With so many outside activities to enjoy in the sunshine, it can be hard to let summer go. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors before the cold really settles in, and one of my absolute favorite outdoor activities to enjoy as the weather cools off is camping. Whether you go with your family, friends, or even by yourself, it can be the perfect getaway to rejuvenate and unplug.
As you get ready to pack up for a big camping trip, you might be wondering how you can make delicious and healthy meals while in the great outdoors. Camping can indeed present some challenges for preparing tasty meals, but here are some great ideas to make every camper in your family a happy one!
Foil Packets Over the Fire
One delicious way to make a healthy meal while camping is to pre-pack foil packets of food that you can lay flat in your cooler. Just use your favorite healthy food items, then add your favorite seasonings and olive oil. Seal them up tight and then throw them over the fire when you’re ready. Be very careful when opening them because of the escaping steam, it can present a burn hazard.
Pineapple Chicken (or replace with Tofu) Skewers
The prep is too easy on this one! Merely skewer chicken/tofu and pineapples together and stash them in zipper bags of teriyaki marinade. Take along lettuce for wrapping along with any other fun bits like crushed nuts to add a fun texture.
Chickpea Salad
Mix tahini with a can of chickpeas and you have a healthy on-the-go salad that everyone will gobble up. Chickpeas are packed with protein and antioxidants too so they’ll help fuel your outdoor adventures!
Chili
Chili is a hearty meal that’s easy to make in your slow cooker first and tote along for easy heat-up anytime hunger strikes. Use ground turkey to lighten it up a bit or even make a meatless version of it. Chili is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any camping trip and can warm up any chilly night.
Fajita fun
Who says you need to go to your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant to get sizzling fajitas? Just marinate your chicken/tofu in a zipper bag with red and green peppers and onions and pack it away. Don’t forget the tortillas, salsa, and guacamole so everyone can customize it their way. If you want to make it even healthier, you can use lettuce for wrapping instead.
Banana s’mores
One tradition many campers have is to make s’mores, but it isn’t exactly healthy. Instead, use a banana as your vessel for creating this iconic camping dessert. Just split it lengthwise and fill it with a few dark chocolate chips and marshmallows. Then wrap it in foil and put it over the fire for about 7 minutes. It will get nice and gooey. You can include graham crackers to scoop out the deliciousness or just hand out spoons. With these tasty recipes in your arsenal, you’ll be able to make that camping adventure delicious, healthy and fun.
Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever camped? Reply and let me know, I’m always looking for a new place to explore. Feel free to send a pic, too!
