Blog

Hot Mexican Dip

Monday, August 15, 2016

An easy Hot Mexican Dip that can be served in a cast iron skillet and is perfect for tailgating. Or any time of year.

I’m not surewhat the weather is like where you are, but where we live it is unseasonably hot. Most homes in New England do not have air conditioning. Just the idea of turning on the oven makes me start to sweat. I have ignored the kitchen almost all summer. We’ve either been eating salads, things that do not need to be cooked, or anything that can be grilled. I’ve gotten really creative with what I will throw on the grill. Garlic bread, bacon, desserts…

You might be wondering why I am sharing a recipe for Hot Mexican Dip if it needs to be cooked in the oven? In the beginning of the summer, I was given a Bakerstone Box for my grill and have found it to be a Godsend. We essentially have an outdoor oven that makes incredible pizza – but also this dip. (And so many other things.)

Hot Mexican Dip is one of my family’s favorite snacks and I got the bright idea to make it in a cast iron skillet and bake it in my Bakerstone on the grill. We got to eat something that we love in the middle of summer without turning our oven on. (Obviously, you can also bake this in the oven in your kitchen, I just can’t bring myself to do it when it is 100° outside.)

This dip is made with things that you probably already have on hand. Leftovers are INCREDIBLE made into a quesadilla the next day. Perfectly melty and delicious.

Hot Mexican Dip

An easy hot Mexican Dip that can be served in a cast iron skillet. Perfect for tailgating.

Author: Bree Hester

Recipe type: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

1 (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese
1 red pepper, chopped
1 (2.25 oz.) sliced black olives
½ cup chopped cilantro
tortilla chips for serving

Instructions

Mix together cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Add black beans and corn to a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Mix to combine.
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the bean and corn mixture. Top with shredded cheese.
Bake in a 400° oven for 15-20 minutes (in the Bakerstone Box for 10-15 minutes) or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Top with red peppers, olives, and cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

(This is not a sponsored post, I just happen to love my Bakerstone Box and use it all the time. If you are interested in buying one, they are on sale at Sam’s Clubs right now.)

Living Simply So We Can Explore MORE | Our Family’s Travel Bucket List

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Five years ago our family embarked on the greatest adventure we’d ever dreamed up. My husband decided to leave his comfortable job as a chiropractor and go back to school. We sold our beautiful home and most of our belongings.

What came of this experience was a tremendous shift in our priorities when it comes to collecting “stuff” and building the life we really wanted for ourselves and our kids.

We moved to a tiny island in the Caribbean with very few belongings. We didn’t have much, but we had each other, and through this journey, we learned that’s all that truly matters in life. Family—and the connections we build with each other.

We may not have set out with the goal to simplify, but we experienced the benefits firsthand, and now, years later, we could never turn back. Living with less (stuff!) is a way of life we’ve tried so hard to hold on to since returning from the island.

It’s difficult at times….for sure! As parents we want so much for our kids, and it’s hard to remember in today’s world that our love for our children is not measured in how much we give them.

Over the last five years, our family has made a shift from buying belongings to spending our money on things of greater value to us: experiences. We want to make lasting memories as a family and to provide our kids with opportunities to learn and grow and stretch themselves.

Traveling and adventuring together in the outdoors has facilitated all of this and more. We’ve been some exciting places as a family and have many more we’d like to see and explore together.

Here are six places we’re dreaming of visiting while our kids are all still under our roof. Each destination would allow us to connect with each other and with the majesty of nature, add to our album of treasured family memories, and remember the benefits of living simply.

Our Travel Bucket List | Outdoor Family Adventures

1. Prince Edward Island

We want to do more exploring in our home country of Canada. We’ve visited Banff National Park in Alberta the past two summers and it’s always a treat! Canada has so much natural beauty to offer and we’ve always wanted to see Prince Edward Island and the maritime provinces.

I’ve got three girls and you better believe we’re Anne of Green Gables fans. It would be a dream to see the setting of these well-loved books in person and visit the birthplace of Lucy Maude Montgomery!

We’re drawn to Prince Edward Island for it’s picturesque scenery, it’s rich history and it’s tranquil beaches.

Images courtesy of Tourism PEI

2. Australia

I had the amazing opportunity to visit Queensland, Australia, in June 2011 when I won a blog competition and was one of ten bloggers selected to visit this gorgeous corner of the world and learn from the best, Darren Rowse of Problogger. I easily fell in love with Australia, from its pristine beaches to its cuddly animals to its wonderful people.

