Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks and her husband, Wayne Bremser, spend weekends and vacations touring Southern California by Airstream. They aim for scenic spots where they can set up camp, explore on foot, and whip up Heidi’s signature vegetarian and vegan feasts outdoors—healthy, whole foods meals are what her cookbooks and website are all about, and she’s recently created a digital collection of meal-in-a-jar and just-add-water recipes for the road.
We’re long-time fans of Heidi’s (see Style Council: Heidi Swanson’s Travel Kit), and when we heard about the trailer, we peppered her with questions about camp life. In response, Heidi shared The List: a roster of things she’s loves for outdoor living. Her selections are partly, but not all, about practicality: they’re about feeling at home in all kinds of settings. Take a look, and consider her recommendations for camping trips, picnics, and your own backyard.
Above: Heidi says she is “forever collecting sun hats: I always prop a stack of them in the trailer before we head out. Lorna Murray’s Capri Sun Hat, $134, is the one I wear the most.” Winning detail: It folds up origami-style into a tidy package, so it’s easy to pack and the brim never gets out of whack.
Above: The Yoho Bamboo Butterfly Chair by Kuma, $220, is “the coziest chair we travel with—it collapses, too, but it’s heavy, so we only have one.”
Above: “As someone who is mercilessly bitten by mosquitos,” says Heidi, “I’m a fan of Kinfield’s Golden Hour Repellent [$22] and keep it in the Airstream at all times. It’s Deet-free, works well, and has a nice hint of citronella plus vanilla scent.”
Above: The Legendary Egg Spoon of Alice Waters and Fanny Singer is made for use with an open flame. “It’s one of those forever pieces that just gets better with every breakfast sandwich,” reports Heidi. “You can cook up eggs over a gas burner or fire pit and they fit perfectly on English muffins, bagels, and buns. Add a bit of smashed avocado, splash of salsa—one of my favorite, simple breakfasts.” The Original Egg Spoon is $310 from Permanent Collection.
