So, turns out you don’t actually have to book an £800 flight to the Caribbean to laze on a beach that will make your entire Facebook following have a little cry – some of the prettiest beaches are right here in Blighty.
We’ve picked a few of the most beautiful shores in the UK, and you can visit *most* of them without having to jump on a plane. Dream.
1. Lulworth Cove, Dorset
Known as one of the seven wonders of the UK (apparently) this dreamy beach welcomes half a million tourists a year – it’s also super close to Durdle Door, another one of the beautiful beaches on this list.
Beautiful Lulworth Cove
2. Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall
Right on the very tip of Cornwall is this gem – it’s only three miles from Land’s End, and the surrounding area has some of the highest recorded temperatures in the country because of the winds from the Gulf Of Mexico. Amazing.
Those crystal waters gives the Maldives a serious run for their money (Picture: REX)
3. Huisinis Beach, Western Isles, Scotland
This incredibly remote 12-mile stretch of beach on the west coast of Harris only has four houses which overlook it – making it incredibly unspoiled.
We’re suckers for water that turquoise (Picture: Tony Waltham/Robert Harding/REX)
4. Durdle Door Beach, Dorset
The Durdle Door that marks this beach is entirely natural and made of limestone. But most importantly, Cliff Richard once filmed a music video here.
Durdle’ Door looks like it could be on a Greek Island (Pictures: REX)
5. Achmelvich, Lochinver, Scotland
Situated in the Scottish Highland region, this picturesque beach boasts water sports, hiking trails and a wide array of wildlife that include otters (cute!), basking sharks and seals.
Nothing beats a good sandy white beach (Pictures: Liam Mason-Wiki commons/Peter Gamble – Geograph CC)
6. Barafundle Beach, Pembrokeshire
There is no road access to this gorgeous beach which was once privately owned by a local family. It was recently listed as one of the 12 most beautiful beaches in the entire world. Good going, Wales.
We’ll have this Saturday’s picnic here please (Picture: Rick Colls/REX)
7. Scarista Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland
These incredibly tranquil waters are arguable some of the most beautiful in Scotland. The three mile beach is only served by one hotel, so expect to bump into nobody else, dreamy.
No, but seriously, how soothing does this beach look? (Pictures: F Leask1-Geograph CC/Meario Menti Flickr CC)
8. Oddicombe Beach, Torquay
Not only is it leafy and busy, Oddicombe Beach once had a landslide that turned the sea red. The beach is Blue Flag and is a wonderful resting spot for passing yachts.
Yup, well take one of those yachts (Pictures: Derek Harper-Geograph)
9. St. Ives, Cornwall
Don’t expect to get a spot on this tourist-friendly stretch of beach, pretty much ever. St. Ives won an award for best British seaside town in both 2010 and 2011and is a complete tourist hub, especially in July and August.
There’s pretty much nowhere else we’d like to be eating our Cornetto (Picture: Peter Barritt/Robert Harding/John Lawrence/REX)
10. West Wittering, Sussex
This small parish a few miles outside of Chichester is most famed for its golden sands and dunes, it;s also been noted to have ‘excellent water quality’. Sounds pretty darn good to us.
AND this one is within easy reach of London (Picture: Eye Ubiquitous/David Hughes/Robert Harding/Flo Smith/REX)
11. Pentle Bay, Scilly Isles
Located in the Scilly Isles just off the coast of Cornwall is this dreamy sandy beach. The main industry in the local area is tourism, and, as it has one of the warmest climates in the whole of the UK, it makes a perfect spot for a close-to-home beach break.
Can we just appreciate the colour of that sand please? (Pictures: Mifl68 Flickr/Natural England/Peter Wakely Flickr CC)
12. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
This rural beach is most notable because it is overlooked by Bamburgh Castle, which was built in the 6th century and may have once been the capital of the UK. The beach is rural as Bamburgh only has a population of 454.
Historic and beyond beautiful, win, win (Picture: Design Pics Inc/REX)
13. Luskentyre Beach, Hebrides, Scotland
Let’s just all take a moment to acknowledge that we’ve probably never seen such a fine sandy beach, ever. Voted one of the best beaches in the world, the only downside is that it’s a casual 15 hour drive from London without stops.
We’re not sure what’s better, the dramatic sky or idyllic sands? (Picture: OJO Images/REX)
A Stoke Newington woman has launched a desperate campaign to find her beloved stolen camper van, called Nigel.