After coming home and sharing all about my experiences in Australia with my kids, they feel as if they’ve been there, but it’s my dream to bring the whole family one day so we can all experience Australia together.

The only thing that could have possibly been more amazing than seeing Australia would be having my family to share it with.

Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland

3. New Zealand

We got a taste of the recreational vehicle lifestyle on our trip from Arizona to Yosemite and out to the Pacific coast, and we are hooked! We’ve heard the way to travel in New Zealand is by RV, which is right up our alley.

We’d love to experience the culture, tropical rainforests, and rich history of New Zealand. I mean, how cool does this sound…. Top Family-Friendly Experiences in New Zealand?!

Images courtesy of Pure New Zealand

4. Hawaii

My husband and I escaped to O’ahu in February (our first real vacation just the two of us in five years) and we had such an amazing time! We loved the island and the variety of experiences there were, from beautiful hiking trails to warm, sandy beaches to top-notch entertainment (such as at the Polynesian Cultural Center) and incredible adventures, such as the Climb Works zip line.

Of course, no matter what we did, we kept saying to each other, “The kids would LOVE this!” And so Hawaii makes our family travel bucket list. We’d love to show the kids what we loved so much about O’ahu and to experience some of the other beautiful islands with them as well!

Images courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority

5. Alaska

The type of vacation you can enjoy in this beautiful state includes all of our favorite things—snow, mountains, glaciers, and observing wildlife! Plus, an icy landscape provides such a unique experience for hiking and exploring.

Last summer had such a great time exploring the Icefields Parkway and getting up close and personal with the Athabasca Glacier in Banff National Park that we just know Alaska would be the perfect destination for our family.

Images courtesy of Travel Alaska

6. Costa Rica

International travel can be expensive for a family of six, but in researching vacation spots, Costa Rica keeps coming up as one of the more affordable destinations. It’s exotic—but safe—and has something for everyone: adventure activities for the thrill-seekers, lush rainforests for the nature-lovers, beaches and beautiful resorts for those who just want to relax.

We have family who has lived in Costa Rica and others who have visited this beautiful part of the world and have highly recommended that we visit! My kids would love to see toucans, sea turtles and monkeys in their native habitat—a big change from the elk, raccoons, and livestock we’re used to seeing up north!

Images courtesy of Visit Costa Rica

We may not live on a tiny island in the middle of a vast, warm sea anymore, but visiting places like the six destinations above helps me feel like we’re holding on to the most important lesson we learned while there: living with less allows us to make more of our lives than we would have otherwise imagined.

I’m definitely open to adding a number 7 or 8 (or 9 or 10…) to this list. What destinations are on your family’s travel bucket list?

Coconut Lime Energy Bites

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Coconut Lime Energy Bites – These little bites are the perfect snack! Gluten free, made with only four healthy ingredients and no refined sugar!

Hello!! It’s Tiffany from Feel Great in 8 and I’m back with another energy bite recipe I know you are going to love.

Energy bites are the perfect healthy snack to keep in the fridge for when you are fighting cravings or trying to make it through the afternoon without reaching for junk food. I love to make a double batch and roll them into small balls so that I can enjoy 2 or 3. The protein and fiber in these delicious bites are perfect for helping to keep you feeling full until dinner. Oh, and the coconut lime flavor is to die for.

Last month I shared the recipe for these delicious No Bake Chocolate Energy Bites which are still one of my favorites. They are the perfect healthy snack to have around when you’re craving chocolate.

But, the light, fresh flavor of these Coconut Lime Energy Bites is AH-MAZING. I have a feeling I’m going to be making them a lot this winter when it’s cold and snowy and I need a snack to remind me of summer, sunshine and the beach.

Before I share the recipe, let me just warn you about one ingredient. This recipe calls for dates, which I know can sound a little scary if you’ve never tried them before. I promise, you don’t need to be afraid. They are getting easier to find – I buy mine in the bulk bins at my local Smith’s (Kroger), and they also carry them packaged in the produce section. They are an awesome real food sweetener and are perfect for binding these bites together. And, once you get the lime and coconut in there you can’t even taste them. Really.

Now that we’re not worried about that ingredient anymore, let’s get onto the recipe. 🙂

Coconut Lime Energy Bites

Coconut Lime Energy Bites - These little bites are the perfect snack! Gluten free, made with only four healthy ingredients and no refined sugar!

