Tacos are just one of those great comfort foods! When prepared with natural ingredients, tacos are a healthy choice for dinner. I like to make the tortillas and slaw ahead to take camping in our RV. I have also served Blackened Tacos at a dinner party. Pair your shrimp tacos with a Quinoa/Kale salad, fresh Guzpaucho (a spanish cold soup great for summer), and your favorite fruit pie. It's a great menu for a dinner party! A good taco always starts with homemade tortillas. We enjoy flour and corn tortillas. The corn tortillas are the healthiest choice. Nutrition wise, corn tortillas are gluten free, made from whole grains, and provide more fiber with fewer calories and sodium than flour tortillas. Even if you choose to make flour tortillas, at least you are avoiding the preservatives that are put into packaged tortillas. Also, it is just fun to make tortillas! Invest in a tortilla press to create beautiful flat tortillas. The trick to a good tortilla is to get it as flat as possible and the tortilla press works well for this. If you don't have one, just roll them out between wax paper and make sure you roll them out to be very thin. Amazon Tortilla Press (Click to buy) These are my favorite recipes for tortillas: Flour Tortillas - These are so easy and fun to make! It reminds me of playing with play-doh with my speech students. Corn Tortillas. - I love corn tortillas because they are gluten-free and contain good nutrition including fiber, making them a healthy choice! Shape your tortillas in a small ball, then flatten out in the palm of your hand prior to putting between two small sheets of wax paper on the tortilla press. Press firmly until the tortilla is thin. Stack between wax paper and cook immediately or place in a freezer bag to store in the refrigerator up to a week. I have never frozen them, so I'm not sure how well tortillas will freeze. Shrimp Taco Slaw Use fresh ingredients to make shrimp taco slaw. I have two different recipes that I enjoy making for Blackened Tacos. Make ahead and store in your refrigerator up to 5 days if all of the ingredients are fresh when you mix it up. (Do not store refrigerate cooked shrimp more than a day or two.) Shrimp Taco Slaw #1: I love this Shrimp Taco Slaw and Sauce by Natasha's Kitchen so much. The only changes I make are mixing the slaw and sauce together and letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight. I also like to add more seasonings to thoroughly coat both sides of shrimp before cooking until they have a nice blackened look on each side. How to cook blackened shrimp: Choose large shrimp and remove tails when you peel the shrimp. Dry shrimp thoroughly and then coat both sides with some good seasonings: -garlic powder -onion powder -Old Bay Seasonings -a little red pepper flakes -pepper -dry mustard -a touch of salt, but not much because there is salt in the onion and garlic powder. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a non-stick pan and heat on medium until shrimp sizzles a bit when you place them in the pan. Use olive oil to keep this recipe healthy! I like to use mild olive oil that is good for roasting and cooking. Cook about 4-5 minutes on each side until they have a nice blackened look on each side. Remove from heat and place on a paper towel to remove any excess oil, but there should be very little if you only used 2 tablespoons of oil. Do not use too much oil to cook your shrimp. Shrimp Taco Slaw #2 This is another great Taco Recipe by Eating Healthy using halibut, cod, or blackened shrimp that is a favorite. It has a slightly different twist with mango and lots of great seasonings. I have used this recipe with blackened shrimp and cod. Both were excellent! My husband and I are fans of sriracha sauce, so we always add a little extra to the sauce. When serving to guests, I keep the sriracha to a minimum and set it out beside the toppings for guests to help themselves to a little extra 'bite'. How to cook tortillas : Use a large electric skillet if cooking tortillas for more than two people. It will make cooking them easier and quicker. Use just a little olive oil and a pan or electric skillet that holds heat well. The skillet or pan should be heated on medium heat and hot before cooking the tortillas. Brown tortillas on each side (about 2-3 minutes) each side. Place in a plastic freezer bag or wrap in saran wrap to keep them hot while cooking the whole batch. Amazon Bella Griddle (Click to Buy) Amazon Camping Table (Click to Buy) This is a great camping table that folds very compact for storage! How to serve blackened shrimp tacos: Put blackened shrimp on a tortilla, spoon slaw on top, and add extra sauce if desired or set out the sauce for each guest to add as suits their taste. Sprinkle cotija cheese on top or place in a bowl for each guest to add their own cheese. Add extra toppings of pickled jalapenos , tomatoes, avocados, or sour cream in small bowls for each guest to add some of their favorite toppings. With the make-ahead tortillas and slaw, blackened shrimp tacos are a great meal to serve on your next camping trip or Taco Tuesday dinner. Amazon White Lace Tablecloth (Click to Buy) For a fun neighborhood dinner party. Set the table with linens, silverware, china, and fresh flowers to make your next dinner party a fun, summer hit! Offer a choice of wine, beer, or tea to your guests. Everyone loves choices! I love to serve Guzpaucho, Quoino/Kale salad, and a Healthy Fruit Pie with homemade ice cream. YUM! I love any opportunity to use my china that I found at the Goodwill. Yes, I bought a whole set of Salem by Century China 23 carat gold for 35.99. I looked it up on ebay and it sells for $599, so I considered this a steal! Initially, I used the china for special occasions, but now my husband, Doug, and I use it for everyday when we are home. If you want to keep your clean up simple after your taco dinner party, The Dollar Store has a great section on party supplies with clear plates and silver or gold plastic silverware. They also have cute little clear bowls and little silver spoons that are perfect for the Guzpaucho. I used this option when I held a neighborhood dinner party at a vacation rental home. I was pleased with how everything looked and at the end of the party, the clean-up was minimal! I like to use a white tablecloth even when I use disposable tableware. It just makes the table look really nice. I hope you will give these Blackened Tacos a try. I think your family and friends will thank you. I hope you have as much fun preparing and serving them, too! Please follow along with us at wwww.journeywithodells.com for more adventures and recipes. We would love to hear your comments! (We may make a small commission when purchases are made through affiliate links.)