Pregnant Niki Holroyde of Evering Road had been planning a family holiday with her husband and baby after the birth but was shocked to find her darling VW camper van had been taken from right outside her home.
Beloved Nigel has been as far as Italy and Norway with the couple, who hoped to begin their family life by taking their newborn child on holiday.
Ms Holroyde said: “On Saturday [June 21] afternoon I spent about three hours cleaning him. We were planning on taking a family holiday shortly after our baby is born, so I was getting it all ready.
“He was taken from us on that night.
“We’ve spent a lot of time renovating him over the years.”
Ms Holroyde has made a YouTube video begging for the return of her “friend” Nigel, who has been part of the family for more than 15 years.
She speaks fondly of her history with Nigel, including the huge refurbishment she gave him as he was “a little rough round the edges”.
Talking about the 1971 VW T2 camper van, who she calls her “pride and joy”, Ms Holroyde joked that Nigel “drinks petrol and sometimes misbehaves” but “at the end of the day always got us home safe and sound”.
The video has had more than 1,200 shares online, and 39-weeks pregnant Ms Holroyde wants help in tracking the vehicle down.
“Maybe someone might see him at a festival this summer or in some dodgy backstreet garage,” she said.
“I’m holding out for a happy ending and the safe return of Nigel.”
Camper van thefts are on the rise as crooks target the much-loved and valuable vehicles, which can sell for thousands of pounds.
n Anyone with information should contact police on 101.
VW enthusiasts travelled from across the UK and Europe for Camper Jam at Weston Park over the weekend.
A party atmosphere played out over the three days with onesie and fancy dress nights to the background of live music.
Shelley Bond, events manager at Weston Park, said: “Camper Jam takes the idea of the VW weekend right back to basics – great people in great buses having a great time.”
Highlights of the weekend included VW displays, trade areas, a food village, real ale and cider tents and bungee trampolines.
And foodies were treated to a cooking in a campervan competition to test entrants’ recipes and inginuity in food preparation in a small space.
Little VW fans enjoyed a fun fair and treasure hunts and canine companions competed in a dog show.
Vicky Brown, 38, from Shrewsbury, went to Camper Jam for the first time with her 1972 VW T2 Bay.
She said: “It was a brilliant weekend. There must have been hundreds and hundreds of vans there.
“We enjoyed the music on Friday night and a couple of live bands on the Saturday.
“The weather was lovely which was bonus. In the day time there were lots of trade stands to have a wander around in the sunshine.
“And in the afternoon there was a best barbecue competition and cooking in a campervan. About eight vans all pulled up and they were given the same ingredients to make a paella and that was good fun to watch.
“In the evening there were two tents with entertainment. There was a onesie night and a fancy dress night and the music was really good. On Sunday there was a show and shine where all the really nice vans went in the ring so you can go and have a look at them. There were loads of things for kids to do and there was even a dog show. It was great I’d definitely go again.”
Wales is is full of beautiful places to visit. Online campsite directory Campsite Chatter have provided a list of sites that cater for every camping need.
With the weather getting hotter it is time to pack up the car and head out for a spot of camping in the glorious Welsh countryside.
Campsite Chatter – an online directory of nearly 6,000 UK camping sites and touring grounds you find a venue by location or attraction – have suggested a few sites across Wales that can cater for almost every need … yes even one for naturalists.
So whether you want mountain views or a lakeside dwelling, adventure or eco living there is a campsite for you.
Take a look through the gallery above, and all the info is below …
The Adrenaline Campsite: Llys Derwen Caravan and Camping is a small site awarded 4 stars by Visit Wales and 4 pennants from the AA. While you’re there visit Zip World, where you can whiz along wires amongst the mountains of Snowdonia at speeds of up to 100mph!
The Surfing Campsite: Pitton Cross Camping and Caravan Park is a dog friendly site and with a great kids’ play area. The year-round site is ideally placed for surfing at award winning Rhossili Beach and other top surf spots on the Gower Peninsula.
The 360 degree viewCampsite: Bryncoch Farm, a small site with facilities for tents, caravans and with pods available, is situated near the spectacular Castell Carreg Cennen in the Brecon Beacons, with stunning 360 degree views from the castle’s battlements across the National Park.
The Fishing Campsite: With four mature, well stocked fishing lakes on site set in 17 acres of unspoilt countryside, is Yet-Y-Gors Campsite and Fishery near Fishguard in Pembrokeshire. Lakes are open dawn ‘til dusk and night fishing can be arranged.
