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One of the aspects many people enjoy about the summertime is backyard or patio barbecues. If you are contemplating such an event, you are also likely puzzling over how to set the table, what do to in the way of a tablescape. There are seven solid tablescape ideas well-suited to a summertime patio barbecue.

Go Western

Yes, having a Western theme tablescape comes close to being a cliché. Having admitted that possibility, you can make some twists on the theme and end up with a truly dynamic look for your patio barbecue.

For example, you can not only go Western, but go Old West or Wild West. With a little research, you can find dining practices of people in towns during the heydays of the Wild West. At the other extreme, you might even want to give a go with a tablescape theme that hearkens to eating in an encampment while traveling across the Old West. Another option would be considering some of the fancier rail passenger cars of the day and take tips for a tablescape from them.

Go Counter Scape

When you think of a barbecue dinner on the patio in the summertime, you brain likely flashes to casual. Of course, casual is the norm when it comes to a barbecue. Indeed, you might not even think about tablescaping for such an affair. But, in the end, even when you set a table simply, you really are tablescaping on some level.

A concept to bear in mind for a summer time patio barbecue tablescape might best be called the “counter scape.” The counter scape means that you go the opposite direction from casual and simple when it comes to designing your tablescape for a patio barbecue.

Perhaps don’t bring out the China, but maybe you do incorporate nice silver within the tablescape. You abandon paper plates and disposable utensils, and take it all up a couple of notches. After all, except when having a patio barbecue, the other common place to dine on a delicious stake is in a higher quality restaurant. You don’t eat off paper in that type of eatery.

Go Picnic

You don’t have to overcomplicate things when tablescaping for a patio barbecue. Moreover, you don’t have to ignore the season you are in. The fact is that you are dining outside precisely because it is summertime.

With this in mind, consider a picnic theme for a patio barbecue dinner. Lay this tablescape foundation with something as basic as a red and white checkered table. You can accent it with mugs in silver, which adds a stylish touch the presentation. As was the case with the counter scape idea discussed a moment ago, you can “up” the look of the table by fancying up the picnic look a bit more.

Go Era

Another idea for a summertime patio barbecue tablescape is decorating around a particular era. Select a decade and does some research and find out how a tabletop would be set during that time period.

Perhaps you want to carry the era idea throughout the summer. For example, start in the 1920s, and then move forward decade-by-decade as the summer progresses. You might think about putting different members of your family in charge of the different time periods. In the alternative, if you have dinner regulars at your home during barbecue season, think about assigning different decades to the quests.

Barbecue and Game Night

Another take on the tablescape theme can be to incorporate a patio barbecue and game night. In other words, the gathered group will enjoy games after a hearty meal.

For the purposes of illustration, assume the game night element of the gathering will be Monopoly. You can includes attributes of Monopoly into the tablescape. In the alternative, you can isolate one aspect of Monopoly and build the tablescape around that.

For example, focus in on Boardwalk, the highest priced property in the game. You can have a Boardwalk theme for the tablescape, including adding silver pieces into the mix to enhance the sense of elegance.

In the final analysis, there is a tremendous amount that you can do when it comes to a tablescape for a summertime barbecue. In a very real sense, you are only constrained by your creativity.

One more thought. As was referenced in one design scheme a moment ago, but can be expanded throughout the summer, make sure to involve your family in this process. Share ideas between family members for tablescape ideas for these memorable summertime patio barbecues.

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Jessica Kane is a writer for Silver Superstore, home of the internet’s best flatware.

Almonds are one of the tastiest and healthiest varieties of tree nuts you could ever feast on. Not only are they a great source of plant-based protein, but they’re also abundant in Vitamin E, dietary fiber and monounsaturated fats—the good kind of fats that can help lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (i.e. bad cholesterol) in your body. They give you an amazing energy boost with every serving, too, making them a great metabolism-boosting snack. However, if you’re like us, you may get a bit tired of just crunching down almonds every single time. To help you mix it up and find more to appreciate about this wonderful tree nut variant, we’ll fill you in on some of the otherawesome ways to enjoy almonds.

Almond milk

Ever wanted to indulge in a tall, cold glass of chocolate milk but can’t bring yourself to because you’re thinking about the calories and all that stomach-churning lactose? If so, then almond milk with chocolate should be right up your alley. A milked almond beverage not only has all the nutrients and health benefits of the wonder nut, but it’s also devoid of cholesterol, lactose, and saturated fat—making it a good alternative to dairy milk and a great way to indulge in your chocolate milk habit in a completely healthy and guilt-free manner. Just remember to pick a brand that uses a nut milking method that preserves as much of the nutrients as possible (e.g. cold milling).

Almond salad dressing

Spice up your salads by sprinkling crushed or powdered almonds on top just as you’re about to mix it all up. Not only does this give your leafy greens a bit more ‘oomph’ when it comes to taste and mouthfeel, but you’ll be getting a huge energy boost right after as well. For an added kick, you can pre-season your almonds before crushing them over your salad. Just mix an entire cup of almonds with a teaspoon each of turmeric powder, salt, chili powder, pepper and soy sauce before throwing them in an oven for an hour at 200 degrees. Let the mixture cool, and then you can add it to your salad as much as you like!

