Healthy camping food

      CAMPING!!!!!  This is one of my families most favorite summer activities. Since I am eating healthier this year I had to completely change my camping menu.
      Camping is a great summer activity, but when it comes to food it can be a calorie trap.  Here is what we did this year to eat healthier while still having "camp food."

     Instead of hot dogs and chips I added more fruits and veggies and a leaner meat option.


You are going to want to come prepared.  Before you leave get your prep work done.  Chop your veggies, wash your fruit, and portion out your meats.

A camp stove makes cooking so much easier.

We arrived at our camping destination around 10:30ish and set up camp.  After getting our camp together we had lunch

LUNCH:

A Mexican inspired salad

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 package of spring salad  mix
1/2 cup black beans
4 ounces of Tyson ready grilled chicken breast strips (pre-measured in ziplock bag)
One mandarin orange
1/4 cup chopped red onion (already chopped ahead)
lime juice

DIRECTIONS:
Place a fry pan on your camp stove reheat chicken until warm and has some color on it (i added garlic powder and cumin)
In a bowl add lettuce, beans, and orange segments.
When chicken is done add it to the lettuce
spritz with lime juice and toss


SNACK:  mixed plain unsalted nuts

DINNER:
Two Jennio turkey hot dogs (no bun)
A small sweet potato (cooked ahead of time)
*to reheat the sweet potato wrap it in tin foil, place it in a fry pan on your camp stove.  Cover the pan with tin foil and let it heat up
and steamed mixed veggies (use camp stove and a bit of water in the bottom of a pot) let steam until tender crisp.  add salt and pepper to taste
 1 cup of strawberries

I did splurge and have a s'more that night

The next days meals went like this:

BREAKFAST:
Oatmeal with blue berries (1/2 cup)
Eggs (egg whites for me)
Two turkey sausages
Of course coffee in the percolator

LUNCH:  we went easy for lunch

98% fat free deli turkey sandwich on thinwich bread
THE SANDWICH:  One thinwich with 4 slices of deli meat.
1/2 sliced roma tomato
romaine lettuce
a squirt of yellow mustard
I did NOT add cheese to mine.  You can if you wish

ON THE SIDE: 4 large strawberries and raw veggies (cauliflower, baby carrots, and broccoli)
1/2 cup plain non fat greek yogurt

Dinner:  This meal was a use up of food

2 Jennio turkey hot dogs (no bun) and a squirt of ketchup for dipping
1 small red apple
Steamed green means and mixed veggies (on the camp stove)


I also brought cherries, apples, strawberries, and mandarin oranges.

We went to Bend/ Sunriver area.  There is a great camp ground near Sunriver that we love.  It's called "Bend/Sunriver RV  resort."  It's a Thousand Trails camp ground.  They have two different tent camping sites.  That is what we did.

They have hot showers, a swimming pool (one for families, one for adults and an adult only hot tub), pickle ball courts, mini golf, disc golf, walking trails, a country store, breakfast served in the mornings (for those staying in RVS or want a more glamorous camping experience), and more.  

The first day we swam in the pool, played mini golf, took a walk, watched a lightning storm, rode bikes, and more

The next day we packed up camp, went on a hike in Bend, went to the High Dessert Museum, went back to the camp ground for dinner and to play a bit more.  We left for home around 7pm. 

                                   At the High Dessert Museum

                                   The view of Bend from the top of Pilot Butte

The view of Mt. Bachelor from the top of Pilot Butte               Me hiking

The view of Three sisters mountains                       Eben hiking up Pilot Butte

Joe, Wyatt, and Caleb hiking                                     The side of Pilot Butte

More of the Three Sisters mountains                                    Me again

                                                                                                

      Hey y'all,
     I hope everyone is having a great summer thus far.  I know I am.  So far my kids have been to vacation bible camp, finished up their t-ball season,  and have recently started summer school.
     My husband and I actually managed to get away for a day trip (just the two of us yay!!!)
     We are looking forward to a family camping trip in Eastern Oregon and a long family road trip to northern California.  This summer is going to be a fun filled one for sure.

       One thing I am excited about this summer is trying out new recipes and  finding new and healthy foods.