The Mountain view Campsite: Llyn Gwynant Campsite lies beneath Snowdon and walkers can set off for the mountain from the site itself: an ideal base-camp, with spectacular views of the surrounding hills from the site.
The Mountain biking Campsite: Pitch up at Talybont Farm Caravan and Camping for fantastic access to the Mountain Biking heaven around Talybont Reservoir and Llangorse Lake.
The Lakeside Campsite: Glanllyn Lakeside Caravan and Camping Park in Gwynedd, is situated on the banks of Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid) with a private shingle beach to launch boats, canoes and sailboards. The nearest watersports centre with tuition is three miles from the site on the same lake.
The Ramblers Campsite: Bishops Meadow, in Brecon, a is 5 star site ideal for walkers. With access to the site’s outdoor heated pool, you won’t be ‘roughing it’ either!
The Scuba Diving Campsite: Creampots Touring Caravan and Camping Park near Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire provides access to the fantastic scuba diving this area has to offer. Dive the Dale Peninsula and around Skokholm and Skomer in marine rich waters.
The Star-Gazer Campsite: Stay at back-to-nature Priory Mill Farm in Powys, offering a level grassy field beside the river Honddu; with no light pollution (apart from your campfire, which you are allowed to have on this site) the night skies are breath-taking.
The Horse Riding Campsite: Shortlands Farm campsite at Druidstone, Pembrokeshire is near Nolton Stables with its piebald cob ponies. Hack through the local countryside and canter across the golden sands of beautiful Druidstone Haven beach at low tide.
The Eco Campsite: North Lodge Eco Camping in Pembrokeshire is a sustainably run, ethical site with a no-car policy – you’ll use wheel barrows to get to your pitch! Camp around a central fire with friends in view of the Preseli Hills.
The Naturist Campsite: For those who have always wondered about Naturist Camping, there is Western Sunfolk Naturist Site, Monmouthshire, set between the Wye and Usk Valleys. Set in 7.5 acres of wooded hillside, with extensive facilities, this site welcomes both seasoned naturists and those who feel that naturism is something that they would like to try.
The Kids-will-love-it Campsite: Greenacres Farm Park, Flintshire, has a well appointed camping and caravan site attached to its animal park with hundreds of both domestic and wildlife animals to meet, funfair, soft play areas and rides, all included in the price of your pitch.
The Glampsite: Try all manner of glamping options at award winning site, The Willows Abersoch: the new Eye-PodTM is entirely unique, complete with a clear dome skylight for star-gazing. Now, that’s romance!
The Wild Swimming Campsite: Visit Cwmnanthir Camping, South Wales, in Brecon Beacons National Park, quiet site for tents and motorhomes. Cwmnanthir Camping lies closeby some of the best wild swimming in Wales at the Lower Ddwli Falls set in aptly named Waterfall Woods.
The Dog-Friendly Campsite: Take your pooch for a holiday at Aeron Coast Caravan Park in Aberaeron, Ceredigion. Not only does this site have a designated dog walking area but it is fantastically placed to take advantage of the local cluster of year-round dog friendly beaches of Aberaeron North Beach, Cilborth, Cwmtydu, Gilfach yr Halen, Gwbert-on-Sea, Cei Bach and Llanina Beaches. Woof!
The Forest Campsite: Camping in a forest or woodland is a special experience. Stay at Beddgelert Caravan and Camping Site in Snowdonia, set in the Beddgelert forest among 70 acres of conifer and broadleaf trees; the beautiful Colwyn Rover runs right through the campsite. This is a haven for wildlife and campers alike.
The Nature Lovers Campsite: Take your binoculars and your spotters guide to Cae Gwyn Farm and Nature Reserve in North Wales, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for its rare flora, fauna: Atlantic salmon, fresh water mussels and otters thrive in the 135 acre hill farm that visitors are welcome to walk freely around to explore.
To search the 6,000 UK camping sites and touring grounds available on Campsite Chatter visit www.campsitechatter.com
Nikki and Richard are both self-employed graphic designers and have inherited their passion for VW vans from their parents. Theirs is a five-year story of converting a basic T5 panel van into a ‘no compromise’, unique camper with all mod cons.
