Frozen Soups and Stews

This is a handy trick that my best friend showed me. Before he goes on a camping trip, he prepares homemade soups and stews and then freezes them in Ziploc bags. He puts them in the cooler alongside other frozen items, and it helps to keep everything else cold in addition to the ice. When you are ready to eat, all you have to do is plop your frozen soup or stew into a pot, and you’re good to go. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Dehydrated Food

I used to think of dehydrated food as something you used as a last resort in emergency situations. In fact, I’ve had the same emergency kit for years, and it contains packs of dehydrated food (which I would be hesitant to heat in a real-life emergency). But these days, the world of dehydrated food has expanded, and some of the choices are actually quite tasty. While I would never use them solely for an entire trip, they do make great lunch options or quick snacks.

Canned Delights

Fresh produce can only be kept for so long which is why I opt for canned fruits and vegetables. This way I can incorporate a bit of health into my camping recipes as well. If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out Asian canned items. There are some interesting vegetables that you might not include in your regular diet such as oyster mushrooms. But when used properly in the right recipe, they add a bit of flair to traditional dishes.

A Pressure Cooker

Whenever I go camping with my RV, or I have access to a generator, I’ll bring along my electric pressure cooker. This is the perfect way to prepare a hearty stew right on the spot. Sure I could use old-fashioned methods with a cast iron pot and a campfire, but who wants to cook for four hours? Using a handy device like this speeds up the process. and it can be used for more elaborate foods like pot roast, Curry, Chile, or gumbo – try making those dishes with a barbecue! Best of all, there are lots of affordable models like the ones found at tendercookers.com, and you can use them at home when your trip is over too.

Smoked Items

One of my favorite foods of all time is smoked salmon. You can also find prepackaged lox with a mild flavor, and it’s ready to eat right away. This is something you can throw in a cooler and keep indefinitely before opening up the package. This type of salmon is extremely versatile and perfect for sandwiches or on top of a fresh salad. Snacktime is also a big part of my camping routine, and I love smoked foods like beef jerky as well. They are perfect when you need something to munch on, or a quick boost of energy right before a long hike.

As you can see, camping food does not have to be all about barbecue food.  Get a bit of variation into your life!

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2. Salad – You can never have too much green in your diet. Pack leafy vegetables by wrapping them in paper to ensure that they stay crisp and fresh.   Fruits should always come in handy as healthy snacks while in the outdoors. That is all-out healthy living right there.

3. Marshmallows- These are classic camping treats you can have in various ways you like — roasted over a bonfire or straight from the pack. These little soft, sweet pieces of heaven will surely bring out the kid in everyone. After a long day outdoors, marshmallows are perfect to munch on while huddled together around a campfire. Enjoy it even more while someone is playing the guitar or sharing some exciting camping stories.

4. Seafood – If you happen to camp out on the beach, what could be a more perfect meal than fresh seafood? If there are local fishermen in the area, there will sure be fresh barbecued seafood for dinner. Another idea would be having your own fresh catch for dinner if you happen to be on a fishing trip.  Another fresh seafood dish you can easily prepare is seviche, a dish made of fresh raw seafood. With fresh tuna meat, a few citrus fruits, and a few spices for garnish, you can enjoy this scrumptious raw fish dish in a few minutes.

5. Canned Treats- Probably the easiest and the most convenient food to bring on camping are the ones that come in cans. They are often the most familiar to you. Most comfort foods that you love likely come in canned or packed forms. Many of these canned foods like the homey canned beans and chicken noodle soup are the ones that were always there when you stayed at home because you were down with flu. It would not be a bad idea to enjoy these comfort foods in camp as well. Pack up a few of your familiar favorites for a weekend camping trip.  Just heat them up and you will have your delicious meal.

Everyday, we engage in activities we might find stressful. Occasionally, we need to get away from work, which is one major anxiety cause in adults. Camping is one fulfilling way of relaxation that one can easily enjoy with friends or loved ones.

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Are These Boots Made for Walking?

Aside from referencing the most obvious possibly song title for this blog, that heading is an important question to ask. Regardless of how serious or casual a hiker you are, your walking boots need to be the best bit of equipment you lay your hands on, and have them professionally fitted if possibly.

