Everyone needs a vacation, right?
As the Founder of Vie, I have found myself with little time for vacations over the past two years, but in a matter of days, I’ll be headed to the beach (Chincoteague, our favorite place) for two weeks! While I’ll be working there before wake-ups and during post-beach nap times, I have vowed to spend as much time relaxing and soaking up the beauty of the island as possible.
Whenever I began my vacation prep, the first thing I do is create a meal plan and subsequent shopping list (big surprise). Admittedly, I wasn’t always this organized when it came to vacation. Planning and packing often took me two weeks -and don’t even get me started on the sorrowful unpacking- but with the arrival of each new kid, I got smarter about my prep.
Now, I know that less is more, and all that really matters to me is that my food planning is well-organized so I can avoid last-minute trips to the island store, which is not typically as well-stocked as I’d like. This year I’ve done the majority of my shopping at Costco (with a few extras procured at Trader Joe’s next door). I’m sharing my weekly menu and shopping list with all of you in the hopes of being able to extend a tool that might help your vacation packing go a bit smoother.
Enjoy this list and email me (lynsie@getvie.com) if you’d like to see any of these menu items as recipes. I’m happy to throw some up while I’m kicking back and relaxing! Do keep in mind that if you’re a Vie subscriber, you’ve already made a bunch of these recipes as the ones I share with you are the ones I make at home for my family!
Vacation Meal Plan: Week 1
June 24th: pasta and meat sauce + garlic bread, saladMonday: seafood (clam + shrimp pasta with parsley butter/oil)Tuesday: chicken pesto burgers/saladsWednesday: Kefta with pitas, yogurt sauce + chickpea saladThursday: leftoversFriday: woody’sSaturday: bouillabaisse
Vacation Meal Plan: Week 2
July 1st: carnitas tacos with avocado salsaMonday: eggplant Parmesan with garlic zucchini, linguine with parsley butter/oilTuesday: MYO Pizzas/seafood (crabs)Wednesday: burgers and dogs + potato salad with eggs and baconThursday: chicken tortilla soupFriday: bbq tofu with corn & green bean saladSaturday: leftovers/tomato pie
Breakfast, Lunch, Snack & Dessert
BreakfastEgg and sausage burritosBanana oatmealYogurt and granola + fruitLunchLeftoversTurkey sandwiches and roll upsChipsDipCrudités SnackDried fruitNutsCrudités with hummus, tzatziki
DessertFruit pieIce cream
Pantry Staples
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Onion Salt
Red Pepper Flakes
Garlic Powder
Bamboo Skewers
Paprika
Cumin
Dried Italian Blend
Saffron
Coffee
Filters
Panko Bread Crumbs, plain
Flour
Yeast
Mayo
Chipotles
Pickles
Shopping List by Department
Produce
1 bag whole peeled garlic
1 bag yellow onions
3 bunches parsley
2 bunches cilantro
1 bag avocados
1 pkg grape tomatoes
1 pkg English cucumbers (3 pack)
Lettuce from the garden
1 bag oranges
1 bag apples
2 bunches bananas
1 pkg blueberries
1 pkg strawberries
2 eggplants
2 pkg baby zucchini
2 yellow squash
1 pkg Yukon gold potatoes or Russets
1 bunch celery
1 bag carrots
2 shallots
1 bag green beans
2 pkg corn (8 ears total)
Meat/Protein
3 lb ground beef
1 lb ground lamb or pork
1 pkg Costco chicken burgers
1 Boston butt pork roast
1-2 pkg sliced turkey
1 pkg hot dogs
1 pkg chicken sausage
1 4-pack bacon
1 pkg chicken breasts or thighs
1 pkg tofu
Dairy & Eggs
2 lb unsalted butter
1 pkg pesto
1 pkg pico de gallo
1 pkg spinach and artichoke dip
1 pkg tzatziki (?)
1 pkg hummus
1 pkg sliced Swiss cheese
1 pkg feta cheese
2 quarts Greek yogurt, plain
1 pkg jack cheese, shredded
Half and half
3 dozen eggs
Grains/Nuts/Dried Fruit
2 pkg angel hair pasta
2 pkg linguine pasta
1-2 loaves Italian bread
1 pkg ciabatta rolls
1 pkg pita bread
1 2-pack sandwich bread (Dave’s Killer)
1 pkg corn tortillas
1 pkg flour tortillas
1 bag granola
Canned Goods & Non-Perishables
2 bags potato chips
2 cans chickpeas
1 can black beans (spicy)
2 28-oz cans fire roasted tomatoes
2 boxes canned beer
4 bottles wine
Seltzer’s
Gatorade
Frozen Items
1 bag frozen sausage
2 pkg vanilla ice cream
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