This recipe is a modified version of the very first recipe I published in my RV kitchen, Texas Chili. I created the Texas Chili recipe back in 2019 while we lived full-time in our Airstream Interstate Sprinter van. What is unique to Texas chili, is that it doesn’t include any beans or any tomatoes. It is simply beef and flavors from guajillo peppers. Over the past five years, I have made this dish over and over and over. However, I have made some serious modifications and feel that my new version deserves its own recipe.

The biggest changes from this recipe compared to my traditional Texas chili are:

1. I use much less broth. So much less that this isn’t a chili anymore. It is now a braised chuck roast. It still has the same base flavors, but it is much more of a thickened sauce in this new version. There is still enough sauce to spoon over your serving plate, but it is so intense in flavor that a little goes a long way.
   
   
2. I cut the chuck roast into much larger chunks. I started braising a lot more this past year and have become obsessed with large pieces of tender meat that fall apart after braising. I love keeping the integrity of the chuck roast this way. And since it’s no longer a chili, the bite-size pieces aren’t necessary. If you are looking for a braised pork recipe, check out this Mojo Pork.
   
   
3. Braising in the oven is the cooking method in this revised version. Now that we are in a 5th wheel with a residential oven, I use it and abuse it. Back in our Airstream Interstate, I did not have the luxury of an oven. I created my original Texas Chili using my induction cooktop (which I still love and use all the time).

Step-by-step images to make this chuck roast

Links for tools/items used in this recipe:

• Kitchen shears
• Pasture-raised beef
• Induction cooktop
• 6-quart Dutch oven
• Cuisinart Smart Stick
• Wooden spoon
• Silicone pot holders

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Guajillo Braised Chuck Roast

Course Dinner, Lunch

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 5 hours hours

Ingredients

• 4 ½ pounds Chuck roast, trimmed, and cut into large chunks
• 8 dried whole guajillo peppers
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp black pepper (plus more for seasoning beef)
• 1 tbsp salt (plus more for seasoning beef)
• 1 tsp dried cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• ½ white onion, finely chopped
• 10 cloves of garlic, grated with a microplane
• 16 oz water
• extra virgin olive oil for searing beef

Instructions

• Remove the stems and seeds from the dried peppers by cutting off the top stem, cutting up the pepper vertically, and using your fingers to remove the seeds. Discard the seeds.
• Place clean peppers in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Place a small plate or bowl over top to weigh them down and submerge them. Soak until soft, about 30 minutes
• While the peppers are soaking, I like to chop the onion, grate the garlic, and prepare the beef. Prepare the beef by removing all excess fat. Then, cut into large pieces, about 3x3x3" up to 5x3x3". I prefer the larger size. Season the beef with salt and pepper.
• After the peppers are finished soaking, remove them from the bowl and place them in the food processor, carefully to reserve the water. Add the cumin, black pepper, salt, cayenne, smoked paprika, and ½ cup of reserved water to the food processor. Puree the mixture to form a smooth paste, adding more water only if needed. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350℉
• Heat a large Dutch Oven with lid over high/sear heat and lightly coat with olive oil. Sear the meat in batches to brown all sides of the chunks. Do not overcrowd the pot, do this in batches as needed. Transfer beef into a bowl and reserve.
• Reduce the pot to medium heat and add the onion to cook until translucent, a few minutes. Add garlic and the pepper spice paste in, stirring well to combine, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant. While stirring, scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot using a wooden spoon.
• Stir in additional water so that the braising liquid will go up ½ way to ¾ way up the beef after you add the beef in. The total amount may vary depending on the size of your pot and how much beef you have. If you're unsure, start with a small amount and add more after if needed after adding in the beef.
• Add the beef back into the pot along with any juices from the holding plate. Put the lid on the Dutch oven and braise for 3-4 hours until fork tender. I like to check on the pot about 2 ½ hours in to make sure there is still enough liquid in the pot (you don't want it to get too low).

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I love to get inspired by our travels and incorporate the local culture into our home-cooked meals. We are currently in the Florida Keys, which has a very strong connection to Cuban food. After all, Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States and is only 90 miles from Cuba.

During our last five years RV’ing we have visited Florida several times, and I have recreated a few other Cuban dishes as a result. Beef Picadillo is an excellent ground beef dish that is a flavorful one-pot meal. Chicken Ropa Viejo is a classic Cuban dish with shredded meat and bell peppers. Moros Y Christianos is a black bean and white rice dish with plenty of history to it. The Moros Y Christianos would make an excellent side dish to this braised mojo pork recipe! Mojo Pork Chops, which is an easier and faster version of this recipe (although not nearly as good, in my opinion).

So there you have it, beef, chicken, pork, and vegetarian options!