Omelettes, one of those special breakfasts we treat ourselves to when we have time to actually sit down and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Whether you are retired and can enjoy a leisurely breakfast everyday or still living a very busy life and can only enjoy a leisurely breakfast on weekends, the best omelette is definitely something you want to nail down. We are here to share some special steps that will take your omelette up the ladder more than a few notches. Omelettes, like burritos and pizza, can be filled with some really great natural food choices to make them a healthy meal that will satisfy the pickiest of eaters and provide good nutrition. Let me walk you through some simple steps for omelettes that will melt in your mouth. Make certain you have a really good non-sticking skillet that holds heat. This is our favorite little skillet that we use almost everyday. AMAZON CAROTE SKILLET (CLICK TO BUY) Select your omelette fixings. Select some of your favorite vegetables. We often put onions (red & yellow), peppers (hot & sweet), tomatoes (fresh & sun-dried), mushrooms, and spinach. We always add cheese and have found a white cheddar to be our choice of cheese, but we also use regular cheddar. We have used feta when making a mediterranean style omelette. Add 1-2 tablespoons of extra-virgin oil to a skillet and brown your vegetables. 3. Remove vegetables from pan. Set aside for a few minutes while you start cooking the eggs. 3. Scramble 3 eggs in a bowl, making sure you mix the yolk with the whites well. 4. Pour eggs into the skillet. Season with salt & pepper. 5. Cover lid and let eggs cook on the lowest heat for a few minutes until the eggs are almost set. 6. Flip omelette and add sauteed vegetables, spinach, and grated cheese. Cook for a few minutes until set. 7. Fold omelette over and add a little more grated cheese on top and more seasonings if desired. Serve with a nice bowl of fruit topped with yogurt, coffee, and juice. To make it really special, serve with a special chocolate treat made with dark chocolate, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. I like to make a batch of these chocolate treats once a week for an extra special treat with breakfast every morning. Your significant other will thank you for a special breakfast made with love and you will have the energy to start a fabulous weekend! Follow us at www.journeywithodells.com for more recipes and adventures. (We may earn a small commission when you purchase items through affiliate links.)

Burritos have always been a long time favorite of mine! The great thing about burritos is you can put whatever suits your palate in them. The best thing about burritos is you can have a very nutritious meal on the go if you fill them with with all natural ingredients. Yes, natural ingredients are not boring, especially when you spice them up. The extra special thing about these burritos that you don't get in your typical burrito is a great big...CRUNCH with every bite. Instead of using processed, store-bought tortillas, make your own tortillas with this easy recipe. Before cooking your tortilla, fill it with your favorite natural ingredients, roll it up, place it in a skillet with a 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and let it cook a few minutes on each side, turning it often. YOWZA! The end result is a crispy, crunchy burrito similar to a crunchy egg roll with all the deliciousness of fresh vegetables, avocado, black beans, and cheesy eggs tucked inside. Add some pickled jalapenos and pica de gallo to take your crunchy burrito to the highest level for your tastebuds. I like to wrap them in Saran Wrap and refrigerate to use over the next few days or place in an airtight container to store in the freezer and allow them to thaw prior to cooking. These are great make-ahead breakfasts for a quick breakfast on busy mornings or take along in your RV for camping. These are the quickest and easiest steps to make awesome crunchy burritos. Cut potatoes into small chunks (leave skins on potatoes). You can use red, white, or even sweet potatoes. Cut sweet peppers vertically and remove seeds, Place a few tablespoons of oil on a cookie sheet. Toss potatoes and peppers in oil and season with garlic salt, paprika, salt, and pepper. (You can add a touch of cumin or coriander for added flavor). Roast in oven at 450 degrees while preparing other ingredients. Make Homemade Tortillas................ I love this recipe by The Cafe' Sucre Farine, but I make them a bit different to prepare them for burritos by using a tortilla press and a rolling pin to get the correct size and thickness for burritos to be cooked after rolling them in uncooked tortilla dough. The Best Homemade Tortillas 3 cups of flour 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp baking powder 1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil 1 cup water -Mix dry ingredients, make a well in the center and add liquid ingredients. Mix until well-blended by hand or using an electric mixer. I like to use my electric mixer with a bread adapter. -Knead on flour board for a few minutes and then pat into small balls flattened in your hand. -Let it sit on a flour covered board covered with a clean towel while you prepare other ingredients. 3. Check your potatoes. Turn them so they brown on all sides. Prepare other burrito ingredients: -BLACK BEANS-I like to use cooked dried black beans, but you can use black beans in a can. They really add protein and taste to the burritos. -GREENS: Chop one cup of greens. You can use kale, red cabbage, or spinach. You can mix it or use one certain kind of green. Add some cilantro to the mix. -AVOCADO-Chop one avocado. -LIMES-Slice a few limes in half to squeeze over toppings. --CHEESE EGGS- Add 1/2 cup of cheese to 4-5 mixed eggs. Scramble over low heat to a soft scramble. Set aside. (REMINDER: DON'T FORGET TO KEEP CHECKING YOUR POTATOES AND PEPPERS SO THEY DON'T BURN). Your potatoes should be brown and crispy. Your roasted peppers should be slightly brown and soft. Special Ingredients-These are the special ingredients that give the burritos great flavor. Use more or less to suit your taste buds! -Pico De Gallo- Yes, take the time to make fresh Pica de Gallo with tomatoes, onions, garlic, lime juice, and cilantro. Use fresh, meaty tomatoes, and remove the juice and seeds. ( like to use the vegetable chopper to make chopping the ingredients