‘Happy Campers’ is a series of posts featuring camper vans and their owners. It’s designed to offer advice and inspiration to new and existing camper van owners – featuring members of the WildaboutScotland community. To take part, please send an e-mail to me answering the standard question format below together with a good photo or two.
1. Introducing ourselves and our camper van
Hello ! We are Nikki and Richard, both graphic designers from Skipton in North Yorkshire and we share our passion for all things VW, camping and campervans. Our love of camping comes from our respective parents and their choice of how to holiday whilst we grew up. After university we found ourselves getting in to the VW way of life with a 1966 Beetle. But there are only so many VW shows you can go to with a tent whilst your fellow campers are in vans … it was only a matter of time before we graduated to an early T3 van, then on to our current T5.
Over the last five years we’ve tried to create a ‘no-compromise’ campervan from a totally basic VW panel van – there’s no way we could have stretched our budget to a VW California so the project has been ‘save a bit, spend a bit’ until we reach our goal, blogging the transformation along the way.
2. How do we use our camper van ?
In the early days of conversion it was our only vehicle, so it was a camper, a commuter, and a load-hauler – everyone needs something moving when you tell them you have a van ! Now the conversion is nearly complete the van has become a dedicated camper and occasional spare-room. We try to camp in all 12 months of the year; Christmas Eve camping has become something of a ritual and one of the best of the year.
3. Best thing we love about our van ?
It is so much more than a metal box on four wheels; it is the places we’ve been, the people we’ve met and friends we’ve made along the way. The VW community is one of the nicest to be involved in – everyone is friendly and always willing to share knowledge, advice, a beer or a brew.
As for the van itself, it is unique and built to our own specifications, tastes and standards; it’s the van that suits us perfectly – an extension of our own personalities.
4. Pet gripes ?
Hard to find any negatives. I’d say the T5 isn’t as well put together as earlier VW vans – there’s definitely more to go wrong on a modern camper and it often ends in a sizeable repair bill.
5. Favourite accessories ?
A few of our favourites are the diesel heater, pop top roof, air suspension and solar panel. At the other end of the price scale is a £6 folding toaster, because sometimes only toast will do !
6. Best tip for new owners ?
Looking to take the plunge in to van-life ? Consider hiring one first – with so many companies offering everything from a classic splitscreen to a brand new California, it would make sense to try-before-you-buy.
Converting your own van ? Try to have a plan and prioritise what you want from the van at the beginning and what you can live without until later.
Once you have a van, use it: get out in it as much as possible even if it’s only 10 miles down the road.
Get on with one another: a van can seem small after 48 hours of constant wind and rain.
Look after it: keep up with the service schedules, keep it clean, keep it ready-to-go at a minute’s notice – relying on a vehicle for your main holiday of the year can easily lead to disappointment if it breaks down before you’ve got anywhere !
Pack for all occasions: one of the advantages of this snail-like lifestyle is carrying your hotel room around with you – be prepared for all weathers and embrace whatever you’re dealt on the day.
7. Best trip in our van ?
A week in Cornwall without a drop of rain was certainly memorable, as was a wet weekend in Snowdonia – both stunningly beautiful places regardless of the conditions.
8. Dream trip ?
I’ve a few going around in my head. One is a tour around Europe taking in the Wolfsburg VW factory tour, the Westfalia factory, the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, the Nurburgring and a couple of Europe’s larger classic VW shows.
I’d love to head across Scandinavia in the height of Summer, I’d love to do the long ferry to Spain and then wind our way back through France… There’s island hopping around the west coast of Scotland… I could go on all day, all in good time… I guess the ultimate trip will be the one with no route, no destination and no timescale.
9. Favourite campsite ?
It has to be Trewan Hall in Cornwall – a truly magical place – the campsite by which we benchmark all other campsites. The forest site at Beddgelert comes a close second.
10. When I’m not camping I’m …
… working. I also enjoy mountain biking and cycling, restoring old bikes, photography, walking and sampling as many of the country’s real ales as possible.
The Camper Jam festival will be held for the seventh time at Weston Park, near Cosford. After growing from humble beginnings it is now one of the most loved VW shows of the year and is expected to attract thousands of people.
People will be travelling from all over the UK and Europe to soak up the party atmosphere from July 4 to July 6.
Organisers say Camper Jam is aimed at owners and lovers of the VW bus in all its model and types.
Shelley Bond, event manager, said: “Camper Jam takes the idea of the VW weekend right back to basics – great people in great buses having a great time.
