I marinade chicken breast in Italian dressing, then grill. I usually do extra so we have some the next day for lunches.. Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with a bag of frozen French fries and a salad.

Steaks (marinade them- either Italian dressing or soy sauce/pineapple juice mixture) then grill. Steak, baked potatoes and corn. Or slice them for steak fajitas, put sliced onions and peppers with a touch of olive oil in foil and cook on grill.

I try to base all meals around grilling and then there is no real kitchen clean up. I also use bottled marinades, sauces and stuff on vacation where if I was at home, I would make stuff from scratch. I find it way more relaxing to grill at night and hang with my family and have some cocktails rather than trying to get dressed nicely to go out to restaurant with a tired small child. We go out a few times and we stay in a few times.

Have fun on your vacation!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just spend some money instead of penny picking,.......take out, restaurants..

This.
Why bother going on vacation if you cannot afford to buy out. It's not really a vacation.

Op here. I think that's a silly way to see things--if I can't afford to spend a lot of money, it's not worth going on vacation at all? I would rather spend a little more money and stay closer to the beach and cook some meals, than be farther from the beach so we can afford to eat out all the time.

It's not just about the money, it's also because we eat pretty healthy most of the time, so too many high sodium restaurant meals make me feel bloated and the kids definitely don't eat enough vegetables at restaurants as they do at home, not that I think they'll die without vegetables for a week, but their digestion and bathroom sure gets messed up without the fiber.

Why post the question if you know that you will be taking your entire pantry on vacation.

I posted this question for advice and help.

Read the subject line again. If you can't answer the question, why bother responding? Cooking works for us--just because it's not fun or worth it for you, doesn't mean you have to piss on my thread.

Anonymous wrote:I take my blue apron box to the beach. That plus shopping for breakfasts snacks and quick lunches.

Great idea! I hate the need to bring the whole pantry if I try to good anything beyond the basics. I used to do it when we had just one kid, but now it feels like too much.

Someone should rent out foodie beach houses with stocked pantries, good pots/pans, and SHARP knives!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just spend some money instead of penny picking,.......take out, restaurants..

This.
Why bother going on vacation if you cannot afford to buy out. It's not really a vacation.

Op here. I think that's a silly way to see things--if I can't afford to spend a lot of money, it's not worth going on vacation at all? I would rather spend a little more money and stay closer to the beach and cook some meals, than be farther from the beach so we can afford to eat out all the time.

It's not just about the money, it's also because we eat pretty healthy most of the time, so too many high sodium restaurant meals make me feel bloated and the kids definitely don't eat enough vegetables at restaurants as they do at home, not that I think they'll die without vegetables for a week, but their digestion and bathroom sure gets messed up without the fiber.

Why post the question if you know that you will be taking your entire pantry on vacation.

We stay in a hotel right on the boardwalk and half of the fun is just walking to different restaurants for meals. It's not vacation for me if I have to cook.

I take my blue apron box to the beach. That plus shopping for breakfasts snacks and quick lunches.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just spend some money instead of penny picking,.......take out, restaurants..

This.
Why bother going on vacation if you cannot afford to buy out. It's not really a vacation.

Op here. I think that's a silly way to see things--if I can't afford to spend a lot of money, it's not worth going on vacation at all? I would rather spend a little more money and stay closer to the beach and cook some meals, than be farther from the beach so we can afford to eat out all the time.

It's not just about the money, it's also because we eat pretty healthy most of the time, so too many high sodium restaurant meals make me feel bloated and the kids definitely don't eat enough vegetables at restaurants as they do at home, not that I think they'll die without vegetables for a week, but their digestion and bathroom sure gets messed up without the fiber.

+1 I'm happier if I eat healthier. Also, with kids it's more relaxing to eat in most of the time.

Anonymous wrote:Also, I enjoy cooking. Eating every meal out is not relaxing. Cooking for my family in a new location, with no home pressures, the ocean roaring outside, and the ability to have a drink on the deck with DW and friends later -- that is the vacation.

+1. Simple meals ( spaghetti, grilled steak, chicken or burgers, tacos, local seafood and a salad) is easy and fun. A crowded restaurant every night at the beach is a drag.

I bring things like rice/pasta/spices/cooking spray/olive oil and then buy fresh meat and veggies there. Definitely check out the fresh seafood markets. Nothing like pan seared, blackened fish. Also grilling pork chops, chicken, kabobs always feels like summer vacation to me.

Also, I enjoy cooking. Eating every meal out is not relaxing. Cooking for my family in a new location, with no home pressures, the ocean roaring outside, and the ability to have a drink on the deck with DW and friends later -- that is the vacation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just spend some money instead of penny picking,.......take out, restaurants..

This.
Why bother going on vacation if you cannot afford to buy out. It's not really a vacation.

Op here. I think that's a silly way to see things--if I can't afford to spend a lot of money, it's not worth going on vacation at all? I would rather spend a little more money and stay closer to the beach and cook some meals, than be farther from the beach so we can afford to eat out all the time.

It's not just about the money, it's also because we eat pretty healthy most of the time, so too many high sodium restaurant meals make me feel bloated and the kids definitely don't eat enough vegetables at restaurants as they do at home, not that I think they'll die without vegetables for a week, but their digestion and bathroom sure gets messed up without the fiber.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just spend some money instead of penny picking,.......take out, restaurants..

This.
Why bother going on vacation if you cannot afford to buy out. It's not really a vacation.

Because if you are spending more than you can afford, that is stressful and therefore not a vacation either.

I like to stop at farm stands along the way to pick up corn, peaches and other fresh fruits and veggies. Most of the beach towns also have a farmer's market a few times a week. We eat out a lot at the beach, anything crab, but some days just rather stay in and cook on the grill or make great salads with the fresh produce from the local farms. You can also go to a seafood market and get a bag of seafood for a crab boil. We love that with some grilled corn.

Anonymous wrote:Just spend some money instead of penny picking,.......take out, restaurants..

This.
Why bother going on vacation if you cannot afford to buy out. It's not really a vacation.

Integrated squares. Cold oven-fried chicken, buttered hard rolls, cheese cubes, grapes----cereal, bananas, muffins, pb&j, bread. Enough to hit a farm stand for corn and peaches, get milk at a gas station while the other spouse stands in line for keys, and then not shop for a day and a half.