This post is written in partnership with Canvas Credit Union. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Here in the beautiful state of Colorado, there is no shortage of epic camping spots and world-renowned hiking trails. Locals and travelers alike are drawn to Colorado’s unique landscape. And as the seasons change, so do the variety of outdoor activities. By car, foot, or bike, there is no shortage of adventure. Part of the allure of Colorado summers is exploring these popular (and hidden) locations.
Across the Rocky Mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and wildflower-dotted valleys provide a picturesque backdrop for daytime backpacking, hiking, and mountain biking. And at night, this same landscape is equally beautiful under the stars. With July underway, today we’re chatting about all-things camping and hiking: snacks and meals to pack, kitchen items you don’t want to forget, and how to make wellness an integral part of your adventure.
Inexpensive meal prep tips for camping
When it comes to staying nourished and energized in the wilderness, preparation is key. Spending an hour or two to meal prep, beforehand, is key. Doing so will save you room in your car (or backpack), eliminate cooking-related messes, and mitigate stress around meal time, and cut-down on over-buying supplies (and over-spending!). To begin, create a meal plan for the duration of your trip. Decide what’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus snacks and desserts. And most importantly, keep it simple. Camping is not the time to create elaborate meals that require many ingredients.
Once you decide on your meals, create a grocery list. Ideally, you’re strategizing at least one week in advance. That will give you time to grocery shop and begin prepping. As you create certain recipes or prep ingredients, put them into tupper ware or storage bags with a label (labeling is key for organization!). For example, if you make breakfast burritos, wrap them up and write “Friday breakfast.” When you layer everything into your cooler, try to place the prepared items in order of consumption: the bottom layer will be consumed last and the top layer will be eaten first.
9 Healthy Camping and hiking snacks
If you’re looking for camping and hiking food inspiration, look no further. Be sure to make a list, grocery shop, and meal prep as much as you can before you head out to camp. Don’t forget your foil.
1. A family-favorite: pre-made omelets! Scramble eggs and put them in a ziplock bag. Add all the veggies, etc. When ready to eat, boil some water, throw the bag into the pot of water. Once cooked, enjoy with toast and fruit.
2. Vegetarian chili or paleo-style chili.
3. Brats.
4. For grilled chicken, marinate the meat ahead of time. Throw a couple of bell peppers onto your grill (or wrapped in foil over a fire), slice up a few avocados, and a healthy dinner is served.
5. Grilled cheese sandwiches are easy and customizable. Plus, they’re the perfect accompaniment for canned soup.
6. Pre-make wraps with protein, veggies, and a creamy sauce. For example, baked tofu with hummus, cabbage, julienned carrots, and bell pepper; or, deli turkey with cheese, spicy sprouts, red onion, spinach, and ranch dip.
7. For vegan / gluten-free snacks, my favorites are portabella mushroom jerky by Savory Wild, apples and peanut butter, homemade trail mix, dried seaweed packets, chopped watermelon, and corn tortilla chips.
8. Satisfying savory snacks: beef jerky, seedy crackers with cheese, hard boiled eggs, carrots with hummus, and crunchy pretzels with cream cheese.
9. And because we all need something sweet: homemade protein balls, chocolate chip cookies, RXBARs, s’mores, UNREAL chocolate, licorice, and chocolate covered almonds.
To read the rest of my post — including must-have kitchen appliances and food storage while camping — hop over to my feature on Canvas Credit Union’s blog. Images by Leone Venter.
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