Serves: 32 small bites

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews
1 cup dates
¾ cup unsweetened coconut, divided
juice and zest from 1 lime (2 tablespoons juice & 1 tablespoon zest)
* If dates are dry, soak in warm water first.

Instructions

Put the cashews in a food processor and process until mostly broken down. Add the dates and process until they come together to form a dough.
Add ½ cup of the coconut and the lime juice and zest and process until well mixed.
Scoop out heaping teaspoons of dough and form into balls. Roll each ball in remaining coconut.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Looking for more Healthy Energy Bite Recipes? Check these out!

No Bake Chocolate Energy Bites

Healthy Energy Bites

Cheesy Stuffed Green Peppers

Monday, August 8, 2016

Cheesy Stuffed Green Peppers – Don’t think home-cooked meals and busy schedules can go hand-in-hand? This healthy, freezer-friendly, and easy-to-make meal will make you think again!

Hi Simple As That readers! This is Rachel again from the food blog Simple Seasonal. You may remember me from some of my previous recipes, like my Rustic Italian One Pot Chicken and Rice, or my One Pot Bacon-Wrapped Chicken with Sugar Snap Peas and Pasta. As you may have guessed, I’m all about bringing you simple, nutritious and delicious meals that solve the daily problem of “What the heck do I feed the family for dinner??” Today’s recipe for Freezer-Friendly Cheesy Stuffed Green Peppers is a classic. It’s a favorite of mine and I think you’ll love it too!

I’m going to be honest here… For the last few weeks, the evening routine has been far too rushed in my household. Sitting around the dinner table as a family is something my husband and I value and make a priority in our home, but recently we’ve had to fight to make that hour happen. Between both of our jobs, summer camp, vacation bible school, soccer practice, and a myriad of other social obligations, it’s been a little off the hook! If you have kids, I’m guessing you can relate…

Because of this problem, I love this recipe for Cheesy Stuffed Green Peppers. It’s perfect for making the night before, or the morning of. Just refrigerate during the day and then pop it in the oven when you get home and ta-da! A home-cooked meal is ready 30 minutes later. It also freezes well, and with back-to-school right around the corner, we could all use some healthy homemade freezer meals at the ready.

Oh, and did I mention that these babies are cheesy..? They’re also a good source of vegetables, whole grains, and protein, but I recommend focusing on the cheesy part as the selling point with the kids. It’s good stuff! After a busy day, take a moment to enjoy a relaxing hour around the table with your family and a home-cooked meal!

Cheesy Stuffed Green Peppers

Recipe type: Entree

Cuisine: Italian

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

8 Green Peppers
1¼ lb. ground beef
2 C cooked brown rice
½ C chopped sweet onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp fresh minced basil or 1 Tbsp dry
1 tsp salt
2 C plain strained tomato sauce*
½ C freshly shredded parmesan cheese
3 C freshly shredded low-moisture mozzarella, divided

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cook the rice per package instructions. Plan on cooking 1 C brown rice to equal about 2 C cooked rice.
While the rice is cooking, brown the ground beef with the chopped sweet onion in a skillet over medium heat. Once cooked through, drain off any excess fat. I used 85% fat 15% lean beef, which didn't require a lot of draining.
Mix together the cooked rice and beef along with the minced garlic, basil, salt, tomato sauce, parmesan, and 1½ C of the shredded mozzarella.
Remove the top and seeds from the green peppers. Next, cook the peppers in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, then drain.**
Lightly oil a lasagna pan, or spray with cooking spray, and neatly arrange 8 bell peppers with the tops and seeds removed.
Fill each pepper with the stuffing and top each with some of the remaining 1½ C of mozzarella cheese.
Bake in a 350ºF oven for 25 minutes (35 minutes if it was refrigerated). If your dish is pre-frozen, cook in a 400ºF oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the peppers reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Notes

*Plain tomato sauce can be found in the canned tomato section of the grocery store instead of the spaghetti sauce aisle.
**Omit step 5 if you plan on freezing this dish.

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy…

Free Printable 2017 Calendar

Friday, August 5, 2016

Kick off another year with a fresh start and a cute new calendar! This set of 12-month calendars comes in 6 different colors to suit your personal style. They’re simple, stream-lined and the perfect planning tool to help you start the New Year off on the right foot!

