I am forever a fan of Airbnb after the last few trips we have had. We have chosen to start using Airbnb because it keeps the cost down for two bedrooms, usually a yard and we can cook at home. It is more planning and work to cook while on vacation but we aren't sitting in restaurants with our three active boys, its healthier and we save money. Here are a few tips that help me when preparing food and a menu for an Airbnb stay. (Psst giveaway at the end, keep reading.) 1. Create a menu/meal plan. I knew the weekend weather would be overcast so I planned for cooler temps which worked out well.

2. Have meals already prepared, packed and ready to go. We used our Lock&Lock Feather light tumbler to keep our oatmeal warm on the drive home. We also used frozen suman to keep our food cold on the way up.

3.Utilize the kitchen you have.

Here was our sample meal plan for the trip:

Saturday - Lunch: Drive up was packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and apples.

Dinner: Chili Con Carne (already made we just had to heat up), rice (most homes have rice cookers) and salad (pre-made).

Sunday - Breakfast: Hardboiled eggs (pre-made), fruits and suman. That suman is from Budbud at Salcedo Saturday market and is to die for!

Lunch: Nachos. We used the left over chili con carne and had chili cheese nachos. I like bringing a whole watermelon because it isn't fussy to transport and easy to prepare fresh.

Dinner: Spaghetti (we boiled noodles on the stove but you can also do in a rice cooker), salad (pre-made) and pandesal locally bought.

Monday - Breakfast: Chocolate oatmeal and bananas. I had never used Quaker instant oats until recently and the chocolate ones are so yummy and easy to use. You just add hot milk.

Lunch: Quesedillas and fruits.

Food temperature is super important to me. If something is meant to be cold it should be cold. If food is meant to be warm it should be warm, not room temperature. After a few hours travel I become bored of dry snacks and can't look at another McDonalds. I want food with substance and temperature. This drive home we did a small science experiment with Lock&Lock Feather light tumbler. Supposedly the tumbler can hold its temperature, hot or cold, up to six hours. I thought I would involve the boys and do an experiment by checking the temp every hour. So we prepared chocolate oatmeal and gave it a go!

Second hour, thumbs up!

We are happy to report that the tumbler kept our oatmeal warm for over six hours! Huzzah.

As I mentioned previously, temperature is key to my pallet. I laughed a few months back when my Swedish friend got me a new glass of water and replied, "Oh I forget you are American and like your water cold." I cannot deny this. It gave me a good chuckle. The other features I love about the tumbler is the size, it doesn't 'sweat' and my kids can all use it easily. One of the main selling points is that it is lighter than my phone (iphone 6s+), ha!

You want one? If you head on over to my IG (amommabroad) I am giving one lucky follower a tumbler of their choice. Go have a looksie. Giveaway ends Monday September 12.

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