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You’ve found the perfect Airbnb and now it’s time to start vacation planning. Isn’t it true that part of the lure of staying at a vacation rental home is so you can have a kitchen with basic cooking essentials at your fingertips?
While it’s hard to find recipes with minimal spices, cooking oils and ingredients that you can reuse they’re all keys to successful vacation meal planning. If you’re traveling with a group these meals take in account different taste buds, picky eaters and range from sweet and delectable to chock full of vegetables and healthy.
Package up leftovers for grab and go meals and snacks throughout the week . Use our printable vacation meal planning guide to help get you organized before you go.
Combat fast food and airport food with veggies and hummus or dip, charcuterie board and your favorite drink. The first night is all about relaxing. With kids in tow easy to make Annie’s Organic Mac-n-Cheese is a hassle-free dependable option. Serve with the fruit or vegetable that you know they will eat. Think comfort foods and don’t get hung up if that means PB&J. After a long day of travel, you want your kids to sleep and this is not the time to introduce new foods after a day of traveling excitement.
Egg Strata and/or French Toast casserole. Prepare the night before or that morning. Making this early in your stay means that there will most likely be leftovers to serve throughout the week.
A tried and true crowd-pleaser, this easy Strata is best prepared the night before.
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hr
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Another breakfast favorite, especially for the kids, this easy French Toast Casserole Recipe only takes minutes to assemble. The pecans and drizzled topping puts it in a league of its own.
Prepare the night before or in the morning and bake right away.
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 35-45 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE TOPPING:
DIRECTIONS:
A variety of delicious sandwiches will fuel you and your active group during the week. Again making them ahead will free up time for you later, and help you to save money and calories when you opt for one of these over sweets or take out for a late-night snack.
Light but flavorful, we’ve never met one we haven’t liked.
PREP TIME:5- 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
CHEAT TIP:
DIRECTIONS:
*Optional: Spread with Avocado slices just before serving
A take on the classic Italian hoagie, with fresh ingredients and a little bit of red pepper zest.
Wrap these tight in seran wrap after assembly to lock in the flavor.
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare in the morning and then leave in the crock pot while you explore fun activities during the day.
Expect leftovers of this delightfully simple yet delicious pork to carry over for lunch the next day.
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 6-8 hours on high, 4 on low
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Leftovers from the day before. Fruit, Bagel and Cereal option. Dry cereal is always easy to bag up for snacks throughout the day to fuel your adventures.
Combine leftover Pork from the night before with BBQ sauce. Serve on a bun with Chips and Fruit.
Out for John’s Birthday
Out at the local Cafe.
Grab and go pre-made Chicken Salad and Italian Hoagie Sandwiches.
Always a crowd-pleaser, these Chipotle-like Burrito Bowls only take 35 minutes to make and everyone can build their own.
Anticipate happy bellies all around the dinner table. Serves 10. Reduce the amount of meat for smaller crowds.
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Serving: Everyone gets a bowl and can go down the line and assemble their own, in true Chipotle-style.
Combine remaining Eggs with Milk, Salt and Pepper. Whisk together and slowly cook scrambled Eggs over medium-low heat. Throw in any leftover Lunch or cooked Meat, Veggies and Cheese for a hearty Scrambler.
At the Festival
Pasta with Marinara, a White Sauce option and Meatballs.
For a diverse crowd, you can appeal to vegetarians, Italian lovers and those who can’t do the red sauce. Again this is along the lines of build your own so anyone who’s not happy can literally go sit in a snowbank.
Start with the meatballs and while they are baking make the Pasta and Sauces.
MEATBALLS – Makes 25 to 30
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 25 minutes, turning once halfway through
INGREDIENTS: These are best and most tender if made with a meat mix that includes ground Veal. If that’s against your constitution or hard to find, make your own breadcrumbs or add Ricotta cheese to retain flavor and tenderness in each bite.
DIRECTIONS:
PASTA: Cook 2 lbs Pasta of your choice in a large pot on the back burner while you prepare the sauces.
MARINARA SAUCE – Makes 10 cups
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
WHITE SAUCE – Serves 6
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Pastries & donuts from the local bakery.
Meatball Bombers
Using remaining Meatballs from the night before, these are easy to prepare on the fly and throw in the oven.
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 15-20 minutes, until meat is heated through and cheese melts
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Healthy option. If you’re like us, by day six you’re tired of eating out and crave some fresh food and vegetables to get you through vacation bloat.
Healthy and flavorful, these easily prepared bowls combine robust flavor with your choice of vegetables. Serves 6
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 35-45 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Leftovers all day long. If this means your five-year-old is eating Pasta for breakfast, let him. You have enough to do with packing and making the checkout time. Conserve on travel snacks by bagging up leftovers and taking them on your journey home.
