Second Helping: Alfresco Dining Tips from “Outdoorsy Diva” Lauren Gay

Today, we’ll get alfresco dining tips from Lauren Gay, better known online as Outdoorsy Diva. On her popular blog and social media channels, the Florida-based travel influencer shares her adventures, from hiking and horseback riding to kayaking and swimming with manatees.Since we first spoke with Lauren in 2021, she has contributed to the Lonely Planet book Women Travel Solo, which even got a nod of approval from Oprah.Here are Lauren’s tips for eating in the great outdoors: Camping: “For me, the go-to is those foil packet meals that you can prep beforehand and just keep in your cooler on ice,” Lauren says. For dinner, prepare packets of shrimp, potatoes, veggies and seasonings. For breakfast, think frozen hash browns, sausage and cheese. “Then just throw that puppy on the grill when you’re ready to eat,” Lauren says. Beach or boating: “I think one of the easiest things, which is totally in right now, is charcuterie life,” Lauren says. She likes to prep a board full of strawberries, grapes, olives, cheeses, salami, crackers, nuts and other nibbles. “And I’m frugal, honey. You can get all that fancy stuff from Aldi,” she notes. Avoid messy items like chocolate, which melts in the Florida heat. Backpacking: Lauren likes belVita breakfast biscuits for a portable snack. For longer trips, she recommends investing in a Jetboil portable cooking system to prepare coffee, oatmeal, chili and other hot foods.