Go Camping – Life’s An Adventure

After your adventure-filled, great outdoor vacation is over, making sure your camper is neat, clean and sealed up tight is all part of the job. One thing some people may experience, even after completing these tasks, is the fact that when they are ready to take their camper out for another trip, they realize there may be traces of mice, squirrels, bugs and other pests. When you have this problem, it usually means you have to remove all non-perishable foods, such as, sugar, pancake and other mixes, crackers, etc. Having to do this is just an extra cleaning step than can be avoided if you take the proper steps to keeping these pests away.

According to Nature First for Rat Control, all rodents, and other pests, depending on where you are located, may have different reactions to certain remedies. Therefore, we have listed below several different options you may want to try, until you find the one that works for you.

The first thing you may want to try would be a well known remedy that is already used in attics and basements and such. Moths balls have been known for ages now to keep vermin away. A good way to put the moth balls in use would be to put them in some tupperware with small holes poked in the top of it. This will prevent the balls from rolling around and possibly getting lost in your camper. Spread a few of these throughout your camper. When the time comes to put your camper to use, you can quickly air out the smell of the moth balls by removing the tupperware with the balls in it and open the windows for a couple of hours.

A couple of other options you may want to consider, would be soaking some cotton balls in peppermint oil and dispersing them through out your camper or Bounce dryer sheets. Both of these options have been known to do the trick as well, with the added bonus of a fresh smelling camper.

Also, if none of these do not seem to do the trick, you may want to try using ammonia or even sprinkling baking powder throughout your camper and vacuuming it up when your ready to use it again.

There are so many remedies out there to choose from. Knowing which one will work best for you may take a little trial and error, but it will pay off in the end with your vermin-free camper.

Not all campers are all about grilling meat on the fire. For those of you who prefer vegetarian meals only, here a few listed below to tickle the tummy.

Whitewater Camping Chili

Ingredients:

One can of veggie broth

One can of white beans(cannellini or northern)

Diced add-ins of your choice

Basil

Shredded white cheese

Preparation:

Put a twist on the classic campfire dish with a new color and some no-meat ingredients. Get your camping crock on the camping stove or campfire. Add vegetable broth (a.k.a. water), and white beans(river rocks).

Throw in diced add-ins, such as tofu and celery (pretend logs or tree stumps), and season with basil (dirt or leaves). Simmer for an hour or two (the longer, the better). Serve in camping bowl, and garnish with crumbled or shredded white cheese. For a big family, double everything.

Veggie BBQ Skewers

Ingredients:

Tofu

Veggies of your choice

Skewers

Preparation:

Chop tofu into medium sized cubes, marinate over night. Chop veggies medium/large pieces. Stick veggies & tofu on skewer. BBQ for a few minutes.

Tips:

You can leave off the tofu if you don’t have an eski or cooler. Veggie ideas are: capsicum, squash, mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, cherry tomatoes and red onions. Serve with salad or leb bread.

Taco Pizza

Ingredients:

Shredded lettuce
1 package shredded cheese
1 container salsa
1 package tortillas

Preparation:

Lay the tortillas out, then spread salsa on the tortilla. Then, put the cheese on the salsa and add the shredded lettuce. Next, put the pizza on the grill for about 5 minutes.

Tips:

Some other add-ins can be tomatoes or onions. Add them before grilling as well.

Haystacks

Ingredients:

1 bag organic corn chips
1-2 can(s) pinto beans, plain or seasoned
1 jar salsa
1 can olives, sliced
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped bite-size
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 package prepared quacamole or ripe avocado
2 cups cooked long grain brown rice
catalina or vegan ranch dressing

Preparation:

Before heading out to camp wash and chop lettuce, tomatoes, and onions and place in separate containers or zipper bags. Place all the ingredients in a bag so that everything is there and ready to go. You can cook the rice ahead of time also, or at the campsite, and then slice the olives and avocado if you are using fresh. When you’re ready for supper, just layer in this order: chips, lettuce, rice, beans, tomato, onions, olives, avocado or guacamole, salsa and dressing. Enjoy!

Bugs Bunny Bagels

Ingredients:

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 small carrot, shredded

1 Tbl sunflower seeds, shelled

1 Tbl raisins or dried currants

1 Tbl honey

2 wheat bagels, split

Preparation:

Combine all the ingredients except the bagels. Spread the mixture on two bagel halves and top with the remaining bagel halves.
Optional: Toast bagles prior to spreading on the mixture.

Black Bean Burritos for Backpacking

Ingredients:

Tortillas

Package of dried black beans

Packets of taco sauce

cheddar cheese, diced peppers (if in first 2 days on trail)

(for dinner for 2, use 1/2 package beans and 6-8 tortillas)

Preparation:

Boil water for beans. Add beans, stirring well, and turn off burner. Cover and let sit 5 minutes. Warm tortillas, if desired (makes folding easier). Make burritos and enjoy.

Tips:

Do not cook the beans – just let them sit, or else you will have a very messy pan. Use an extra tortilla to wipe leftover beans from pan. You could also make the beans, then make quesadillas if you have a big enough fry pan.