Spend your well-earned vacation with loved ones rather than at the grocery store. We will shope and stock your vacation rental home prior to your arrival.
Travel Thoughtfully! Order groceries ahead.
Vacation meal planning is not always easy but it’s a lot less stressful if you plan in advance. Lucky for today’s travelers, the option of staying at a vacation rental home over a hotel, gives you the option of dining in, catering to different taste buds and diets and overall relaxing in a true family or group fashion. Eat in to truly enjoy the ambiance of your ‘home away from home’.
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Running out of ideas of what to cook during coronavirus isolation? With one-third of the world under a mandated quarantine, you're not alone. These healthy recipes include minimal fresh ingredients. Easily prepare healthy one-pot dishes designed to feed your family...
If you are reading this, you’re probably undergoing self-quarantine as well. Welcome! It may not be ideal, but I am on day 5 and have relied heavily on making the most of it. I am usually pretty good at doing nothing and staying inside, one of my many talents, but...
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One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to go into a new city and walk around alone. I usually pick a hotel or an Airbnb close to museums or other tourist zones. That way, I can walk to where I want and be safe. Having never lived in a metropolitan city, I soak in the feeling of anonymity and picture myself as a member of the bohemian community living there.
A few summers ago in New York City, I had to climb the steps of a brownstone to make way for a huge group of people passing on the sidewalk. It was dusk in August and the heat and sun shimmering reflections had begun to die down. I felt awkward at first. What if the owner came out? As I began to peer down the road in front of me, I couldn’t help but notice, there was one three to four-story uniquely architected building after another. Yet somehow they all belonged together in harmony. That’s how NY has always felt for me. I breathed in and imagined I was the owner out on my porch on a lovely night.
In the era of COVID, at least in 2020, those memories of densely populated cities are all that remain. Most people I know opted for driveable remote vacations this year. They rented homes to socially distance in. That’s if they went on vacation at all. Will we rethink the concept of going back to those busy places?
It seems that for many Airbnbs and VRBOs of the world, that would be OK.
According to Tom Canton of AirDNA “In truth, vacation rentals are simply becoming the preferred lodging type in an ongoing era of social distancing, The amenities, the ability to cook, the ability to rent entire-home listings, the supply in remote locations, the availability of larger, 2+ bedroom properties that accommodate entire families — all this points towards vacation rentals rebounding, even given the current state of the world.”
.Let’s face it unless you are in the hotel business, that might not be a bad thing.
I’ve certainly regained an alignment with nature. We took one trip to the scenic southern Rockies and a few day trips to rivers and lakes in Wisconsin. There’s a sense of stoic calmness when you get off the grid. Many of us overworked, overstressed, always playing catch-up with time, family and kids had a moment to breathe. Don’t get me wrong, there’s an awful pandemic going on right now. Though I ask, why would you go through life without (sometimes) trying to find the silver lining?
That brings me to the ultimate joy we’ve found over the years in single-family accommodations. Relatives and friends, I love you but sometimes a family just needs a space to chill out in on their own. I don’t miss the buzzing lobbies or pools of screaming kids. Nope! It’s freeing to walk through the door of my very own short term vacation rental. I can eat when I want, breakfast in my underwear, if I so desire and at night, my husband, children and I can have the hot tub all to ourselves.
Now, this makes me sound very antisocial, I realize. I assure you I am not. It’s the excursions and the big meals that I want to host and share with you. Truth be told, most of the time, I volunteer to do the cooking. For me, sharing food and creating memories with friends and family are what vacations are made of.
Have you found any silver linings in family travel this year?
I guess you can say that I was born with it. At just four months old, my parents took me to a beachfront vacation rental and my wanderlust gene kicked in. As I ventured out onto my own, that wanderlust expanded to destinations around the globe. Wherever I went, I knew that no matter what, the place I was staying at had to feel like home.
Hotels are fine for business travel, but for my personal travel, I’ve always preferred a home away from home. To me, that’s always meant a place where I could celebrate the trip with my entourage of friends or family and make our own dining memories. And because I am passionate about creating that comfortable familiar experience, cooking and vacation meal planning is something that has always enhanced the travel bond experiences with my companions. Dining out and experiencing the local cuisine is an adventure, but what really excites me is arranged dinner plans ”at home.” Homemade food and sharing experiences are what the best vacation memories are made of.
Let’s be real, all good parties end up in the kitchen.
To thoroughly enjoy every moment of your trip, thinking about meal planning in advance will help limit grocery shopping excursions so you can enjoy your much-needed vacation!
The following tips will take some of the stress off you and make vacation meal planning easier.