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Braised Mojo Pork

Course Dinner

Cuisine Cuban

Keyword Braise, Pork

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Marinate Time 16 hours hours

Total Time 21 hours hours

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups fresh squeezed orange juice + the zest of 3 oranges
• 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice + the zest of 3 limes
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh oregano, finely chopped
• 15 cloves fresh garlic, finely grated
• 1 ½ tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp salt
• 2 tsp ground pepper
• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus more for searing meat)
• 4 ½ – 5 pound Pork Shoulder
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Prepare the marinade by mixing all of the ingredients EXCEPT the pork and the water into a Ziplock bag. Add in the pork and seal the bag up. Place the bag in a bowl in case any leaks happen. Ideally, you will marinate this the night before cooking. If you can't marinate a full night, try to get at least 4-6 hours.
• When you are ready to start cooking, remove the bowl from the fridge and let sit at room temp for 30 minutes to take the chill off.
• Preheat oven to 350F
• Remove the pork from the bag and be careful to save all of the marinade (we will use this liquid for braising).
• Heat a large, heavy, Dutch oven over high heat using the stovetop or induction cooktop. Drizzle some olive oil in the Dutch oven and sear all sides of the pork. This will take about 2-3 minutes per side, 10-15 minutes in total.
• Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and let cool for a few minutes. Next, carefully add the marinade + 1 cup of water into the Dutch oven.
• Place lid on the Dutch oven and roast in the oven for about 4 hours, or until very fork-tender.
• Serving Ideas: rice bowls, black Cuban beans, veggie bowls, tacos, mango salsa, sour cream, avocados…

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What is Resistance Training?

Resistance training, strength training, weight training, lifting weights…what’s the difference? I like to think of resistance training as the act of making your body and muscles work against force. It describes an action. Strength training is ultimately the same thing, but more describes the outcome. If you are resistance training properly you will gain strength…well, if you’re doing it right you will! And lifting weights?! Same thing, different name.

The Benefits of Training

Where do we even start with this? The benefits of training are unparalleled when it comes to health maintenance and optimization. It is by far the number one activity you can do to not only enhance your current health but also protect your future health and prevent the disabilities of aging. We can’t stop the clock. But we can take action to age with optimal mobility, independence, and quality of life.

The shortlist of the very long list of benefits includes but is not limited to improved mood, mental health, sleep, energy, body image, confidence, strength, bone health, heart health, posture, flexibility, fat loss, and metabolic health. Additionally, weight training will decrease stress, anxiety, risk of slip and falls, risk of injuries, mobility loss, risk of cognitive decline

America tends to focus on obesity. In reality, we should be looking closer at the fact that Americans are extremely under-muscled. Even if the obesity levels stayed the same, we would be a much healthier population with higher muscle to support mobility and metabolic health. If you need help getting started, consider reaching out to an online coach to help you with programming, such as Irene Iron Fitness.

Equipment Options

Many RVers have to carry their equipment onboard their rig. If you are a part-time or weekend warrior, you want to have a program using equipment that can easily move from your sticks and bricks to your RV life. Knowing your equipment options will be a good step to being set up properly.

The top two options we recommend for training are dumbbells or loop-style resistance bands. With either option, you will want to be sure to have a wide variety of weight/resistance levels. One single set of dumbbells will not do the trick. You want to have lightweight, heavyweight, and everything in between. You have a lot of different-sized muscles on your body and it is not a one-size fits all. Especially once you start to make strength improvements and need to increase resistance to continue to make progress.

How Often Should You Train?

It’s important to stay safe and start at a level that you feel comfortable and enjoy. This might mean one time per week for ten minutes per session. It might mean two times per week for twenty minutes per session. Ultimately, you want to work your way up to three or four times per week, at 30-45 minutes per session.

Start where you are at and make sure that you enjoy it. If you take on too much too soon, you can discourage yourself, burn out, or worse, cause injury. You will know when it is time to ramp it up!

The post Resistance Training – the Basics appeared first on Healthy RV Living.

Making Pecan-Crusted Chicken at Home

Everyone loves a hot, crispy, breaded chicken meal. Fried chicken can be found in restaurants and even gas stations across the country. Usually, these indulgent entrees are a product of deep-frying or pan-frying. These forms of cooking come with a caloric bomb from the copious amounts of oils used. 

In true HrvL fashion, we wanted to lighten it up. We are big believers in enjoying fun foods that you like, and making them a little bit healthier by cooking them at home. You could prepare these pecan-crusted chicken tenders on a large baking sheet, oven-baked. We opted for our handy-dandy air fryer, which should be no surprise.

The Chicken

For this pecan-crusted chicken, we used chicken tenderloins. You could also use chicken breasts or chicken thighs, but we absolutely adore the classic chicken finger nostalgia. We also like the fact that chicken tenders are incredibly easy to prep. They can pretty much go straight from the package to the pecan crust mixture without any additional steps.

If you are using boneless chicken breasts, I recommend cutting them down into smaller-sized pieces or a thin chicken cutlet. The smaller pieces will allow them to cook quicker in the air fryer. You’ll ensure that the chicken is fully cooked through without burning the pecan crust mixture.

Our Inspiration

Our recent travels to Savannah, Georgia, inspired us to create this chicken. In Georgia, you can find pecans everywhere. It would be a shame to travel to Georgia and NOT get pecans. You could pick up whole pecans, pecan halves, pecan crumbs, or even ground pecans. 

We also happened to pick up some hot honey while down in Georgia, and boy did that take these chicken tenders over the edge! Just a tiny little drizzle of hot honey is all you need to give your crispy chicken a sweet and sassy zip of sticky goodness.

Serving Suggesion for Pecan Crusted Chicken

The tender chicken gives you a protein punch. You also get a dose of healthy fats from the pecans, and carbohydrates from the breadcrumbs and hot honey drizzle. Add a hefty mound of fibrous veggies on the side, and you have a complete meal.

Our favorite way to serve this pecan-crusted chicken is on top of our “Georgia Salad”. We made a bed of fresh greens and added feta cheese crumbles, shaved white onion, juicy peach slices, and a mound of micro greens. Just be careful with your cheese portions and your peach portions. Since the chicken already has fat and carbs in it, you will want to be considerate of toppings on your salad.

