I've wanted to talk about this for a while now because my husband and I love camping. When we just met, we used to go for long walks or hike to Fushan (浮山 - literally 'Fu mountain', one of the three big mountains of Qingdao). Back then we used to just get some water, a few beers and something from local vendors.
Our food of choice was either baozi (包子), which are these.
Or jianbing guozi (煎饼果子), which was my absolute favourite and looked something like this.
Later on, when we moved to another country and settled a bit, we started going on proper camping with tents and bonfires. Then we went for another cheap and easy option - instant noodles.
None of these are good choices, but they are convenient, fast and mess-free.
I hope you learn from us and pack your spoons and forks first, so you don't have to use a stick you found to have dinner.
Over the years out food choices have evolved and so did our diets. I got interested in health and nutrition, so I studied that. Then almost immediately started learning about climate change and passing courses to know more about that problem. I stopped eating meat shortly after that and almost cut out a bunch of other things from my diet, like butter, milk etc. Our whole family just became more aware of what we were putting on our plates and what impact it had on the environment and on our bodies.
And then our daughter started eating food, so all of that fit nicely into our goal because you really want you kid to be their healthiest self.
At first, camping seemed challenging food-wise, but after going on a few trips we kind of figured it out. It's simple, nutritious and affordable - you can buy everything in 99 Cents.
First of all, figure out your base ingredient - your carbohydrate. It could be pasta, rice, quinoa, bread, bagels or tortillas. From that you can vaguely plan a few meals and buy your vegetables.
I really like to see what's in season and kind of go from there. Fruits and vegetables make up for 90% of our shopping list.
Then, of course, you need your proteins and calories. Even though Memo and Sofi do eat meat we don't buy it for our camping trips simply because it spoils quite easily without proper conditions and it's too much of a trouble to handle. Instead, we load up on beans, chickpeas, hummus and nuts. Eggs are a must because they don't require refrigeration and take a minute to cook, which is brilliant for a quick snack. Canned tuna is one of my favourites as well, although I wouldn't recommend feeding it to a child. It's also not recommended to have more than one portion of it a week since it contains mercury, which also applies to other types of big fish. Always do your research first, especially if you have a small kid.
I would also recommend going for some pre-washed options if you are not going to have easy access to water or to wash everything in any available bathroom before you head out to your camping spot.
Plan your snacks. Any parent knows that snacks are a must if you want to survive any kind of trip with your kids. Snacks are above phones, keys and first aid kits. If you don't have snacks you might as well just go back home now.
But even if you are not a parent having easily accessible finger foods is a great way to have some fuel on the road and in between meals.
Nuts are a great source of proteins, fats and calories. Salted or not, spicy or flavoured, they are always our snack #1 because no kid says no to nuts. Of course, make sure no one is allergic before getting them. 
Pre-cut carrots and spinach are also yummy and mess-free. Could be improved with hummus.
If you are getting your food ready at home, you could prepare any variety of vegetables. Could make little sandwiches or hard boiled eggs as well, but I try to stick with things that could be passed on to my daughter and wouldn't allow her to make a horrible mess.
Fruits are also handy and super fun to have on the road. My personal favourites are tangerines and apples.
For anyone who is travelling with kids, I would recommend getting a few fruit pouches. They are delicious, nutritious and most brands have options with cottage cheese or oats in them for extra protein. Also, who are we kidding? You don't have to have a kid to buy those. There is no shame in loving them even if you are 40.
I'm going to remind you again to bring all your tools along, so you don't have to figure out what to do without forks, knives or a can-opener like me in the following picture.
Also wouldn't recommend opening cans with a knife if you are as clumsy as me. Better pass it to someone who doesn't screw everything up the second they touch it. If you are one of those lucky people, by the way, kudos to you.
Here are a few ideas of simple meals you can make. Of course, feel free to customize and improve them.
I adore porridge in all of its variations and would recommend it to everyone at any time of day, but especially in the morning.
It's easy to make, full of protein and keeps you full for a long time.
Normally, we put some banana in it. Sometimes for extra calories, we add peanut or almond butter. My husband also likes mixing raw oats with mashed banana and cooking it in a pan like a pancake.
Bagels and sandwiches are also easy and quick to put together.
Memo likes his with ham, I make mine with hummus and beans. Throw in some spinach and cucumber and you are golden. A little tangerine for dessert.
Here is a tuna sandwich also with a tangerine and pureed sweet peas for Sofi. Skip the spinach for toddlers, though.
For late evenings when we just want a quick meal, we tend to stick with eggs and pasta.
Anyone can cook them and they take no time at all. With some vegetables on the side it could be as nutritious as it is filling.
Another one of my favourites is "steamed/fried" vegetables with beans or chickpeas. You just throw them in with salt and pepper and cook for about 10-15 minutes stirring every once in a while.
They don't come out fully cooked so they are nice and crunchy.
You can mix it up and use almost anything you like.
Peanut butter sandwiches are also a good option, especially if you are missing calories from hiking.
To go with them you can simply pack some of those car-friendly snacks I mentioned previously and you are good to go.
Oh, and don't turn down opportunities to try something local. For instance, we were passing through Cuyamaca lake, which has a restaurant that claims to serve the best apple pie in the world. You bet we got a slice of that.
It was a nice treat after a long journey. I mean, it's a pie. Who can turn it down?
This is it for today's post. I hope I was helpful to some of you and maybe even inspired somebody to try out camping.
Meals come down to a few basic ingredients and if you mix and change them up you could have a ton of fun with your campsite cooking.