quicker and easier. It will change your life to start using a good vegetable chopper and will make cooking a breeze since most of the work when working with natural ingredients is chopping. It also has a great juicer that I use to juice the limes. The pulp stays on the top. I like to add the pulp in, but it gives you the option to use only the juice or the pulp.) AMAZON VEGETABLE CHOPPER (CLICK TO BUY) -Pickled Jalapenos- This is a great recipe to make pickled jalapenos and will keep in your refrigerator for a few weeks. My husband, Doug, and I rode out to a farm stand and purchased 12 beautiful jalapenos and a few other peppers. I pickled jalapenos one afternoon in about 10 minutes. They are such a special treat in addition to having great heart health benefits due to the capsaicin that increases blood flow and decreases overall cholesterol. We like them on Homemade Mexican Pizza, too! Even though I don't promote buying processed foods, I think pickled jalapenos from the supermarket may be beneficial to your health if you don't have the time or interest in making your own. 4. By this time, your potatoes should be brown and crispy. Your peppers should be slightly charred. Cut peppers into thin strips or chunks. 5. Arrange all of your prepared ingredients for easy access. As you can see, I have twice the ingredients and made 16 tacos with double ingredients. (I made a double batch of tortillas, also.). I like to have nutritious, tasty, make-ahead meals for busy mornings and RV trips. 6. Press out tortillas. Pat each side with flour prior to pressing with the tortilla press. AMAZON TORTILLA PRESS (CLICK TO BUY) I like to use the 8 inch tortilla press to press them out. Then, I use a rolling pen to roll them to the edge of the tortilla press. Be careful that they are not too thin, that the ingredients pop out of the dough of the burrito after you fold it. But if a little topping sticks out of the dough, it is not a problem. It will still cook nicely once you place it in the hot oil in the skillet. Using freshly made tortilla dough gives you a nice crunch instead of a bready burrito. 7. Place a small portion of each burrito fillers on tortilla. Squeeze a 1-2 tablespoons of lime juice over ingredients. Roll tortilla. Fold sides in first, then roll up burrito. 7. Wrap in saran wrap and store in the refrigerator to cook over the next few days or store in a freezer container in your freezer up to 2 months. Thaw prior to cooking. 8. Cook Burritos: Place 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet. Cook burritos a few minutes on each side until brown on each side. I like to cook 2 at a time in a small skillet. Don't overcrowd the pan. Serve with extra pica de gallo or a yogurt based dressing. Pair your burrito with a small bowl of mixed fruit, yogurt, juice, and a Special Chocolate Nut/Fruit Treat for a gourmet breakfast. With all the fresh vegetables, eggs, and cheese, you will have the protein, vitamins, and minerals to give you a great, healthy start for your day with a big CRUNCH. Back to school burritos with a crunch for your kiddos will make them jump out of bed, and be ready for school in a flash! Make these burritos for your next RV trip for a quick breakfast on the go to make your sweetie smile, too! Follow us at www.journeywithodells.com for amazing, delicious recipes that will make mealtimes fun and exciting again. We welcome your comments! (We may make a small commission when you make puchases through affiliate links.)

Having the right accessories for your pet while traveling is crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey. We love spending time with our dog, Lili ,and she really likes to be by our side as much as possible. I have been traveling with our little long-haired chihuahua by car, plane, boat, and RV; I have learned to take the right accessories so everyone is comfortable. Traveling with your pet is special for everyone. Your pet should be up to date on all vaccinations and you should keep your pet's health records and vaccinations with you while traveling. A microchip implanted in your dog by your veterinarian and registered with Home Again may help you to be quickly reunited with your dog if your pet gets lost. Also, the Apple Tag that works with many i-phones may help you locate your dog. Get a collar with your phone number embroidered on it, so you don't have the possibility of a tag coming loose from the collar. Lili has had her embroidered dog collar for four years. It looks a little worn, but the embroidered letters and numbers still look good. AMAZON EMBROIDERED DOG COLLAR AMAZON APPLE AIR TAG AMAZON AIRTAG HOLDER FOR SMALL DOG COLLAR When packing for your trip, pack anything your dog uses on a daily basis. Pack your pet's favorite food and treats. Don't forget any special foods that you may use to give your pet medicine....and don't forget the medicine. Keeping your dog on the same feeding schedule, will ensure your dog maintains energy for the trip. Make sure to carry water and treats for your dog in the vehicle for the road trip and offer your dog water on a regular basis to prevent dehydration. A collapsible bowl attached to the leash can be a lifesaver for giving your dog water throughout the day. It is also important to take frequent breaks from traveling and walk your dog in designated areas. Don't forget dogs have to 'go', too! Always clean up behind your dog, so make sure you pack some waste bags. Make sure you have a good fitting step-in harness and retractable leash, so you can pull your pet quickly in the event of danger. AMAZON COLLAPSABLE WATER BOWL AMAZON STEP-IN DOG HARNESS AMAZON SMALL DOG RETRACTABLE LEASH Lili gets warm in the truck quicker than I do. I usually take a long sleeve shirt, so we can turn the air conditioner up high enough so she is comfortable. Never leave your dog in the car, not even for a few minutes. The temperature will soar in a parked vehicle even with a window rolled down. Just don't do it! We use a carry pouch to carry Lili with us. I have also used a dog stroller, but we found the sling pouch to be less cumbersome and saves space while traveling. Amazon Gen 7 Pets Dog Stroller (I purchased this stroller at Island Dog at St. Simons Island, Ga and I highly recommend visiting Island Dog for your pet needs if you are in the area.) AMAZON DOG SLING Secure your pet safely in your vehicle while traveling in their designated spot. You may use an