If there’s a specific trip you’re planning make sure that you know in advance what the terrain and climate will be like, so that you can buy boots to fit those conditions. For instance, if you’re going into conditions where you are likely to face heavy rain it’s obviously a good idea to check how water resistant your boots are. On the other hand, in a hot, dry climate you’ll want boots that are more breathable, to get rid of the excess moisture you build up while walking and stopping your feet becoming clammy.

Some people have used trainers or running shoes for hiking, with some people saying they offer more ventilation and dexterity than a walking boot. However, despite their advantages, they don’t offer much in the way of ankle support for hikers carrying heavy rucksacks. This has led to the development of the Brasher Walking Boot- a walking boot designed to give you the best of both worlds, which is worth checking out if you’re a beginner.

Train Yourself Up

When you’re hiking you are often subjecting yourself to prolonged physical effort under harsh conditions. If you aren’t in the best physical shape, it’s not the sort of thing you want to jump right into at the deep end. In the days and weeks leading up to your hike, get yourself walking. Avoid all lifts, in favour of climbing the stairs, take some long walks around the neighbourhood, walk to the corner shop instead of driving to Tesco.

For your first hikes, take relatively short routes without too many steep ascents, then build up to more challenging walks.

It’s All in the Rhythm

When it comes to the actual hike, even the way that you walk can have an effect on how long your stamina lasts. Build up a recurrent rhythm or “cadence”. This varies depending on your height, build and general fitness, but a stride of just a bit less than three feet, taking 0.8 seconds each step, is considered a “good cadence” for many walkers. The hard part is to keep it consistent.

To work out what your own ideal cadence is begun walking up a gentle slope a couple of hundred feet in length. Walking this hill a couple of times every day, and while you’re on the ascent keep one thing in mind: Keeping the length of your stride and the time between strides consistent. Don’t go for unnecessarily large steps- your cadence should feel comfortable and natural, allowing you to keep your shoulders level and your back straight. The more you do this, the more it’ll form into a habit.

Once your cadence is firmly ingrained, you can start using other, more advanced tools. Trekking poles, for instance, allow you to make use of you arms muscles while you’re hiking. However, even when using tools like this, your cadence is still your best friend. If you use trekking poles and find it’s messing up your cadence, than the trekking pole isn’t helping.

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Tasty BBQ Pizza – everyone likes juicy steaks and chicken wings, but how about adding a bit of Italian flair to your next barbecue meal? It’s actually a lot less complicated than most barbecue dishes, and you’ll be left with a crispy crust that simply can’t be beat. This is also a great way to give your guests a chance to build their own pizza so they can come up with their ultimate combination of toppings. You’ll also like how easy it is to prepare which means you can make it as an appetizer or a main dish.

BBQ at Night Time – who says you always have to barbecue when it’s sunny anyways? There’s nothing better than a scrumptious meal surrounded by warm nighttime air that only summer can offer. All you need are a few patio lights and some delicious alcoholic beverages so you and your friends can relax. The only downside is you have to control your appetite until it actually gets dark. Of course you can also choose to cook food by campfire if your site allows as well.

Potluck Goodness – while it might seem like a lazy tactic at first, it’s also incredibly smart one. Ask your friends or camping neighbors to bring along one dish so that you can add variety to your overall menu plan. This gives you access to different cooking styles and it’s a great thing to share. Of course you’ll have a job as well which is to handle all of the meat and vegetables that come off your barbecue grill. When you don’t have to worry about side dishes, you can put all of your energy into making sure your barbecue food comes out perfectly.

Use Charcoal for a Change – it might have been a while since you’ve used a charcoal grill, but there’s nothing wrong with adding this blast from the past. Even if you don’t want to go with a full charcoal model, you can find a portable one that will offer you a chance to add authentic taste your food. No matter how fancy modern gas grills, it’s impossible to get the same type of flavor you can from traditional coals. Best of all, a smaller charcoal grill will increase your overall cooking area without costing you a lot of money.

Your Own BBQ Sauce – if you want to add a special element to your barbecue meal that will really stand out from the rest, then why not make your own sauce? A lot of people don’t go to the effort because they think it’s a lot more work than it’s worth. But a basic sauce is quite easy to prepare and overtime you’ll begin to perfect your personal barbecue sauce recipe. This is the perfect way to put a personal signature on all of your food, and pretty soon your friends will be asking you for your secret.

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With a multi tool, and the right features, we could have signaled for help, or cut down branches to help us get out.  But we didn’t have anything but our bare hands.

