Tag: road trips

  • 5 Easy recipes for this winter road trips

    5 Easy recipes for this winter road trips

    When the weather gets chilly, we all crave something warm, comforting, and satisfying. But what if you don’t want to turn on the oven? Whether you’re traveling, staying in a camper, or just avoiding extra heat in the kitchen, these no-bake winter recipes will keep you cozy and full.

    2 Easy Food Recipe for road trips

    Hit the road with flavor and simplicity! This mini recipe collection includes a warm potato omelette and a light chicken salad — both easy to make, travel-friendly, and perfect for cozy road trip meals.

    Potatoes omelette recipe

    You have probably eaten a lot of omelettes before – veggies, ham, cheese variations, but have you ever added potatoes to the list? This is a dish we love doing on the road, it takes a bit more time than the classic omelette but it’s such a delight to eat and keeps you full for on the road.

    Ingredients list:

    • eggs – I use for one portion 2 eggs
    • Condiments – salt, pepper, paprika, herbs
    • 2 medium potatoes or as many as you want if they pre-cleaned and pre-cut.
    • Butter/Oil for the pan
    • Optional: Milk for the eggs
    • Optional: Veggies, cheese, ham, bacon

    How to prepare:

    First prepare your potatoes. Clean, peel and cut them in smaller sized cubes, not too small to smush but small enough to cook evenly in the pan. Condiment your potatoes to your liking, I add salt some herbs (italian mix) and smoked paprika and put them in the heated pan with butter. Make sure they cook thoroughly before you add your eggs.

    If you use optional veggies and meat, you can add them a bit before your potatoes get fully cooked. I add the eggs to the mixture and then scramble them with the potatoes, but you can also beat your eggs separately in a bowl with a fork and then add them on top of the potatoes. Season your eggs to your liking and add your optional cheese as topping and let it melt. Remove pan from heat and serve with pickles, sauces and beverage of choice. You just made a full, delicious one pan meal.

    Beof Salad recipe

    There is not a single salad that will top this one for me. I’ve been eating it since childhood days and it still stands as my favorite of all times salad dish. It’s fresh, it’s packed with protein and so creamy and textured. Be aware it is more labor heavy than other salads because you will need to boil your chicken and veggies and afterwards assemble it with a home made mayo (or store-bought, favorite mayo brand).

    Ingredients list: This is for a big portion of salad, I recommend to almost half the ingredients if it’s your first time eating a salad like this.

    • 600 g chicken breasts
    • 200 g home made mayo or store-bought mayo
    • 8 potatoes
    • 2 bigger carrots
    • 1 parsley root – optional, we don’t always use it
    • 1 parsnip
    • 1 jar of pickled cucumbers – if you like the taste of pickles maybe go for 1 and half jars
    • Condiments: salt, pepper, Delikat or vegeta
    • Optional: Shredded cheese and boiled eggs for decoration on top

    How to prepare:

    Use a bigger pot or two smaller pots and boil your veggies and chicken. Boil your potatoes with the skin on but you should clean the carrots and root veggies. You don’t need to season the water since we will heavily season the salad after combing everything.

    Once your veggies and chicken are boiled and have cooled off for a bit, you can start cutting them in small cube shapes. I have never tried a chopper with boiled veggies, but if it works let me know!

    Once everything is cut, transfer in a big bowl and start seasoning with your preferred powders, but don’t season it to perfection just yet, wait after you’ve added the cut pickles in cubes and mayo to have another taste. If after adding the pickles and mayo is still missing some seasoning then you can go ahead and add it. You can serve it right away or store it in the fridge for later. We add shredded cheese on top for decoration. Bon appetite!

    3 No-Bake Dessert recipe!

    What’s better than delicious, easy desserts for when the days are shorter and colder and want that dab of festive fun while camping with no oven. I will share one of my favorite childhood deserts to prepare that will last for a few days. The best part – you can prepare fresh without an oven! If you need an alternative to coffee, you can check out this yerba mate who promotes sustainable energy

    Sweet Cheese Dumplings recipe with cinnamon and brown sugar sprinkled on top

    This is a staple dessert from my childhood, my mom used to make it in winter time because it’s warm, soft and so easy to do with minimal ingredients.

    Ingredients list:

    Dough:

    • 500 g white flour
    • 200 ml water, slightly warm but not hot
    • 3 spoons of oil
    • 1 teaspoon of salt
    • 1 medium sized egg

    Filling:

    • around 500g of sweet cheese or cottage cheese for extra texture
    • 1-2 eggs depending how thick the cheese is. I usually use 1 egg
    • 4 spoons of sugar of your choice – can add more if you using cottage cheese
    • some vanilla extract

    For serving:

    • Brown sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top
    • Can use cold soft cream cheese like Philadelphia

    How to prepare:

    Dough: Add the dry ingredients to a bigger bowl, make a dent in the middle and add the egg and oil. Mix the dough with your clean hands or a spatula. Once it starts crumbling start slowly adding the water bit by bit while stirring to incorporate it well. Knead the dough until everything is smoothly combined and put it aside.