Click here to download our 2018 Calendar

The start of a new year is always an exciting time. It’s a chance to get back into daily routines after the holidays, recommit to staying organized and start fresh! As we look ahead to the new year with anticipation, here’s a brand new 2017 calendar!

Want to download our FREE 2017 Calendar Printable?Our 2017 Printable Calendar Set is available in 6 gorgeous colors – Grey, Coral, Lime, Poppy, Turquoise and Plum. Sign up now for our FREE exclusive Simple as That membership and get instant access!

Click here to Join for Free

My favorite pens to use when writing on my calendar are these Staedtler Fineliner Pens. They don’t bleed and they write beautifully.

Click here to Join for Free

When it comes to organizing my days, there are a few things I use over and over again to keep me on top of things. As a wife, mother, and work-at-home creative, I know staying organized is essential. An organized day leads to an organized week, which leads to an organized life. These calendars, my printable planner pages and a few other essentials help me to stay on top of things!

Looking for more help to keep things simple and get organized throughout the school year? These calendars co-ordinate with the Simple as That organizational printables.

I’ve got everything you need – a meal planner, grocery list, and an AMAZING daily docket that is my secret weapon for staying on top of things!

More Organizational Inspiration

Tips for Organizing Kids’ School Papers

4 Tips to Help Improve a Child’s Focus

One Year to More Organized Photos

5 Simple Tips for Stress-Free Homework Time

Simple Ways to Organize Kids Art Supplies

Healthy School Lunch Ideas for the New Year

Ways to Organize and Display Children’s Artwork

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Disneyland in the Fall

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Disneyland in the Fall – When planning your Disneyland vacation there are so many things to consider, including what time of year is the best time to visit. In our opinion Disneyland in the Fall can’t be beat!

If you’re looking for deals on your next Disneyland vacation, click the image below for the best prices on hotels, tickets and Disney vacation packages!

Keep reading for our top reasons to book your Disneyland trip September through November and get information on exclusive offers for Fall travel from Get Away Today!

This time 2 years ago we were busy planning our first ever trip to Disneyland! It was a truly magical vacation and looking back on it, I’m so glad we chose the time of year to go that we did.

We spent a week exploring the park in September and in our opinion, there’s no more perfect time to go to Disneyland!

There are so many reasons why this time of year is a practical choice when planning your Disneyland vacation. Read on for our top five reasons to visit Disneyland this Fall!

Seasonal Attractions

There are so many exciting things to see at Disneyland any time of year, but in the Fall some of the attractions get a seasonal facelift!

The Haunted Mansion is turned into a Nightmare Before Christmas, California screamin and Space Mountain get a Halloween makeover. Favorite Disney treats are transformed into spooky sweets!

Your favorite characters get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up. We didn’t do the Mickey’s Halloween party but we’ve heard nothing but good things about it. Purchase party tickets online ahead of time to save. Buy them early because I hear they sell out fast.

Fantastic Fall Decor

The halloween and fall decorations are something to behold. I love fall so seeing Disneyland all decked out in my favorite muted tones was beautiful.

The decorations really are something to be hold and create a different kind of magic than what you feel at Disneyland during other times of the year.

Avoid the Crowds

After the kids head back to school and the excitement of Summer dies down the crowds subside a bit and that was essential for us when we were planning our trip.

Always plan to visit mid-week and that, in combination with travel dates mid-September through mid-November, you’ll be able to avoid those crazy wait times.

Beautiful Weather

We hit a bit of a heat wave when we were at Disneyland in September, but for the most part, the weather is absolutely perfect this time of year. Sunny days and nice cool nights.

Make sure you bring layers so you can stay cool during the day and then layer up in the evenings.

Great Deals

Discounts during this shoulder season can be found on tickets and hotel stays. When we were booking our Disneyland vacation we booked through Get Away Today and got the best rate we could have anywhere else and they’re running some great specials this year as well!

Halloween time officially starts September 15th and runs through October 31st so start planning your trip now!

Get all the Halloween Time Information you need HERE

EXCLUSIVE DISNEYLAND DISCOUNT

Travel during September to get Adults at Kids’ Prices on 3-Day and longer Park Hopper® Tickets, or take your kids in October during Fall Break! Either way, you’re in for a treat.

Get Away Today is also offering all Simple as That readers exclusive hotel discounts PLUS $10 off a Southern California vacation package which can be combined with any current specials they’re running! This is amazing and you aren’t going to find prices like this anywhere else!!