attachment that fastens to the seatbelt and your pet's harness or a crate depending on how active your pet may be. If you have a pet that is very active, you may prefer to use a crate if your pet is crate-trained for safety, so you aren't distracted while driving. Include a comfortable blanket or orthopedic pad to keep your dog comfortable. By having a designated spot in your vehicle for your dog, she will learn that is her space and will settle down for the journey. Before getting married, Lili and I went on some awesome adventures and even flew to some destinations. I put her in her airline approved bag for increasing times for the few weeks prior to flying to make certain she felt comfortable in her bag. With her safely under the seat in front of me, I was able to reach down and pet her bag and talk to her during the trip. Some dogs may need a sedative for flying, but Lili settled down just fine as long has I pat her bag and talked to her. Don't forget to offer your dog water and a snack often while at the airport. Having a light snack before flying may prevent nausea. Walk your dog in the designated area prior to boarding the plane to ensure your dog is comfortable during the flight. AMAZON AIRLINE APPROVED PET CARRIER Traveling as a single person with your pet will open the doors to travel for you because you are not alone. Lili accompanied me to dining at outdoor pet-friendly restaurants and she loved exploring with me. My friend, Penny, sent this image to me because I told her Lili was all I ever needed to travel (before I married my husband a few years ago). Now, the three of us enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling together. Traveling solo with my dog was fun, but traveling with our little family is awesome! Hiking to a Waterfall Always have your dog wear a life jacket when boating even if your dog can swim. In the event of an accident, your dog may not be able to swim. AMAZON DOG LIFE JACKET Most dogs enjoy camping. We enjoy traveling in our Airstream and have traveled on several 6 -week trips. Never leave your dog alone and be aware of other animals in the area that could confront your dog. Keep your dog secured and keep water bowls close to your dog . Take your dog hiking. Dogs love the outdoors and don't want to be left behind. Make certain the hiking trail is adequate and safe for your dog. Adjust your hiking expeditions to your dog's health and agility. Be sure to offer water often and take breaks when needed. Since Lili is a small, older dog, we usually carry her in the pouch while hiking up a mountain and let her walk down. Lili also loves riding in a basket on the bike. If you have a small, calm dog, you may find biking with your dog is a fun activity. Your bike basket will need a basket with a strap to secure your dog safely inside. A pair of pet goggles will help protect your dog's eyes from the wind. Start with very short bike rides to help your dog get accustomed to this new activity. AMAZON PET BIKE BASKET When you reach your destination. Make sure your pet has a designated area for eating and sleeping to help your dog adjust to their new temporary surroundings. Be cognitive to anything in your temporary environment that could be hazardous to your pet. If you are staying at someone else's home or a rental property, inquire if there are any pesticides or rat poison in it. Don't expose your pet to any harmful pesticides, poisons, or chemicals in a temporary housing environment. Your pet may need more frequent walks when you are staying away from home. At the very least, maintain their usual walking schedule. Traveling with your pet can be a rewarding experience if you plan and prepare properly. It can be a great experience regardless if you are traveling as a single person with your dog or on a family vacation. What are some of your favorite pet traveling accessories? Please follow us on www.journeywithodells.com as we explore (mostly in our Airstream) with our little dog, Lili. Journey along as we discover new recipes, electric bike trails/accessories, pet accessories, and even some fun, simple fashion for exploring.

Do you find it difficult to get your daily dose of multigrains? I was raised on white rice; multi-grains were not part of the food groups I learned about in elementary school. As I got older, I heard more about the importance of multigrains in our diet. It was not until the last few years when I began researching the importance of eating natural foods that I really started putting effort into getting my daily dose of multigrains. What are the benefits of multigrains? The fiber in multigrains actually helps lower cholesterol by not allowing cholesterol to clog your arteries and has a lower glycemic index than white rice, so it can decrease risks to diabetics. This additional fiber also aids in digestion. The magnesium in whole grains helps to build strong bones and teeth, so if you are one trying to keep osteoporosis at bay, adding whole grains to your diet would be beneficial. I am finding multigrains can be added to many different dishes and it actually enhances the the flavor. When I was trying to put together a salad with items I had in the kitchen, I came up with this salad. Lime Cilantro Multigrain Cabbage Salad Lime Cilantro Multigrain Cabbage Salad 1 package of Seeds of Change Quinoa & Brown Rice 2 cloves of garlic 1/2 head of chopped red cabbage 1/4 cup chopped red onion 2 chopped roma tomatoes 1 medium chopped cucumber 1/2 carrot shavings 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup sunflower seeds 1/4 cup Craisins 1 Lime 2 Tablespoons maple syrup 2 Tables rice vinegar 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Directions: Heat Seeds of Change Quinoa & Brown Rice in a skills with 2 chopped cloves of garlic. Add to bowl. Add chopped vegetables, seeds, and Craisins. Mix Lime juice from one lime, maple syrup, cilantro, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. Add lime mixture to salad and stir. Season with salt, pepper, and Everyday Bagel Seasoning. Cover with saran wrap and let it chill for 2 hours or longer before serving with a meal. I like to serve this salad with Mexican Chicken Pizza. You could just add some cooked chopped chicken or Salmon for a quick meal. What is your favorite recipe for using multigrains? Follow us on www.journeywithodells.com as we explore in our Airstream, try new recipes, and discover new products for camping.

