-post-trail-red-rocks-park/

5.Cathy Fromme Prairie

If exploring Colorado's other side is on your radar then the Cathy Fromme Prairie near Fort Collins not only pairs great picnic spots with an unadulterated Colorado prairie filled with blooming wildflowers.  Prairie dogs, birds and other grassland inhabitants scurry amongst the prime examples of Colorado wildflowers.   Picnic areas are located near the entrance to the trails so grab a bite and explore this grassland beauty.  http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/cathyfromme 

Picnic Perfect  Gear from Grasshaven Outdoor:

Welcoming Spring With Stylish Camping!

March 20th... 

The first day of spring, our founder, Dawn Bitz' birthday, and our one year anniversary of our flagship store in Boulder, CO! It's a big day, and we are excited for what this wonderful season will bring! Here we will be sharing our excitement with some of our newer and favorite products that will make any camping/picnic/tailgating trip awesome. Get ready for camping season with Grasshaven Outdoor... we're here to make it stylish, comfortable, easy, and most of all, memorable!

Glamping, Stylish Camping, & Outdoors in Style

We're here to tell you that "glamping" doesn't have to be over the top, frilly, expensive, or out of the question. You may think of glamping as a fantasy that only exists in europe when you pay to stay at a resort with yurts and treehouses... not the case. Grasshaven embraces glamping, but more of a DIY style. Pick and choose your favorite, most useful products: pop-up tents, stylish (nonbreakable) dinnerware, fun accessories and gadgets, etc., pack it yourself and camp with YOUR OWN style! We help knock out some of the set-up time with easy-to-use products, and get back to making (stylish) memories with your family and loved ones!

Picnic Cooler for Four

  

This colorful yet stylish picnic bag/cooler for four is perfect for day trips, car camping, and RV vacations. Pack full lunch, snacks, two bottles of wine, and all of the utensils you need for an elegant outdoor dining experience. Gift it for a spring birthday or keep for yourself to use with your family and friends ( we don't blame you if you want to keep it)! Luxurious yet affordable and practical, this four person cooler is leakproof, and includes everything you need including corkscrew, cheese knife, four acrylic unbreakable wine glasses, four coordinating melamine plates, napkins, and stainless steel flatware. Also includes an adjustable shoulder strap, handle, and extra front pocket! Learn more about it here!

Grasshaven Outdoor Travel Wagon

Outdoor excursion, here we come! Get out without the hassle of doing multiple trips to the car. Practically four wheel for all terrain, compact storage, and heavy duty, let this wagon take the weight off your shoulders and back on your next outing in the sun! Think the GH Adventure Wagon is right for you? Check it out here! 

Grasshaven Outdoor Kitchen

Camping, picnic, beach day, tailgating, pretty much any event can be improved with this fully portable and collapsible outdoor kitchen. With nine square feet of counter space, 30lbs, on wheels, and excess storage space, this is the ultimate gadget dressed to impress and serve many uses. Outdoor camp kitchen status: beyond par: purchase now. (Also free shipping for a limited time)!

Grasshaven Vintage Day Pack

This stylish and vintage outdoor backpack is perfect for day trips, picnics, baseball games and more! Ample storage and pockets carry everything needed to make your next outdoor trip a success. Weathered canvas and leatherette trim offer timeless style while adjustable, padded straps and back padding make carrying on short trips a breeze! Pictures and more info available on our website.

Happy Spring, Happy Camping, and Happy Memories! Grasshaven wishes you the best 2015 spring/summer season yet! Visit our website for more product, camping recipes, lists, tips and outdoor games!