USE COUPON CODE —> SIMPLEASTHAT

Looking for more Disney Inspiration and Tips? Check out these posts…

How we Surprised our Kids with our the News of our Trip to Disneyland

Free Printable Disney Themed Journaling and Filler cards for recording your Vacation memories

Tips for Capturing Memorable Photos of your Disney Vacation

Tips for Making the Most of your First Disneyland Vacation

5 Tips for Photographing Toddlers

Monday, August 1, 2016

Toddlers are amazing to photograph, but boy are they hard work! They don’t take instruction, never sit in one place for long, will run in the opposite direction you expected and they have an uncanny ability to look anywhere but at you when you have the camera out.

All that said, I love photographing toddlers! As they haven’t learnt how to pose yet, you won’t get any cheesy smiles or sullen looks, just a totally genuine and authentic expression. So, instead of trying to force them into a perfectly posed situation, try to capture the essence of that age by allowing them to move and play, and what makes them tick. Don’t stress about perfectly posed shots and eye contact, and you’ll find lots to capture and get some amazing shots!

Here are 5 tips for photographing toddlers to get you started:

1) Engage them in an activity

The easiest way to get your toddler to stay in one place long enough for you to photograph them is simply to set them up with an activity they can do whilst you take their photo. This helps by firstly by helping keep them in once place and not running off in all directions, but also by allowing them to feel happy and engaged. The activity could be anything they like to do, for example: painting, playing in the sandbox, baking, or even just playing with their dolls. These are all natural activities that will help you get a great genuine and authentic photo!

If you are doing the activity indoors, firstly make sure it is a room which has plenty of natural light coming in, and set up the activity near the window so you get good light on your subject. I also recommend that you have everything ready for when you bring your toddler in, so that you can get straight on with the job of taking photos and not be trying to open paints pots whilst juggling your camera 🙂

2) Contain them

Another great tip for photographing toddlers is actually to try to contain them in some way – for example by having them sit on a rocking horse, sit in a pull along, pop them in their high chair, or if they are younger, a bumbo seat. The hardest bit about photographing toddlers is that they are constantly moving which can make it hard to keep up with, so if you keep them in one spot you’ll get a much better chance of taking some good shots. Even if you don’t actually contain them, just having a stool or bench they can sit on will buy you a few minutes (but you will need to be quick)

3) Get down to their level

When photographing children of any age, you want to crouch or kneel down so you are taking the picture from the same eye level. Often parents will shoot from standing up, and it can lead to your child looking dwarfed in each photo. Although this can be nice for some images (by showing how little your child is) for most, get down so that your camera is parallel to their eye level – this really helps make viewers feel more drawn into the image. Also, don’t be afraid to get in close so you can capture just their face.

If your child does not like getting their photo taken, then I suggest using a longer length lens (or if you have a zoom lens, standing farther back and zooming in) This can help give a little bit of distance between the camera lens and the child’s face, so it feels less intrusive.

4) Bring in their “Lovie”

A sure-fire way to get a smile on your toddler’s face is to bring them their “lovey”” – the comfort blanket or soft toy that they love to snuggle into. You’ll get an image that will capture what was important to them at this age, and well as some portrait shots of a happy and contented toddler! As before, be ready to go with your camera the moment you bring the lovey out, so you can get the best expressions, and also set this up so that you are near to a window when you are taking the images.

Alternatively, you could also try giving them something small (and unbreakable) to hold, such as a flower or a toy truck. This helps keep them busy for a few seconds, but if you find they are continually looking at what is in their hand, just softly whisper their name or make a funny noise to get their head up and looking at you. Be ready to take the shot when they do! Patience is a virtue here.

5) Get yourself an assistant

My secret weapon for photographing toddlers is to simply to ask another family member to give me a hand whilst I’m taking photos. If you are photographing your own children, bring in a older sibling or your husband, and give them the task of entertaining your toddler for you, leaving you free to concentrate solely on taking pictures. This helps a lot since it is really difficult to engage with a toddler when your face is hidden behind a camera! My husband would play peek a boo (standing behind me and peeking out from behind me) or blow bubbles, or tickle, or anything else that could raise a smile!

The Power of a Fresh Start

Friday, July 29, 2016

With the new year approaching, have you started thinking about changes you can make to live a little bit better—a little bit happier—this year? It’s time to capitalize on the power a fresh start.

They say that when you move, you should capitalize on that moving and nesting energy in order get as much done as humanly possible—as quickly as possible. Because the tasks you save for later end up being the tasks that go undone for… ever.