    Filling: In the same bowl as your dough or a different one add your cheese, sugar and egg and mix. Add your vanilla extract and taste the filling if it needs extra sugar.

    Assemble: Divide the dough in two and roll one part not too thick. Use a cup to cut circles or a knife to cut squares depending how you want your dumplings to look. Add the filling into the middle and carefully stretch it closed and apply pressure on the edges to tie them together.

    Use the fork to press in the edges fully tight and create a cute pattern. Put your water to boil in a pot half way through. You will add the dumplings into boiling water and once they are fully cooked they will rise to the surface. Remove them from the water and drain as much as possible and while hot add the sugar and cinnamon on top. Eat them warm.

    Cocoa Biscuit Sausage/Salami recipe

    I can’t honestly imagine a Christmas dinner without a cocoa biscuit sausage. They are so so delicious and require no baking. They make the perfect snack for on the road since they don’t crumble or make a mess when eating and can last without being in the fridge.

    Ingredients list:

    • 500 g biscuits – we use butter biscuits
    • 200 ml milk
    • 150 g butter
    • 100 g raisins
    • 100 g white sugar
    • shredded coconut
    • 2 spoons cocoa
    • Turkish delight – we use it a lot, if you can’t find it you can skip adding it
    • rom extract

    How to prepare:

    In the pan on low heat add your milk and let it warm up and then add your butter cut in small cubes. Let the butter melt and incorporate with the milk. In the meanwhile, break your biscuits in small pieces with your hands in a big bowl. Once the milk and butter are done add the cocoa powder, rom extract and resins and mix it all well together. Pour the mixture over the biscuits and mix with a spoon or spatula since its hot. This is when you add the Turkish delight if you are using it and mix it in slowly.

    Roll a long strip of plastic wrap, around how long you want your cocoa biscuit sausage to be and sprinkle the shredded coconut on it. Add your mixture on top and roll the wrap horizontally to create a sausage shape. You can also use a sushiroll here. Leave the rolls in a cold spot for a few hours to harden up, ideally overnight. Cut it up in slices and enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.

    Raffaello style cake balls recipe

    Ingredients list:

    • 250 g shredded coconut – 190 for the cake and 50-70 for decoration
    • 150 g roasted almonds
    • 1 can of sweetened condensed milk of approx. 400g

    How to prepare:

    You will weight 190g of the shredded coconut and add the condensed milk on top and mix it well until well incorporated. You will grab small portions from the mixture and form balls using your hands. Grab one almond and push it into the middle of the ball using the pointy part of the almond and then roll it between your hands again to restore the round shape and for the almond to be fully covered. In another bowl add the rest of the shredded coconut and roll the ball into it, covering it fully. Repeat until you’ve used all your mixture. Can be enjoyed immediately.

    Share how it turned out with us! I can’t wait to read your thoughts!

    You don’t need an oven to enjoy delicious, heartwarming winter foods. These recipes are simple, travel-friendly, and made for cozy days, whether you’re at home, on the road, or in tent.

  • Best ways to Keep Your Back Health on Long Road Trips

    Best ways to Keep Your Back Health on Long Road Trips

    Learn how to maintain your back happy and healthy with good posture on long drives. Cozy tips, seat setup, and stretches for pain-free, comfortable road trips tailored for back health.

    There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road — the windows down, your favorite playlist on, and endless views rolling by. But if you’ve ever arrived at your destination with an achy back, bum or stiff shoulders, you know that long rides can take a toll on your body.

    The good news? Staying cozy and caring for your back health on the road is absolutely possible. With a few mindful adjustments, you can enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.

    Adjust Your Car Seat for your Back Health

    Your car seat is your travel throne — make sure it supports you right!
    Before you start your trip, take a few minutes to set it up for comfort and if it doesn’t quite hit the sweet spot, change it up a bit in your first stretching break.

    • Seatback angle: Keep it slightly reclined (100–110°) to support your spine.
    • Most cars nowadays should have ergonomic seats but if your lower back is more sensitive – try investing in a small pillow or rolled-up towel to keep your lower back’s natural curve.
    • Seat height: Your hips should be level or slightly higher than your knees. If you drive manual transmission make sure to check how comfortable your clutch foot is resting on the special spot left of the pedal.
    • Steering wheel distance: Keep arms slightly bent, not fully extended.

    🌿 Bonus tip: A memory foam seat cushion or lumbar support pillow is one of the best car accessories for long drives.

    Take Frequent Stretch Breaks!