Do you ever wonder what kind of ingredients were used in your store bought pizza? Do you want a pizza free of preservatives and sugar? This is a great recipe for pizza and it is very easy! When preparing pizza for guests, I like to make two different kinds of pizzas: Mediterranean Pizza and Mexican Chicken Pizza. These two flavors will usually suffice to please most palates of your guests unless you are serving pizza to children. When serving pizza to children, I usually omit the olives, onions, and use a light pepper instead of a hot pepper. Mediterranean Pizza Mexican Chicken Pizza A good pizza starts with a good dough! I love making dough; it reminds me of my days as a speech pathologist in the schools when I would use play dough to motivate my speech kiddos. We would roll it, slice, and put it through that play dough machine. Making pizza dough is similar to playing with play dough. Just follow the directions and don't be afraid to get in there, knead it, make it your pizza, and have fun! Pizza Dough 2 cups "00" soft wheat flour + extra flour for kneading 1 tsp salt 1 tsp active dry yeast 3/4 cup very warm water 1 tsp sugar 1.5 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil Pizza Dough Directions Run a glass bowl under warm water for a few minutes or fill it and let it get warm. Pour out all water and add 3/4 cup warm water to the warm bowl. Add 1 tsp sugar and 1 tsp of active dry yeast. (not instant yeast). Stir and let it sit for a few minutes. Add 1.5 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to yeast mixture. Mix 1 tsp salt into 2 cups of all purpose flour. Mix all ingredients with a wooden spoon (it may be slightly sticky) Cover with a towel and let it sit for 30 minutes while you prepare the toppings. Remove from bowl and knead on wax paper with flour. I like to divide it into two balls and work with one at a time even if I am using both to make a large pizza. I used the whole recipe to make 1 whole pizza in the picture above.). I like to toss the pizza from one hand to another and then let it hang down over one hand to thin it out. I have tried rolling it, but the dough often sticks to the rolling pin. Just try to flatten it out some in your pizza pan. Do the same thing with the other ball and then push them together filling in any holes. Shape the outer crust to look nice. Let the dough sit in the pan while you complete preparation on the toppings. ( Use a good pizza pan with little holes in it so the crust will cook evenly. I like this pizza pan on Amazon.) Mediterranean Pizza Toppings 1/2-1 onion as desired ( prefer red onions, but regular onions are sweeter.) 3 cloves garlic 1/2 c. sun-dried tomatoes 2/3 c chopped olives 2 chopped Roma tomatoes. 2/3 c. Feta cheese Everyday Bagel Seasoning Mix (This pizza does not have pizza sauce and it is delicious! No sauce needed, so skip the pizza sauce full of preservatives and sugar. Once you try this, you will never want sauce again!) Carmelize 1/2-1 onion &3 cloves garlic (onion cooked in pan with olive oil until brown) Add 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil (the kind in the jar) to the pan of onions & garlic. Use slotted spoon to spoon onion mixture to the dough. Drop chopped tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and red onion on pizza. Drop freshly chopped basil and fresh mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with Everyday Bagel Seasoning Mix Bake at 475 until brown (10-18minutes). Mediterranean Pizza ready to be baked. Mexican Chicken Pizza Unlike the Mediterranean Pizza, the Mexican Chicken Pizza has a thin layer of salsa and not that stuff out of a jar. Salsa is very easy to make and makes the difference in the taste of this pizza. Don't be intimidated by making the salsa; it is super-easy. You can also use this as a dipping salsa for other dishes. Mexican Chicken Pizza toppings Mexican Salsa (recipe included) 2 chicken breasts (cooked in olive oil, seasoned with favorite seasonings, and chopped) 1 cup Mexican cotija cheese or mozzarella 1 /2 red bell pepper 1/2 yellow bell pepper 1/2 chopped onion salt pepper cloves Everyday Bagel Seasoning Cilantro Roast peppers, onions, and tomatoes seasoned with salt, pepper, and cloves. Blend in a blender to make Mexican Salsa Mexican Salsa ( This can be adapted using pepper with mild heat or high heat as desired. Leave some seeds in if you really want high heat. I like to leave some seeds in it to give it just a little 'bite'. 2 Jalapenos 1/2 red bell pepper or 2 mini red peppers 1/2 yellow bell pepper or 2 mini yellow peppers 2-3 Roma tomatoes 1/2 red onion Line pan with foil Slice peppers in half, remove all or most of seeds Slice red onions thin slices Slice roma tomatoes Place on foil lined pan and season with salt, pepper, and cloves. Roast in oven at 475 degrees until the vegetables begin to brown/soften. Blend all in blender until blended well. Mexican Chicken Pizza Place dough made from directions above in pan and allow it to sit while preparing toppings. Spread Mexican salsa (seasoned roasted peppers, onions, and tomatoes that has been blended) Drop additional chopped peppers, onion, and chopped chicken. Drop chopped fresh cilantro and Cojito cheese or mozzarella. (I used Mexican Cotija cheese in the image above, but I prefer mozzarella cheese). Season with Everyday Bagel Seasoning Mix Bake at 475 degrees for 10-18 minutes. Enjoy freshly baked pizza with your favorite salad. I like a Lime Cilantro Cabbage salad with the Mexican Chicken Pizza with a small bowl of Gazpacho ( a cold Spanish tomato based soup). I will be adding these recipes soon. What are your favorite pizza toppings? I hope you are enjoying our recipes. Please follow us at www.journeywithodells.com  as we travel in our Airstream and share adventures, recipes, and products. We may earn a small commission from purchases made through Amazon affiliate links.

