Photo credit to Ben Webb for this beautiful picture of our lunch alongside the Rio Maranon in Peru.
Below is a basic menu outline for my next cookbook in the “Camp Without Coolers” series. Lots of people have requested I develop a Gluten & Dairy-Free edition. So, I have started the process of writing another cookbook. It will likely be complete in February of 2021. But meanwhile, check out the menu/ Meal Plan.
Below is the menu I am working on. It also happens to be very light in weight and no coolers required (of course!). When calling for fresh veggies (and fruit) use veggies that do not require refrigeration (carrots, chayotes, hard squashes, Napa cabbage, English cucumber, potatoes, onions, beets, jicama, apples, Medjool dates, etc…) For many of the dinners I add dehydrated and freeze-dried veggies to keep the menu light and no coolers. These days the drying/ freeze-drying process has really improved. Many brands are very tasty. In fact, I can eat freeze-dried corn by the hand full! The freeze-drying process retains the nutrition, flavor and sweetness of veggies. Many freeze-dried veggies are good eaten right out of the packaging and then are super fast to reconstitute. And of course, weighs practically nothing!
While you wait for this cookbook to be finished maybe this outline can help you plan your menu for your next trip? There seems to be a real demand for this style of diet, especially with self-support kayakers – enjoy, be creative and modify for your palate.
Day 1
B: Chocolate PB Oatmeal w/ Blueberries (gluten-free oatmeal + coconut milk, dehydrated + freeze-dried blueberries + dollop of peanut butter, last – sprinkle a little bit of Hershey’s powdered cocoa or nutella over all, lightly stir)
L: Quinoa Tabouli & Apple (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers: The Nomad)
D: Chicken Spring Rolls w/ Fresh Veggies & Peanut Sauce (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers or Stoves”)
Day 2
B: Egg Scramble (Ovaeasy Eggs* + fresh potatoes + 1 scallop, diced. Dice veggies, then saute veggies in a little oil, add Ovaeasy Eggs & scramble)
L: Hummus Dip w/ Fresh Veggies and Fruits (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers or Stoves”)
D: Tomato Pasta w/ Fresh Veggies (home-made tomato sauce leather, google it! for how-to)
Day 3
B: Breakfast Tacos (dehydrated or freeze-dried black beans + Ovaeasy Eggs* + spice + corn tortillas + avocado + salsa, dehydrated)
L: Trail Lunch for Nomads w/ Turkey Summer Sausage (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers: Vegetarian~The Nomad”)
D: Chicken & Herb Quinoa (recipe in development)
Day 4
B: Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal (gluten-free oatmeal + coconut milk, dehydrated+ dehydrated apples + cinnamon)
L: Tahini Spread w/ Fresh Veggies & Fruit (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers: Vegetarian~The Nomad”). Nice to add Medjool Dates stuff w/ peanut butter for the added protein (dates are versatile and an excellent source of nutrients, you can find a variety of Date recipes in my “Camp Without Coolers” series)
D: Fried Rice w/ Fresh Veggies & maybe a little Ovaeasy Egg (come on everyone knows how to make fried rice! correct?)
Day 5
B: Egg Scramble (see day 2)
L: GORP + Trail Snacks + Fresh Apple (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers: Vegetarian~The Nomad”)
D: Chana Masala + Rice (home-made & dehydrated, recipe in development)
Day 6
B: Whole-grain pancakes + Jam (gluten-free of course + jam in squeeze bottle)
L: Corn and Peppers Soup (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers: Vegetarian~The Nomad”)
D: Jambalaya (recipe in development)
Day 7
B: Oatmeal w/ Peaches (gluten-free oatmeal + coconut milk, dehydrated + dried peaches)
L: Ginger Soba Noodles w/ Candied Walnuts (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers: Vegetarian~Quick & Easy”)
D: Pesto Chicken Quinoa + FD Veggies (recipe in development – FD Veggies start to be incorporated into dinner recipes)
Day 8
B: Hash Browns + Sausage (the brand – Hungry Jack Hash Brown Potatoes – dehydrated)
L: Asian Quinoa (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers: Vegetarian~Quick & Easy”)
D: Chicken Tacos (recipe in development)
Day 9
B: Cornmeal Pancakes + Jam (gluten-free of course + jam in squeeze bottle)
L: PB Rice Noodles (recipe in development)
D: Summer Lentils + Salami (recipe from, “Camp Without Coolers or Stoves”)
Day 10
B: Oatmeal + Berries (gluten-free oatmeal + coconut milk, dehydrated + dried berries) or a repeat of Day 1 Chocolate PB Oatmeal w/ Blueberries because it is so yummy!
L: Tuna Salad + Gluten-free Crackers
D: Chicken Thai Noodles (recipe in development)
*Ovaeasy Eggs are a dried egg product (google it for buying options) that has a very good texture and flavor when reconstituted, give it a try – it is a reliable and tasty, go-to product for me!
yours truly,
the nocoolers lady