But before you start looking, you need to come up with your own comparison criteria.  After that, you may want to check out survival multi tools or for the less adventurous, a keychain multi tool.

After reading this, you’ll know a little more about multi tools and some of the features you can expect to find.

Comparison Criteria For Multi Tools

Not all multi tools are the same. Their function changes from situation to situation.  Its key because if  you don’t have the right tools when you need them, then its kind of useless to have the tool to begin with.

For instance, let’s say you are an angler on an camping trip. You catch a very nice Bass, but it’s not quite big enough to keep.  So you want to pull the hook out, but how are you going to do it with a LeatherMan Micra. Or with a Swiss Army knife?  A Gerber Crucial FAST would be much better suited to the task.  It has needle nose pliers.  One of the SOG EOD multi tools would be very nice with their corrosion resistant black oxide finish and the long needle nose pliers.

But sometimes you want something a little extra. Maybe a flashlight or other attachments.  Then you need to check out the HK Flashlight Combo pack. Its also coated with a black oxide finish for durability.

So now that you have a few examples, start mapping out what’s important to you in a multi tool.  What kinds of environments will you find yourself in with your tool?  Will it be a survival situation?  If so, then let’s talk about that for a moment.

Best Multi Tool For Survival

In a survival situation, having the best tool is essential.  You need to have as much packed into a small package as is humanly possible.  And you need performance .. On the spot with no disappointment.  For instance, if you are in rainy environments, then rust prevention is important.  Fishing is an important setting for a survival multi tool. One handed operation is important because one of your hands might be busy holding something important.  Stainless steel is another factor to consider, going back to the rust factor.

The SOG B66-N Power Assist Multi Tool is the answer. This has black oxide and it has industrial grade construction. They have a unique “compound leverage technology” which gives you twice the cutting and gripping power of other multi tools.

Another thing to think about with survival multi tools is how they will fit into your environment.. To help you survive longer.  With wood all around, having a saw in a compact package is important. Look you arent going to get a chain saw, but something is better than nothing.. right?  The SOG EOD PowerLock has a saw.  This MultiTool is very durable, seeing as it is used with Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams. That’s where the EOD comes from.

But what if you never find yourself in a survival situation. What if you are always in an urban setting?  Or just running from the grocer to the gas station and home again.  What kind of multi tool would you need?  How about a “keychain” type.

KeyChain Multi Tools

These are important for backpacking and hiking situations. They are light and small.  But they also work very well in daily settings like in the car, at home and at work, when the unexpected comes and you need some assistance from a multi tool.

Since the introduction of the Micra, keychain multi tools are on the rise. Almost everyone has these.

But the Micra isn’t where it stops.  The KutMaster MiniMaster is a great contender with 16 functions.  It also has a locking L which locks each blade in place.

When it comes down to it, there isn’t a single multi tool that does it all.  But if you do your research and check out some of the ones I’ve shared here, you’ll find the multi tool that can be your best friend when the unexpected comes.

If you want to know more about camping gear and survival kits then check out JoesCampFire.

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First Aid Kit

This is a very important item. You will never know when you will be involved in minor accidents during a camping trip. You must be ready for this kind of situation with a first aid kit. In your first aid kit, you need to have the basic medical items for all sorts of wounds. To prevent the mosquitoes from feasting your body, you should have a mosquito repellant. For the minor scratches and wounds, you need to have Povidone Iodine bottles. These items and more basic items are needed in your first aid kit.

Protect Yourself

When going on camping trips, the weather will be an obstacle to you. You cannot predict the weather so bringing safety gear that can protect you from different types of weather is necessary. When in broad daylight, things like sunglasses and caps are essential. For rainy weather, you must have a jacket or a raincoat. You need to be prepared for different types of weather to protect yourself.

Camping Gear

Camping gear like camping chairs are also needed when going on a camping trip. When you feel tired, you can find a spot to rest. You can use, for example, folding camping chairs to have a comfortable rest. Folding camping chairs are the most preferred camping chairs by most people because they are lightweight and durable. You can also bring other camping gear so that your outdoor experience will be a blast.

Camping will require you to bring many things so that your camping experience is not ruined. There are many must have items when going camping and the ones stated here are the basic items that you must have. Be sure to check your items before going out. Make your next camping experience wonderful with good camping tools and gears.

