I am going to continue on with my list of tips and ideas we have utilised to make life a little easier, cheaper and more organised, in the caravan. I just have to say first that some of these ideas will seem rather obvious, but I'm still going to list them.
Organisation tips:
In the kids room: We bought a family van with a bunk room as we currently have one child and may choose to have another down the track. However as we only use one of the bunks (the middle one) we have chosen to use the other two as "shelves". We wanted our son to still be able to enjoy a variety of toys and games, despite how small our home is so we decided to try and keep hi sbelongings as organised as possible. I purchased a variety of plastic "clip lid" tubs, six of the fifty litre (big) ones and 6 of the lowline ones that are designed for going underneath beds. Along the bottom bunk I put a row of the lowling tubs then ontop a row of the bigger tubs. I did the same with the tope bunk. On the top bunk the tubs are filled with extremely lightweight items like out spare Hay for our guinea pig Pepper and some of Zacs lighter toy boxes. On the bottom (the ground bunk) is the box of stationary, box of craft items for Zacher and other heavy items. I have found this organisation method works really well for us. All the boxes are labelled and we keep them very tidy and organised. We continually go through them and reduce the clutter of things we dont need or things that are broken or have pieces missing.
We also keep Zacs wardrobe very well organised. Everything is in its place. We keep stocked up on nappys although we are currently toilet training. We keep a great variety of winter and summer clothes as the weather can change at any time. Whenever any of Zacs toys are damaged (beyond repair) we get rid of them, same goes for books. If a puzzle is missing pieces, we throw it out immediately. Although we do try hard to look after things, but theres no point in having them take up space if they are broken. We have mentioned to our families and friends that for birthdays and christmas for Zac presents should be quiet small and simple - not too many toys and books. We have started a trust fund for Zachery and have invited our families to add to this is an alternative to gifts if they wish too. We also suggested that they could send money on experiences for him, as gifts, rather than objects. At the same time however we are open to rotation of his toys and will just minimise the older toys to fit in some of the new ones if he happens to recieve quiet a few on his upcoming birthday.
When we are stopped at sunny places we rotate the toy boxes we bring out for Zac. We will bring the train set out to the mat outside (under out awning) one day, than another the trucks and cars, another the mixed toy box. However in the bottom bunk shelve Zac always has books, craft items, musical instruments and a small variety of craft and art items readily avaliable for him to choose from.
In the Kitchen/living area:
baskets: We love baskets! We have baskets in our draws for our items like zip lock bags, sponges, lids etc. I keep a basket on my benchtop (which I just pop on the bed or in the bathroom when were in transit) with my toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash etc, as I cant go into the bathroom until after Zac has fallen asleep, due to having to go through his room to get there. I have a basket on a small bed end table in our bedroom area which I keep a packet of wipes and a handfull of nappies in. This makes it far easier than continuously going into Zacs wardrobe to find them. We have baskets in our bedside hutches for our wallets, keys, phones etc. To make them a bit easier to find. Baskets are wonderful and really hep you to stay organised, especially when you generally have to remove everything from your benchtops to travel - this way you just pop the basket somewhere safe and pull it back out once youve stopped.
Food storage:
Tubs of extras:
We also keep a variety of spare food items, spare washing powder, washing up detergent etc in more of the plastic 50 litre tubs under our bed. This way we are able to keep stocked up and have our items easily accessable.
Tupperware or other stackable containers:
When you only have limited space you need a pantry storage system that will pack up neatly. I have chosen tupperware (as I went through that crazy cycle of tupperware parties al of us young mums have to experience) howeveer there are countless other brands on the market in shops like big W and woolworths that fit just as nicely together. I strongly reccomend buying a VERY big variety of sizes of these containers as you ritems storage needs will be varied. I keep quiet a few cerial containers as we like a variety of cerial, and I also keep a LOT of baking/cooking ingredients. Having these storage systems allows me to keep items very fresh for a long time in a variety of climates. Spending a little extra money on buying yourself some sotrage containers will save you money in the long run when you fine your food in the cupboards and fridge, are alot fresher and last a lot longer.