Once you’ve lost that momentum, it’s hard to regain it without some sort of inciting incident (like your in-laws coming to stay with you!).

So it goes with any fresh start.

A fresh start brings a boost of energy and enthusiasm that is an incredible catalyst. It can motivate you to get things done, drop habits that weren’t serving you, and form new habits that are in line with your goals and values.

It can also bring clarity, almost as if a change in one area of your life is all you need to see the rest of it with sharper focus.

It’s the power of a fresh start.

Thankfully, a move isn’t the only event that can come with this burst of motivation and personal clarity. Other inciting events may not be as obvious and distinct as a move from one home to another—or one coast to another, for that matter. But if you look for them, they can still have big power to help you design the life you want.

An Accidental Fresh Start

A few years ago, the interior of our family car was the quintessential picture of a vehicle carrying babies and toddlers.

The door next to the baby’s carseat boasted trails of dried milk, left from bottle feedings gone sideways (literally, sideways) while on the road.

The floor was littered with stickers given to us by cashiers at Trader Joe’s, and if you ever dared to pull up a carseat, you’d find an unappetizing collection of crunched goldfish and mangled fruit snacks in its wake.

It wasn’t pretty, but our kids were young, and bottles and snacks got us from point A to point B with minimized screaming. (What more can a mom ask for?)

But as our family grew and it became time to upgrade to a minivan, my husband suggested we used the change to start some new family habits. To his great satisfaction (and our kids’ utter disappointment): no more snacks in the car.

We left the new-car plastic covering the carpet below the seats, and we started talking about the new minivan as if it were our fourth baby. 😉

You know what? It worked.

The kids caught on to our enthusiasm and we all handled the transition much better than I expected.

That accidental fresh start was exactly what we needed to help us live just a little bit more the way we wanted to live.

(That said, a snack-free car isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay! It’s just a representation of a time when a clean slate worked to our family’s advantage.)

Beyond a move and (as it turns out) the purchase of a new car, here are a few more fresh starts you can keep your eyes peeled for, because why miss the magic when you can harness it instead?

More Fresh Starts to Look For

The start of a new school year or semester, either for you or for your kids
A new calendar year
A job change or promotion
A new relationship
Enrollment in an online course
A completed home or office renovation
The return home after a vacation

“By making ourselves conscious of times of beginning, we can harness these crucial moments of opportunity to forge new and better habits.” Gretchen Rubin

I’d love to hear—When have you experienced the power of a fresh start in your life?

25 Ideas for Screen-Free Fun this Summer

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

25 Ideas for Screen-Free Fun this Summer – Summer is the perfect time to encourage kids to stretch their imaginations, explore, discover and be creative. No screens required!

Don’t let the kids spend all their time sitting behind a screen. Push them to do something fun and creative! These ideas are adaptable for kids of all ages and will definitely make for a more memorable summer!

Watercolor Art Lesson | Simple as That

Dish Soap Silly Putty | Smart Schoolhouse

Soup Boats | I Heart Naptime

Melted Crayon Rock Art | Simple as That

DIY Ring Toss | Molly Moo Crafts

Play a Favorite Board Game Together

Outdoor Fun Kit | Create. Craft. Love.

Backyard Blanket Fort | Kids Stuff World

Washable Spray Chalk Paint | Growing a Jeweled Rose

Create adventurous and imaginative Stories with Story Cubes

Mini Cooking Class | Messes to Memories

Paint with Water Books – all the fun of painting without the mess!

Toothpick Sculptures | Artful Parent

Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt | Simple As That

DIY Accordion Cardboard Box Castle | Cloudy Day Gray

These Extreme Dot-to-Dot Books are my kids favorite!

Bubble Wand Flowers | Create. Craft. Love.

Make Water Bombs | One Charming Party

Up-cycled Accessories Using Common Household Items | Parents

This Bazillion Bubble Machine has gotten HOURS of use at our house through the years!

DIY Chalk Pops | Project Nursery

Mud Pies | Babble

Lemonade Stand | Pop Sugar

DIY Crystal Geode Eggs | Sweet Paul Mag

How to Spiral Tie Dye | Skip to My Lou

Start a Fairy Garden | Crafts by Amanda

Nature Scavenger Hunt | Simple As That

Bottle Boats to Race | Molly Moo Crafts

Graphic Dominoes | Oh Oh Blog

Ice Eggs | A Little Learning for Two

Framed Rock Collection | Little Birdie Secrets

Top 5 Benefits of RV Travel for Families

Saturday, July 23, 2016

“RV there yet?” I’d hear my kids say from behind me.

