You guys, the Canada Day long weekend is just around the corner and all I can think of is sunsets, sparklers and cuddling up with snacks by a fire. But one thing I certainly don't miss about life in nature is feeling tired and cranky by day two.
When it comes to eating on a camping or cottage trip, many of us slip into a common pitfall. The secret to a successful camp-out is picking the right foods for energy and nutrition. Many of us often overlook the importance of snacks that offer protein and complex carbohydrates that help keep our energy up, especially when we'll be more active.
So we've rounded up 25 healthy and delicious snack ideas you can prep ahead of time or cook by the fire that'll help you make the most of summer camping.
Snacks You Can Make Ahead of Time
Pack a nutritional punch in the form of easy-to-pack grab-and-go muffins, cookies, bars and bites. Enjoy these for breakfast, as a snack during a hike, between meals or by the fire. There are so many clean recipes to help keep you full and energized during your time outdoors. These are our top picks.
Energy Bars and Bites
1) Cranberry Energy Bars:
2) Ooey Gooey Date Squares
3) Banana Coconut Protein Bars
4) Coconut Brownie Bites: check out the recipe
5) Pecan Pie Squares: check out the recipe
Cookies
6) Double Chocolate Black Bean Cookies
7) Monster Breakfast Cookies
8) Coconut Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
9) Cranberry Protein Cookies
Muffins
10) Morning Glory Muffins
11) Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Snacks You Can Make by the Campfire
Brown Rice Tortilla Chips
Place slices of brown rice tortilla on a cast iron pan or double-lined sheet of heavy-duty foil, and just toast until crunchy! You can pre-slice them at home and keep frozen for the ride up. Dip the chips in homemade guacamole or dress them up with honey and cinnamon. Some more ideas:
12) Honey Cinnamon Chips
13) Guacamole with Brown Rice Chips
14) Pesto and Goat Cheese Shamrock Bites
15) Bruschetta and Kale Pesto Chips
Popcorn
In a loose foil packet, add 2 tbsp popcorn kernels and 2 tbsp coconut oil. Tie a corner of the packet to a stick with some string and shake above the fire until kernels are popped. Spruce it up and toss with sea salt and pepper, melted dark chocolate chips or various toppings for a super tasty treat. More ideas from That Clean Life:
16) Organic Sea Salt and Coconut Popcorn: check out the recipe
17) Maple Almond Popcorn
18) Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Popcorn: check out the recipe
19) Honey "Parmesan" Popcorn: check out the recipe
Roasted Nuts
Toss your choice of nuts, spices and syrup in a cast iron pan for an easy, heart-healthy and delicious snack. Nuts contain tons of good stuff like unsaturated fat, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and fiber which helps you feel full. Note, most store-bought roasted nuts are high in salt and use a variety of unhealthy oils. Some more ideas from That Clean Life:
20) Cinnamon Toasted Pecans
21) Maple Roasted Almonds
22) Spiced Walnuts
Roasted Fruits and Veggies
Slice up your favourite fruits or veggies, toss in a foil packet and place over the fire for 20-30 minutes! Flip halfway through. I don't have to tell you how good roasted fruit is served with organic coconut ice cream! Snack on roasted veggies as is or dig into your favourite homemade dips. For some extra inspiration:
23) Apple Slices with Cinnamon
24) Brussels Sprout Kebabs
25) Roasted Edamame
What are your must-have snacks or campfire cooking secrets? Anybody an avid camper or just learning to rough it out in the woods? (If so, please take me and I'll provide snacks in exchange for protection from all wildlife. Thanks!)