     Lately I have become obsessed with  a few different food items (snacks)  Well, one is a drink really.
When it comes to eating healthy and counting calories snacks are a stumbling block for some people.  There are so many snacks out there that are just plain bad for you.  There are even some snacks that are marketed as being healthy but are really just fooling you.

     In between meals you might feel a bit peckish and need a little boost.  Here are few things I have found that are actually good for you and help you feel full in between meals

 #1 Water
Yes, water is a great snack if you feel hungry.  Drinking a  large glass of water can really help curb your appetite.   I, like many don't really care for straight water.  I recently found this product:  Twinings cold brew ice tea.

I have only tired the citrus twist flavor, but it is so good.  I am excited to try the other flavors they have. If you are not a huge fan of plain water you have to try this.  I don't really like the overly sweet flavors you get from the no sugar powdered drink mixes.  So this is perfect for me.

#2 No sugar added fruit bars (real fruit)

Outshine no sugar added fruit bars

They are a great treat on these hot days and come in at only 25 calories.  Can't beat that for a summer sweet treat.

#3 Plain air popped popcorn (in a paper bag in the microwave)

Popcorn is a great low calorie and low fat snack. It's also 100% whole grains as well

1 cup of  plain air popped pop corn is only 30 calories.

I do about 1/8 of a cup of kernels (that makes about 2 or so cups popped)

Here's what I do:  I take straight un-popped corn kernels and place them in a small brown paper bag

fold the bag over twice on the top and place in the microwave on high for about 1 minuted 45 seconds to 2 minutes.

The kernels will begin to pop about 30 seconds in. DON'T OVER MICROWAVE OR THEY WILL BURN

here's a video : How to make air popped popcorn in the microwave

I DON'T ADD ANY FLAVORINGS 

(you can add seasonings if you wish.  Just don't add oil or it won't be low cal any more)

Like I said earlier, I have been all about coming up with fun new recipes this summer.  

Here is a new twist on great old recipe

DINNER RECIPE: Another recipe I have tried this summer is a twist on a taco salad.  

My mom made a taco salad for a friends birthday recently and I loved it.  She used tofu instead of beef (the friend is a vegetarian.)  I really liked the tofu instead of beef.  

Here's my take on a healthy and low calorie taco salad with citrus

Comes in at 357 calories

INGREDIENTS: 

4 ounces of extra firm tofu  cut into cubes(93 cals)

 1 tsp taco seasoning (10 cals) 

1/4 cup black beans (55 cals)

1/4 cup chopped red onion (16 cals)

0.7 oz medium cheddar cheese grated (77 cals)

2 cups ice burg salad mix (25 cals)

1 mandarin orange (40 cals)

1/4 of a small avocado (sliced) (36 cals)

 1 TBSP sabra medium salsa (5 cals)

lemon juice to taste

DIRECTIONS: 

Drain tofu and pat dry with a paper towel

brown tofu in a pan  with a little cooking spray over medium heat

When tofu is browned add the taco seasoning

when tofu is cooked set aside and let cool

In a large bowl add the iceberg lettuce mix

black beans

onion

salsa

mandarin orange segments

and lemon juice ( I added quit a bit)

and grated cheese

and toss

add tofu on top when it has cooled

top the entire salad with the sliced avocado

*You can add corn if you like.  I chose not to because I only like to eat one carb per meal and I already added black beans.

*This salad does not need any dressing.

The lemon juice and sweetness from The orange acts like a dressing on it's own.

plus the tofu has plenty of Mexican flavor (why cover that up with dressing)

Eating healthy and watching your calories is a great way to loose weight and stay trim.  But that's not all.  Getting your body moving with cardio and toning with weights is a key component to being fit.

Here's a few different workouts that I have done recently.  These will keep you from getting board.

cardio kickboxing

Tae Bo cardio sculpt (old school)

cardio burn

I hope you all continue to have a great and healthy summer.

Eat well, stay active, and in all things give thanks to the Lord.

For God only gave you one body to live.  Treat it right and you will go far.