A few other ideas:
Meal planning: I plan a months worth of meals, based on what I have in the cupboards aswell as other items I need to purchase. I try to use mostly the items I already have first, that way I know they will get used within the month. But there are always other items/ingredients that I am missing. I try to be realistic with my plans and keep them quiet filled with a variety of meals. I also do my best to cover breakfast, lunch and snacks. I dont plan them for a particular day, I generally just plan thirty of each meals and we eat whichever, whenever. Having meals avaliable all the time and especially having a list of a huge variety of things you could cook at the drop of the hat (including a bunch of very quck and simple meals) is a great way to save money by not turning to takeaway at those moments of real hunger or exhaustion.
Treats and junk food: I also am realistic about treats, we like to have some sugary items here and there so I buy the ingredients to make the occasional self saucing chocolate pudding, pancakes or just some simple chocolate bars or sweet biscuits. I keep these items packed away and when we bring them out we enjoy them as a family. Having these items spread through our food storage system means that we dont find ourselves turning to service stations and takeaway shops for the occasional treat.
sleep time now. Will add more again along the way
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tips and our organisation plans
When preparing for a trip like this, with a caravan, you are able to be very very organised. I have hear alot of stories from family whom travel regularly about ridiculous costs of items in remote areas and considering we don't have much of a plan in regards to where we will be and when we will be there, its a good idea that we have plenty of food prepared.
When we bought the van we decided we wanted to be able to have the things we enjoy readily avaliable, despite the possibility of being in remote areas. So we bought a few appliances and contraptions that can be used inside the van (some of which require our generator being plugged in) that can help us to enjoy the food/beverages/occasional treats that we like despite where we are at the time.
A few of the things we have considered and bought and the reasons why:
Soda Stream: We purchased this as we find ourselves buying soft drink from service stations while travelling (for many reasons including just for somthing different and for the caffiene somtimes) We also use "cola" as a mixer when we enjoy the occasional alcohol beverage. So we worked out the the soda stream was a cost effective way of enjoying soft drinks occasionally. They use a small gas cylander to make the water fizzy and therefore need no electricity (other than a fridge to chill the water for the soft drink, or a freezer to make ice to chill the water) Our soda stream cost about $60 and the falvourings are generally under $5 a bottle and each bottle makes around 12 litres of soft drink. You can buy them from the following link however they seem to be more expensive than they are when purchased from K-mart. (http://www.sodastream.com.au/auretail/category.aspcatalog_name=Sodastream&category_name=SYRUPS&Page=1&cookie_test=1 )
Bread maker: My mum and step dad bought me a breadmaker for Christmas (as per my request, when asked what I would like) and it is truly a brilliant machine. I only just mastered it last night, unfortunately, but now it is perfect. I bought it as I generally purchase the $1 loaves of homebrand bread from the supermarkets and I cannot handle the idea of spending $4 - $6 on a loaf of bread from a service station upon running out when not near a major supermarket. I tried really hard to get mine to work with cheap, homebrand flour and other cheap ingredients but I simply couldnt get it to work. I eventually gave in and bought a bag of "Defiance breadmix" from Coles and last night I popped it in and it worked perfectly (I had to add yeast of course but one large tub of yeast is incredibly cheap and you only need a and 1/4 teaspoon for each loaf). I absolutely love the idea of stopping in the middle of nowhere, setting up for the night, plugging in the generator and cooking up a loaf of bread before bedtime (whilest having showers, making dinner etc) to have fresh delicious sandwiches for lunch the next day. One packet of breadmix is about $10 and it will make about 13 loaves in my sunbeam breadmaker with just a bit of yeast and a cup of water (the loaf size is quiet small, but enough for a full day or two for my family). This is similar to mine, from sunbeam: ( http://www.sunbeam.com.au/Pages/Browse/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=1713 )
Slow cooker: We absolutely love our slow cooker. Although we most likely wouldnt use it in remote areas where we need our generator for power, we would use it while plugged in to electricity. They are a wonderful inviention and perfect to pop in a lasagne, corned beef, or simple casserole before you head off for a big day of exploring a new town. Theres nothing better than coming home to a beautiful home cooked meal without having to salve away in the kitchen.
