What is it about vacation that just always seems to involve good food? And lots of it, at that!
It’s funny how things have changed over the years when it comes to me, and vacation, and food. I can remember taking a trip with girlfriends years ago, shortly after college. I packed all of my breakfasts and lunches (if you could really call them that…they were more like snacks) and I would seriously fret over where we went to dinner to make sure they had “healthy” options. Even up until a couple of years ago, I was always hyper aware of all meal times, what I’d eat, and where we would eat out. Definitely no way to enjoy a vacation.
This year, everything was basically “go with the flow.” I made an attempt to have some healthy choices everyday if/when possible, but there were certainly days I didn’t eat a vegetable or had a few too many cookies. It happens! In the end, it’s just a few days, and it really doesn’t matter. It’s all about enjoying the time with those around you.
See anyone familiar in the background there??
So since it’s Wednesday and all, I thought it would be fun to do a little WIAW vacation edition (thanks, as always, for hosting Jenn!). I made a conscious effort to snap pictures of just about everything I ate on Monday, which also showcases the way we like to enjoy our beach snacks over here ;-)
Breakfast
Our hotel has a cafe in it that has some pretty decent food. On Monday, I got two scrambled eggs with home fries, sausage, wheat toast, coffee and apple juice.
The meal was delicious and a great way to keep full while running after this guy on the beach all morning long.
Around 11:30, my little beach bum was ready for his nap so I headed back up to the room to get him settled. My mom met me up there and graciously offered to stay with him (2 days in a row, she was amazing) so I could head back down and enjoy the sun and sand.
Afternoon Snacks/Lunch
Once I got back down, I snacked on a vanilla yogurt with some blueberries and raspberries while doing a little reading.
And throughout the next couple of hours, there was also plenty of snacking happening.
I love my beach snacks!
Or usual MO while on vacation is to spend the morning and early afternoon at the beach, then head back up to the pool for the rest of the afternoon. So around 2:30 or so, we packed up at the beach and got settled in at the pool.
I went upstairs to relieve my mom, got Lucas up from his nap, and we all reconvened poolside.
Around 3:30 or so I started getting hungry again so I broke into the PB&J that I made earlier that morning and packed for myself.
Hello sunburned knees…
By the way, that towel I’m laying on there is awesome. It’s a sport and swim towel by Aurorae, the makers of my favorite yoga mat, and it turned out to be great for our trip. Nice and soft for laying on down by the beach, and perfect for cozying up on at the pool.
Thanks so much for the towel, Aurorae! We all loved it!
Around 4:30 or so, we decided to head back up to the room so we could get ready for dinner. My parents offered to watch Lucas whole Jay and I went out to dinner, so we certainly took them up on that!
While getting ready I was still hungry, so rather than go to dinner starving I snacked on some graham sticks (that were Lucas’s, oops).
By about 5:45, Jay and I left Lucas with “Nan-nan” and Papa, and we were off for an early dinner.
We both thought Mexican sounded good, so we picked out a restaurant fairly close to our hotel called Bandanas.
Dinner and Dessert
And oh mannnn, was it good!! We started with some chips and guacamole for an appetizer which was delicious.
For my entree, I knew some greens might not be a bad thing (they were the first I’d eaten in probably two days), so I ordered the Steak and Avocado Salad.
It came with roasted corn, black beans, tomatoes, cheese, and an Italian Caesar dressing that was phenomenal. I told Jay that this is absolutely a meal we need to try to recreate at home.
We were both plenty full after dinner, but since we were on vacation and all, we decided to live a little and order some desserts.
Jay got a cookie sundae and I went a little different and ordered a crepe filled with vanilla ice cream, topped with sea salt caramel, Oreos, and loads of whipped cream. It was AMAZING.
To say we both left overly full would be an understatement, but we were both thoroughly impressed with our meal. If you’re in Wildwood, definitely go there!
It wasn’t long before we got back and Lucas was ready for bed (that sun wipes him out!) so I put him down and then the rest of us hung out on the balcony for the rest of the evening enjoying some drinks and interesting, funny discussions. One of them being…
If you mix SPF 30 + SPF 8, what do you wind up with? We had answers of 22, 19, and 38….and I’m curious. What would you guys say??
