I just wanted to show some love and give you kudos for stepping outside of your comfort zone. That took a lot of courage! It's not easy being vulnerable. You are brave!! Love it!!
Loved this video! I am a not small girl, and when a lot of the vanlifers I follow are 20 or 30-somethings in the best shape of their lives, my own confidence (or lack thereof) about how I negotiate the small space in my van is something I don't feel comfortable about and/or wouldn't want to share publicly. (I also have four small dogs and a second person in the minivan as well) So even though I could hear the twinges of insecurity in your voice about the camera angles being unflattering, I applaud you for putting this out there. No one talks about the leg cramps because you can't stand up and stretch properly, or when you need to pull yourself out of bed using the handles on the ceiling because there sometimes isn't enough room to roll over or sit up properly, or how difficult it is to put a bra or tight pants on in a hot enclosed car, much less about what you do when you are half undressed and realize that something you need is in the back, and the only way to get it is to open the back door and get out. That is the unglamorous side, but it is reality. In the end, your system looked effortless, well thought out, and very convenient.
What do you do about leg cramps? Magnesium oil is great to stop them after the first one happens but I usually have to hobble around a bit to get it to stop. I just thought about this in the last week and have been curious and honestly a little worried. Staying properly hydrated prevents it and it will be a good reason to stay on top of fluids and salts. 💚
One of my favorite breakfasts to cook in my minivan is as follows: melt some butter in the skillet, add a diced roma tomato and saute' until most of the juice is gone. Add two eggs and scramble. Add some shredded cheese. Season however you like (I use cajun spice), mix all together and spoon into small tortillas. If you feel motivated, add a few slices of avocado before munching!
That sounds doable. I’m not sure why I struggle so much with van meals. Probably at home I have a full kitchen with ease of use and in a van I haven’t yet figured out how to minimalize. This video was good for me.
We love YOU in your awesome van and we wouldn't want to see anybody but YOU we don't care what you wearing or if you just did your hair or whatever ...we are so thankful for all that you do all the tips all the knowledge and very entertaining presentation !! thank YOU so much for sharing and caring you are a wonderful human being!!
Dani, I've been watching your videos for a while now and I just have to say how much fun they are! I love your vulnerability and your ability to laugh at yourself and how real you keep van life! You've inspired me in my own videos and I just wanted to take a second to say thanks and safe and happy traveling!
Oh Dani, we watch you for your content, for your honesty, for your ability to adapt to situations on the fly. Please don’t be so self conscious. We love your willingness to share real van life.
Hey Dani, thank you so much for creating this video! It was exactly what I was looking for. This is the first real feel I've had of moving around inside the Sienna, very helpful! ☮️❤️😎
Dani, thank you for letting us have breakfast with you! You are so positive and encouraging! I hope to meet you some time on this journey! Blessings on this journey!
I cook in my minivan ALL the time. Maybe it’s nighttime, maybe there’s bugs, maybe I’m in my nightgown and don’t want to get up and dressed, any number of really good reasons. Well done with this video! Definitely subscribing.
Love this video Dani! This is how i picture myself cooking whenni finally get my van....you made my head process reality lol! Completely agree with you about not having a back only kitchen. Thanks😊
Yes-I am not only a big woman but old & not so agile. I luke how you have items placed under your bed for easy access. I however-have. a dog-ha-I guess she will live in the passenger seat! Seriously-I thank you for the reality check. Best of all-no fire extinguisher required 👍💋💪😇🤗
Dani, my first reaction to you moving around to get stuff, was your core strength when getting back to seated position from reaching over to your pantry. I’m impressed.
Doing a sub floor is so easy. You could do it! Just a sheet of plywood cut out after using large pieces of cardboard for a template. Think about it! 😊💕💗🌸 Your videos are so authentic and transparent ~ no fakeness here!! Love that about you!!