Have fun, stay healthy and be happy. We have one life to live, so let's make it count!
Our food of choice was either baozi (包子), which are these.
Or jianbing guozi (煎饼果子), which was my absolute favourite and looked something like this.
Later on, when we moved to another country and settled a bit, we started going on proper camping with tents and bonfires. Then we went for another cheap and easy option - instant noodles.
None of these are good choices, but they are convenient, fast and mess-free.
I hope you learn from us and pack your spoons and forks first, so you don't have to use a stick you found to have dinner.
Over the years out food choices have evolved and so did our diets. I got interested in health and nutrition, so I studied that. Then almost immediately started learning about climate change and passing courses to know more about that problem. I stopped eating meat shortly after that and almost cut out a bunch of other things from my diet, like butter, milk etc. Our whole family just became more aware of what we were putting on our plates and what impact it had on the environment and on our bodies.
And then our daughter started eating food, so all of that fit nicely into our goal because you really want you kid to be their healthiest self.
At first, camping seemed challenging food-wise, but after going on a few trips we kind of figured it out. It's simple, nutritious and affordable - you can buy everything in 99 Cents.
First of all, figure out your base ingredient - your carbohydrate. It could be pasta, rice, quinoa, bread, bagels or tortillas. From that you can vaguely plan a few meals and buy your vegetables.
I really like to see what's in season and kind of go from there. Fruits and vegetables make up for 90% of our shopping list.
Then, of course, you need your proteins and calories. Even though Memo and Sofi do eat meat we don't buy it for our camping trips simply because it spoils quite easily without proper conditions and it's too much of a trouble to handle. Instead, we load up on beans, chickpeas, hummus and nuts. Eggs are a must because they don't require refrigeration and take a minute to cook, which is brilliant for a quick snack. Canned tuna is one of my favourites as well, although I wouldn't recommend feeding it to a child. It's also not recommended to have more than one portion of it a week since it contains mercury, which also applies to other types of big fish. Always do your research first, especially if you have a small kid.
I would also recommend going for some pre-washed options if you are not going to have easy access to water or to wash everything in any available bathroom before you head out to your camping spot.
Plan your snacks. Any parent knows that snacks are a must if you want to survive any kind of trip with your kids. Snacks are above phones, keys and first aid kits. If you don't have snacks you might as well just go back home now.
But even if you are not a parent having easily accessible finger foods is a great way to have some fuel on the road and in between meals.
Nuts are a great source of proteins, fats and calories. Salted or not, spicy or flavoured, they are always our snack #1 because no kid says no to nuts. Of course, make sure no one is allergic before getting them. 
Pre-cut carrots and spinach are also yummy and mess-free. Could be improved with hummus.
If you are getting your food ready at home, you could prepare any variety of vegetables. Could make little sandwiches or hard boiled eggs as well, but I try to stick with things that could be passed on to my daughter and wouldn't allow her to make a horrible mess.
Fruits are also handy and super fun to have on the road. My personal favourites are tangerines and apples.
For anyone who is travelling with kids, I would recommend getting a few fruit pouches. They are delicious, nutritious and most brands have options with cottage cheese or oats in them for extra protein. Also, who are we kidding? You don't have to have a kid to buy those. There is no shame in loving them even if you are 40.I'm going to remind you again to bring all your tools along, so you don't have to figure out what to do without forks, knives or a can-opener like me in the following picture.
Also wouldn't recommend opening cans with a knife if you are as clumsy as me. Better pass it to someone who doesn't screw everything up the second they touch it. If you are one of those lucky people, by the way, kudos to you.
Here are a few ideas of simple meals you can make. Of course, feel free to customize and improve them.
I adore porridge in all of its variations and would recommend it to everyone at any time of day, but especially in the morning.
It's easy to make, full of protein and keeps you full for a long time.
Normally, we put some banana in it. Sometimes for extra calories, we add peanut or almond butter. My husband also likes mixing raw oats with mashed banana and cooking it in a pan like a pancake.
Bagels and sandwiches are also easy and quick to put together.
Memo likes his with ham, I make mine with hummus and beans. Throw in some spinach and cucumber and you are golden. A little tangerine for dessert.
Here is a tuna sandwich also with a tangerine and pureed sweet peas for Sofi. Skip the spinach for toddlers, though.
For late evenings when we just want a quick meal, we tend to stick with eggs and pasta.
Anyone can cook them and they take no time at all. With some vegetables on the side it could be as nutritious as it is filling.
Another one of my favourites is "steamed/fried" vegetables with beans or chickpeas. You just throw them in with salt and pepper and cook for about 10-15 minutes stirring every once in a while.
They don't come out fully cooked so they are nice and crunchy.
You can mix it up and use almost anything you like.
Peanut butter sandwiches are also a good option, especially if you are missing calories from hiking.
To go with them you can simply pack some of those car-friendly snacks I mentioned previously and you are good to go. 
Oh, and don't turn down opportunities to try something local. For instance, we were passing through Cuyamaca lake, which has a restaurant that claims to serve the best apple pie in the world. You bet we got a slice of that.
It was a nice treat after a long journey. I mean, it's a pie. Who can turn it down?
This is it for today's post. I hope I was helpful to some of you and maybe even inspired somebody to try out camping.Meals come down to a few basic ingredients and if you mix and change them up you could have a ton of fun with your campsite cooking.
Have fun, stay healthy and be happy. We have one life to live, so let's make it count! 
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