TODAY'S MEALS AND WORKOUT

BREAKFAST: (sorry no picture for this one) 344 total calories

TOASTER WAFFLE, 1/2 GRAPE FRUIT, 2 TURKEY SAUSAGE LINKS, AND FRIED EGGS

INGREDIENTS:

1 Nutrigrain low fat whole grain toaster waffle ( 70 cals)

2 Jimmy Dean turkey sausage links (87 cals)

 2 TBSP Cool hip fat free (15 calories)

1/2 medium ruby red grapefruit (60 cals)

1 whole egg (70 cals)

2 large egg whites (34 cals)

salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

In a small pan over medium heat place turkey sausage and brown

 spray a medium pan with cooking spray and  place your whole egg ,egg whites, and salt and pepper

cook on one side until they are starting to get firm then flip and continue to cook

place your waffle in the toaster

cut your grapefruit in half

when waffle is done put 2 tbsp nonfat cool whip on top

plate your eggs, fruit, sausage, and waffle, and enjoy

LUNCH: 274 total calories

Chicken salad on a low carb tortilla with strawberries and non fat cool whip

INGREDIENTS:

Deli fresh grilled chicken by Oscar Myers (110 cals)

High fiber low carb tortills by La Tortilla factory (80 cals)

0.5 ounces non fat plain greek yogurt by Zoi (8 cals)

1/2 celery stalk chopped into small peices (3 cals)

1/8 cup of chopped yellow onion (8 cals)

1 cup cut strawberries

fat free cool whip (15 cals)

salt and pepper

*side note:  I like t use greek yogurt in recipes instead of mayo.  I can't even tell the difference and it's less calories and fat

DIRECTIONS:

In a small mixing bowl add the chicken, chopped celery, chopped onion, and greek yogurt

Add salt and pepper to taste

mix all together

Place the chicken salad in the low carb wrap and roll up

cut up strawberries and add cool whip

plate all and enjoy

DINNER: 370 total calories

Mexican inspired stir fry with tofu

INGREDIENTS: 

4 ounces of extra firm tofu cut into cubes (93 CALS)

Taco seasoning

cumin to taste

garlic powder to taste

1/2 cup red onion chopped (20 cals)

1/2 cup green bell pepper chopped (15 cals)

1/2 cup canned black beans by S&W(110 cals)

1 1/2 medium roma tomatoes chopped (52 calories)

1 cup Baby bella mushrooms chopped  from Fresh Direct (20 cals)

1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth (2 cals)

1/4 of a small avocado sliced (36 cals)

DIRECTIONS: 

In a large skilled over medium heat sprayed with cooking spray add your tofu and brown on all sides

when the tofu is browned add our taco seasoning

add 1/8- 1/4 cup water and let thicken a little

add the chopped romas

when tofu is seasoned add your chopped bell pepper and onions

add cumin and garlic powder to taste

cook until tender crisp

add the low sodium chicken broth

add the mushrooms and continue to cook

add the black beans

when all the veggies are tender place the entire stir fry in a bowl and top with the sliced avocado 

ENJOY!

TODAY'S WORKOUT:

CARDIO SCULPTING WORKOUT (39 MINUTES)

I also mowed the yard and did bit of weeding.  Mowing with a push mower burns mad calories

Today's meals and exercise

      BREAKFAST:  243 calories total

Oatmeal with blueberries and peanut butter

and two links of Jimmy Dean turkey sausage

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 of dry old fashioned oats (150 calories)

1/4 cup simply organic (Fred Myers) frozen blue berries (27 calories)

1 table spoon of PB2 powdered peanut butter (22.5 calories) 

2 Jimmy Dean turkey sausage links (43.33 calories)

This is PB2.  It's powdered peanut butter.  I love it. I bought it Wal-Mart for about 5 bucks.  

It has 85% less fat than regular peanut butter.

You take 2 table spoons of the peanut powder and mix 1 tablespoon water to make creamy peanut butter.

For 2 table spoons of powder it's only 45 calories.  That's a huge difference compared to 190 calories for 2 tablespoons of regular peanut butter.

DIRECTIONS FOR BREAKFAST:

Place try oats in a microwave safe bowl

then add 1 tablespoon of the PB2 peanut butter powder

cover with water and microwave on high for one minute

Add your berries

While your oatmeal is cooking heat two of the turkey sausages in a pan over medium heat.

After breakfast I do a workout.