AMAZON SOLO SMOKELESS BONFIRE PIT WITH REMOVABLE ASH TRAY How about that bonfire! You can poke it, roast a marshmallow, gaze at it, get warm, and just be mesmerized. There is just something about a bonfire when you are camping that makes the day complete. We look forward to a bonfire at the end of a day filled with exploring, biking, or hiking. That is the time to relax and enjoy the sounds and smells of nature while just sitting around the fire. Yes, the Solo smokeless bonfire pit is smokeless once you get the fire going. It helps to have a fire starter to speed up the process. Without a fire starter, you will experience some smoke until the fire is burning well. Recently, we purchased the Masterbuilt Fire Starter Blocks and Fire Starter Sticks to aid in getting a hot fire quickly. Both fire starter products worked equally well and we experienced minimum smoke for a short period of time. We also enjoy a fire while cooking outside on our Char-broil Charcoal Grill or our Bella Copper Top Electric griddle. Bella Copper Electric Griddle We also enjoy a bonfire while listening to music or watching a movie/Netflix series on our computer. We connect the Doss Bluetooth speaker for sound. Catching up with Grey's Anatomy on the computer with sound on the Doss Bluetooth Speaker. Who says you have to abstain from your Netflix addiction when camping? We have a little smoke when first starting the fire. (After using the fire starters to get the fire blazing.) The removable ash tray is easy to clean the next day and the fire pit stores easily in the bed of our truck. Do you have any special accessories for a bonfire while camping? Follow us on www.journeywithodells.com as we explore the country while traveling in our Airstream, trying new recipes, riding our -ebikes, and occasionally dabbling in fashion/health products.

The secret to keeping camping fun and romantic is maintaining a cozy, well-organized camper with touches of all of the comforts of home. Doug and I bought our 19ft. 2021 Caravel Airstream just over two years ago on our honeymoon while traveling in our Nucamp teardrop camper. We were at the end of our 6 -week camping honeymoon and met a nice couple who showed us their Caravel Airstream. We loved our teardrop camper, but the space and layout of the small Airstream was inviting to us. I was sold on the idea when they told us the Airstream has a tankless hot water heater. Yes, a cozy camper needs endless hot water. So, we bought the Airstream and sold the teardrop camper. It is important to bring the essentials, but not more than will be used on a trip. We quickly learned we don't need to bring ten towels on a trip. With each trip, we packed less than we did the previous trip. Having spent 6 weeks in the Airstream on a cross country trip from Georgia to California in 2023, we have our packing down to a fine art. We have most items always packed away in the Airstream, so we usually only need to pack our clothes and food. Reversible Plastic Straw Rug (Click to buy on Amazon) We quickly replaced our large outdoor rug for a small reversible plastic straw rug that can be quickly cleaned and dried for storage while traveling. We learned this after stuffing our large rug (still wet) in the camper to move to another campground. We only take the large rug when we are not moving from campground to campground. You can enjoy endless hot showers even if the campground does not have sewer hookups with the RV Waste Water Remover. Just connect it to your vehicle to take it to the dump station in your campground every few days. We decorated the Airstream to have some of the comforts of home. We also replaced the pretty Airstream comforter with a lightweight waffle blanket that is the perfect weight for warm weather and can be easily washed while traveling. The soft and cozy texture is perfect for snuggling while watching the TV mounted over the bed. It is great for layering on the bed during cooler weather. The stainless steel trash can with a foot pedestal fits perfectly at the base of the bed across from the sink. I love this slim mirror that we attached to the wall beside the door for checking our 'outfit of the day' before rushing out the door. I found this mirror in California, but I located an Etsy Mirror that would fit as well. We hung a lightweight canvas picture of a forest of snow on the bathroom door. We chose a snow covered forest to give the Airstream a cozy feeling. (The link is for a similar canvas wall art. I think we found our art in a thrift store.) You could change out the art seasonally. Warm up those chilly mornings without turning on the propane heat with an Amazon Indoor Personal Space Heater. Since regular candles are not typically safe to use in an RV, I prefer these lovely battery operated birch bark candles with remote control for minimum lighting in the evenings (no heat, but great for just a bit of light for that cozy feeling.) Don't forget the little luxuries of watching TV and listening to music. Even though we seldom spend daylight hours inside the Airstream, we enjoy the comforts of listening to music and watching a Netflix series or a movie. With a Roku attached to your TV, you will not miss that Netflix series that you have discovered to be your newest addiction. Of course, internet is required and is often provided at many campgrounds. We keep a T-Mobile 5G Gateway Internet in our Airstream. If internet is provided, it is sometimes too weak to stream a movie, so the Gateway Internet solves that problem. Just like home, we keep music playing non-stop. We even play sleep music at night which also helps drown out any campground or road noise. We use the portable Bluetooth Doss Speaker in the Airstream and outdoors on the picnic table. We have taken it in our bike basket for music when we forgot our communication helmets. Make your Airstream kitchen area special! Add fresh flowers and use your space to cook some really good meals. Every cozy home includes a good meal. Don't be afraid to cook in your Airstream. With the convection oven and gas burners, you can cook almost anything you would cook at home. The Contour convection, microwave, and air fryer was intimidating to me at first, but was easily mastered when following the directions in the manual: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.rvupgradestore.com/v/vspfiles/assets/pdf/RV200SCON_Manual.pdf. We enjoy using the Electric Copper Top Griddle outdoors, but we also use it indoors when the weather is not cooperating. It stores easily between the seat and the Airstream wall. Organization is key for your cozy, comfortable Airstream. The pantry located by the door is a great asset for those who love to cook. I added several of these Spice shake containers with trays since seasonings are important for delicious meals. The shelf above the pantry is the perfect location for your phone charging station. This charging station holds multiple devices and saves you from having cords hanging all over the Airstream. I use Amazon's food lock storage containers to store food. Before getting these containers, I experienced a few episodes involving containers shifting during travel and falling out the refrigerator door as soon as I opened the door with the top flying off the container when it hit the floor. The locking tops prevent spills and helps to keep food fresh. These containers are the perfect size for the small refrigerator in the Caravel Airstream.The Grippi Egg Container will keep your eggs safe during travel and it doesn't take up much space in the refrigerator. The Bamboo drawer organizer fits perfectly in the cabinet under the sink. The Presto Coffee Pot is a favorite at home and in the Airstream for great coffee. It secures safely in the opening beside the cabinet under the sink with a bungee cord while traveling. The small shelf above is great for keeping coffee supplies, so no more digging around for the coffee pot and supplies. With a little planning and furnishing your Airstream thoroughly before hitting the road, you will enjoy many of the comforts of home while allowing satisfying your wanderlust for travel. So dive into cooking some great meals, snuggle with your sweetheart while you watch some good movies, and don't forget to take that endless hot shower thanks to the tankless hot water heater. What products you have discovered to make your Airstream adventures cozy and comfortable? Please leave a comment. Follow us on www.journeywithodells.com as we explore this country in our Caravel Airstream and dive into topics about our explorations, food, traveling with a pet, camping products, Ebike accessories, and occasionally a little fashion. We may earn a small commission from purchases made through Amazon affiliate links.

