Comments on Like Merchant Ships: Planning food

I am sure you have already left and I am too late,...

2008-03-21T20:48:15.296-05:00

I am sure you have already left and I am too late, but I wanted to share anyway (maybe you will see it??).

I read on a very frugal blog sometime back that they never use valuable space in their car on a crockpot. Instead, they check out the thrift store while there and usually get one for under $5. They use it for the whole week/month they are on vacation and then donate it back when they leave. We plan on doing that (where can you fit a crockpot into a mini-van I ask you?! LOL!) when we goto our family reunion.

you are missed Meredith Enjoy yourself and have...

2008-03-18T10:25:39.788-05:00

you are missed Meredith Enjoy yourself and have a safe trip home.

What do you think of this?On one of my frugal boar...

2008-03-18T09:26:22.980-05:00

What do you think of this?

On one of my frugal boards, I read of a woman who loaded up the crockpot in the morning, and then plugged it into an inverter IN THE CAR. When they stopped for supper, supper was ready.

Well, my Dear Hubby fixed me a setup like that for our Grand Canyon trip. When we arrived at our Grand Canyon hotel, we weren't allowed to USE the crockpot in the room, but we did have the hot meal that cooked in the car our first night there.

I have seen amazing meals that people bring/prepare at national parks. There's a lot you can do for heathy and frugal meals on the road. In fact, the Dollar Stretcher agreed with me when I sent them this article; they put it in their newsletter:

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11h.cfm

(My Story: Vacation Meals)

Jora

I love the crockpot idea-just returned from a 3 da...

2008-03-18T07:31:20.987-05:00

I love the crockpot idea-just returned from a 3 day annual vacation with mom & sisters. Personally, we have found that the trip has become much more of a vacation since we've stopped eating all our meals in restaurants-too much work when you have small children!! We pre-make meals that can be cooked later, toss them in our coolers and just cook right before it's time to eat.

Taleyna

Roxie I would love it if you would share some reci...

2008-03-17T21:57:46.567-05:00

Roxie I would love it if you would share some recipes with me! (my email is on my blog) My husband is diabetic and we do a ton of camping. The crockpot would be too much of a drain on the trailer batteries, so everything is skillet, bbq, or the occasional oven and microwave (and over the fire when there is not a burn ban on.

We need to remember what Thumper's mom said "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!" That would come in mighty handy in the comments these days.

Have a fun vacation! i have never been to either ...

2008-03-17T12:25:31.567-05:00

Have a fun vacation! i have never been to either place shopping as I have never been on a working military base and live in the west!

Oh, I just read your comment on the CP. Yay for p...

2008-03-17T09:42:01.356-05:00

Oh, I just read your comment on the CP. Yay for planning ahead, being organized, having fun and cooking for your BRO! Go Girl!!!

Can't wait to hear what you're doing w/your crockp...

2008-03-17T09:31:17.915-05:00

Can't wait to hear what you're doing w/your crockpot!

I agree with Martie. Anonymous people at least nee...

2008-03-16T20:02:45.814-05:00

I agree with Martie. Anonymous people at least need to sign their name.
Susan

If you can afford it, Publix is the way to go. The...

2008-03-16T10:09:32.837-05:00

If you can afford it, Publix is the way to go. The convenience is worth the cost.

I am thinking that if you ordered a $30.00 deliver...

2008-03-16T00:10:32.876-05:00

I am thinking that if you ordered a $30.00 delivery pizza and dinner the odor would be there - people do this all the time! I am not seeing why a crock pot would be much different. Some of you are being a bit too picky about all of this. I continue to say - it is a great idea!! Continue on Merideth - You'll be thankful for the extra things you were able to do with your family with the money you saved being WISE with your family meal planning.

(By the way, I am not too scared to post my name either with my opinion - I am noticing a lot of people share their opinions under the cloak of anonymous :)

~Martie

I have thought of that and wouldn't do it if the s...

2008-03-16T00:01:08.905-05:00

I have thought of that and wouldn't do it if the smell would bother anyone:) The place has little cottages quite distant from each other.

I would not be happy if I were staying at a fancy ...