For more chicken recipes, check out our Shawarma Spiced Chicken, Lemon Herbed Chicken, and Sundried Tomato Chicken.

Print

Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword Air Fryer, Chicken, Pecan

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1 ½ tsp salt, divided
• 1 ½ tsp pepper, divided
• ¼ tsp cayenne powder
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 tbl parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried tarragon
• 4 tsp hot scotch bonnet honey (optional)

Notes

1. Season the chicken tenders with about 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
2. In a shallow bowl or walled container, mix the flour with about 1/8 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp of pepper.
3. In a shallow bowl or walled container, lightly whisk the eggs with about 1/8 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp of pepper.
4. In a shallow bowl or walled container, mix the pecans with the breadcrumbs, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp of pepper, parsley, and tarragon.
5. Take one chicken tender and dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.  Then, dip in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.  Finally, dredge in the pecan breadcrumb mixture to ensure fully coated.  Place the breaded chicken tender on a clean, dry, plate. Repeat the process for all chicken tenders.
6. Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket.  Do not overcrowd the basket.  Spritz the top of the chicken with avocado spray or olive oil spray. Cook at 380 degrees for 15 minutes.
7. Top each serving with one teaspoon of hot honey just before eating (optional)

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The importance of healthy habits

Did you know that over a third of your activities are actually not determined by you? It’s a habit. Your life today is the sum of your current habits.

Habits are the small decisions that you make every day and the actions that you take from them. We have outlined ten basic healthy habits that will help you live a healthier lifestyle. From improving healthy eating to physical health, these healthy habits stack up.

Living an RV lifestyle can certainly throw a wrench in your routine. Constant relocation and inconsistent daily schedules will keep you on your toes, that’s for sure. On top of that, we RVers tend to treat life like one big vacation. And there is nothing wrong with that! We are out here living our best life. The key to living a balanced RV lifestyle is to incorporate daily practices that improve your overall health and keep you on track with your goals.

Tried and true healthy habits

After coaching hundreds of clients across the country, we have some pretty good experience with helping others live their best lives. We have compiled our top list of the most impactful healthy habits. We personally practice these healthy habits ourselves, every single day, while living full-time in an RV.

1. Resistance train at least 3 times per week

At Healthy RV Living, we are all about resistance training. Skeletal muscle is critical for health, quality of life, and longevity. As a nation, we are severely under-muscled. This makes sense considering that as we age, we naturally lose muscle. If you are over the age of 20, you are likely losing muscle mass as you read this, unless you are actively weight training.

Not only does weight training build lean muscle mass, but it also increases bone density, protects against injuries, improves metabolism, aids with fat loss, increases flexibility and balance, improves posture, minimizes depression and anxiety, prevents cognitive decline, and improves confidence. With all of these benefits, why wouldn’t you start resistance training today?

It doesn’t take much to get you on the right track for building lean muscle. All it takes is a minimum of three training sessions per week, at least 30 minutes per session. We recommend using a wide variety of dumbbell weights or a high-quality set of loop-style resistance bands. Dumbbells and loop-style resistance bands are at the top of our list for essential RV fitness gear. Be sure to follow a program that targets all of your muscle groups for total body strength gains.

2. Get sunshine and fresh air every day

It can be easy to sit inside your RV all day long. This is especially true if you work from home (your RV). Before you know it, it’s dinner time, the sun is going down, and you want to cozy up on the couch. Staying cooped up all day is a bad habit that you can easily break.

Sunlight shares many of the same benefits of exercise. Both exercise and sunlight improve sleep, reduce stress, maintain strong bones, help keep weight gain away, fight depression, and can help you live a longer life.

Additionally, sunlight gives you that needed boost of vitamin D. Vitamin D is critical for your immune system. You can strengthen your immune system with consistent exposure to sunlight. Illness, infections, and some cancers will be less prone to take you down with consistent exposure to sunshine.

Fresh air is energizing and sharpens your mind. It cleans your lungs, helps your digestive system, can lower blood pressure, and strengthens your immune system.

Make sure you are properly prepared to spend time outside all year round. Invest in having a good rain jacket, umbrella, and plenty of cold-weather gear.

So how much time per day is needed to soak up these physical and emotional health benefits? You can reap the rewards with 5 to 30 minutes per day. If you’re ever feeling that afternoon slump, head outside for a dose of good health.

3. Aim to get 7,500 steps a day

Walking is highly underrated. We love it because it is low impact, highly accessible, and gets the body moving. The more steps you take, the more likely you are to get regular movement throughout the day. Humans are not meant to be sedentary. You may have even heard the saying, “Sitting is the new smoking”, and unfortunately it rings true. Excessive sitting has been linked to an increase in back pain, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and diabetes.

The average adult reportedly gets anywhere from 2,000-6,000 steps per day. Suppose you are nowhere near 7,500, target 1,000-2,000 above your current average and start there. Then, after a couple of weeks, ramp it up again. Continue to monitor and set goals for yourself. Of course, if you already are at or above 7,500, continue to do what you are doing, and don’t achieve less.

Getting steps in does take time though. If creating the time needed to get steps in is a problem, you may then want to look at other higher-intensity forms of exercise to get more bang for your buck (being the clock). And if you are really wanting to increase your metabolism or use walking for weight management, you may need to work up to 10,000-15,000 per day.

