Ah, summertime-lots of time outdoors-sunshine-pool parties and barbecues. Do you know how to keep your food safe in the sun during all of these occasions? No sense in letting a festive day turn into a hospital visit by simple carelessness. Hosting a good party also means hosting a safe party, where you keep foods prone to spoil safe for all. Be sure you are hosting a party memorable for fun and not food poisoning.

Undercooked or raw eggs (in dressings, for instance) are responsible for many food-borne illnesses, and are responsible for carrying salmonella. The elderly and infants are particularly susceptible, so be cautious in cooking eggs for these age groups. Make sure you serve any eggs fully cooked, and stay away from recipes that call for raw eggs, and you and your guests will be at less risk.

Undercooked meat and raw fish are also threats to perfect health. If you are at a party serving pink meat or raw fish, it is best to avoid these items if you want to avoid a bout with illness. When you are hosting, be sure all meats are stored, cooked and presented properly so no one becomes sick.

When serving foods that contain mayonnaise or another ingredient known to spoil quickly, be thoughtful for yourself, friends and family members, and nest serving containers in a bed of ice. Potato salad, shrimp, deviled eggs and even certain melons are best served this way to avoid any contamination. Make sure your party is remembered as a success, and not as the forerunner to a frightening hospital visit, and follow these few simple steps to make your event the smash of the summer.

Being sure you maintain optimal health is another good way to fight off disease. Serve the healthy juice DEFENDER, with its blend of 40 fruits and vegetables, to your summertime guests to be sure you get all the goodness of antioxidants and vitamins your body needs to stay well and be healthy.