“Weston’s acres of rolling parkland give this show a festival vibe all of its own.”
Visitors can camp as a club, a family or with friends or visit for the day.
Highlights will include VW displays, trade areas, food village filled with unique food and drink traders, live bands every night and fancy dress parties including this year’s theme – Onesies and Neverland.
This year the show will welcome NAVI, the world’s number 1 Michael Jackson tribute, and there will also be a VW Kids Club, entertainers, a complete fun fair, treasure hunts and a full activity programme to keep youngsters occupied.
Holidays are meant to be our time to relax, have fun and forget all of our worries. But when they go wrong, they can cause us endless pain and upset, and leave you feeling more stressed at the end than you were at the start.
At VW Camper hire, we want your campervan holiday to run smoothly and ensure you have the break you deserve. So, we’ve compiled a short list of hints and tips to make sure your holiday is hassle free.
1. Take a selection of clothes
The UK is known for its unpredictable weather, so even if you’re heading off at the height of summer, take with you some warm clothes, waterproofs and wellies just in case.
2. Check the school holidays
If you don’t have children and are flexible with your dates, heading away in term time might be a good option. Theme parks, beaches and campsites will become busy in school holidays and you might end up spending more time queuing than enjoying your break
3. Do your research
Make sure you do some research into the area to which you’re travelling, noting the location of the local hospital, petrol stations, supermarkets and pharmacies. Vans don’t have sat nav so a road map of the area is also worth having
4. Plan your overnight stays
It is a myth that you can park up anywhere overnight. Make sure you have selected a range of campsites where you can safely pull in for the night. Some campsites are closed November – March so do your research and don’t end up with nowhere to stay and rest.
5. Get an induction
A campervan is not like a car. It drives differently and it has lots of different features that you may not know how to use. Don’t find yourself stressed because you can’t figure out how to work something – ask for a full induction from the hiring company and ask as many questions as you can think of before you head off.
6. Take plenty of entertainment
Of course the places you will be visiting are the focus of your holiday, but there will be times when you need to entertain yourself such as when you’re stuck in traffic. Don’t go stir crazy, take a range of light items such as books, playing cards, ipads and handheld DVD players to keep everyone busy and stress-free
7. Pack the essentials
Taking a holiday in a campervan is not like a hotel, they don’t come with items like towels or bedding. Make sure you find out in advance exactly what equipment your camper has as standard and pack accordingly.
At VW Camper, breakdown cover comes as standard so if anything does go wrong, just give us a quick call and we’ll sort it all out for you. We also make sure all vans are equipped with a first aid kit, a fire blanket and an emergency roadside kit as standard.
The biggest joy of camping is the ability to get away from the humdrum of everyday life and live a more basic, fun existence for a while.The downside is that you will be living in a field full of strangers so consideration and good camping etiquette is key to a good trip.
So what are the shoulds and shouldn’ts? We have brought you the seven cardinal sins of camping to ensure you are a trailblazer of campsite etiquette on site.
1 LUST
There’s unlikely to be much bed hopping going on whilst you are camping. After all there’s nothing quite like trudging across a muddy field with bed hair and last night’s make-up smeared across your face to put paid to that – especially if you’re a bloke, but when you do go to bed at night please remember your neighbours and your kids and spare their blushes if you do decide to get amorous on a campbed! Those tent walls are thin after all!
2 GLUTTONY
It’s easy to overindulge when camping—whether it’s drinking all afternoon or a barbecue that smokes for hours simply because you’ve overfilled it with meat because it seemed a good idea at the time. However as well as being likely to upset other campers onsite, wasting food will also cost you money.
3 GREED
Camping by its very nature is a shared experience – shared washing up facilities, shared play space and even in some cases shared showers. Hogging too much of any of these – from pitch space to hot water – isn’t seen as good camping etiquette. Be quick and speedy and let the next person have their turn – especially when it comes to the hot water supply!
4 SLOTH
It can be very tempting to cut corners when camping but being lazy – especially when it comes to putting the tent up – will come back and haunt you when the tent falls down or lifts off in the unexpected gale force winds simply because you couldn’t be bothered to put up the guy ropes properly. Clearing up after yourself and keeping shared spaces clean and tidy is also important.
5 WRATH
Get camping etiquette wrong and you will face the wrath of your fellow campers. From keeping the noise down after lights-out, to controlling your children or dogs, consideration of others is absolutely key to a happy camping trip. Equally remember others if you and your camping companions fall out. We can all hear you!