4. Target 7-9 hours of sleep per night

Sleep deprivation is nothing to joke about. Poor sleep is directly linked to weight gain, weakened immunity, memory issues, mood changes, trouble concentrating, high blood pressure, risk of heart disease, low sex drive, and poor balance.

Consistently getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night can negatively affect your physical and mental health. You’ll feel groggy, tired, and just off.

There are several things that you can do to improve your sleep routine. For starters, try to stay as consistent as possible with your sleep schedule. Minimize electronics before bed. This might mean turning off the TV or shutting down your phone 30 minutes before bed. Try other activities such as reading a book, taking a shower, journaling, deep breathing, or stretching. Limit or avoid daytime naps, reduce alcohol intake, cut off caffeine after noon, and exercise regularly to help get better sleep.

If you’ve ever spent the night at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel, you’ve probably experienced the harsh security lights peeping into your RV. Take a look at the window coverings in your RV. Are they true blackout curtains? If not, consider upgrading to get full blackout coverage. An easier solution is getting an inexpensive eye mask. The eye masks work great to keep the light out. I personally own several of these and wear them every night!

5. Drink more water

Drinking water not only keeps you properly hydrated, but it provides a slew of other health benefits. It carries nutrients to cells, eliminates waste, protects joints and organs, and maintains body temperature.

Beverages like soft drinks and fruit juice can pack on calories, and refined sugar, as well as other artificial flavors. Ditch the sugary drinks and make water your go-to beverage. At the end of the day, water is the best choice for hydration.

The current recommended guidelines for water consumption are 90-120 ounces per day. We recommend drinking this throughout the day, starting the minute you wake up. “Twenty-four before your feet hit the floor” is a motto we use often. Before you even have your morning coffee, get a jump start on your daily water quota.

We have heard from some adults out there who just can’t stand the taste of water. Or lack thereof…If you find yourself in this category, try a few natural add-ins before reaching for artificial sweeteners or sugar-sweetened beverages. Fresh mint, lemon, lime wedges, and sliced cucumber are all healthy choices to enhance your H20.

Rather than wasting money, space, and energy lugging around single-use plastic bottles of water, invest in a long-term drinking solution. There are many filtration systems that you can use in the RV. Easy and affordable solutions are portable filters like the Brita or the Berkey. There are also more advanced in-line filtration systems, such as Clearsource.

6. Cook the majority of your food at home

Processed foods are the number one contributor to chronic diseases. Cooking at home is by far the most powerful way to control your food choices. This should come as great news to RVers since we always have our kitchen with us! 

Processed food, fast food, and even sit-down restaurants are all culprits here. Sure, fast food may be known to have lesser quality ingredients and more fried food. However, sit-down restaurants are just as damaging. According to Time Magazine, “92% of meals from large-chain and local restaurants have more calories than is recommended for the average person”. Restaurant foods are often loaded with excess calories from trans fats and sugars. 

Take control of your ingredients and portions by cooking at home. Food prep does take some extra time on the front end. But with continued practice, it will lead to a healthier life. There are various prepping approaches you can take. One of the most popular methods is the “Sunday ritual”. This involves taking a few hours on Sunday (or any day) and prepping for the entire week. Cook big batches of whole grains, starches, quality protein, and prepped fruits and vegetables. 

Challenge yourself to reach for your home-cooked lunch rather than fast food on your lunch break. Recreate that frozen meal from scratch and connect with the fresh ingredients. And rather than trying to cut out all restaurant food cold turkey, try to gradually decrease your average number of meals out per week. Make this a fun experience and enjoy your time in the kitchen!

7. Prioritize quality protein

Since we have gotten onto the subject of healthy foods, let’s talk about what you’re eating. Protein is highly under-eaten by many adults. And it plays a critical role in your healthy diet, as well as healthy aging.

Protein helps build and maintain skeletal muscle. Remember when we talked about lifting weights to help stay healthy and minimize risk factors? Here we go again with protein. There are two ways to help build and maintain muscle: 1) weight lifting and 2) dietary protein. Why not tackle both?

Protein is also important if you are trying to lose fat and get down to a healthy weight. It is hard work to be in a caloric deficit. Prioritizing protein will help keep you feeling full and satisfied. It will also protect your muscles and steer your body toward burning fat instead of muscle.

So what do we mean by “quality” protein? We are not talking about processed meats (cold cuts, hot dogs, protein bars, or “Beyond Burgers”). We are talking about fresh meats, fish, and eggs that have not been processed. These quality sources offer essential amino acids that are needed to promote muscle protein synthesis.

We like to keep our RV freezer stocked with quality proteins. We purchase our proteins online in bulk from a grass-fed and ethical source. Another cost-saving option to consider is purchasing in bulk from Costco or Sam’s Club. When we bring it home, break it all up and portion it into one-pound servings in Ziploc bags. Having pre-portioned servings in the freezer makes mealtime a breeze. You have less prep, less trash, and a properly portioned quantity to create meals with. Does your RV freezer need an overhaul?

8. Pump up the vegetables

Vegetables should make up half of your plate at every meal. Including breakfast! Yes, we said it! Fruits and vegetables are so nutritious and are the answer to helping prevent chronic diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 out of 10 adults get enough fruits or vegetables. This statistic is measured using a modest recommendation of 1 1/2-5 cups per day. We definitely don’t want you to fall into that statistic. So much that we will get a little crazy and up the recommendation, even more, to target 5-10+ cups per day.