Then they’d burst into peels of giggles. RV there yet… 😉

Thanks to Outdoorsy, an online service that makes it easy to rent a recreational vehicle from an owner near you, RV travel is more accessible than ever for families.

We picked up our RV from the company Heightened Path RV Rentals in Phoenix, AZ and were on our way from our home base of Phoenix to the majestic mountains of Yosemite to the winding vistas of the Pacific Coast Highway. This was truly one of our most memorable family vacations ever!

We had such an amazing time that now, months later, every time we see an RV on the road, we point it out to each other, saying things like, “Oh, that one looks like ‘our’ RV.” And I smile fondly, remembering our trip and wishing the travelers well on their journey!

Before we started out on our trek, I didn’t really know what to expect. For any of you who might be new to RV travel, I wanted to share the top benefits of RV travel we discovered.

Top 5 Benefits of RV Travel for Families

1. Comforts of Home

Our RV felt like home away from home—but even better, because it was on wheels!

While stuck in traffic for two hours due to an accident on the Pacific Coast Highway, I was able to prepare lunch for the whole family and make the best of the wait.

On long stretches of driving, we enjoyed the ability to stretch our legs and spread out. Each of our four kids had their own space to comfortably travel in. And when we needed a change, we could easily shuffle ourselves around.

I also noticed that with full-time access to a kitchen, we ate healthily while on the road (rather than hitting up whatever fast food restaurant happened to be on our path).

Best of all, anything we ever needed was always with us. I kept catching myself thinking things like, “I better grab the sunscreen before we leave camp,” but then I’d remember (to my pleasant surprise) that we were carrying everything with us—at all times. I noticed my stress level drop, as I knew I had whatever we might need on hand. {6 Things to Pack for an RV Trip}

For reference, the RV we enjoyed was a Fleetwood Jamboree w/ 1 slide, Class C, a vehicle from that can sleep up to eight.

2. Quality Time

The way an RV’s seating is configured makes it so easy to share quality time as a family. Our kids could color at the table and collaborate on their artwork. They could play a board game or a card game together. And I could pull a kid or two next to me on the couch and read them a book.

The seating feels much more flexible and more conducive to interaction than traveling by car. It was easier than ever to play our traditional road trip games.

3. Affordability

Thanks to Outdoorsy, a service that allows you to rent a recreational vehicle, RV travel is more accessible than ever for families. You don’t have to own one to enjoy one.

I appreciated the fact that we didn’t have to pay for hotels, and we saved money on food by eating most of our meals in the RV.

With four kids and a husband who is a student, travel by air is out of reach right now, which means road trips are our primary mode of travel.

Traveling by RV took so much of the headache out of our road trip. Instead of feeling like the travel time was something to be endured, it became a part of our journey—something to be enjoyed.

Which brings me to my next point…

4. Freedom

RV travel allows you the freedom of customizing your road trip to your family’s needs and interests. You can stop wherever you’d like when you bring “home” with you.

We had a few unexpected hiccups along our way, due to weather and a fully booked campground. Rather than stress about how to handle these interruptions on our journey, we able were able to comfortably wait out the weather and, when we found no vacancies at the campground we’d planned to stay at, simply pull over in a safe place to sleep the night.

5. Community

One thing I did not anticipate in the least was how driving an RV would introduce us to a whole community of people—people who love the open road like we do, people who are so willing to share info and help each other out, and people who are just plain good.

Renting an RV felt like our golden ticket to a world we didn’t even know about. These are people who get my lifelong goal of collecting moments, not things, because that’s how they’re living too.

Has your family ever traveled by RV? Were you converted like I was? And where did you go?

Learn more about Outdoorsy and check out some cool RVs to rent for a holiday by visiting Outdoorsy.co. Get personalized help by calling 1-415-930-4841, chatting with a member of the team on the site, or emailing [email protected]. They’d love to help you plan your next Outdoor Family Adventure!

Blog

Our Travel Bucket List | Outdoor Family Adventures

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy…

An Accidental Fresh Start

More Fresh Starts to Look For

Top 5 Benefits of RV Travel for Families

1. Comforts of Home

2. Quality Time

3. Affordability

4. Freedom

5. Community

Follow on Instagram