Ensuring your love of Travel and Food should be a shared experience for all. It’s taken me some time to realize that preparing vacation meals can also be a shared cooking experience with your travel companions. Bon Appetit, happy travels and making new memories.
There was a time not too long ago when travel was about adventure and not knowing exactly what was around the corner added to the excitement. Since the spread of COVID-19, times have drastically changed. Now, if we plan to travel, we want to know exactly what we can expect, more than ever before. You may be asking,
Should I Cancel My Summer Travel Plans Due To Coronavirus?
The CDC updates travel guidelines every Monday at noon.
While some states are beginning to ease stay at home restrictions as early as May 1, others are under extended orders and are asking for visitors to suspend travel plans for the foreseeable future. In areas where restrictions are being lifted, you could expect to be able to travel by mid to the end of May. But just because you can travel, should you?
The CDC cautions to not travel if you have the following conditions:
They also caution to always check the state or local health department of the destination you wish to travel to for local policies and recommendations.
We’ve been hearing a lot about the importance of handwashing and social distancing since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Just because there is talk about opening up the economy, it doesn’t mean we can ease up on these practices. If you do plan to travel, take all the necessary precautions to protect you and your family.
If you are traveling by air, wear a mask. Practice hand washing often and run through a routine with your family before-hand of what that will look like. Will you wear gloves through security? That’s great but understand that the improper use of gloves may contribute to the spread
Have plenty of hand sanitizer and wipes on hand. TSA has modified its size restrictions for hand sanitizer during this time. Avoid touching surfaces and then using your cell phone. Wipe down credit cards after each time you use them. Always, when in public, avoid touching your face.
Be kind to the airline workers. Respect social distancing and remember that they too are on the front-lines.
Driveable vacations may become the norm during these times. When stopping for gas, to eat or even stretch, remain socially distanced from those you come into contact with. Wear a disposable glove or cloth when pumping gas. Always wash hands or use sanitizer after touching any kind of keypad or kiosk. Remember to wipe down hard surfaces that are often touched after each stop. These include:
Occasionally open up the windows or a sun-roof for fresh air. If possible, pack a picnic rather than stopping for food at a commercial space.
Remember that when you travel you are a guest of a community where residents live year-round. Any time someone from the ‘outside’ comes in, this local population becomes at greater risk of exposure. As a guest, it’s your ultimate responsibility to respect and follow the wishes of the location. Mary Calhoun, Mayor of the tourist town of Red River, New Mexico had this to stay to future travelers to her community.
Hotels and Vacation Rental Home Management companies are stepping up their game when it comes to enhanced sanitation. Chad Mantz at Red River Real Estate has assured his guests that they are ‘leveraging expanded cleaning measures, including sanitizing high-touch surfaces and introducing bleach-based and hospital-grade cleaning solutions’ and this is being echoed industry-wide.
Vacation rental homes especially offer extra protection with private entryways, outdoor spaces and no need to interact with other guests. You can further plan ahead and protect yourself by:
In short, no matter what you choose to do, we all need to be as socially and hygienically responsible as we can during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Running out of ideas of what to cook during coronavirus isolation? With one-third of the world under a mandated quarantine, you’re not alone. These healthy recipes include minimal fresh ingredients. Easily prepare healthy one-pot dishes designed to feed your family for more than one meal at a time.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
*Vegetarian or non-vegetarian option
Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook the rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, dice the onion, peppers and jalapeno or chiles. Heat a large skillet to medium and add the olive oil. Saute the onion and pepper mix for about 4 minutes until they begin to turn translucent. Add the chicken breasts* (skip if vegetarian) lime juice* and spice mix. Cook the chicken thoroughly and remove from the pan. Add the beans, rice, tomatoes, corn and cheese to the pan. Shred the chicken and return to the mixture in the pan. Transfer the ingredients into a greased casserole or baking dish. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese begins to bubble. It can be finished under the broiler if needed to get the bubbly cheese effect.
Add toppings of your choice such as cilantro, avocado and sour cream.
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We can get creative with this one as the only ingredients required are the tortellini and pesto. Other than that, what’s lurking in your fridge that can be added?
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
*Double to stretch out for several meals or for a large family
Add tortellini and enough water to cover them to a saucepan. Cook on high heat. Let the pan come to a rolling boil until the pasta is cooked. Drain. PRO TIP: the tortellini will float to the top when they are done. Rinse and add to a large bowl. Add pesto to taste and stir.
Now for the fun part. Here are some things we’ve tried.