A multitude of baking ingredients: We thought it would be great to be well stocked up on baking ingredients (mostly dry ingredients) and savoury ingredients to make recipes from scratch. This way we can make our own cakes, biscuits, etc at the drop of the hat if we happen to want somthing. We can also make delicious homemade meusli bars, slices, etc. With all the dinner ingredients we are able to make curries, casseroles, lasagnes and bechemal sauces (and pretty much everything else) from scratch should we decide we want somthing different for dinner. I definately suggest stocking up on a HUGE variety as it will stop you eating takeaway and thus wasting more money.
I just rememeberd a few things I have to get done so I had better go. However I will continue on with this list in a new entry at a later date.
When we bought the van we decided we wanted to be able to have the things we enjoy readily avaliable, despite the possibility of being in remote areas. So we bought a few appliances and contraptions that can be used inside the van (some of which require our generator being plugged in) that can help us to enjoy the food/beverages/occasional treats that we like despite where we are at the time.
A few of the things we have considered and bought and the reasons why:
Soda Stream: We purchased this as we find ourselves buying soft drink from service stations while travelling (for many reasons including just for somthing different and for the caffiene somtimes) We also use "cola" as a mixer when we enjoy the occasional alcohol beverage. So we worked out the the soda stream was a cost effective way of enjoying soft drinks occasionally. They use a small gas cylander to make the water fizzy and therefore need no electricity (other than a fridge to chill the water for the soft drink, or a freezer to make ice to chill the water) Our soda stream cost about $60 and the falvourings are generally under $5 a bottle and each bottle makes around 12 litres of soft drink. You can buy them from the following link however they seem to be more expensive than they are when purchased from K-mart. (http://www.sodastream.com.au/auretail/category.aspcatalog_name=Sodastream&category_name=SYRUPS&Page=1&cookie_test=1 )
Bread maker: My mum and step dad bought me a breadmaker for Christmas (as per my request, when asked what I would like) and it is truly a brilliant machine. I only just mastered it last night, unfortunately, but now it is perfect. I bought it as I generally purchase the $1 loaves of homebrand bread from the supermarkets and I cannot handle the idea of spending $4 - $6 on a loaf of bread from a service station upon running out when not near a major supermarket. I tried really hard to get mine to work with cheap, homebrand flour and other cheap ingredients but I simply couldnt get it to work. I eventually gave in and bought a bag of "Defiance breadmix" from Coles and last night I popped it in and it worked perfectly (I had to add yeast of course but one large tub of yeast is incredibly cheap and you only need a and 1/4 teaspoon for each loaf). I absolutely love the idea of stopping in the middle of nowhere, setting up for the night, plugging in the generator and cooking up a loaf of bread before bedtime (whilest having showers, making dinner etc) to have fresh delicious sandwiches for lunch the next day. One packet of breadmix is about $10 and it will make about 13 loaves in my sunbeam breadmaker with just a bit of yeast and a cup of water (the loaf size is quiet small, but enough for a full day or two for my family). This is similar to mine, from sunbeam: ( http://www.sunbeam.com.au/Pages/Browse/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=1713 )
Slow cooker: We absolutely love our slow cooker. Although we most likely wouldnt use it in remote areas where we need our generator for power, we would use it while plugged in to electricity. They are a wonderful inviention and perfect to pop in a lasagne, corned beef, or simple casserole before you head off for a big day of exploring a new town. Theres nothing better than coming home to a beautiful home cooked meal without having to salve away in the kitchen.
A multitude of baking ingredients: We thought it would be great to be well stocked up on baking ingredients (mostly dry ingredients) and savoury ingredients to make recipes from scratch. This way we can make our own cakes, biscuits, etc at the drop of the hat if we happen to want somthing. We can also make delicious homemade meusli bars, slices, etc. With all the dinner ingredients we are able to make curries, casseroles, lasagnes and bechemal sauces (and pretty much everything else) from scratch should we decide we want somthing different for dinner. I definately suggest stocking up on a HUGE variety as it will stop you eating takeaway and thus wasting more money.
I just rememeberd a few things I have to get done so I had better go. However I will continue on with this list in a new entry at a later date.
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