Of course, it wouldn’t be a balcony party without some snacks. And having been about 3 hours since we ate dinner, I found some room for a little something…
Have you guys ever had Pub Mix??? Gahhh, I love it!
So there you have it! A look at a full day of eats while on vacation. And they were good, too. :)
How about you guys? What does your eating look like while you’re on vacation? Much different from our usual? Do you try to stick with basics? More snacking?
Michelle says
Hi. Can you tell me what hotel you are staying at? I’ve been considering Wildwood for a quick get away, I’m from NY too, buttons know much about the area. Your pictures look like just what my family needs. I seriously need some beach time!
Thanks so much.
Michelle
Courtney says
Hey Michelle, we’re actually home now but we stayed at the Reges Resort in Wildwood Crest. It’s a great hotel!
Court says
Haha! SPF 38… how do you get to the other answers?!
Michelle says
Ha ha….not buttons. Should have said that I don’t know much about the area.
Brynn says
your food looks amazing!!! When I go on vacation I go with the flow and my ears depend on where I’m at. For example, a trip to the beach means lots of snacking. Vacations to Italy means lots of meals.
Linz @ Itz Linz says
I definitely indulge way more while on vacation! After all…. It is vacation!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Vacation food is so great! I’ve heard a rumor that ice cream turns into vegetables in your stomach when you’re on vacation…
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I adore vacation food! One of my favorite things about traveling is trying as much good food as I can :) Your meal at Bandanas and that ice cream crepe look incredible. So glad you had a great time!
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
Ahh! Give me all the guac! Love it. Naturebox snacks are so yum!
Traci says
Ahh, I grew up in New Jersey and I haven’t been to Wildwood in far too long! I think I need a beach weekend there again at some point (or anywhere ‘down the shore’)!
On vacation, I usually try to stick with a healthy breakfast and then splurge a bit more on lunch and/or dinner. I try to keep snacks healthy as well when possible, but if not, no worries! Dessert always happens, too.
Beks says
On the SPF thing, if you put two SPFs together, you don’t double your protection. It’s just the highest SPF, so like you had 30 and 8, it would actually just be 30.
mandee says
yes! this comment is correct – your SPF would be 30!
looks like you guys had a great time… i LOVE when my whole family goes to the beach together. I have some great memories of our yearly beach vacations… actually i think many of my fondest memories *from being a kid AND an adult* are from those vacations, so i bet lucas will have many of his trips too :)
jess p says
Doesn’t time seem to fly even more so on vacation?! My husband and I usually go to all inclusive resorts so it’s lots of stops on the buffet line but little snacking in between meals.
Jennifer says
We definitely snack a lot on vacation and usually it’s not too healthy. Looks like you guys had a great time. I have been looking for a swim float for Avery and would love to know where u got the tube one for Lucas? So hard to find something he will actually want to wear.
Courtney says
My parents actually got that one, not sure where?! But I saw some on Amazon that looked good…the only thing I don’t like about the one we have is that it isn’t a full suit, so it rides up a bit and he definitely doesn’t seem as stable. I’d say check Amazon though! Hope you and Avery are doing well :)
Claire @ Keeping Up With Claire says
I definitely indulge more on vacation too. Ice cream is pretty much mandatory any time you’re at the beach! And for some reason, sandwiches taste 100 times better to me when eaten on the beach. And could Lucas get any cuter?! That striped hat is adorable!
Kelsey says
Ahh! I love Bandanas! My grandparents have a beach house in Wildwood Crest and whenever we visit, my husband and I ALWAYS eat at Bandanas. I usually get enchiladas, but I am getting that salad next time. We hope to go this weekend, so if we can fight the 4th of July crowds, we will be going there for dinner at least once! And going to the Sea Shell for ice cream, of course! Hope you had a good vacation!