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I usually discover something that needs improvement within the first few days.  Whether it’s a leaky air mattress, or camp lantern gone awry, we always have a few issues.

How To Keep Your Camp Lit At Night With LED Lanterns

This year we replaced our bell-weather Coleman white gas stove with a Coleman LED lantern.  I was quite skeptical to say the least about using battery LED lights.  After using it daily for 3 weeks, my skepticism has departed as I never had to change batteries.  It has two power modes (high & low) and runs on the huge “D” size batteries that will set you back about $25 to fill the lantern.  It will run over 60 hours on low power and 32 hours on high power.

But who is arguing when you don’t have to light the thing every evening and get burned in the process.  I never had a mantle disintegrate either when I bumped the lantern.  The Coleman LED lantern is approximately the same size as the white gas lantern.  The downside to this thing is that it’s made of plastic.  I don’t think it would even set off any Homeland Security check points at an airport.  It’s probably going to last about 5 years before it breaks.  Even with that being said, I will stick with it for the convenience.

4 Family Camping Cooking Items That Will Make Cooking Meals A Breeze

• Round Caste Iron Griddle
  My wife found this amazing cast-iron griddle that we used for making outrageous dinner omelets and pan grilled T-bone steaks. This griddle is flat with a small lip that keeps the food from falling off the edges. We used it just about every day for grilling onions, vegetables, making pancakes, and re-heating our food. We could store it just about anywhere in our vehicle because of its low profile.

• 10 Quart Pressure Cooker
  Many people do not know that when you cook at higher elevations, water boils at a lower temperature. Because of this phenomenon, food must be cooked longer unless you use a pressure cooker. The pressure cooker is our secret weapon for making tasty soups and bean dishes superfast. When not in use, we store our loose plates, bowls, flatware, and travel coffee mugs.

• 2 Burner Coleman Dual Fuel Stove
  I have been using Coleman products all my life and they have never failed me. While I’m very fond of the retro-green white-gas model, I prefer using the dual fuel model because I can safely use readily available unleaded gasoline. I have never owned a propane camp stove because I do not like lugging around disposable propane canisters that are not environmentally friendly. However, I must say that I’m often jealous of how quick a propane stove is up and running. With that said, we used our two burner Coleman stove for three straight weeks and burned less than 2 gallons of unleaded fuel. I would never trade it for a propane stove because I like the efficiency and availability of unleaded fuel.

• Stack-able Round Wash Basins
  Because our family enjoys cooking and eating so much while traveling, we had to come up with a system for washing dishes fast and efficiently. We found that using three separate wash basins for cleaning our dirty camping dishes works amazingly well. We use one basin for rinsing the dishes, the second basin for washing with soapy water, and the third basin for the final rinse. They also come in very handy for washing fruits and transporting items into our car. We have also used them for sponge baths and washing our clothing.

We never stop learning how to improve our camping experience to make it more enjoyable for the next trip. While we like new and improved gadgets, we do not like to over pack with things that we do not need.

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There are basically two styles of trekking shoes to choose from.  Both are designed to cater more specifically to the type of trail-use you engage in.  If you are a backpacker, the heavier duty hiking or backpacking boot is preferred.  It is usually beefier in its construction, higher cut, and made from genuine leather.  If day hiking is your forte, the lighter-weight trekking shoes are the best choice.  These day-hikers are usually much more breathable, have a lower ankle cut, and are a lot more flexible, requiring less to ‘break them in’.  You’ll find knobby soles, or lugs, on both styles, making both varieties of trekking shoes more stable and grippy on uneven, rocky, and tree-laden trails.  Quite a few hiking boots now feature a breathable inner liner made of Gore-Tex or some other breathable fiber.  This feature alone is well worth the investment as it helps keep your feet dry and cool, wicking away perspiration.  This liner can also act as a waterproofing agent making trekking shoes ideal for limited water use found on the trail.  I personally buy trekking shoes with Gore-Tex as it helps eliminate the chance of blisters.

