Ideas for easy meals and snacks for travel?

[Chime]

Our daughter was born 16 weeks early and is in the hospital a little over an hour away from home. (5 weeks old now, and doing wonderful )
We spend a lot of time on the road back and forth, at the hospital (where the food is expensive) and when we are at home it's usually just for short amounts of time before or after work and to sleep.
So making and eating regular meals is proving to be difficult, and it's become the norm for us to grab things like fast food or gas station sandwhiches to eat on the run and it's really starting to add up in price (and not healthy either).

I'm looking for ideas for meals and snacks that hold up well while traveling, don't take too long to make and are healthier than what we've been getting. Things that stay good for a few days and don't go 'bad' quickly are also a plus. I would really like to make a few days worth of meals at a time.

Nothing too messy, but I don't mind if it needs to be kept in a tupperware or eaten with silverware (we have a great kitcheny/lounge area to use at the hospital).
We also get plenty of fruit in our diet, but really seem to be struggling to work in the veggies.

Guess I just need some new ideas so we're not stuck eating the same old sandwhiches and chips for the next few months.
Thanks!

 

[java]

Congratulations!!!

Pasta salad.

I posted this one recently it's our favorite and tastes almost better days later
Pepperoni, Mozzarella and broccoli pasta salad

1 pound pasta(wagon wheels work great)
2/3 cup veg oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 TBSP red wine vinegar
1tsp salt
1tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp pepper(I use more)
3 cups broccoli florets (steamed for 3 minutes)
1 whole pepperoni(12 ounces) peeled and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
6 ounces mozzarella cut into same size pieces as the pepperoni
1 medium green bell pepper(cut same size)
1/2 cup red onion chopped
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/3 brine cured black olives(ew I leave these out as I don't do olives-)
1/4 cup rough chunks Parmesan or other hard sharp cheese(I use Parmegiano reggiano mmmm)


1. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water

2. whisk oil,lemon juice, vinegar, salt, oregano, and pepper- set aside(dressing)

3. In a large bowl (LARGE LARGE) combine the pasta with all the rest of the ingredient- Add the dressing Taste and add salt. pepper or lemon juice as needed.

 

[charming23]

Congrats! Glad to hear she is doing well.

When my dad was in the hospital long term (He was a half hour away) we too got tired of eating hospital food. My favorite thing to do was cook up a large batch of soup in a crockpot and then use a thermos to take it with us. If it got a little cold we would run down to the cafeteria to heat it up.

 

[barkley]

a veggie lasagna or a veggie pasta. premake it, put it in microwavable containers.

green bean casserole (the holiday type). premake it, again put it in microwavable containers.

if you like mexican food-precook seasoned (i use taco seasoning) veggies LIGHTLY (just slightly sautee). put into a container and take tortillas. you could also bring a container of refried beans if you want it to be a heavier meal. you could also take a small jar of salsa.

a very convenient way to get some more veggies is to hit a store in the town the hospital is at and get some of those individual microwavable veggie bowls (frozen section but they are o.k. to sit in a fridge for a few days).

if you can take an ice chest for the traveling portion you could make up some easy chicken salad (easiest way is to get a rotissery chicken at the supermarket to make it). take some bread or crackers, or just do like we do and eat it on a plate with some fruit on the side.

 

[karibritt01]

We like to make a trail mix for snacks in the car. Almonds or cashews, banana chips, M&Ms, raisins... whatever you like. Healthy, easy to eat, and you can just keep it in the glove box for when you need it.

 

[Trish Bessette]

I know this is sandwiches but what about making up different wraps? Turkey, ham, add cheese and veggies. Easy to pull out and munch on.

I make a yummy pasta salad - cook box of pasta (I like the medium shells), cook boneless chicken and cut up in bite size pieces, get a bag of snow pea pods and put in a little water and microwave for about 3 minutes - drain. Put everything together in a bowl and add mayo with some soy sauce splashed in (about 2 tbsp) make sure to add enough mayo because the salad will soak it up. Top with chinese egg noodles. SO DARN GOOD!!! I have that with the stoned wheat crackers and it is the best!

Congrats on your new bundle of joy

 

[Imzadi]

Congratulations!!!