First, pay attention to two different types of vegetables: fibrous vs. starchy. While both come loaded with vitamins and nutrients, some key differences exist. Fibrous veggies are packed with, you guessed it, fiber. They are also lower in calories. Some examples of fibrous vegetables are broccoli, leafy greens, green beans, brussel sprouts, asparagus, and tomatoes. Fiber is an excellent way to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, help you feel fuller for longer, and aid with digestion.

Starchy vegetables are the familiar potatoes, corn, legumes, and beets. They have a higher starch and carbohydrate content and higher calories. A majority of your daily carbohydrates should come in the form of vegetables and fruits, rather than refined grains (crackers, bread, etc).

One of our favorite things to do as we travel the country is to visit local farmers’ markets. This is a great way to explore local areas and support local farmers. Spend a couple of hours out and about, being a tourist. Then bring home a haul of fresh ingredients, and create some magic in your RV kitchen!

9. Minimize ultra-processed foods

When it comes to healthy eating, ultra-processed foods are about as unhealthy foods as you can get. When you walk around a standard modern-day grocery store, over 75% of the “food” offerings are processed foods. From processed meats and meat alternatives to chips, crackers, cookies, breakfast cereals, condiments, frozen meals, meal-replacement bars, and more, it can be overwhelming.

Processed foods are mechanically engineered to taste amazing. The companies design these foods to leave you wanting more. As a result, you overeat, and afterward, you’re nutritionally unsatisfied. What a recipe for disaster!

Pay attention to what is on the labels of these foods. An insane amount of money is spent on marketing. They use terms on the packaging that make you “think” these foods are healthy when they are just processed junk food. Terms like: plant-based, heart-healthy, whole grain, vegan, keto, organic, gluten-free, fat-free, low calorie, the list goes on and on.

Next time you go grocery shopping, schedule some extra time to read labels. First, check the ingredients list. Ideally, the ingredients will be about five items or less. More importantly, you will be able to identify and recognize every item in that ingredient list. Second, get comfortable reading the nutrition info. Serving size, calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, sugar, and protein content are all important numbers to pay attention to.

10. Stay focused and consistent

People struggle with the “on and off” mentality when it comes to fitness and nutrition. I think this is a result of decades of fad diets, and the desire to get the most results with as minimal effort as possible. The fad diets and trends will promise fast results, and oftentimes times they come with drastic measures.

These fad diets and other highly marketed nutrition plans are often very restrictive. For example, cutting out entire food groups such as animal products, fruits, carbohydrates, and even vegetables is pretty typical in fad diets such as vegan, keto, and low-carb diets. 

Meanwhile, many fancy (and expensive!) commercial nutrition plans are extremely low-calorie and require you to purchase their packaged food to stay on plan. If you are ever being pressured to purchase food in a package as a solution to good health, I encourage you to run! 

The truth is, that healthy lifestyle habits take time and consistency. Don’t be discouraged when you don’t have a physical transformation in a short time. Be realistic with yourself on what your lifestyle is, day in and day out. I challenge you to practice these healthy habits for six months with 100% commitment. Stay focused and consistent. This is a sustainable approach to a true lifestyle change. 

Time to collect significant health benefits

Hopefully, we have inspired you to incorporate these healthy habits today. Maybe you’re already doing a few of them, or better yet even a majority of them. If there are even just a couple more that you can add to your routine, it’s worth the effort.

Sometimes picking just one thing at a time to add in can be a gentle way to progress. If you tack on too much at once you may find yourself overwhelmed. Pick one habit that you feel most confident that you can consistently perform. Master that habit for a couple of weeks. Once that feels like “normal”, then add in another.

Breaking your goals up into small, achievable steps is extremely effective. Taking slow continuous steps will get you to your end goal much quicker than taking big jumps, then jumping backward. Cheers to healthy habits!

If you are interested in getting more help and accountability on an individual level, check out our online coaching options.

The post Top 10 Healthy Habits to Practice Everyday appeared first on Healthy RV Living.

Every person and unique RV has a different threshold for how cold is too cold for RV camping.  But generally speaking, temperatures that are consistently below freezing will make winter RV camping a bit more challenging.  RVs aren’t insulated like your traditional home, so keeping the tanks and pipes from freezing is a real concern.  

How cold is too cold for RVing?

As many pipes and tanks are in the underbelly of the RV, whether or not your RV has an enclosed, insulated or heated underbelly will make a big difference.  And if you’re actively living in the RV versus storing it, also makes a big difference.  If you’re heating the RV to keep yourself comfortable, that also keeps everything else inside at a warmer temperature. 

Many RVers have motorhomes with heated underbellies and can survive temperatures in the teens with the heat running throughout the night.  If you have hookups at an RV park, it will be easier because you can run space heaters.  If you’re winter RV dry camping, be sure your propane is full when you arrive. For extreme conditions, consider RV skirting to provide extra protection for the underbelly.

So there is no straight answer for how cold is too cold to RV, but we hope these winter RV camping tips and our personal experiences help you prepare for a successful winter RV trip.

Top Winter RV Destinations

In our opinion, the best winter RV destinations are warm winter RV destinations.  Forget all that snow and the worry over freezing pipes.  When your home has wheels, why not follow the best weather? (spoken like a true snowbird, right?)  Here are our top 3 winter RV destinations:

California

When it’s winter in the rest of the country, San Diego CA is the place to be.  Plus, it’s whale watching season for the Pacific Grey Whales migrating to Baja.  If you’re looking for an ideal winter RV resort in the San Diego area, check out Campland On The Bay. It’s located on the shores of Mission Bay and offers waterfront RV spots. Low temperatures hardly ever drop below 50 degrees in San Diego, so you won’t even remember it’s winter!

