Earthy Camping

Tis the season to be camping.  I know in our area temperatures are reaching 110 and the only way to escape it is to retreat to the mountains or the coast.  Since rooms can be pricey on a whim try the next best thing "Camping"  I know that there are bugs and critters as well as toilets far to far away after your morning coffee.  But camping can still be enjoyable when you prepare properly and take into consideration that we don't need as much as we think in life.  And by camping it kind of brings you back to that mentality and when you get home you start to appreciate all the luxuries our society has.  It does that for me at-least.  I breath easier camping, I feel happy that if something were to happen I would be able to make it work.  I know that may sound silly but it means something to me.  I feel that camping has gotten a bad wrap, and women especially don't realize what a treat it can be if you are prepared and are wiling to let go of a few luxury's. 

So here is my little how to earthy style:

Earthy Gear

 Possibly the greenest option for camping gear is to re-use pre owned gear from tents to tarps. You can find many pre-used camping items on both craigslist and eBay, as in your local thrift store. If you want to go down the brand new route, there are plenty of great options for earthy made gear   Stick with the brands made from 100% recycled materials right down to the zippers and plastic hooks.  There are also some great upcycled sleeping bags and 100% organic cotton backpacks.

Our last trip we had the cutest wood locker and I filled it up with stuff all from our home.  We decided to camp and left the house for 4 days in 2 1/2 hours.  I literally brought our pantry LOL!  I think I bought water an onion and had to buy soy milk once.  And that is it!

Chow time

At the end of the day I usually like to eat the same way I do at home.  We don't ditch our normal meals for wieners and Doritos!  I tend to grocery shop for camping in my own pantry or fridge.  I will grab a few odds and ends but for the most part we are still eating nutritious foods and unfortunately for me I am still cooking 2 to 3 meals a day (which I love, nothing better than being the first one up in the crisp air, make some french press coffee and take it all in) and for some reason I get a ton more help with dishes from my hubby while camping...  Must be the air ;)!  Things we like to bring is stuff for a veggie spaghetti, or frozen veggie chili or soup, we like to make veggie and potato scrambles as well as yummy porridge.  Taking from your fridge or at least my pantry is wise for us as a family because normally all the items are in mason jars and we just bring them all back when we are done.  Instead of all the packaged junk that just goes into landfill and makes more waste for a camp ground.  Although there is some waste it is a fraction of what it would have been with all packaged items because lord knows I am a sucker for a dang s'more and with that I will not compromise ;) 

This link is is super fun to look at because there are a ton of fun ideas.

http://pinterest.com/nvlynnae/camp-foods/

Here are a few of our favorites to bring:

Perfect Peach Bulk Porridge

Pre prep, make a big batch of this and have a few mason jars in the pantry, grab one if you camping and you will be golden.  It is delicious and will keep your morning going.

3 c quick cook oats

1/2 c date or coconut sugar

1/2 sunflower seeds

1 c dried chopped peaches

1 c dried chopped dates

1 c chopped roasted pecans

4 tbs flax seeds

4 tbs chia seeds

add all indigents and stir in large bowl.  Store bulk porridge in large air tight mason jar or container for use!

 To cook:

In a saucepan, combine the oats, milk or water.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until the liquid has been absorbed, stirring frequently. Pour into bowls, and top each with a splash of cold milk.  As well as a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.  Brown sugar if you are on a mission to feel sassy!

Veggie Chili

Pre prep, I usually have this in my freezer and literally just grab it when we are leaving and pack in ice chest.  It thaws in a day or 2 and is such a treat on the colder nights camping!

1 med green pepper

 1 med onion

4 celery stocks

2-3 teas chili powder Depending on your taste...

1 tea dried oregano

1 tea ground cumin

1 tablespoon taco seasonings

2 14 1/2 oz cans of diced tomatoes.... Juice included

10 oz frozen corn

2 15 oz cans of black beans or 1 can kidney 1 can black... I like that better because I like the variety.. Remember to drain and rinse.

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Veggie chili you are going to want to cut all the veggies into bite size or diced pieces.. Throw everything into the crock pot and give a stir to make sure that all veggies and beans have a coating of the spices ... Turn on the slow cooker to low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours... At around the 1/2 way point I like to add the salt.. I usually add about 1 tbs of course kosher salt.. But this is a to taste kinda deal.... Serves 6 but I always always double recipe and freeze left overs.. Freezes great up to 6months deep and 3 months regular freeze.. We always have chili in our freezer, it is a quick meal for unexpected football viewing or company ;)~ serve with a dollap of veg sour cream or cheese on top with some yummy tortilla chips.

Kale Brussel sprout spaghetti

Instead of these items we usually have, you might have peppers or mushrooms, I have homemade tomato sauce from my garden and just add what veggies I brought from home.  Our last trip it happened to kale brussel sprout garlic spaghetti!  Super easy, feeds the troops and comforting.

1 bunch of kale washed and chopped

1 lb brussel sprouts washed and halved

1 large onion chopped

6 cloves of garlic

 4-6 c tomato sauce (depending on how many campers), store bought our canned

1 package of vegan kielbasas sliced

1 tbs Italian seasonings

olive oil

garlic salt

egg-less spaghetti noodles 

salt and pepper

In a stock pot or sauce pan whatever you have on your camping adventure, on med hi heat, heat olive oil and add the brussel sprouts, salt and pepper, cook 2 min, add onion, garlic, cook 3 min, add kale and cook until tender.  Add Italian seasonings, garlic salt and tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil, and lower heat to a simmer for 20 min.  Meanwhile cook noodles according to packaging.  In small pan or skillet brown, or crisp sausages in olive oil and set aside.  Add the sausages to sauce right before serving and enjoy.  Your camp site will smell divine and you can feed an army. 