Today's' workout was two different cardio videos totaling 50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Ido-il3uI-20 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUS8FUZdGVw- 30 minutes

MID MORNING SNACK: 56 calories total

ONE 2 1/2 diameter red delicious apple 

LUNCH:  calories 204 total

2 cups of Progresso light beef pot roast soup (180 calories)

and 2/3 cups steamed  integrity farms organic broccoli florets (24 calories)  

CARAMEL ICED COFFEE: (45 calories)

INGREDIENTS :

12 ounces brewed coffee (2 calories)

1/2 cup nonfat milk (40-45 calories)

sugar free caramel syrup from torani(0 calories)

Torani makes several sugar free flavors which are very good.

 and ice

DIRECTIONS:

in a large coffee mug add ice

brew coffee and pour over ice

add 1/2 cup nonfat milk

add syrup to taste.

*For tonight's dinner I had a large taco salad

It was my brother's girlfriends birthday so my mom made a taco salad with tofu (no shell)

Sorry I don't have recipe or picture for this one.

Tonight's dinner: Asian inspired grilled chicken, veggies, and brown rice stir fry

      Eating healthy doesn't have to take a long time or involve a lot of prep work.  Many nights of the week I make one skillet or one pot meals.  I also like to get some help from the store every now and again by buying  frozen veggies and meat.

Tonight's meal was a quick Asian inspired stir fry (359 calories total)

INGREDIENTS:

3 ounces Tyson grilled ready frozen chicken breast strips (100 calories)

1/2 cup instant brown rice (150 calories)

1 cup frozen organic broccoli florets ( 48 calories)

2/3 cup organic rainbow chard (30 calories)

1/3 cup chopped yellow onion (15 calories)

1/2 cup large chopped vine ripe tomato (11 calories)

1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce (15 calories)

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth (5 calories)

salt to taste

peeper to taste

garlic powder to taste

Directions:

*In a medium to large skillet over medium heat place the frozen grilled chicken

cook until warm

*Then add the chopped onion and cook until the onion is tender crisp

*then add the broccoli, tomato, and chard

this is when I add my spices

*when the veggies are still a little crisp I add the chicken broth and teriyaki sauce

*bring the chicken broth to a boil and add the rice

Turn heat to medium low and simmer the rice for 5 minutes or until tender

*when the  rice is tender place everything in a bowl and enjoy

the app I love and that has helped me stay on track

I LOVE this app.

You can do it from your smart phone or directly from your computer (the app is free on your smart phone)
myfitnesspall

It counts calories for you
it adds in calories burned from exercise
has thousands of different restaurants and meals
you can create your own meals and calories
you can loo up almost any food imaginable
you can use the quick bar code scanner to add calories

It's one of the tools I use daily to help me stay on track.

Last night's meal

Here is last nights dinner. ( 420 calories)

Ingredients:
Turkey burger (lean ground turkey 160 calories for 4 ounces)
Worcestershire  sauce (to taste) no calories
garlic powder to taste (no cals)
ground sage to taste (no cals)
salt and pepper to taste (no cals)
1/4 cup yellow onion grated into the turkey burger (11 calories)
1/2 large sweet potato (81 calories)
green bell peppers and cauliflower saute  1/2 a whole bell pepper  and 1 cup fresh cauliflower cut up (37 calories)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (120 calories)
1/2 vine ripe tomato sliced (11 calories)

Directions:
in a mixing bowl place ground turkey
add Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, ground sage
grate in about 1/4 cup of onion directly into the meat
mix all together
form into a burger patty and set aside

Take a large sweet potato and poke with a for about four times to make vent holes
place in microwave for about 10 minutes or until for tender
 cut in half and save the other half for another meal.

In a small to medium skillet get 1 tablespoon of olive oil hot over medium heat
cut up 1/2 a green bell pepper into strips
cut up 1 cup of a fresh cauliflower into florets

place the peppers and cauliflower into he pan with the hot olive oil
i added salt and pepper to the veggies.
Saute the veggies until tender crisp

in the mean time add your burger to a dry hot pan over medium heat
cook burger until completely done in the middle

Slice up 1/2 of a vine ripe tomato and and salt and pepper

place all the components of the meal on plate and enjoy