Arizona

There are lots of wide open spaces and free public land for boondocking in Arizona during winter.  This makes Arizona a cheap and easy option for RVers.  The warm weather and abundant sunshine bring so many RVers that it’s often a homecoming of sorts for the RV community.  You’ll find lots of RVers camping in Yuma and Quartzsite Arizona every winter.

If you’d rather have amenities, you can find the best Arizona winter RV parks in Phoenix and Tucson.  The Cave Creek Regional Park and Campgrounds located in north Phoenix is a personal favorite, providing access to nature and outdoor activities, while still being close enough to the city services.  This is a county park that requires reservations.  They operate on a six-month rolling basis, so be sure to plan ahead for your stay here.

Florida

Florida isn’t the easiest place to just roll up with your RV at the beginning of the winter season. Winter RV sites in Florida can be competitive to reserve and often must be booked well in advance.  Key West is home to the southernmost point in the US.  Going as far south as possible for the winter makes good sense, right?  Well, if you can afford it, and can plan ahead. 

Boyd’s Key West RV Campground is regarded as the best RV park in Key West. This park was founded in 1963 by two Canadians who were trying to escape the harsh winter in Saskatchewan.  That first year, campsites were $1.50 per night.  Today, a full hook-up Waterview site in peak season will cost you $225 per night. 

Will You Try RVing this Winter?

We hope you feel inspired to chase warm weather in your RV this winter.  And we hope that the sunny skies help make your fitness on the road easier.  We think it’s easier to maintain the motivation to keep up with our RV workout routine all winter when the temps are warm and the sun is shining.  Happy trails!

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Have You Ever Done A Walking Tour?

If you’ve never been on a walking tour, we have good news- there are so many options nowadays!  You can join a group led by an expert local guide.  You can download an app and do a self-guided tour at your own pace.  In some cities, they even have maps and markings throughout the city pointing out areas of interest, like the famous “Freedom Trail” in Boston.

Walking Tours for Exercise 

We think walking tours are the best way to combine body movement with sightseeing because you’re on foot! We enjoy the slower speed, being able to soak in the views and learn the history, all while getting our steps in.  You may even find dog-friendly walking tours, so the whole family can get their exercise in.

Walking is an exercise that burns calories, builds muscle, and improves heart health. It’s a great low-impact activity that can be done for long durations.  Therefore it may help you meet your exercise or weight-loss goals.  In addition to all the physical benefits, walking can also contribute to your mental health. Long walks can alleviate depression and improve your mood.

With all these positive reasons to choose walking as a form of exercise, let’s dive into walking tours as a way to explore a new city.

Guided Walking Tours 

There are many paid excursion options for whichever city you’re planning to visit.  We think guided walking tours are the best option if you have the time and flexibility in your schedule to go at the offered times.  Having a live, local expert to ask questions and learn from is worth the cost.  It can be especially great for singles and solo travelers because it’s also a great way to meet fellow travelers.  

Below are some of our favorite places to find guided walking tours:

Airbnb Experiences offers walking tours in many cities.  This will allow you to connect with a local community member and learn about their city or neighborhood from their experience.

Get Your Guide offers walking tours around the world (and we often select a biking tour if we want to see more areas of a larger city). 

Tours By Locals offers mostly walking tours.  These tours allow you to connect with local residents and learn about their town through their eyes.

We’ve also found walking ghost tours to be a great way to explore a new town, with a little extra thrill!  Whatever the flavor of your chosen walking tour, expect them to last about 90 minutes to 2.5 hours, and wear your walking shoes.  You’ll probably walk somewhere between 1.5- 3 miles on the average guided walking tour.

Walking Tours for Free 

Sometimes your schedule doesn’t match the guided tour times, or maybe you don’t feel like exploring with a group.  There are also self-guided tours you can do with a free (or cheap) app on your phone.  We like GPSmyCity with over 1,000 cities worldwide.  They offer free app-guided walking tours around the world.  

Try web searching for “self-guided walking tour in ‘name of city’” if you don’t find your destination on GPSmyCity.  There are lots of local versions of self-guided walking tour apps.  Often the city, county, or chamber of commerce will build a simple free app to help visitors explore their city.

Another free tour option is called Free Tours By Foot. This organization coordinates a local guide, and as the guest, you can pay what you want at the end of the tour.  So it’s more of a tip-based system, and not technically “free” but still a good and cheap option. This is our personal favorite. We used Free Tours by Foot in both Savannah and Charleston.

Are You Headed to Visit a New City Soon? 

We hope you’re inspired to consider a walking tour if you’re headed to visit a new town or city.  A good walking tour is a perfect example of how to keep up your fitness on the road.  Keeping up with your fitness on the go doesn’t have to be hard, make smart choices about the way you get out to explore.  Use human power whenever possible.  And add a city walking tour to your RV workout routine, for a win-win!

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Am I Ready to Take My RV to Canada?

Depending on where you plan to visit, there can be some very remote (and very beautiful) places in Canada.  It would be wise to make sure your RV has any necessary repairs done before you leave for your trip.  It may be difficult to find the parts you need if you have an issue in a remote area.

Other than that, if you’ve got some miles under your belt and feel comfortable with long drive days, you’re probably ready to take your RV to Canada!  But we can share a few more things to help you prepare for when to visit, where to stay, and how to manage the border crossing.