    I cannot stress enough how important it is for your body to stretch after a few hours of being stuck in the same position. The one thing I’ve always overlooked when I first started my journey is not stopping enough to stretch my legs and honestly – just get up from the seat!

    That familiar ache in your bum after hours in the car? It’s your sitting bones — those small but mighty bony points at the base of your pelvis (ischial tuberosities)— reminding you they’ve been under pressure for too long. This happens because they bear most of your body’s weight in a seated position. So make sure to treat it right!

    Aim to stop every 2 hours for a quick stretch or short walk. Use rest areas or scenic lookouts as excuses to move your body for a bit.

    Some quick road trip stretches for back health

    • Torso twists (standing) – x8 on each side, take a small 30 second breathing brake before going into the next exercise
    • Shoulder rolls – x10 forward and x10 backwards
    • Leg stretches standing version – take one step forward with one foot and try bringing your toes towards yourself, this will create a stretch on the back of your calf – hold for 30 seconds on each leg. Even better stretch if you have a few cm tall block to put your foot onto.
    • Leg stretches sitting version – extend both legs fully and bring your toes towards yourself and hold for 30 seconds. For a full stretch you can bring your chin towards your chest and extend your arms towards your toes as if to hold on to them.
    • Neck circles – x 10. Don’t do them fast – slow and controlled movements only

    🌿 Bonus tip: Set a reminder on your phone every few hours to stretch and take a snack break.

    Stretch When You Arrive

    Once you reach your destination, take a few minutes to stretch out your travel tension for your back health.

    Some simple yoga-inspired moves to try:

    • Child’s Pose for lower back relief – x30 sec lay on your hands and knees and push your hips down towards your heel as far as you can go. Stretch your arms in front of yourself and keep your head down.
    • Cobra pose – Lie flat on your stomach and with your hands under your shoulders gently lift your chest off the ground keeping your elbows close to your body and extended x30 sec
    • Knees-to-chest – laying on your back, bring both knees to your chest and hold them in place using your arms x30 sec

    🧘‍♀️ Cozy moment: Light a candle or play soft music in your car, camper or tent while stretching — it’s grounding after hours on the road.

    woman stretching near tent for her back health

    Listen to Your Body

    Your back tells you when it needs a break. Don’t push through pain.
    If you feel persistent discomfort, try resting, applying heat, or checking your seat setup. Future you will thank you for maintaining your back health.

    Checklist for back health on the road

    Here’s a easy checklist you can use for when you have more sensitive back – to be prepared for the long drives.

    • Have heat packs – depending on the setup you run, there are USB charging heat packs that are compatible with car sockets, Instant Heat Packs that activate by breaking a metal disk inside and the classic ones which require a microwave or oven. Even without a microwave or oven, you can still enjoy the classic ones on your road trip. Just wrap them in a towel and place them near your car’s warm air vent, or under you if you’ve got heated seats — they’ll warm up in no time. If it’s summertime, wrap them in a black cloth and let the sun do the work by leaving them on the dashboard while driving or outside for a bit if you’ve camped. It’s a simple hack that keeps your trip cozy and comfortable wherever you are.
    • Heating creams are a very good alternative if your pain is muscle related. I carry one around just in case of sore shoulders and lower back pain.
    • If the pain is bothering you often – you can invest in a portable TENS unit that runs on batteries. It can be hooked on the waist band of your pants or in a pocket. They are proven to help with relieving pain and are a great, sustainable road trip-friendly choice. More information regarding TENS units is nicely explained in this video by Doctor O’Donovan.
    • Cooling jell and cold instant packs. The opposite of heat therapy, use when you have an acute flare and swelling. Do not use cooling jell or cold packs on your lower back if it’s not acute.
    • Anti-inflammatory teas! Turmeric, Ginger, Chamomile and Licorice (only use licorice in moderation, not everyday and not in large quantities!) teas are my go to. Remember, teas complement, don’t replace, they are supportive. Consistency matters, a single cup won’t magically fix your pain but regular incorporation supports the healing.
    • Thermal insulation clothes. Materials like wool and fleece are great at trapping body heat and throw a blanket on top and you are cozy and ready to go!
    • Emergency pain killer pills – only use them when strictly necessary and follow the instructions given on the box or by your doctor! I have an emergency pills poach in my car in the glovebox with a chart describing what every pill is for.

    🌿 Bonus tip: When using TENS unit, use both channels (four electrodes in total). Position the pads so that they form an “X” shape over the area that hurts. The center point of the X — where the currents from each channel intersect — should be directly over the painful spot. This placement helps the electrical stimulation concentrate in the middle, providing better pain relief

    Final Words

    The road may be long, but your comfort doesn’t have to fade. With mindful posture, basic stretches and cozy habits – your next road trip can be as kind to your back as it is to your soul.

    Don’t forget to stay hydrated on the road and stretch those sore muscles! Happy Driving!