Suggested add-ons:
Just like Grandma used to make, this soothing chicken soup is perfect for a time like this. They don’t call it ‘chicken soup for the soul’ without reason.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Ingredients:
Thoroughly wash the inside and outside of the chicken. Cover it in salt & pepper. Fill a large pot with water and place the chicken in the pot. Dice the celery, onion and carrots and add them to the pot. Add seasoning, bay leaves and bullion cubes. Heat on high until boiling. Reduce heat and let simmer for 2-3 hours. Remove the chicken and let cool enough so you can shred it. Re-add shredded chicken and egg noodles. Turn heat to high and boil again until the noodles are cooked through. Serve with crusty bread and parmesan cheese.
I don’t know about you but we’ve seen a shortage of white meat at stores as of late. Don’t let that turn you off from chicken. There is a lot you can do with the flavor of chicken thighs.
And just to be clear. You have two options here.
1. Buy premade mango sauce
2. Make your own
We won’t judge. We promise!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
Rinse the chicken thighs and pat down with a paper towel. Place them to the side. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend well. Put the thighs and marinade in an air-tight container or plastic bag. Let the items marinade in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
When you are ready to cook, fire up the barbie! Enjoy fresh air in a socially distanced well-ventilated space.
Grill the chicken until a bit crispy on the outside and a safe internal temperature of over 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy!
*Optional: Serve with Cilantro and we suggest it on top of your favorite rice.
Pro Tip: Double the recipe for multiple meals. They are delicious the next day cold.
Stay home and Stay Safe! Get your groceries delivered when you can.
If you are reading this, you’re probably undergoing self-quarantine as well. Welcome! It may not be ideal, but I am on day 5 and have relied heavily on making the most of it. I am usually pretty good at doing nothing and staying inside, one of my many talents, but it’s different when you don’t have much of a choice. Staying inside and taking proper safety precautions are important during this time, but it doesn’t mean we can’t entertain ourselves while staying in. I’m going to dive head-first into this isolation situation for you all. We will explore this quarantine from all different directions. Whether you live alone,with your parents, with friends or roommates, we’ve got you covered.
Living alone does not mean complete isolation. Luckily COVID-19 can’t kill the internet (that we know of so far), so utilize this resource. Staying connected with family and friends is extra important during this time. One of the nice things about modern technology, is that it is a great tool to stay connected. Exhaust this, call your family and friends each day or set up facetime dates. But also be cautious about exploring social media, this is a stressful and uncertain time for everyone and some are reacting differently than others, and this can affect you. Make sure you stay informed and keep in touch with those important to you, but don’t get stuck in a twitter thread conspiracy theory that will keep you up with anxiety all night.
Now let’s talk coloring books. Adult coloring books and pages are the new wave. And I have to say, I don’t recall coloring ever being so satisfying.
If you are a gamer, now is the time to download new games and dive in. See how many campaigns you can finish by the end of your quarantine. It is time to make your home as comfortable as possible, bring out your favorite fuzzy blankets and make yourself comfy. If you are now working from home during this quarantine, make sure you separate your work space from your hangout space.
This is the time to break out all the face masks and beauty products you have, go straight to relaxation mode while keeping yourself healthy. It’s especially important to be taking your vitamins, and maybe some extra. Keep that water bottle close and always full, hydration is key.
Living with roommates or friends during self quarantine is almost as good as it gets (if you like them). You may not be able to go outside, but human exposure is important. Bring out all those old board games and cards, and maybe some alcohol, and take a trip down memory lane. Download some interactive games on your gaming station that everyone can join in on. Cooking a homemade dinner for the house is also a fun way to keep things moving. Take it to the next level and have everyone get ready and dress up for the meal. It’s always fun to get ready, even if you can’t leave the house. We all love a good theme night, so make a list and pick one for the night, create dinners and games that tailor to your theme.
Rely on each other to keep yourselves moving and entertained, turn that extra space you have into a work out or yoga area. Download some apps to help guide you and go at your own pace. If you live with roommates, make sure to take that extra step to clean after yourself and remember that you all are stuck inside. I know it can be overwhelming, it’s different to stay in for a weekend binging netflix when you are making the choice to do so. So make sure your quarantine environment is one you feel safe and relaxed in. Arts and crafts can be fun for people of all ages, let’s get real. I’m 24 and we have a painting night set up for tonight in the house, clear out some space and channel your inner DIY crafts mom.
If you have pets, make sure you are stocked up on their necessities. This is a weird time for them as well, so try to keep to their routine as much as possible. Keep your dogs entertained with a motivating scavenger hunt. Literally just hide treats around the house, my roommate’s dog loves it. Your cat will love self-quarantine, they were made for this.
Just make sure you are staying inside, even if you are feeling okay. This is a time of uncertainty and the best way to act is to stay safe and aware. By keeping yourself healthy, you’re helping keep others healthy. Check in on your loved ones, play a board game, try something new, and stay safe!