Never worry again about staying healthy on vacation. Just read all of the comments left yesterday re: “Healthy-eating on Vacation.” Thank you all for taking the time to leave such a plethora of good advice.
Yesterday, I mentioned some portable snack ideas for healthy eating when you’re not at home. But sometimes—especially on vacations—circumstances call for portable meals as well as snacks.
That’s where tupperware comes in!
And coolers. Coolers are your best friends. Basically anything can be turned into a portable meal if put into a tupperware container (and then, optionally, a cooler). Okay, maybe not anything. Leave the Vita-Mix ice cream at home! Another good idea is to bring part of a meal and supplement the rest with something you buy while out. And even more options are open to you if you’re strange lucky like me in that you actually prefer most foods at room temperature or cold.
Some of my favorite portable lunches include: Soups, salads, sandwiches, blended grain puddings, and stir fries. Sometimes, it’s easier to “picture” meals when there are actual pictures (go figure). So I put together a photo essay with some ideas:
Starting with the Banana Butter
And then there’s also: Strawberry Shortcake Sandwich
Either savory or sweet Love Muffins
Soups, such as “No Cream” Cream Of Broccoli Soup
Pasta salads (w/veggies and dressing, like Newman’s sesame) or any cold pasta dish
“Somewhere over the Rainbow” Sandwich
And finally, salads, such as “Colonel Mustard” Salad
I could go on and on with my portable meal photos, especially with soups, salads, and leftovers. But everyone knows what a stir fry looks like, so I’ll spare you.
Photos in order of appearance:
- Banana Butter
- Carrot Cake sandwich
- Strawberry Shortcake sandwich
- Love Muffins
- All the Way Arame Salad
- “No-Cream” Cream of Broccoli soup
- Pasta stir fry
- Somewhere over the Rainbow sandwich
- Colonel Mustard salad
.
Sarah,
I will get back to ya soon, I promise :).
I love the photo essay! You should do more of those because your pictures always look so yummy. 🙂
I love salads as portable lunches, and i’m addicted to tupperware! What a life saver. Is it weird that I often like to eat my lunch out of a tupperware lunch box even when I’m at home?
For example, see
http://www.glutenfreetriesvegan.com/2010/05/18/sick-as-a-dog-and-salad-dressing/
and
http://www.glutenfreetriesvegan.com/2010/03/05/its-friday/
Thanks for the amazing ideas! I usually pack some kind of sandwiches, salads, or maybe some kind of stir fry, grains and veggies. I always try to make something yummy, that tastes good cold and won’t spill in my backpack 😀
OOOhh some really creative and delicious looking ideas, i’d never have thought of a few of them! (espescially the over the rainbow sarnie!) i don’t think i really have a portable lunch fave as i don’t tend to eat on the go! but i would never say no to a delicious wrap xx
Hey Katie, this is going to be a totally off topic comment, but I wanted to ask you for a favour.
Can you please recommend me some beauty (make up stuff), that is cruelty free – ones that are sort of readily available?? I recently looked up the brands of most of my favourite make up stuff and I am so sad/angry that they carry out animal testing (i.e: not Bobbie approved) 🙁
Thank you so much for your suggestions, it will be greatly appreciated 🙂
Cecilia,
Aww poor Bobbbie!! It’s hard to believe that companies are allowed to force chemicals and needles and toxic products into little guys like Bobbie :(.
My favorite make up products are by Urban Decay and Clinique. But if you go here, you can find a whole list: http://www.caringconsumer.com/
i love all the lunch / eating on vacation ideas. figuring out how to handle those situations adds anxiety that’s more fun to go without. 😉
a few questions i had– unrelated to your post– just if you have the time.
– i made your blended barley for the first time (as in: i’d never even had barley before) the other night with trader joe’s chickenless strips on the side, & i was glad to branch out. i found it a little lacking in flavor, though. i added a couple seasonings (italian seasoning grinder, freshly ground black pepper & kosher salt) but was interested in your thoughts…. whether you ever add anything or just have it as is.
– i want to try your adorable love muffins. 🙂 i’m lacto-ovo & don’t have ener-g egg replacer. do you know how much egg (i use eggbeaters or egg whites) to use instead of the 1 1/2 tsp. called for? i know it can change the liquid amount or something.
thank you! 🙂 & enjoy your vacation (i’m sure you are!).
em
Emily,
If you add just a smidge of butter (or vegan butter such as Smart Balance light), it really ups the flavor :).
It says on the back of my egg replacer box that 1 and 1/2 tsp ener-g is equal to one egg. I hope that helps!!
Oh maaaan. I love your Chocolate Covered Food Porn posts. Seeeriously. Good thing I’m eating lunch right now while I read this or I’d be really hungry!! My portable lunches and dinners of choice are salads – I pack a container with the greens and most of the veggies and usually bring some oil, half a lemon, and half an avocado in separate baggies or containers.
BTW I know you’re busy right now but let me know if you ever head NYC-way and wanna meet up!! I’m dying to get together with you!!
I’ve made those Love Muffins before, but now you have me craving them again. Off to make another batch! I think I’ll do Elvis ones this time.