Bean salad

If you are a planner like I am usually when camping this is a great salad to make a day before and have in little portions in jars or Tupperware.  So Delicious to grab for a hike or a treat for a day on the beach.  Packs some serious protein and is deliciously fresh.

2 cups fava beans ccoked and shelled

1 cup edammae beans cooked and shelled.  

1lb chopped and sauteed brussel sprouts

1 bunch of apsargus chopped sauted in olive oil

1 bunch of cleaned and sliced radishes

2 avacodaos dieced

salt and peper

olive oil 

lemon juice

To saute veggies, coat a sauce pan with olive oil and with med hi heat saute until tender adding dash of salt usually taking 5-7 minutes.  Let cool in a bowl until ready to assemble salad.

Add all items to a bowl, and coat with olive oil and lemon juice add salt and pepper to taste and divide into Tupperware for single servings or bring along for a meal while camping.  

Here is a picture of my cooking station from our quick impromptu camping trip, the only item we brought from our camping trove was our stove, chairs, tent, seeping bags and one lantern. 

Bring the kitchen

It may be tempting to toss the paper plates and plastic forks into your pack, but it's best to bring reusable silverware, plates and cooking-ware. There are a variety of greener options available — from lightweight titanium plates to fold-able plastic bowls that take up virtually no space — that you'll be able to reuse for all your outdoor escapades.  I personally just bring my mugs and dishes.  As well as pots and utensils.  I have bought a few eco just for camping items but at the end of the day the majority of the stuff is just from my kitchen.  Don't feel it's necessary to buy too much stuff.  I do think that some stuff is a treat.  Here is a link to a great place to find the goods.  And some of my other fa-vies.

 http://www.wildmintshop.com/lifestyle/camping-and-hiking/?redirect=liveesp

If you are into convenience which I mean lets face it who is not?  These little camping accessories are a treat! 

I love this for not having to go find somewhere to dishes if you end up eating late. 

http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-72080052-Camp-Sink-Azul/dp/B0031SB1VU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373470592&sr=8-1&keywords=camping+sinks

For a french press you don't have to stress over 

http://www.rei.com/product/708069/snow-peak-titanium-french-press-3-cup

Utensils

http://www.rei.com/product/792792/to-go-ware-bamboo-utensil-set 

 Ice cream Makers

So fun for the kids, when things get boring and they have taken every trail, and uncovered every treasure.
http://www.rei.com/search?query=ice+cream+makers 



Use earthy toiletries

You might be tempted to toss your regular shampoo, toothpaste and bodywash into your pack, but those toiletries won't only add unnecessary weight to your pack, they might also harm the environment. Most of the soaps, moisturizers and cleaning products we use are full of chemicals and other unnatural ingredients, so if you plan to shower in the backcountry, pick up some eco-friendly, biodegradable toiletries first.  Or make them yourself.

Here are some picks from this amazing site, investing in them is great because they can just stay in your camping Tupperware to use only in nature:
http://www.ecofriendlyshop.co.uk/cat.php?id=35

Shampoo:

 http://www.ecofriendlyshop.co.uk/product.php?id=199

Hand soap:

http://www.ecofriendlyshop.co.uk/cat.php?id=35

Dish Soap:

http://www.ecofriendlyshop.co.uk/product.php?id=132

Insect repellent :

http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-21972-california-baby-bug-repellent-spray-natural-bug-blend-65-oz?utm_source=shoppingcom&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=CaliforniaBaby-BugRepellentSprayNaturalBugBlend-6.5oz.&utm_content=71928&utm_campaign=shoppingcom&site=www.shopping.com&mr:referralID=9581e923-e99b-11e2-9389-001b2166c62d&

 Make your own:

check out my etsy shop for more earthy toilteries...

www.earthytraders.etsy.com

The girls playing, and sweet little buttercup!

Ditch the red cups, we drink our brews out of our coffee mug...

Bring your trash with you

You're probably heard the saying, "Take only pictures, leave only footprints," and this is an adage that truly embodies the principles of leave-no-trace camping. When you leave your campsite, make sure you bring all your trash and recyclables with you and dispose of them properly when you can. If you find litter along the trail or scattered about your campsite, do your part and pick it up.  We usually bring a large ole blue ikea bag and pick up as we go, and seperate and toss at the end of the night so our campsite stays prestine and critter less.  Here is a great option if you don't have as many ikea bags on hand.

http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-Pop-Up-Camp-Trash-Can/dp/B006EHAJSG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373485310&sr=8-2&keywords=camping+garbage

Clean Up After Poochie

If you plan on bringing your pet on your camping trip, remember to keep him on a leash when walking around campgrounds.  And unless you have a highly trained dog while at campsite in case a loose dog comes sniffing around.  If it is a small dog bringing a crate where they no they can go to be safe is a good idea.  For a large dog bringing an old outside bed is nice so they have a place to land as well to relax.  And if your dog is not going to sleep in tent or the at the tents opening don't bring your dog.  With our golden we used to bring her a camp bed and put in the outside of our tent in the little mud room part.  For our little one she sleeps in the tent with us. You can’t just leave dogs tied to a tree unattended all day, as surely it will be too warm and the dog may bark at fellow campers, wildlife by the campsite. And no one wants to be greeted at their campsite by doggy doo, or an annoying barking dog.  So if your dog can't play peacefully hire a sitter.

You will notice that by not bringing all the paper and plastic waste, and processed food junk you will be camping in a more earthy way.  Please consider paying attention to waste v.s convenience on your next camping trip.  Mother earth will thank you, and so will your pocket book.  If you have any eco-tricks of the camping trade please comment below, I love learning new ways to buy less and waste less.  If you have any questions please message me.
Tread Lightly!