“Are you kidding me!” exclaims my husband, every time he sees everything stacked up for the beach and ready for crunch time loading our SUV. This has been going on for nearly 22 years now. (That’s our beach history, not our years of marriage). I could literally start a business to organize some of the clueless wives/moms/grandmothers, and guys, who don’t know where to begin their preparations for a week at the beach with family and friends.

  Just the list making could boggle the mind but you have to start somewhere. Even if the lemon/lime squeezer gets on the same planning page as #4 Pampers Night Time Pull-ups, it’s ok, because when it’s all said and done, they may both end up stuffed in the oversized salad bowl til we get there.

Here is what you need if you are foodies, which we are. If you want to skip preparing any of the food yourself, or IF you want to take the chance of waiting until you’re on that remote island to see if their grocer has Alimentum by Similac ( the only formula the twins have digested in the last 5 months), then go right ahead and plan on spending 95% of your leisure time driving around in the tropical temperatures looking for essentials. No thanks, sister. I went to the grocery one time in a week and witnessed what looked like the aftermath of hurricane preparation- no fish, no fresh veggies, no ice, no bread…..I could go on and on.

This is a bit of my list of essentials. Included are the ingredients that can be put on the shelf and grabbed last minute for appetizers, lunch on the beach and some easy no fuss breakfasts.

DRY IN BAGS:

1.  Orzo, dry spaghetti ( I packed Buchatini ), tiny roasting potatoes ( fingerling are yummy), quinoa. garlic, onion, for quick stir fry or baked veggies
2.  Cereal, pancake mix, flour tortillas, bread( either gluton free or loaf)
3.  Dry snacks- almonds ( love Trader Joe’s Marcona with Rosemary), popcorn, corn chips, kettle potato chips, crackers, dry fruit especially raisins or cherries
4. Spices- Kosher salt, peppercorns, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, Tony Chachere’s cajun spices or other brand, cumin,  cinnamon, sugar, tarragon ( I carried fresh basil, rosemary, mint, parsley, and cilantro from my herb garden wrapped in paper.

CANNED OR BOTTLED:

Olive oil, vegetable oil, vinegar (Balsamic, Rice wine), homemade or bottled dressing, Tabasco, catsup, yellow and spicy   mustard, small mayonnaise, artichoke hearts, olives ( Kalamato), green olives in juice for Martinis. Roasted red peppers – piquillo ( great for last minute tortilla wraps) GOT THOSE CHECKED?

FOR THE KIDS: Peanut butter and or Almond butter- honey, jelly or jam ( hot pepper jelly), jar of Dulce de Leche'(Trader Joe’s)

IN COOLER ON ICE : Can buy there or bring some for the first few days so you can avoid the grocery store

Bottled water, sodas, La Croix, small milk, half and half, butter, cheese especially parmasan,  half dozen eggs, snacking cheese and Feta, cream cheese, sliced ham and or salami,  easy fruit-apples, oranges, lemons,  blueberries, tiny tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, squash or corn if you have room!!

Frozen entree’s  in disposable baking aluminum ( I have brought chicken parmasan, noodles, black beans, shrimp creole,  meat sauce or meatballs, spinach dip, soup of any kind including gumbo). NOT ALL ON SAME TRIP!

CONTAINERS/STORAGE:

Aluminum foil, Plastic storage bags, plastic cups, sippy cups for little guys, plastic wrap or waxed paper, paper towels, toilet paper ( unless provided), Kleenex or other tissues, napkins

Great aromatic candle and dinner candles for a sit down dinner – lighter and/ or matches

Wine opener, can opener, bottle opener, hand grater ( good luck if you don’t bring them

Le Cruset- one great pot with lid

One very good serated knife ( in case they don’t have one at the rental)

Sparkling water, beer, wine, liquor, tea, cranberry juice, lemonade- I bought most of this and crammed it in the car since the price and selection anywhere near the beach is high and few in number.

FIRST AID, SUNSCREEN, BUG SPRAY, DIGESTION AIDS, PAIN RELIEF, ETC. :. Bring the following without a doubt:

1. Bandaids, Antibacterial ointment, spray and stick sunscreens ( from #30 plus), fever and pain reducer,  children’s pain and fever relief (leave to their parents or if you are the parent- pack plenty), seltzer or other help with upset stomach, cold/ allergy relief, moisturizer for dry skin
2. EASY HORS’D’OEUVRES & DESSERT: Use your artichokes, mayo, and grated parmasan cheese ( almost equal amounts). Chop up artichokes and combine with mayo and cheese. Bake in ovenproof container for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Smells heavenly. Serve with whatever you have in the rental ( chips, crackers, or bread).
3. Serve those delicious Marcona Rosemary Almonds from Trader Joe’s in a bowl by themselves
4. Spread hot pepper jelly over cream cheese
5. Serve cheeses with olives, salami, fruit
6. Serve black beans (leftover) with tortilla chips, tomatoes and cheese, warming in the oven to make nachos
7. Roast tomatoes with rosemary, salt, pepper, and olive oil for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or more depending on oven. Serve over French bread and top with parmasan cheese.
8. Quinoa ideas- prepare Quinoa (use water or chicken stock if you have it). Mix in ripe avocado, nuts, raisins or dried cherries, i/4 small red onion, celery, blueberries, Feta,  olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Use as many or as few of these ingredients as you like.
9. Use Romaine lettuce as the container and fill with prepared Quinoa (see ideas above).
10. Roll up cheese, avocado, picquillo peppers, chopped celery, and cumin, in tortilla to make a wrap- cut in smaller portions and serve. Can add some of that sliced ham if the kids haven’t eaten it first.
11. For the kids: cinnamon toast with apples,  celery with peanut butter, ham roll-up with cheese inside, or send some kind soul to the store for popcycles and ice cream (with warm Dulce de Leche’)  for dessert

PERSONAL PACKING

Now it’s time to pack your own clothes and see if you can fit them- including: along with your beach towels, large blanket, flip flops, swimsuit coverups, a casual long dress for a dinner out, digging tools, chairs (skip these and rent),  Fadoras, golf equipment (we rented it), horseshoes, Bocce balls, hair straighteners, and de-frizzers………….

Important- Have fun and relax, whatever doesn’t fit into your vehicle- take a deep breath and let it go. Maybe you can bring it next year!