We all want something quick, easy, and healthy to serve for a side dish with meals. This salad packs protein and fiber into a delicious side dish that will have your family asking for more. After a recent visit to the mountains of North Carolina, we tasted a similar salad made with quinoa and kale. I was unable to get the recipe, but put together a similar recipe using ingredients I had in my kitchen. I used a salad kit and Seeds of Change quinoa & brown rice to make preparation quick and easy. Belinda's Quoinoa & Kale Salad 1 packet of Seeds of Change Quinoa 1 Eat Smart Kale Salad Kit with toppings 2/3 c. feta cheese 2/3 c. sun-dried tomatoes 1 roma chopped roma 6 chopped cherry tomatoes 3 chopped petite cucumbers 1/4-1/2 chopped red onion Balsamic glaze optional: artichokes, kalamata olives Directions: Heat the Seeds of Change quinoa & brown rice packet in a pan for 10 minutes. While the quinoa & brown rice is heating up, chop the cucumbers, red onions, and tomatoes. Pour salad kit in bowl and add chopped vegetables. Stir salad and vegetables together. Stir in poppyseed dressing, nuts/craisin mixture (included in the salad kit). Add quinoa & brown rice mixture to mixed salad. Glaze with balsamic dressing. Salad may be served from large bowl. For individual salads, glaze balsamic on each bowl of salad mixture. Here you have it; multigrains, vegetables, and cheese, all in one dish! You could have salmon or chicken for a complete meal in a bowl. Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa & Brown Rice with Garlic (Click to buy on Amazon) Sun-Dried Tomatoes with Olive Oil (Click to Buy on Amazon (I may earn a small commission from purchases made through Amazon affiliate links)

Bread is one of nature's treasures, especially when you use a good whole grain flour. Sometimes, I use King Arthur Bread flour for guests who are not fans of whole grain flour. In moderation, bread is part of a nutritious diet and takes any meal up a notch or two! My friend Karin, from the Herb Crib in Blairsville, shared this amazing recipe with me from one of her workshops. I adjusted the recipe from grams to ounces. The recipe calls for olives, but I make it without olives most of the time and it is delicious! It is super easy; just mix, cover the bowl and let it sit for a few hours prior to baking. This bread can be baked on a cookie sheet. However, I really like to bake it in my Emile Henry Baquette Baker seasoned with Everything Bagel on top prior to placing it in the oven. This batch makes three nice beautiful loaves of the most scrumptious bread. Serve with your favorite spread, real butter , or a mixture of aged balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Piccoli Finoli Bread (Herb Crib-Blairsville, Ga) 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing pan. 1 1/2 cups of cold water 2 tsp. dried instant yeast 1 tsp. sugar 2 1/2 cups King Arthur whole grain flour or bread flour, plus extra for dusting 3/4 cup of King Arthur all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt 1/2 cup of pitted olives (if desired) I prefer to omit the olives. Grease a large bowl with olive oil. Mix 1/2 cup warm water with yeast and sugar. Add the whole grain flour, all purpose flour, sall and 1/2 cup water, knead for 5 minutes. Mix the rest of the water (1/2 cup) with the olive oil and add to the dough while kneading for another 5 minutes. Dough will be sticky. Cover with a towel and let rise until double in size (1-2 hours). Sprinkle more flour on dough. It will be soft and sticky. Form dough in rectangle on pan and leave it to prove for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425. (I like to sprinkle 'Everything Bagel' Seasoning on top before putting it in the oven.) Bake 15-20 minutes until golden. Do not overcook. If cooked in the covered Baquette pan, uncover halfway through baking to allow bread to brown. Place dough in baquette baker after it has set 1-2 hours and sprinkle with Everything Bagel. Everything Bagel Seasoning (Click to buy on Amazon) Allow dough to sit and rise for 30 more minutes before placing the cover on pan and baking in a preheated oven at 425 degrees. Don't forget to place the top on the baquette baker prior to placing it in the oven. Remove the top after 8 minutes to allow the bread to brown. Remove loaves, trim excess off edges (this loaf needs trimming). Slice loaves and serve with real butter, aged balsamic vinegar/olive oil, or your favorite spread. Doug's Favorite Baquette Spread Mix ricotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a little garlic powder in a bowl and serve for spread. Better yet, slice the bread the next day and make little grilled cheese sandwiches using the spread. Dip each side in a mixture of fresh garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, and paprika for browning each side of sandwich in the pan. Look how good this bread looks served with a meal! Yes, it definitely takes a meal up a notch or two! Emile Henry Baquette Baker (Click to buy on Amazon) Take your next meal up a notch or two with Baquette bread loaves! (I may earn a small commission from purchases made through Amazon affiliate links.)