Best Time to Visit Canada

The best time to visit Canada is in the summer.  Peak season is July and August.  Winter is cold, and spring is rainy, but anytime between mid-May and mid-October will be reasonable weather and temperatures for camping in your RV.  

Unless you’re a total snow-lover, this is also the only time really worth bringing your RV to Canada because many attractions and campsites are closed from late October to early May. You could rent an RV from Canadream one winter for an amazing RV ski vacation.  But generally speaking, aim for summer or fall.

In summer you can enjoy swimming, water activities, sunshine, and beaches. In fall the weather will be cooler but enjoyable for hiking and fall foliage.  There are also fewer bugs in the fall (a major pro in our opinion). 

Canada RV Parks – Where to Stay

If you’re used to using Campendium to find RV camping here in the US, the good news is it covers Canada too.  But the offerings are structured a bit differently and there are a few important things to know. 

Parks Canada is the Canadian National Park system, with 40 national parks.  Their campsite fees start at $16.75 per night.  Prices vary depending on your travel dates and location.  You can reserve their sites online here.

Provincial Park Campgrounds are governed by each individual province. There are 470 provincial parks across Canada. Reservations must be made through each separate province or park’s website. The rules and pricing vary by park.  But these parks can be a great option.

Below is a selection of top-rated places to stay in your RV:

Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

This seaside east-coast park has magical nature all around.  It’s also an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Old Shipyard Campground, Nova Scotia

The private campground offers 30 sites on the beach of the Bay of Fundy. Parked on a narrow strip of land, you’ll watch the tide rise up to within 50 feet of your campsite, and then descend a quarter mile from shore, every six hours. 

Campers Cove, Ontario

This private campground has over 1200 feet of clean sandy beach on the shores of Lake Erie. It is family owned and operated for over 50 years. There are wineries, golfing, and birding nearby.

Living Forest RV Park & Oceanside Campground, British Columbia
This RV resort is on 53 acres with ocean, forest, and river. It has 300 sites and is ranked among the top places to camp in British Columbia. 

What Documents do You Need to Cross the US-Canada Border?

It’s not as easy as it used to be to travel to Canada without a passport. According to the US Department of State, “Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.”

Returning to the US from Canada requires similar documents to show proof of identity and citizenship. We recommend checking the State Department’s website to confirm your required documents before crossing. 

How long can you stay in Canada with a US Passport?

Citizens of the United States can stay in Canada for up to six months with just a US passport. If you want to stay longer, you can acquire an extension. To obtain an extension there is an application and associated fee. The application must be completed while in Canada at least 30 days before your time limit is reached.

Important note: if your passport expiration doesn’t have six months remaining, you can stay in Canada for up to six months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

So Is An RV Trip to Canada in Your Future?

We hope this quick round-up of things to consider before embarking on an RV trip to Canada helped you decide if it’s something you want to plan for. It’s really very easy to cross from the US to Canada with your RV if you’re prepared. We hope you’ll embrace RV Travel to Canada and enjoy the beautiful Canadian summer! 

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Are You Ready for a Cades Cove Bike Day?

Biking in the park is simple and scenic.  But it’s good to know a few things in advance as you plan your trip. We’ve compiled some information to help make your bike day smooth riding.

Cades Cove Bike Rental for Biking in the Smoky Mountains

If you don’t have a bicycle or didn’t bring one on your trip, we definitely recommend renting one.  We think one of the best ways to see the park is by bicycle, and you shouldn’t miss out just because you didn’t bring your bike with you. Bikes are rented through the park system and are fairly reasonably priced.  We think it’s worth it, even if you have to pay to rent.

Cades Cove Trading Company rents a wide selection of cruiser bikes.  They have bikes for all ages, adults, and children. The 2022 rental rate is $15 per hour or $60 per day, for adults. Kids 15 and under are $10 per hour.  And they do offer group rates if you’re coming with 4 or more people be sure to ask about a group discount. 

A few notes about bike rental: 

• All bikes rented on a first-come, first-served basis
• Last rentals go out no later than 3 pm 
• 48-hour cancellation notice required
• On Wednesdays, bike rentals start at 7 am (and will often be sold out by 8:30 am)
• Seasonal discounts are available during March and November
• Helmets are included in your rental

Ebikes in Cades Cove

Many RVers have Ebikes to get around now.  And you may wonder- are electric bikes allowed in the Smoky Mountains?  Good news: Yes! Ebikes are allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park anywhere regular bikes are allowed. So bring your bicycle or your ebike when you visit the Smokies. 

Cades Cove Bike Day 

Great Smoky National Park is the most visited national park in the country, with over ten million visitors per year.  And the Cades Cove loop is one of the most popular destinations in the park. This one-way loop must be shared by cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. You can imagine this will result in heavy traffic.  Bicycles are better, but bicycles on Wednesdays are the best!  Plan your trip accordingly. 

On this 11-mile paved loop, you’ll pass by historic homes and churches, beautiful views, and probably some wildlife (black bears!).  This loop provides access to many hiking trailheads as well, so you may encounter hikers or runners on the loop, trying to access the trailheads.  

Depending on your fitness level, you can do the standard 11-mile loop, or you can cut off at Sparks Lane for a 4-mile loop, or Hyatt Lane for an 8-mile loop.  The cut-offs will mean some dirt road travel, but still plenty suitable for biking.