Pasta salad.

I posted this one recently it's our favorite and tastes almost better days later
Pepperoni, Mozzarella and broccoli pasta salad

Make the pasta salad with Barilla PLUS pasta, and you get an automatic boost of protein, fiber and Omega 3 fatty acids.

I talked about the Barilla PLUS pasta as well as healthy snacks & treats in this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2443114

OP, there are soft sided coolers you can leave in the car, in which you can pack foods in so anything like mayo will be kept cold. Also, mayo dressings can be dressed, last minute, on the day of the trip.

 

[Piglet843]

Whip up some Pimento Cheese and have with crackers - or make a sandwich out of.

Southern Pimento Cheese

1 (2lb) block Velveeta cheese
1 (7oz) jar Diced Pimentos
1/4 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon House seasoning

Shred the cheese.* Drain the pimentos and add to cheese.* Add house seasoning. Stir in just enough mayonnaise
to make it all come together - not too much. Chill in fridge - serve cold with crackers, chips, celery, carrots…

Cold Salads are a great idea - Ham Salad, Egg Salad, Chicken Salad, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad...
Those can be made in batches - and kept in the fridge - I'd say a week if sealed good.
They can be a snack with crackers - or a meal as a sandwich.
I'll provide any recipes if you need...

For a meal - maybe a fried rice? With beef or chicken and lots of veggies....
Those travel and reheat well...

Roll meats and cheeses or veggies into those crescent rolls and bake - those are a good snack /meal to go.

Muffins are a good snack to go.

In your muffin pan - you can make breakfast cups - line muffin holes with a piece of deli ham or turkey, fill with some cheese and veggies, top with beaten eggs and bake until eggs set.

Best wishes to you and your family

 

[Bren's Mom]

Pasta salad is a great idea...and you can make that in SO many different ways...just add your favorite things!

I like quiches. I make several at a time. What won't be eaten that day and for leftovers/lunches over the next few days I freeze. I slice it into decent sized portions, wrap each in saran wrap, and then put all of the wrapped pieces in a plastic freezer bag. They're easy to grab, and to reheat in a toaster oven or microwave. Great with a salad.

Marinade and grill chicken. Do one package with italian dressing, one with teriyaki, etc. Grill it all. I wrap each individually and freeze as above, whatever won't be eaten that week.

I also wash and cut romaine heads. Once they're spun in the salad spinner I put them in a large ziploc with a paper towel and they keep really well for days. You can use these as the base for a few different meals.

You can bring a big container of the lettuce, plus some caesar dressing, parm cheese and croutons on the side, and a grilled italian chicken breast sliced and you've got a nice, fresh, easy meal.

Or make a traditional salad with the lettuce, grape tomatoes, shredded carrot (from a bag), cucumber slices (that are done ahead). And have with a warmed chicken breast.

Or bring uncooked cous cous, add water and chopped up chicken when you're ready to eat and microwave. Then add a little shredded cheese and some chopped tomato when it's done. I like to add some salsa as well for flavor, I just pour it on top for an easy one dish meal.

Praying for your dd that she grows and is healthy and comes home soon! I had a 34 weeker, not nearly as early as your sweet pea, but I had a little taste of what you're going through. Hang in there!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Congratulations. Glad to hear she is doing well.

Hard boiled eggs. Peel them before you leave and put in a little baggie. They last for a long time in the fridge and for a quite a while out of the fridge. I make sure I use older eggs to boil up so they peel easier.

String cheese sticks.

Almonds, walnuts and raisins make a nice healthy snack mix or an add on to a meal.

Celery sticks filled with peanut butter (or plain), and many veggies just cut into bite size pieces are very good once you get used to just popping them like popcorn.

I use the above as my meal quite often as I have to eat on the go for my job.

 

[nickey]

How about making a big pot of chili or spaghetti and put in small containers to freeze and pull out as needed. Or maybe a friend or family member who says let me know if there is anything I can do ? Say yes make me a meatloaf to go . Or maybe give someone the money to whip it up for you. How about cut up raw veggies with ranch dip to nibble on. I know sandwiches get old really fast. Good Luck with the baby.