You CAN eat healthy while camping or on vacation!!

Recently some one told me that they didn't think family camping meal could be healthy. With roasted marshmallows, hot dogs, chips, etc.,  they didn't see anything “healthy” as part of that menu. I agree that what we traditionally think of a camping meal isn't the best, but what most people don't realize is that most anything you can cook on a grill in your backyard can be a camping meal. The same holds true for when you are vacationing in a condo rental or vacation home.

Whether you are car camping or in a vacation rental with a kitchen for a week, this 7 day vacation meal plan is perfect for families. It includes favorites like beef sliders, barbecue chicken, coleslaw and baked potatoes. Seasonings and condiments have been scaled down to make your grocery list and “Bring from home” list more manageable and convenient too.

The best part is each of these meals are quick and easy! No one wants to spend their whole vacation cooking. This camping meal plan takes that into account and makes the most of your time so you can go out and enjoy your vacation.

Vacation/Camping Meal Plan Details:

Cost : $135 for 7 days with 4 people (Note: I paid $135 before sales tax. Your total price may be a different depending on your store prices.)

Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 8 Hot Meals, 3 Cold Meals, Snacks

Equipment Needed:

If Camping:

• Metal grill grate for campfire or BBQ grill with charcoal
• Dutch oven or larger cooking pot
• Metal skewers or marshmallow forks
• Cutting board and good knife
• Heavy-Duty Aluminum foil

In a Vacation Rental:

• Good quality knife (because you never know what you'll get in a rental)
• Double check that your kitchen is stocked with basic equipment
• Aluminum foil, just in case

7 Day Meal Plan

 

TIME SAVERS ON THIS 7 DAY MEAL PLAN:

• Buy bagged salad mixes with dressing and consume within the first few days.
• Clean and wrap potatoes in aluminum foil at home. Precook and store in a storage
bag once cooled. Heat up on site in less time.
• Parboiled rice is better when camping because it cooks quickly. Regular rice is
better when you have time in a vacation rental
• You can precook rice at home and heat up on site if needed.
• Bring a good knife with you. You'll save time trying to make what's in the
vacation rental or your pocket knife work.

COOKING TIPS:

• Chicken and Veggie skewers can be cooked on the grill or over a campfire
with a grate.
• Cook extra chicken for the 2nd day chicken sliders and 3rd day Caesar Salad.
• BBQ Sliders just need a little salt & pepper for seasoning. Form slider patties and
pan fry or grill.
• Chicken and Rice Meal Kit saves time and can be healthy when you look at the
ingredients.
• Make extra rice for black beans and rice for the next day. You can add leftover
chicken if needed or make a burrito.
• Chicken Pot Pie can be made in the oven or cooked in a Dutch oven while camping.
• Baked Potatoes, Sandwiches, and Quesadillas are great ways to reuse leftovers.