I need meal ideas for vacation

[Moxie]

Remember that Onion article about the mom doing all her normal chores in close proximity to the ocean?? Well, that's me. Yay.

 

I need to plan low carb meals to cook on vacation. We'll have a full kitchen but I'd like to stay out of it as much as possible. Make ahead meal, maybe??

[Ethel Mertz]

Do you have access to a grill? If so, take things to grill. Cut up veggies beforehand. Bring dip for the veggies. Sandwiches or salads for lunch (everyone make their own). Can you take your crockpot? Maybe make gazpacho before you go. Buy small yogurts for snacks.

[mommyoffive]

All good ideas.  

 

And if you make something make a huge helping so it can just be heated or served later.  

[KungFuPanda]

Premake some kebabs and marinades. When you get there, marinate and grill.

 

Plan a cheese/bread/fruit dinner. We add salami to ours. What do low carbers do in place of bread?

 

 

Soup and salad dinner?

 

Buy all the convenience foods you don't usually let the kids have. Now is the time for shortcuts!

 

Can you premake some chicken or tuna salad and serve in lettuce wraps? I love curry chicken salad.

[KungFuPanda]

Do zucchini boats freeze well? You could do a bunch of those.

[HomeAgain]

I'd bring a crock pot and meals in a bag.  Dump it in and call it good.

[Zinnia]

For breakfast, we eat cereal and instant oatmeat several times on vacation.  Not sure what the low-carb equivalent is, but make it super easy.  Boiled eggs and cheese?  That easy.

 

For lunch, salads with meat and cheese.  We also do hummus, pimento cheese, peanut butter, lunch meat sandwiches.  Easy stuff.

 

And for supper.  Taco salads.  Grilled meat.  Low country boil.  More grilled meat/fish/shrimp.  

[whitestavern]

breakfast: eggs, fruit, yogurt (i put blueberries in plain greek)

lunches: salad (i cut up all my lettuce and veggies at the beginning of the week and bag it all) you could also cook chicken breasts ahead of time to put on top, or canned tuna, or beans. I do lots and lots of salads. Or just a can of tuna by itself or mixed with cannellinis. You could also cook a huge vat of roasted veggies your first day or before you go and eat those through the week. Sometimes I'll add diced mozz to the veggies.

dinner: pretty much same as lunch, but you could eat any protein and veggies you're cooking for the family.

[meena]

Kalua Pork: http://nomnompaleo.com/post/10031990774/slow-cooker-kalua-pig Serve with baked sweet potatoes or cauliflower (roasted or riced) and raw veggies

 

Italian beef in the crockpot: Chuck roast, pepperoncini peppers (to taste), Good Seasons Italian dressing mix (half packet), splash of balsamic vinegar (optional but tasty). We usually serve with rolls or mashed potatoes, which are definitely not low carb. You could do sautéed veggies and/or caprese salad.

 

Taco salad: Prepare taco meat ahead of time. Serve with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, beans if you eat those

 

Sloppy joes: Prepare meat ahead of time. On day of serving, cut zucchini in half lengthwise, scoop middle to make boats, brush with olive oil, roast. Heat meat and serve in zucchini.

 

Grill if at all possible. Put your meats in freezer bags with marinade and freeze. Let thaw in the fridge when you are ready to use.

[vonbon]

Just one small idea:

 

Chinese Chicken Salad for lunch / dinner?  IME, the longer it sits in its dressing, the softer the cabbage becomes and the better it tastes.  You could prep ahead 2-3 days, put it in a covered bowl, stick it in a cooler, and it'd be great by the time you served it.  

[vonbon]

Oops--another few ideas...

 

We've gotten into the habit of buying a large veggie tray at Costco or a grocery store and eating that along the way, in our hotel, etc.  It usually comes with dressing or dip.  You can take small plastic baggies and parcel out the veggies for snacks, a daypack or hikes.  It's a little more expensive than cutting everything up ahead of time, but I find it's worth it so we can get veggies into our diet alongside pizza, take-out, or whatever else we might indulge in on vacation.  I find the kids eat more veggies this way too.

 

Baked Potato Bar?  Microwave or bake potatoes.  Set out toppings: sour cream, bacon, broccoli, butter, green onions, chives, seasoning salt...You can also grill or saute peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. to put on top.  Kind of light on the protein, but works for dinner some nights.  Add linguica, brats, or some type of easy sausage on the side if you need the protein.  It seems like with the ages of your kids, maybe they could help chop and set out toppings, put them away, etc.?  My younger kids love this dinner because they can choose their own adventure!

 

I knew a large family that had an easier night for mom on Sundays.  They'd pop huge bowls of popcorn, season it with various things (nutritional yeast, Old Bay, Parmesan cheese, etc.) and have popcorn, smoothies, and a big bowl of trail mix for dinner.  I'd never seen that done before, but I rotate it in now and then on occasion.  You can add a fresh veggie or fruit tray and you've covered most of your nutritional bases for very little time in the kitchen.  I think I'll take my air popper on our next vacation!

[Baseball mom]

Grill or cook some meats ahead of time then freeze and take with you.  Heat and eat.