2008-03-15T21:12:02.079-05:00

I would not be happy if I were staying at a fancy resort and cooking odors were coming from next door! I realize there are many people who would not be able to take a vacation if they did not prepare some meals in their room. However, I would hope that if they actually fired up a crockpot, etc. that they would be in a separate cottage or condo or something where other paying guests could not smell cooking odors. Otherwise, I think they should stick with making sandwiches, etc. I am all for frugality but I am also all for consideration.

I told my husband (before you posted this) that I ...

2008-03-15T18:42:36.843-05:00

I told my husband (before you posted this) that I want to take a crockpot, toaster and espresso machine to the fancy resort we stay in in Hawaii. Or better yet buy them in a thrift store.

You're my kind of girl, Meredith!

I am so happy that you and your family are able to...

2008-03-15T18:17:53.689-05:00

I am so happy that you and your family are able to be with your brother. How I miss family and wish I could be with mine. Enjoy your time.

I think it is so neat that you are going with plan...

2008-03-15T17:15:30.675-05:00

I think it is so neat that you are going with plans to be a blessing to your brother while you are there. (I believe that is how Christians are supposed to think - "how can we be a blessing to those we are around."

I had never thought of a crock pot for meals when we are gone; but this is an excellent idea! (We are getting ready to go on the road into evangelism - and I am thinking this will help me out a lot. Thanks for the great tips. I hope you have a wonderful time with your'e family on your vacation.

Blessings,
~Martie

We're so frugally nerdy that we made "Value Villag...

2008-03-15T10:11:08.674-05:00

We're so frugally nerdy that we made "Value Village" one of our scheduled tourist stops on our last vacation. We picked up, what else, an electric skillet and toaster for a song. Those babies will go with us on our next vacation.

I love the idea of taking a crock pot. I buy almos...

2008-03-15T09:28:43.424-05:00

I love the idea of taking a crock pot. I buy almost exclusively at the commersary- where ever we go.Meat is much less.
I have even gotten to the point that I buy and send things from the PX to our hotel- cheaper than paying for it on the plane!(Can you tell we fly more than we drive?)
Say hello to Alabama- my son is a helicopter pilot there!

I can't comment either way on the commissary vs Pu...

2008-03-15T01:48:01.046-05:00

I can't comment either way on the commissary vs Publix as I've never been to either! I do think the crockpot is a great idea - I love being able to pack it full of food in the morning and have dinner ready with no fuss.

Have a great trip and we want to hear all about it! :)

Have fun, Meredith! As far as the crockpot goes.....

2008-03-14T23:15:06.657-05:00

Have fun, Meredith! As far as the crockpot goes...one time I was watching the "Nigella Bites" show on the food channel network. She and her children were on "holiday", and the whole show was devoted to the type of cooking she did while on vacation! So I think your crockpot thing is well within resonable bounds!
We have a family of seven, and I already told the kids that if we go on a vacation this summer, we are going to HAVE to cook at least some of the meals. Eating out a decent meal of any kind is just such a huge expense. And with what you'll be spending on gas just to get there, I think you'll be thrilled to save some money on food!
Wishing you a wonderful time. And, please, post some pictures of the beach so that those of us who are still stuck in cold weather, can dream a little bit about the warm weather to come!
Susan

I would definitely shop the commissary. They are a...

2008-03-14T21:14:39.193-05:00

I would definitely shop the commissary. They are almost always cheaper, except for the loss leaders in other stores. I am always shocked at the prices when I shop out in town.

Commissary. Hands down. Though I've found wonderfu...

2008-03-14T17:56:55.104-05:00

Commissary. Hands down. Though I've found wonderful deals at Publix (and other local stores) in large the best deals are at the commissary.

If you go to Publix, be sure to get a free cookie ...

2008-03-14T16:25:00.000-05:00

If you go to Publix, be sure to get a free cookie from the bakery for the kiddos- at least they do that at the Publix stores here in central FL. Hope your trip is just great!

Yes, just being funny. I'm just so programmed to...

2008-03-14T14:26:13.087-05:00

Yes, just being funny. I'm just so programmed to be frugal, I probably spend more on rinsing out those bags than I would on just tossing them.
Vicky

Meredith,I love your blog. It's always so inspirin...

2008-03-14T14:07:33.706-05:00

Meredith,
I love your blog. It's always so inspiring. We are going to Florida in May and I will be bringing my crock pot. Do you have any great recipes that would be good on hot days? I just don't think chili or soup sounds good on a hot, sunny day in Florida. What will you be making?
Laura