Pro-tip: the NPS Visitor Center is located halfway around the loop in the Cable Mill historic area if you need a restroom or some guidance. 

Camping in Cades Cove

If you want to stay longer than just the day in Cades Cove, the park service operates Cades Cove Campground year-round.  This 159-site campground offers space for tents and RVs up to 35 feet.  You can make reservations on recreation.gov and all sites are $25.

Reservations can be made from May 15 through October 31 each year.  And reservations are accepted up to 6 months in advance. First-come-first-served camping is only available from November through April.

Staying inside the park means you get to experience the quiet of the morning and evening when the rest of the visitors aren’t around.  It’s definitely a special experience, we highly recommend it if you can get a reservation.  While we love spontaneity, the Smokies are a trip best planned in advance to have the optimal experience.

When Will We See You Biking in the Smoky Mountains?

We hope these articles about using your body to move through some top tourist destinations can make it seem possible to keep exercising while RVing.  We know that many new RVers or potential RVers worry about the ability to incorporate fitness on the road.  

We’re here to support you in a healthy RV lifestyle.  And honestly, some of our favorite travel workouts are getting out and exploring the place we’re visiting.  Biking in the Smokies is definitely up there as one of our top sightseeing workouts.  We hope you enjoy it too!

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Is a Class C RV the Best of Both Worlds?

If you’re like Goldilocks and want something that’s not too big, but not too small, a class C RV could be the right match for you.  Class C RVs could be said to be the best of both worlds. They’re bigger than a class B campervan but still smaller and easier to drive than a class A motorhome. 

Class C RV Size

Many say that class C is the most space possible in the shortest length, of any type of RV.  Plus, many class Cs are still small enough that you don’t need a tow vehicle, with the average length between 20-35 feet.

The sleeping space in the bunk over the cab is a primary characteristic and benefit of the Class C RV layout.  If you’re looking to comfortably sleep more than two people in your RV, a class C may be the right choice for you. 

Indoor RV Workout Capacity

While not quite as limited on floor space as a class B RV, the class C RV is still packing a lot of amenities into a small space. As a result you may not get as much indoor workout space as you need.  Compared to class B though, you will have a wider body by about one foot. You will definitely appreciate the extra space for storing your workout equipment. 

For the length of the RV, you’ll get more floor space in a towable trailer of the same length.  A class C with a slide out has the potential to open up a lot of floor space. This is perfect for your yoga, stretching, or resistance training.  Without a slide, a class C RV is going to feel similar in indoor space to a class B, just a tad wider.

Class C Tank Sizes

Tank sizes are critical to your RV supporting your healthy lifestyle. Don’t overlook this important figure when searching for your next RV.  Larger tank sizes are going to allow you to cook more meals and take more showers. Pluse, you’ll be able to drink plenty of water without “watering cactuses” outside.

Class C RVs will offer somewhere between 35-60 gallons of fresh water tank space.  The grey tank is generally between 28-40 gallons and the black tank is between 25-35 gallons of carrying capacity.  Class Cs generally have a bit more space to offer larger tanks, more storage, and other amenities, versus a class B.

Of course, this is only a concern if you plan to take your RV off-grid to do some boondocking. Or if you plan to stay at a state park or similar sites that don’t have full hookups.  If your method is jumping from RV park to RV park, you can take blissfully long hot showers every day without worry. 

Class C RV Kitchen

Most class C RVs come with a decent kitchen.  Sure, they may be smaller than their class A counterparts, but they’re generally well-equipped and will come with all the basics. Microwave, cooktop, fridge, good-sized sink, and even a stove are typical. 

The biggest jump up from a class B to a class C is probably the fridge size.  Rather than a glorified dorm fridge (approximately 5 cubic feet), you’ll likely have a standard RV fridge of ten cubic feet or more.  This makes a big difference in your ability to store healthy, fresh food in your RV. 

Overall, a class C RV is likely to meet your needs with regards to storing good food, as well as providing you with all the necessities to cook healthy meals on the road. 

Easiest Class C RV to Drive

If you’re driving a class C for the first time, it will certainly feel bigger than a regular vehicle, but drive more like a truck than anything else. People may wonder, “is driving a Class C RV hard”?  As with any RV, the easiest one to drive is probably the smallest/ shortest one.  The shorter the RV, the easier it is to maneuver. Going out and test driving is a good first step to see if you should buy a class C RV.

Class C RV Pros and Cons

As with any style of RV, there are pros and cons to buying a class C motorhome.  The possible pros for you are that it’s small enough to not need a tow vehicle. If you do prefer to tow, it has plenty of towing capacity.  There’s plenty of separate sleeping space for you and your family or friends.  And class Cs are a great value for your dollar.  This is partly due to supply and demand, class Cs are more widely available than Bs or As. So, if you’re looking for a motorized RV, class Cs are the best bang for your buck.

If you go without a tow vehicle, an obvious con is that you don’t have an explore vehicle. You will need to break camp to leave after you set up camp (similar to a class B). Other than that, we don’t see many cons against the typical class C setup.

Is a Class C RV the One For You?

If you’re still not sure if you should buy a class C RV, we definitely recommend trying a Class C RV rental from a site like RVShare or Outdoorsy.  Rentals are always a great way to discover if a certain model or style of RV is right for you.  Then, when you find a class C RV for sale that you like, you’ll know whether or not you’re comfortable in the space. 

We think the class C combination of space and amenities, with its still relatively small size, makes a great RV choice for any nomad looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle on the road.

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