 Enjoy traveling with healthy and fulfilling take along meals
Added: 02/13/2006 |
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If you are taking a family holiday this year, you will need to pack a picnic to keep everyone going, as well as snacks for when the kids get restless. Just to throw in some packets of crisps and chocolate bars will not really do. But with a little forward planning you can provide filling, healthy, crumb-free meals for the whole family to enjoy.
A well-packed cooler and picnic basket or box of miscellaneous non-perishable take along meals in the car will go a long way toward making sure everyone is well-fed on your road trip. For most of us, it?s best to start the journey having had breakfast at home. Juice, fresh fruit or a blended smoothie, if you have time, are all great options, as are cereal, toast and tea. But by mid-morning you may find your stomach rumbling. Take along meals will serve you a good service if you choose to take some time for necessary preparation. Items ranging from the perennial favorite- beef jerky- to tender beef nuggets to gourmet turkey sticks are good to take along for adults and older kids. Little kids should avoid these and other hard items that are difficult to chew and swallow. Peanut butter or cheese sandwiches, snack foods and fresh fruit may be good for some time but after a while your stomach starts craving something more substantial. Adults can go without a meal or prolong their "feeding times," but hungry kids don't make good travel companions. Foods high in sugar, chocolate, or caffeine can create pandemonium when everyone is confined to a small space for a long period of time. Sticking to healthy take along meals is the best bet for a peaceful journey- everyone will feel better for it at the end of a long day of traveling. Wraps are popular take along meals and snacks. These can be as fast as 30 minute meals. The flavors of cream cheese, balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs make an unforgettable spread for this simple and hearty wrap. The secret to healthful stir-fries is to saute in a broth of 50 per cent water and 50 per cent olive oil. Then add the vegetables one by one according to the time it takes for them to be done. Frozen fully cooked meatballs are one of my greatest 'quick cook' take along meals. You can make your own and freeze them on a leisurely weekend if you don't want to purchase a bag from your supermarket. Maple Breakfast Bars with Dried Fruit and Nuts make a perfect option for take along meals. You can use any type of dried fruit you like in these little oat bars. Cheddar Cheese and Apple Muffins are tasty and fun to have on your trip. They are made with the classic combination of apples and Cheddar cheese and are half sweet, half savory. Paper muffin wrappers make them easy to eat on the go and help with crumb control.
Babies are the easiest to feed on long trips, and breastfeeding is the most natural way to go. If your baby is bottle-fed, take along plenty of sterilized water, powdered formula a wide-mouth thermos with hot water for warm ups and clean ups, and a bottle sterilizer. You may also be able to find a bottle warmer that plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car. For toddlers, finger foods are a great way to keep their tummies happy. Toddlers function best when they can snack frequently throughout the day. Keep them supplied with a variety of healthy snacking foods and drinks throughout the day, and they will be just fine.
Just take some time to prepare before you hit the road and you?ll find the trip pleasurable and satisfying for the entire family.
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