Courtney says
Oh how fun!! Yes, definitely go check it out – you’ll have to let me know what you think!!
jenn@Mark My Miles! says
Love vacation. So happy for you that you are now at a place where you are relaxed and enjoying life around food. What a great example to be living for Lucas!!!
I’m curious, is Lucas able to sleep in the same room as you on vacation? Our little man is Lucas’s age and we are always having to get a suite or “shared” rooms at a hotel. Any tips on how you do it would be appreciated : )
Courtney says
We actually did have him sleeping in the same room as us. BUT, my parents had a room next door so we’d put him down for bed, and hang out next door with his monitor in hand! When it was time to go back into the room to sleep, we were just SUPER quiet lol…the bathroom was a little ways away from where he was sleeping so we didn’t have any issues. I’ll admit though, we were worried about it going into it! But he did great :)
Jenn@Mark My Miles! says
Thank you! So glad that he did well!!! Fingers crossed ours will do the same : )
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Looks like you guys are having a fabulous time! Beach vacations are the best. Your steak and avocado salad looks so good, and that sundae?! Ohhh man! And yes to the Pub Mix! We get that from Costco occasionally – so addicting! Glad you’re enjoying yourself … it’s such a better and more fun way to live! :)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Courtney! Beach vacations with nothing on the agenda are the best, and I feel like I’m in need of one. How great you can travel with your parents, so you always have people to watch your little man. Your eats look good, especially the salad and dessert. YES! My vacation eating is always very indulgent, with some nutrients as well. I like to go heavy on the dessert every day while I’m on vacay! Good food and good times! Enjoy!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Have you ever eaten breakfast at Alosi’s? Omg! Before I had Celiac and was vegan, that was my favorite place to get breakfast in WW! My family loves it…seriously the best!!
Shawna says
i actually tend to eat a lot healthier on vacation, b/c i’m eating every meal out and usually having my days full of activities, so i only eat meals and generally always seafood/salads. my girlfriends always joke that i’m the only one who goes on vacation and loses 5 lbs in a week. clearly i have to figure out how to keep that no-snacking streak going in NYC! :)
Dena says
I just read an article recently that said different SPF’s really weren’t that different when scientifically tested. I was pretty mad. LOL. So, your answer to your SPF question is probably “all of the above”. Ha!
Dena says
Oh, and one more thing….we are leaving for Florida tonight, but I almost changed my vacation destination based on the picture of that crepe!!! Holy YUM.
Jamie says
SPF 30 + SPF 8 = SPF 30. The number only correlates to how long you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. So SPF 30 = 30 times longer… SPF 8 = 8 times longer… so adding them together, you’d only get the benefit of the stronger SPF! I’ve done my research ;) haha. On vacation I try to eat as many greens as possible since I usually end up overindulging in treats and adult beverages! I also probably eat more of a structured “meal” plan then when I am home, since I like eating 5-6 smaller meals a day. Your ice cream crepe seemed out of this world! Hope you have a great day!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
I would think if you mix 30 with 8 you get 30, right? That it would overpower the 8.
Those eats look great! So nice to have date night on vacation :)
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Hi Courtney! You are so right about the vacation being about the experience. Balance is having the treats and some healthy eats without the stress. So glad you enjoyed the beach time!
Erin M. says
Those desserts look so good! I’ve never had a crepe before…might have to change that. How do you like that 10% happier book? I’ve seen it on other blogs before and it seems interesting. Would you recommend it?
Courtney says
It’s definitely different from my typical reading and I’m only about 2 chapters in, but so far it’s interesting (mainly because I always watch ABC, haha…it hasn’t really gotten in to the details of his meditation and things like that yet).
Niki @ Life With Niki says
Oh my goodness what fun vacation eats! From your hearty breakfast to toddler snacks to AMAZING salad and scrumptious dessert, what a blast! I have actually read the 10% happier, and will definitely make you rethink somethings about life.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Ohh I’m curious to hear what you think about that 10% happier book! That sounds like the type of book I’d enjoy :) Looks like a fun vacation!
Joni says
What a fun trip! I would love to go to Hawaii in 2013! I don’t see it happening but you never know .portreath cornwall