In some ways life was so much simpler when I was 250 lb and a good meal was cookies, hot dogs, some cheese and lots of beer to wash it down. Now that I eat like an adult with nutritious balanced meals that will leave me feeling truly statisified and my weight under 200 lbs it requires a bit more thought.

Cooking Challenges while Camping

1. No freezer while at camp. Everything must be able to be stored in a cooler which might occasionally even reach towards danger temperatures in the summer heat between ice refills which means it either be non refrigerated, refrigerator stable, or something that can be thawing immediately after purchase or loading from home.
2. Soaking beans and chickpeas are more of a challenge in the heat would be better likely soaked at home though I guess overnight soaking in the truck cab would be acceptable if cooked first thing in the morning. I could also used canned beans or chickpeas – I have some cans at home but I resist using them as lot of them have added salt or other unhealthy ingredients.
3. My general desire for things to put in my mouth while camping, especially at night around the fire. Things to replace the beer and cookies. Filling but low calorie, protein and fiber rich, nutrient dense.

Here’s what I’m thinking about eating while on vacation

First off I want to cook up a fair amount of black beans, brown rice and lentils, red kidney beans, and chickpea at home next week and freeze a good portion of them in zip lock bags.

Then when I’m out in the Finger Lakes I want to get a smaller portion of frozen fish – maybe clams, maybe filets like salmon or cod. Any fish I get there at a grocery store is likely flash frozen so I might as well get it from the store frozen and use it as thermal mass until it’s thawed then cook it in the next day or two. Probably want to get limited portions at the store, as I will be eating it a lot until it’s done. Clams would be great cooked in beer and water with lots of sweet corn, tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes onions, virtually any vegetables I have that I can toss in. This would make it very filling too and offer lots of nutrients besides the omega 3 saturated fats of the clams. Also try my luck at fishing some of the ponds or even Seneca Lake for dinner, which could add to fishy meals, especially once the clams or store bought fish are done. Fun way to spend and afternoon and evening.

I will bring plenty of eggs both for breakfast and hard boiled eggs when I need a protein boost throughout the day. Hard boiled eggs that have been chilled are good dinner on the run, especially if I add some mustard or soak them in pickle brine — or simply eat with pickles. Then have things like those small peppers to snack on for a light dinner with mushrooms. Then break out the black beans to go with them. Or pour some maple syrup on the red kidney beans.

Then I’m thinking about getting a small watermelon to eat up at camp. It could make many desserts that way. But also I am thinking of having carrots and/or celery to just have something to stick in my mouth when sitting by the campfire in the evening, with or without hummus. Going to try my hand at making hummus again probably next week, but might end up buying some too, though I concede that’s probably unnecessary calories. Then for day time snack when bicycling or hiking, I am thinking a fresh mix of blueberries – strawberries – blackberries with chickpeas and a few walnuts. That’s a good sugar boost, plus the chick peas help spread out the number of walnuts. Plus the usual — lots of fresh apples and bananas to snack on throughout the day.

As I don’t drink alcohol (much) any more, I am planning to save some ice when I get cubes to keep the coolers cold, and use that with fresh-squeezed lemons and stevia with cold water. That might be a good treat after a hot day, plus it’s hydrating and does not cause intoxication or hang overs. Plus it would make it easier to stay up late, for times I want to do a night-time bike ride, or spend well into the evening watching shooting stars on my back, looking up at the night skies.