Hiking and backpacking has become so popular that a lot of trekking shoes and boots are now pouring into the marketplace.  This has resulted in a lot of manufacturers making more then is in demand.  If you’re new to hiking and backpacking I recommend going to the big box retailers like Dick’s, Cabelas, or Bass Pro, or even your local sporting goods store to actually try on the shoes for size and comfort.  However, if hiking is old-hat and you have proven a specific brand and style, I would encourage you to check online for the best deal.  Overstock, clearance, and outlet stores are popping up all over the Internet, offering great prices and free shipping.  If you do opt to buy online, you should be confident the boot is fitting true to size.  The manufacturer as well as consumer reviews found online can help you assess whether the trekking shoe is fitting properly.  This is very important as an ill-fitted shoe can result in a lot of discomfort on the trail.  I’ve owned lightweight hikers and backpacking boots as I spend a lot of time doing both activities.  Some of the better lightweight day hiking brands include The North Face, Merrell, Timberland, and Columbia.  The more heavy-duty boots for backpacking include Vasque and Lowa.

It is a great time to be an outdoorsman.  Technology, especially in shoe design and engineering, has increased comfort and functionality.  Investing in the best trekking shoes will help you enjoy the trail more and while protecting you against injury and blisters.

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What The Discount Stores Will Never Tell You About Family Camping Tents

Major discounters like Walmart sell tons of camping and outdoor equipment for family camping trips and some of it is actually good quality.  If you can get a Coleman or a Eureka tent from them, you are in good hands.  However, most of the time, all you will find are tents selling for under $50 that are the size of a Quonset hut.  The seams are rarely sealed.  The tents will fall down if a butterfly lands on it, and they are water proof only if it does not rain.  Does this sound familiar?  The other thing that I have noticed about inexpensive tents is that they are very hard to put up.  The tent poles usually not connected together with with elastic.  The tent stakes break easily.  We purchased a huge tent that had an odd shape that was not symmetrical.  It took about an hour to put up and tore during the process.  Thankfully the discounter gave us a full refund.

Before you hop into your car and drive to the nearest Bargain Mart, hear me out for 5 minutes as you read through this family camping tent primer.  Big box stores sell cheap tents.  They do not sell high quality tents for cheap.

6 Critical Things About A Tent That You Should Ask Yourself Before Making A Purchase

1. How much does the tent weigh?
2. Will the tent be comfortable to sleep in through out the night?
3. Is the construction of the tent stable enough to handle a summer storm?
4. Will the tent really fit your entire family?
5. How long do you expect the tent to last?
6. How To Buy A Tent That Is Guaranteed For Life

Both REI and L.L. Bean have the best warranty on the planet when it comes to camping gear.  If you are ever not satisfied with your family camping tent, simply return your purchase.  They will ask you what you did not like about your camping equipment.  Whether you purchase camp stoves, double sleeping  bags, battery LED flashlights, etc., you can return your products.

Both companies offer excellent choices on light weight sleeping bags, flashlights, air mattress, and camping stoves.

Never Purchase A Tent That Does Not Contain The Following Items:

A rain fly to keep you dry.  If you have a water proof tent without a rain fly, that is not good enough because a good quality tent needs to breath.  A rain fly is 100% water proof and provides a barrier that does not directly touch the tent to keep you dry and allow body moisture and condensation to escape.

Tent stakes to secure the tent.  If you get a tent that does not have stakes, you may have a free “blowing” tent that will be swept away by  the wind when you are not on the inside.

Take your time and read online reviews.  Buy the tent that will work for you, not the reviewers.  Make sure that the warranty is good.  Don’t ever settle for a “cheap” tent.

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Tent

The tent is then most basic item for any camping trip – and the most important. When shopping for a tent for a family group you would do well to look for one bigger than you think you need – when you are all stuck inside during a rainy afternoon you will be very glad you invested in that 8 man tent instead of sticking to a smaller one.

Equipment

When packing for a family it is a good idea to make a comprehensive list well in advance and use it to organise yourself when you’re getting everything together. If you travel often you can accumulate an ‘essential gear’ box in which you keep all the fiddly items you might otherwise forget – this will build with experience as you learn which items you can’t do without and are most likely to forget!

Food

Take food that will store well – dried foods, canned food (don’t forget a can opener!) and plan to buy fresh food when you need it. The best easy camping food ideas are one-pot meals that are easy to prepare and cook quickly over a small camping stove, though with a good camping stove you can make many of the meals you have at home.

As with any vacation – plan, list and check, check and check again and you’ll have a lovely stress free break with your family. And don’t forget some books and card games as a back-up plan if the weather turns bad.

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