6 ENVY
We’ve all done it. We think we are all kitted out and then suddenly on another trip we see a camper with must-have piece of equipment. The reality is it’s easy to buy and pack all but the kitchen sink – and you can even get camping versions of those! Treat each camping trip as a learning experience. You may well find a new must have piece of kit and it’s great to get recommendations from fellow campers but be careful not to take it too far!
7 PRIDE
Getting stuck into camping life is half the fun of it but novice campers can be easily put off by the struggle to get a tent up or down and can be reluctant or too proud to ask for help. Seasoned campers however should remember those first struggles and offer to pitch in. You will be making a seasoned camper out of those you help.
There are plenty of outdoors-friendly ready meals out there, both dehydrated and pre-cooked ‘wet food’ and they’re undoubtedly convenient and easy to use. They’re also relatively expensive and may not taste quite as good as you’d hoped.
The good news is that with a little bit of ingenuity and preparation, you can make your own ‘ready meals’ at home using fresh or dried ingredients with the help of ‘pour and store’ bags commonly available from supermarkets.
The bags were originally designed to allow freezer users to pour in liquid food before freezing and storing. They’re made from a thicker, more durable and heat-resistant material than most freezer bags, are micro-wave safe, resealable and free-standing on their base for easy pouring.
Straight From The Bag
What’s great about them is that not only can you use them for carrying food, with careful choices of ingredients, you can pre-package a whole meal then eat it straight from the bag which saves on the hassle of washing up and means, potentially, carrying fewer pans and bowls. All you need is a lightweight stove to boil water.
Stuff that works well includes couscous, instant ride, noodles, quinoa, mashed potato, porridge, powdered eggs and indeed anything that will ‘cook’ just by steeping in hot water for five minutes or so. Add stuff like dehydrated fruit, meat – have a look for jerky – vegetable stock and so on to increase interest. Herbs, dried crushed chilli flakes, garlic and so on are all added grist to the pour and store mill.
If you get serious, you can even invest in your own dehydrator and prepare your own recipes to taste.
Make Your Own ‘Wet Food’
But what if you’re only out for a night and fancy some ‘real’ food regardless of the weight penalty? Some pour and store bags can help here too. Pre-cook your stew, soup or whatever the simply reheat the contents by sitting in a pan of boiling water just as you would with commercially prepared ‘wet food’, Wayfayrer being the best known in the UK.
Be aware though that not all bags are suitable for use like this, Lakeland sells Boil-A-Bags which are specced specifically to be used in boiling water and there are other, similarly specced bags out there as well though you may have to do some focussed googling to find them.
For something a bit different, once you’ve found a suitable bag, try a boil-in-the-bag omelette by cracking eggs into the bag then adding extras like ham, vegetables and so on.
There is something about sleeping outdoors, enjoying nature with little between you, the ground and the stars. We get to be in tune with the environment. The fresh air increases our oxygen intake, the time in the sun ups our vitamin D levels and usually there is a hike or two involved. Generally, camping is a very healthy pastime.
There is just this one thing: Camping food. As I watch my fellow campers get out food from their coolers it can sometimes lead to me having my own secret mini panic attacks. I wring my hands and fret as someone pulls out chips covered in chemical cheese or worse, a canned cheese product. I want desperately for the world to begin to take responsibility and play an active role in their own health. The fact that some things are still consumed at all still shocks me.
I have ended up at too many group campfires where vegetables are not an option and junk food is all that is available. Once you begin a lifestyle of healthy eating, you begin to really like the way you feel when you choose foods that benefit your body, and the idea of polluting it is no longer so appealing — hence my secret internal turmoil as I try not to get labeled as the health nut I know I am. Feeling healthy and energized is an amazing payoff to good food choices.
I am not by any means discouraging the occasional s’more, the premier dessert for any camper. However, there is a need for healthful options to be added to the usual camping staples of processed bars, prepackaged chemically laden foods, chips and hot dogs. Balance is essential in life, so have a few treats, but choose to give your body the nutrients it needs and deserves.
Eating healthy while camping is pretty easy but planning ahead is essential. Take the time before your departure to stock up on hardy vegetables and fruits such as peppers, carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, apples, grapefruit and oranges. Nuts and seeds are good for snacks or to make your own trail mix. Make some things ahead of time so you just have to reheat them at your campfire. Pack spices, at least salt and pepper, but I like to bring garlic and onion powder as well at a minimum. They make all the difference to any meal. Use a pill container or old Tic Tac boxes for convenient storage that saves on space.