Almond vegetable stir-fry

Almonds make for a great addition to any vegetable dish, whether it’s stir-fried on a hot wok or roasted in a pan. Not only can they beef up the meal’s texture with a bulky and savory crunch, but they also boost the protein content by quite a bit, which is important especially if the dish itself is vegetarian. Just make sure to slice or sliver them first, as whole almonds tend to be a bit on the bigger side than other savory nuts.

Almonds as breading or tempura crusting

If you’re a fan of breaded fish or chicken fillets but you could do without the extra heaping of carbs— you know, from all the breading—then you could do well by substituting that sinful, crunchy layer of flour and starch with crushed or crumbled almonds instead. Not only do you get a crispier and crunchier layer over the tender and succulent meat of your choice, but it’s also much healthier. As with adding almonds to your stir-fry, remember to crush or crumble your almonds really fine, otherwise they won’t adhere as well as they should. For maximum crunch, slice the almonds into thin layers instead before adding them into the breading mix.

There are many more ways to enjoy almonds, but these four are a great way to start. No matter which one you pick, however, you’ll still be sure to enjoy the numerous health benefits that come with consuming this wholesome and savory tree nut.

A wintertime trip to the Alps isn’t complete without sampling some gourmet cuisine. From hearty local dishes to mouth-watering fine dining and the obligatory cheese fondue, food is one of the essential ingredients of a good holiday. In fact, some alpine restaurants are so outstanding that some choose to take a helicopter and fly in just to sample the food and fresh air on a sun-soaked winter terrace. A surprising number of Michelin eateries are ensconced in Europe’s snow-peaked valleys and are perfect venues for special occasions. We’ve chosen our favourite venues for a heli lunch in France and Switzerland that are less than an hour from Geneva by helicopter transfer.

A touch of class in Gstaad

No ski resort epitomises old-fashioned glamour quite like the Swiss village of Gstaad, and VIPs still flock to its restaurants. The Alpina Gstaad has been a hotspot for discerning diners since it opened in December 2012. The Michelin-starred Sommet Restaurant attracts a select crowd of visitors who appreciate its luxurious and discreet surroundings. Highly renowned chef Martin Göschel and his team prepare exceptional tasting menus paired with a hand-picked selection of wines, including over 400 bottles of rare vintages from across the world. The Alpina Gstaad’s two-level lobby includes a branch of New York’s Japanese restaurant Megu, a traditional Swiss restaurant, a cigar lounge and a lobby bar.

For a taste of the mountains and a view to match, head to the Berghaus Eggli, which is 1550 metres above sea level on the mountain of the same name. Eggli’s terrace offers a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Bernese, Valaisan, Vaud and Freiburg Alps and a cosy, warm interior for the occasional inclement days. The restaurant is always buzzing, which is a testament to its popularity, but the staff are attentive and efficient. The vegetarian-friendly restaurant has a large menu to suit all tastes, including Swiss specialities like fondue, alongside pasta dishes and Wagyu beef burgers.

A serving of stars in Courchevel

Courchevel is perhaps the most exclusive ski resort in Europe and this is reflected in its unrivalled dining options. A Geneva to Courchevel helicopter transfer takes just 30 minutes and is by far the fastest and easiest way of getting to this world-famous ski resort. Courchevel has 12 Michelin-star restaurants and two of those have three stars. Despite this incredible concentration of haute cuisine, Courchevel also has some surprisingly low-key restaurants. For example, the ever-popular Bistrot du Praz is located at in Courchevel 1300 (Le Praz village) and is an unpretentious Savoyard establishment that has mastered the art of cold foie gras to perfection in addition to its traditional bistro-style cuisine.

The higher you venture up the mountain, the more plentiful the awards. The 3-Michelin-star Le 1947 leads the way with Parisian chef Yannick Alléno’s flavoursome delicacies. Located inside the exclusive Cheval Blanc Courchevel resort, the restaurant is named after what many regard as the finest vintage of Château Cheval Blanc wine.

Cuisine with a view in St Moritz

Saint Moritz has the most picturesque setting to fly in and enjoy a heli lunch. Located on the edge of a lake, this ski village is surrounded by soaring glacial peaks which offer an abundance of alpine charm and an unforgettable backdrop to create treasured memories. Talvo is a Michelin-star restaurant that has a rich history of catering for the international jet set. Set in a converted 17th-century farmhouse, it serves classic European dishes and traditional local cuisine.

Ecco On Snow, located in Giardino Mountain Hotel, ups the ante with two Michelin stars and a sublime seven-course degustation menu with wine pairing, while La Marmite in Corviglia is the highest restaurant in the Alps (2,484 metres) and owner Reto Mathis serves sumptuous caviar and truffle dishes in a stylish contemporary setting.

Whatever type meal you fancy, the Alpine ski resorts are ideal helicopter lunch destinations where the views on the journey are as appealing as the restaurants.