Adhering to the summer theme, what says summer more than camping? Whether you rough it, tent it, camper or RV it, you tend to not have all the comforts and accoutrements of home when sleeping under the stars. Because of that it is easy to fall into the rut of convenience store food, cooler snacks and campfire munchies, which can lead to sleepless nights and fatigue: bad combo if you will be hiking, boating or engaging in activities that require you to be alert and on your toes. Below are some tips to green up, health up and make the most of your next venture into the wild!

* Eat your veggies! Yep, that’s one thing that is incredibly hard to do when you’re living out of a cooler. Fruit is fairly easy to come by but getting your greens is near impossible.

So, make sure you pack some Healthy To Go Go Greens! These green apple flavored nutrition packets not only taste good but deliver your recommended six servings of green veggies in just a few tasty gulps! They are vegan with no chemicals or unpronounceable stuff as well as gluten-free, great for kids, etc. They also offer vitamin C packs, green tea energy packs, omega packs and more. AND if you order a big box, they send you a BPA free bottle for free

* Drink lots of water! Activities in the hot sun are a killer mix for rapid dehydration. Bring a bunch of water from home in reusable or recyclable gallons. Invest in a hand pump for the five gallon bottles as it makes it way easier to refill little bottles or wash dishes. It comes in really handy to fill a bowl to wash your face and brush your teeth when the community sinks are just unavailable. Be sure to dump “grey water” in designated areas, away from fresh water sources and not in the bushes.

* Stock up on healthy snacks. Hangin’ out with friends around your campsite is always great with some tasty beverages and food. Load up on organic chips and salsa or guacamole as well as hummus with chilled cucumber chips. When away from your site, bring bars like Vega, Goodonyas or Laras  bars to keep your hunger at bay without killing your insulin levels. Lots of great snack options can be found on the Healthy Voyager Approved directory.

* For some of us it’s tough to completely fall off the grid! Keep your cell phones, ipods and computers charged with the sun. Use solar panels instead of generators, crank or shakable flashlights and crank radios. Replace disposable batteries with rechargeables whenever possible. A great stop for your portable solar needs is Sundance Solar.

* Bring enough receptacles to keep your trash separate from your recyclables and compostables. Some campsites aren’t equipped with separate dumpsters so haul your own to the closest place that takes recycling.

* Be green and bring your own dishes by investing in some camping kitchen and dishware. Do your best to avoid using disposable stuff. Plus it’s way cheaper on your wallet.

* Bring your own firewood. It would seem that using timber from around your campsite may seem eco-friendly, but it actually threatens the forest’s future. When fallen trees and branches decompose, they return nutrients to the soil, feeding the surrounding trees and vegetation.

*Stay within your site’s boundaries and on paths. Venturing into the forest threatens fragile plants and disrupts the homes of animals living there. And every time you veer off a path, you create an opening for others to follow. Traveling off the path leads to soil erosion and trampling native plant life.

* Keep campfires small and contained to a pit. Don’t burn plastic, metals or woods that have been treated with chemicals. If you use an outdoor grill, dump the ashes in your fire pit or dispose of them in designated areas.

* Follow the rules of the campsite. Especially the bathroom rules as some sites may be on a septic system and anything other than what is supposed to go in toilets or drains can harm it.

We hope these tips help you become a prepared and conscious camper.

Images via Carolyn, Solio, Greens to Go and Chockstone.org

Tags: conscious camping, eco-friendly camping, Green LA, Green Living LA, greens to go, lara bars, Reduce, Reuse, solio solar powered chargers