Even if you are not a camper, the suggestions below work well for picnics, hikes, or even just your everyday dinner.
Veggie Ramen
Make your own version of instant noodle soup in a 16 ounce Mason jar.
Start by placing 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, one-half teaspoon of lime juice, 12 tablespoons of vegetable powder or 1/4 of a stock cube, and garlic powder and grated ginger to your taste. Then add dried shiitake mushrooms, grated carrot, napa cabbage, small tofu cubes, seaweed, chopped scallions, chopped cilantro, and/or crushed red pepper. Then add your rice noodles, break them apart so they fit. Screw on the lid and store in your cooler. When you are ready to eat, pour boiling water into the jar. Pour in enough water to cover the noodles, about 1 1/2 cups. Replace the lid and let the noodles soak for about 12 minutes or till they have softened. Mix the soup gently so that the spices dissolve evenly. Be careful, the jar will be very hot, use a towel or oven mitts to handle the jar.
Note: Adding hot water to a very cold glass jar can cause the glass to crack.
• Grilled fish: If you are fishing, this is a no-brainer. Make sure you have your fishing license and know if the area where you are fishing is safe to eat from.
• Grilled fruit: Pineapple, pears, melon, or apples are all delicious.
• Homemade granola bars.
• Three-bean salad.
• Mason jar salads: Put salad dressing on the bottom, then layer fixings such as mushrooms, beans, cherry tomatoes, and nuts and top with your greens. Throw it in your cooler and eat within the first two days of your trip.
• Vegetable chili: make ahead of time in a crock pot, bring in Tupperware and reheat over your camp stove or fire. Add as many vegetables as possible to get the most nutrients.
• Veggie foil packets: Foil cooking is a go-to for many campers. Lay a large sheet of heavy-duty foil or a double layer of regular foil on a flat surface. Put the ingredients in the center of the foil. Bring the short ends of the foil together and fold twice to seal; fold in the sides to seal, leaving room for steam. Make packets filled with sliced vegetables such as zucchini, potatoes and peppers. Add a little olive oil and your spices, and you are good to throw them on your grill. These can be made ahead of time or at the site.
• Stuffed portobello mushrooms: Stuffed with sauteed spinach, kale, onion, garlic, salt and pepper mixture. Pack in foil and put over your campfire. Top with grated Parmesan if desired.
• Burritos in whole wheat tortillas.
• Snacks: roasted chickpeas, almonds, celery with almond butter.
• Make your own pizza: Bring a pre-baked whole-grain pizza dough. Cook on your camping grill topped with sauce, veggies, a hard cheese of your choice and garlic.
• Whole grain, brown rice, or quinoa pasta with shredded zucchini, carrots and a chopped clove of garlic with tomato sauce of your choice. Be sure to pick a tomato sauce low in sugar.
• Instant oatmeal: Making your own is better than the instant packets because you can control the amount of sugar. Try this: Combine 2 cups instant rolled oats, 12 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 1/4 cup wheat germ and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Store in a plastic bag or Mason jar and just add hot water to desired consistency when you want breakfast.
• Of course, there is the sandwich. Bring sprouted bread, whole-wheat wraps, or even large seed crackers for a gluten-free option. Healthier toppings include hummus, avocados and sliced carrots. Almond butter and sliced grapes, or hard cheese and sliced apples with mustard. Or make your own pesto and bring as a spread then top with veggies of your choice.
• If you are going for a long time and will not have access to any produce, consider packing a few green powder packets. Barley grass or wheat grass powders are not my favorite way to get in greens, but they are a way to get some green nutrition if no other options are available.
• In season and where appropriate, forage. Fresh mint, dandelion greens, blueberries, raspberries, mushrooms and more are out there growing wild to be an amazing food source for you. Just make sure you are confident that you know what you are eating before you put it in your mouth and that it is safe.
Nothing is worse than coming back from a trip feeling bloated, sugar-high and in need of a detox after too many toaster pastries and processed food. Next time you go camping opt for some healthier options that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. The most important thing to keep in mind is to include vegetables whenever possible. Even if you are making boxed macaroni and cheese, add some broccoli. Keep it simple, choose options according to your taste, and as often as possible make choices your body will thank you for.
