Minimalist approach to eating while traveling

  Spending little money on food while traveling is like the call to battle for my minimalist mindset . I actually get excited about finding the more nutrients and nightly meals you almost want to take photos of.  It's when you can find out how valuable planning around what you have and where you are able to experience flavor in nature, and even have dessert.

   Consider these things for preparation 

  Planning based on location. Taking in the area and access to stores as well as parks with grills to use. You can put together charcoal and beef at a seaside location and experience a cheeseburger in paradise. Knowing how much you can keep cool for a day or more. Basics of knowing your nearby options of refueling needs.

   Having an fire isn't the same as propane stove cooking. However you can make some savory meals in the wilderness with a stove. I consider my camp stove an essential part of travel experience. Either way have basic cooking gear and you will have endless possibilities of great meals with amazing views. One pot, pan, plate, cup ECT. Having a can opener, some utensils for cooking, spices. It does not take more than a milk crate of storage  to keep a kitchen set up.
 
   Fuel your activities. Planning based on what you are doing. Hiking all day or just cloud watching on a beach has different fuel costs. This is when you get to know what your body needs through experience, aka the classic cycle of trial and error. However it is obvious that a 20 mile hike will result in a difference in need to recover than a day of cloud watching. So plan accordingly to your energy expenditure. Making that some thing to be aware with will set up a good practice for you to find what us optimal for you.

  Having a good cooler. This can vary widely for what you enjoy and how much space you have. Some times having two small coolers makes more sense. Hard cooler for bulk of ice and a soft cooler for other things is a good option. Having a dry cooler for storage that could be used if need be.

   Food staples, survival fuel economy 

  I highly suggest always having at least a 3 day emergency supply of food and water. Always having peanut butter and coconut oil in stock as my go to minimal intake maximum calories, good healthy fats and protein. Having protein powder to mix in get allow you your daily needs with no cooking require. Even doing this once a day will help any one with fuel economy.

   Beans, and endless possibilities of protein. I definitely am a fan of black beans, and can get a can to be six soft tacos. Cooked up or raw onions, peppers, tomatoes as option to enhance. These ingredients go with other recipes or a canned salsa. Chick peas, white beans, pinto, chili. Hearty meals based on a can of beans.

 Meats/ cheeses/ eggs. The race of time with high reward. If you are cooking meat or cheese take careful consideration in regards to keeping cold enough. Alas, a half pound cheeseburger can be had hours later from a store. This is when knowing what you have access to helps. I will often hard boil eggs and keep in a Ziploc over ice and can judge some time left out. You can also prepare scramble with some onions and peppers ready for skillet in a Ziploc.

  Greens/ fruits . Keeping produce does require alot in regards to ice and storage, but you can prep and freeze some things to get a bit more time with vegtatables for stir fry, or fruit for a dessert. Since I have an inverter I can plug in my blender for high nutrient sense protein shakes. This simplicity helps get in slot and is great on a cool day. I can keep salad toppings in Ziploc bags and have kale, romaine,  or spinach over ice for a good full course evening meal. Keeping fruits, vary. A bag of gala apples I dip in peanut butter or cook with cinnamon and butter for warm dessert. Lemons or lines keep well and nice to add to water or many recipes.

   Rice/ potatoes/ pasta.  Good to go a long way, but often storage of food isn't a goal when out. These take longer to cook, or involve more preparation.  I don't tend to do much of these, but would be very beneficial for a small group. Cooking up a cup of rice then frying in coconut oil to mix with stir fry veggies and a few eggs is a loaded easy meal in a skillet. Sweet potatoes can be kept in foil after awhile over fire or charcoal, or mixed pineapple and brown sugar in a mash from stove. Pasta can be done for cold salads as well as chicken parmesan on the stove under the stars.

  The more you experiment the better you get, and continue to find ways to enjoy good food where ever you are.