escapes

Courtesy of eLivingtoday.com

Family vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the hectic schedules that accompany everyday life, but sometimes time or money (or both) make planning an elaborate trip a non-starter.

However, a staycation – a vacation you take right in your hometown (or nearby) – can be much less expensive and fit into nearly any amount of available time with the added bonus of skipping out on potentially stressful travel, especially now during this trying time.

Consider these staycation ideas to take advantage of your local area’s attractions and prove you don’t have to go far to spend safe quality time together.

Visit local landmarks. Just because it’s not a traditional vacation doesn’t mean you can’t pretend to be tourists. Start by visiting the places you recommend to friends and family from out of town or pick up a city guidebook to uncover hidden spots you may not even know exist. Make a plan to seek out historic sites, visit local landmarks like museums or try an out-of-the-way restaurant (or two) you’ve never eaten at before. camp out in the backyard. Camping doesn’t have to be done far from home. In fact, it can be done right in your own backyard. Pitch a tent to sleep under the stars and plan a night full of traditional camping activities like roasting s’mores, telling spooky stories by flashlight and trying to identify stars and constellations. set up a picnic in the park. Pack a basket with sandwiches, fruit and other treats and head to the park. You can enjoy a casual meal then take advantage of the open space for a family walk or game of tag before retreating to the playground to let the little ones expel any leftover energy. haVe a home spa day. If you’re looking for some relaxation but don’t want to splurge on the full spa treatment, plan an at-home oasis instead. Light some candles, run a bubble bath and break out the facial masks and fingernail polish.

Visit an amusement park. No matter where you live, there’s probably an amusement or water park within driving distance. A quick online search before you arrive can help prepare a strategy for hitting the most popular thrill rides and waterslides while skipping those that may not provide quite the same entertainment value.

Find more tips and tricks for enjoying family time together at eLivingtoday.com. ■

In Mexico, this date is celebrated with parades, dancing and even battle reenactments. In the U.S., we typically use this as an excuse to enjoy our favorite Mexican food and drinks, and typically the warmer weather. Below are some tips and tricks to throw a Cinco de Mayo party all summer long while highlighting authentic Mexican culture.

Include your favorite foods like chips, salsa and, of course, guacamole. Set up a taco bar with fresh corn tortillas, cilantro, red onions and assorted meats like carne asada (marinated, grilled beef) and carnitas (braised, shredded pork). Enjoy side dishes like elote, also known as Mexican Street Corn – grill corn on the cob and top with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder (like Tajin) and lime juice.

Looking for something a bit different? Try making mole. This dish contains many ingredients and takes a little time but is definitely worth it. Our favorite is lamb mole over arroz rojo (red rice) or for a twist on a classic, over red quinoa.

For dessert, try tres leches, flan, rice pudding or stray from authentic and make pinata cupcakes. Make your favorite cupcakes, scoop out the center and fill with sprinkles. Top with your favorite frosting. When you bite into the cupcake, you will release the colorful sprinkles.

Margaritas are classic, but there are so many other ways to enjoy tequila and mezcal. Try a Paloma, which is tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda. If you can’t find grapefruit soda, use grapefruit juice and seltzer. Feel free to add a salt rim. Mezcal has become popular over the years and is great in cocktails but can also be enjoyed over ice.

For those that are unfamiliar with mezcal, mezcal is made from agave, like tequila, but is processed differently. While agave for tequila is processed right away, agave for mezcal is roasted over a fire, typically in a pit, which is what gives mezcal its distinct smokey flavor.

Some mezcal cocktails to try including mezcal negroni, mezcal paloma, mezcal margarita or try creating your own.

Create a playlist with both traditional mariachi music and Mexican pop for a blend of new and old Mexican culture.

Use bright festive colors to decorate. Think vibrant and colorful. Hang multicolored papel picado banners (delicate cut paper flags) for an authentic festive feel. Use plants like cactus and succulents as décor or create centerpieces using colored Gerber daisies, roses or bring in color from confetti and festive pots. When setting a table or table display, use a colorful serape as the table runner.

For more information on Cinco de Mayo or celebrations in general, visit www.peppercornevents.com or email us at hello@peppercornevents.com.

Jess Ford is the chef/owner of Peppercorn Events, a catering company based in Bergen County. Peppercorn Events specializes in local, seasonal, custom catering. Jess is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a level 2 Sommelier. Prior to opening Peppercorn Events, Jess worked in restaurants in NYC and Brooklyn, studied farm-to-table cuisine in California, worked on an organic farm in England and traveled to China, Israel and throughout Europe studying food and wine. ■