Healthy meals when camping with kids
Camping has changed a lot since I was a kid. Boiling hot tents, soggy food from melted esky ice, early bed times due to unpowered sites are a thing of the past (bring back memories?).
On our very first camping trip as a family (with 2 very young kids in tow) I insisted (much to my husbands objections) on keeping every thing basic — all we needed was a tent, a single burner gas cooker, a couple of sleeping bags, air mattresses on an unpowered site and we were set-right? Well, upon arrival I saw that camping had now become glamping…. gone were the single burner gas cookers that you juggled your dinner pans on, fridges now replaced eskis as most sites have power and most campsites resembled a home away from home…and you know what — why not! Don’t get me wrong, I still do love roughing it but sometimes if a 2 week camping trip is your big annual holiday why not do it in style.
So having said all of that, the main reason for this article is how to keep meal times healthy while away. With all this glamping you don’t have an excuse not to. Even if you still like to rough it, there are some easy ways to prepare healthy meals for you and the family while you are away (all able to be made if you only have a single burner and just an esky).
All you need to do is plan ahead and bring a long a few staples.
Breakfast
Pre make your own muesli or banana bread (can store in a cool container for 5-7 days)
Scrambled eggs, Omelettes with mixed veg, Mexican eggs (recipe on my website), bacon and eggs all provide a good source of protein to start your active day
Snacks
You can pre prepare some bliss balls – great source of protein, healthy fats and antioxidants
Whole grain crackers with your choice of hummus, cheese, avocado (lovely topped with lemon or tamari), or nut butter
Boiled egg
Fresh fruit
Nut spread with apple
Nuts, seeds and fruit trail mix (can be made in advance)
Coconut water
Nori
Lunch
Simple salads with left over bbq meat or canned fish
Wraps-left over meat, chicken or tinned salmon or mackerel with salad of choice
Pizza – use a flat bread and add toping of choice, cover pan with foil and
Dinner ideas
BBQ (of course!) – The obvious choice but use marinades for variety. See table below
Meat/fish or chicken can be served with a salad of choice (options are endless)
Sweet potatoes (wrapped in foil and baked on BBQ).
Stuffed mushrooms – my favourite is goats cheese, pine nuts and basil (wrap in foil and cook on BBQ for 10 mins)
Stir fries – meat and vegetables of choice and flavour with garlic, ginger, soy, chicken stock, lime
San choi bow (recipe on web site)
Prawn ‘pasta’ using zucchini noodles.
Those ideas should cover you for a while. Many of the recipes are listed on my website
http://www.yournaturopathichealth.com.au/category/recipes/
| Pantry BasicsOlive oil,Tahini Nut spreadCoconut oilLemons and limesApple cider vinegar
Honey Soy/tamari Nuts and seeds Nut butter dried herbs and spices Soy sauce Tinned fish (Good fish are my favourite brand) |
Simple marinadesHoney, soy, garlic and gingerCoconut milk, garlic, ginger, lime, saltLime, garlic, chilli and saltGarlic, rosemary, lemon, salt | Simple salad dressingsLemon, garlic, salt, olive oilLemon, tahini, olive oilAvocado, lemon, olive oilVinegar, dijon mustard, olive oil |
