Clean Eating Road Trip Cooler Ideas

So, with Summer comes travelling and road trips, trips to the beach and to the park. We all know what that means...summer BBQ's, evenings of restaurant dining, and going off track of the meal plan. I try to stay diligent to my health and fitness goals, but I will admit, I do go off track from time to time. I'd say that I eat clean about 85% of the time.

So, my plan consists of packing up a cooler and taking what I can with us to stay on track. Plus, I prefer not to feed my toddler takeout night after night.

So, what would I pack in my cooler for the on the road times when many of us are more inclined to stop at a gas station on the highway??

1. Fresh berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)

2. Shakeology peanut butter balls

3. Low fat mozza cheese strings

4. Apples

5. Bananas

6. Raw almonds

7. Canned/packaged tuna

8. Homemade granola

9. Hummus

10. Bell peppers

11. Grapes

12. Almond milk

13. LOT'S of water

14.  Lentils (probably a lentil lime salad)

15. Some pre-made salads with spinach, feta, grape tomatoes, cucumber, peppers ( would pair it with the packaged tuna or have pre-grilled chicken ahead of time)

16. Natural peanut butter or almond butter for apple dipping

17. Shakeology

18. Overnight oats with fresh berries

19. Homemade Pumpkin Chocolate Granola Bars

20. greek yogurt

Would I pack ALL of this for one road trip? Probably not depending how long we're in the car. But it's just an idea of what I would take. Make sure to pair a lean protein source with a complex carb and be sure to eat every 2-3 hours to keep your metabolism revved! Happy Summer!!!

Chocolate Pumpkin Granola Bars

Umm, ok....these are absolutely delicious! Easy to satisfy your sweet tooth WITHOUT the guilt! Great paired with fruit!


Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup 85% dark chocolate
• 2/3 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8 by 8 baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Chop your dark chocolate into small pieces.
• In a large bowl, combine oats, spices and salt together.  Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth.  Pour over the oats and stir well, until all of the oats are moist.  Stir in the dark chocolate and almonds.
• Evenly press oat mixture into prepared pan.  Bake for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown.  The pumpkin keeps the bars moist, so make sure they are golden and set-you don't want them to be under baked.  Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• Using a sharp knife, cut into bars.  Remove from pan and let cool completely.
• Makes 10-12 granola bars. 

Overnight Oats

If you know me, you know that I LOVE oatmeal! This is THE BEST oatmeal recipe to date that I've found. And it's 100% clean! Enjoy!


Ingredients: 1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup almond milk
1/4 cup low fat greek yogurt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or enough to fill the jar.

In a 1/2 pint jar or 1 cup jar put in the oats, milk, greek yogurt, chia seeds, cinnamon and honey.  Put the lid on and shake that up!  Open up the jar and add in the applesauce to the top, cover and shake.  Refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.

I usually warm in the microwave and top with fresh berries, chopped apple or pomegranate arils.