Meal planning, tips and tricks - Easy Camping Recipes by Marti Eales

Many of our trips we took while growing up were week long events. My mother usually had us start packing up to a week ahead of time. Slowly we filled our suitcases with clothing, bug spray and of course our swimsuits. She was always busy in the kitchen planning our meals and preparing ahead the menu.

To eat healthy on a camping trip is not impossible as many meals can be prepared using healthy ingredients even though you may be 50 miles from the nearest grocery store or produce department. You can chop vegetables for recipes, then freeze them in ziploc bags. This idea will also help in keeping the cooler cold. You can also cook meats ahead of time then refreeze. Meat for recipes such as beef stroganoff, and meatballs can be prepared then refrozen with the spices packed in the ziploc bag saving you from having to pack everything in your kitchen.

Noodles can also be prepared ahead of time then packed and frozen until ready to use. Sandwiches can also be made ahead then frozen. Another idea is to make ahead fruit salads, then freeze them. Granola can be made ahead of time, packed in ziploc bags then eaten as a healthy snack or served as a cereal for breakfast. Another great idea is to save milk jugs ahead of time, wash with soapy water then rinse. Fill these with tap water and let sit for 24 hours(this will remove the chlorine). Then freeze until solid. Use this ice to pack the freezer with. The solid block will last longer. The melted water is contained and will serve as drinking water as it melts.

Of course your cooler will probably not keep a whole weeks worth of food frozen solid, but it will keep the food cold enough until you are ready to use. The key is to plan your menu accordingly, use the most thawed items first. When your children or husband are starving after a long day of swimming, hiking, fishing or boating any time you save with some well thought out preparations will save you a lot of stress and headaches!

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