Those who know me, know I cook very healthy dishes on a daily basis. But, on a special occasion like birthdays, holidays, when someone comes home from the hospital, or when your youngest youngin' announces an engagement, it is time to celebrate with white flour and sugar. You know, the good stuff, not Splenda or even honey, but pure white sugar and white flour are enjoyed for special celebrations. This post is dedicated to my favorite traditional recipes made with real sugar and plain white flour. I hope you find these recipes created from some of the best cooks (not me), but cooked by me, so you can do it too! Like most things in life, they should be enjoyed in moderation. Southern Caramel Cake by House of Nash Eats Yes! This was the perfect cake to celebrate my son, Ryan's engagement to Shelby. I followed the recipe and it turned out amazing. Especially, when we added homemade ice cream. 2. Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream by Jamielyn Nye This ice cream is so easy to make and it does not require any eggs. Let the kids throw in the sugar to the ice cream churn for extra fun. It goes great with the Caramel Cake, too! 3. Lemon Coconut Cake by A latte food This is a great cake for Easter. I made this for a family Easter dinner and had numerous requests for the recipe. I followed the recipe and it turned out great. It took a bit of time to bake it, make the homemade lemon curd, and put it all together. It was definitely worth the time! 4. The Best Chocolate Cake Ever! by Robyn Stone (Add A Pinch) I decorated with M&Ms and colored malted milk balls for Easter. The kiddos loved it! 5. Moist and Fluffy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Shelly ( cookiesandcups.com ) This carrot cake is chock- full of pineapple, nuts, carrots, coconut, and good spices is so moist and does not disappoint. I have made this cake many times for birthdays, get well wishes, holidays, and occasionally ...just because. It is my husband's favorite cake! 6. Blueberry Peach Pie by Sally's Baking Addiction The only dessert my husband likes better than carrot cake is pie. This blueberry peach pie (with homemade ice cream) was served for Father's Day, but I make it for him when we have our family visit for dinner. I add Apple Pie spice sprinkled on top with sugar. Otherwise, he gets a healthy whole grain pie made with a sugar substitute. because he eats pie almost Every. Single. Day! These recipes have all been tested by our family and found to be a win. What is your favorite dessert?

Gone are the days of eating keto- friendly meals to maintain your weight. Our bodies need the nutrition and fiber obtained from multigrains including oatmeal, whole grains, and lentils. This skillet lasagna prepared with ground turkey, fresh vegetables , three different cheeses, and lasagna noodles made from lentils and chickpeas is loaded protein and fiber to build muscle, burn stubborn fat, and provide energy. This is a great high protein high fiber meal to keep the fire burning-skillet lasagna, mediterranean orzo salad, homemade whole grain breat, and oatmeal crumble fruit pie! This healthy dish was obtained from a cookbook, Let's Cook With Kids distributed by the California Department of Health to encourage healthy preparation of meals. I added more vegetables and substituted lasagna noodles made from chickpeas and lentils for extra nutrients and protein. Use with your favorite marinara sauce. I prefer a sauce made with all natural ingredients with no sugar added. Skillet Lasagna 1 cup ricotta cheese 1/4 cup Parmesa cheese, grated 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided 1 pound ground turkey 1 zucchini or yellow squash (chopped) 1/2 chopped onion 3-4 cloves chopped garlic 1 (25 ounce) organic pasta sauce (no sugar added) 6 lasagna noodles made with chickpeas and lentils chopped fresh basil Mix cheeses in a bowl and set aside In skillet, brown turkey meat and drain excess fat. Add onion, garlic, and squash. Cook 5 minutes Add 1/2 jar of sauce and mix. Add 4 lasagna noodles, breaking noodles to fit the pan. Spread cheese mixture on top of noodles. Add another layer of noodles and pour remaining sauce on top. Add remaining mozzarella cheese. Add chopped fresh basil. Cover skillet with lid and cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Compliment the Skillet Lasagna with Mediterranean Orzo Salad made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, whole grain orzo, olives, feta cheese, garlic, red onions, and zesty lemon vinaigrette. Be sure to use whole grain orzo for the added nutrients, protein, and fiber. A good pasta dish is complete with healthy homemade bread (eaten in moderation of course). This recipe is compliments of the Herb Crib in Blairsville, Ga. I substituted whole grain flour for the manitoba flour for the added health benefits and the taste is as good as using bread flour. This is a quick, easy bread to make for a meal. Serve with olive oil tempenade. Piccoli Finoli Bread (Herb Crib-Blairsville, Ga) 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing pan. 1 1/2 cups of cold water 2 tsp. dried instant yeast 1 tsp. sugar 2 1/2 cups King Arthur whole grain flour or bread flour, plus extra for dusting 3/4 cup of King Arthur all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt 1/2 cup of pitted olives (if desired) I prefer to omit the olives. Grease a large bowl with olive oil. Mix 1/2 cup warm water with yeast and sugar. Add the whole grain flour, all purpose flour, sall and 1/2 cup water, knead for 5 minutes. Mix the rest of the water (1/2 cup) with the olive oil and add to the dough while kneading for another 5 minutes. Dough will be sticky. Cover with a towel and let rise until double in size (1-2 hours). Sprinkle more flour on dough. It will be soft and sticky. Form dough in rectangle on pan and leave it to prove for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden. Do not overcook. (This is a picture of the bread placed on the pan. Let it sit and it will rise after 30 minutes and will rise more upon being baked in the oven. Add a slice of homemade wholegrain bread and orzo salad to your pasta dish! An awesome meal is not complete without an awesome desert! Keep your healthy eating train moving right along with this Oatmeal Crumble Fruit Pie made with your favorite fresh fruit. I used strawberries, blueberries, and peaches in this pie made with a whole grain crust made with olive oil instead of butter, topped with oatmeal crumble, sweetened with a little Stevia, local honey, or maple syrup. Your heart and waistline will thank you!