I loved it! Yes, this really helps. Cooking IN the van is one of those thing that others tell you about but you don’t actually know How to do it. It helps to know how you’re going to do things before you hit the road. 👍🏼
I just found your site its great to see someone that has a no build. This is what I want to do but I am just starting out and cant afford a complete build. Thanks for posting I has helped me a lot
Adorable, relatable, human. ❤ Speaking just for myself, watching you at home in your van, comfortable, relaxed (bare feet & pedicure) going about the normal business of breakfast, was quite endearing. You’re so engaging and fun, it was great to get to hang out w/you awhile. 😊
Hi Dani! I have one of those bendable tripods. They're so handy and fun to set up. Thanks for making this cooking in the van demo for us. If I do this coooking in the van ... using the camping stove ... I would also be a complete newbie. I gotta say though with the spices you used on your eggs, you're a girl after my own heart. About the only thing I would add is a little tumeric. Mmm.... And sometimes if I don't want to do the 2 spices, salt and pepper, I will use cumin instead. I like it either way. 🤷♀️ And pink sea salt is really yummy. 😋 Thanks again and enjoy this weekend. 😊 I like that you also made the avacado toast, because it is not something I've ever done yet. When I do it I want to make the toast like wheat I guess or the healthut bread. Then the spread the smooshed avocado on one slice. Topped w the hard fried egg. Like I'm guessing maybe it'd be better to do it theother way around, but ... who are we kidding? I would probably use 2 pieces of bread and make a sandwich. And get it over with. 😆 🤣 😂
I just wanted to thank you for all the amazing insight shared of your journey! I’m planning on future vehicle travel for an undetermined amount of time to visit some National Parks and your videos are both helpful and inspirational. Thank you for your beautiful and positive attitude. I wish you safe and unforgettably gorgeous travels!
I've seen a couple of your videos and really applaud your honesty. I would have loved to travel in my fights but I chose to care for my Mom and so couldn't see myself being able to make that happen. I think I Will enjoy living vicariously through you! Your positivity is fantastic. Take care of you!
I love waking up to the wind, waves and seagulls. Sitting on the beach to me is as close as I can get to God with out dying. I live right at Galveston ❤
When I lived in my minivan for a little while, I was mostly in town. Drive throughs were my favorite! I did cook pancakes almost every day and oatmeal. Very easy and very easy clean up. Thank you for the video! 💕
Haha Dani! I just found your videos tonight and you are such a breathe of fresh air, your laugh is contagious, it's made me have a couple laugh out loud moments with you, and I just want to say, you're a blessing and thank you for making these videos! For the fun-ness you're spreading and the wisdom from your experiences! Thank you for making this video even though you're uncomfortable with the angels, I'm only 4 and a half minutes in but I'm loving every moment and you do not at all look unflattering!! I'm so happy I found you to have as a guide for my possible Toyota Sienna travels this summer!! :) :)
I really appreciate you showing this! We don't have bugs or cold in my area, but we do get rain so I've been searching for cooking inside layouts. Thank you so much!
My first video of yours, yes, it did help. I'm getting the confidence, money, guts to get a van, I own a home but at 67 I'm ready to travel...I'm a big girl as well and most videos I see tiny lil skinny women in their tiny vans, this did help me with the belief I can do thus, I did just have double hip replacement and not super agile...
Thank you for sharing your amazing and appreciated your realness. Keep doing you, live life continue laughing offen and smile a lot. Stay true to yourself. Thank you for inviting us into your home. Stay safe 😊
THANK YOU for this, Dani; i have been hesitant to cook inside my vehicle because i'm so afraid of fire; your step-by-step is so helpful. always wishing you all the best -eve
I appreciate this SO MUCH. I’m in the planning stage of going nomad full time, and trying to decide how small/low maintenance/low cost a vehicle I can probably tolerate. I totally understand being self conscious on camera (or off), so THANK YOU so much for sharing this with us!
Hi Dani, I was at minivanlees meetup in quartzsite. Sharon took a picture of you and I at the campfire. Wearing a yellow floral visor and looking kinda goofy. I can also identify myself as the follower who is more in love with the Abq balloon fiesta than the Grand Canyon. I recognized the wooden bollards on the beach being located in Port A. When you mentioned DG and no Walmart that confirmed it for me. My husband and I lived there from 2009 to 2015. We were camphosts at Island RV. Best time of our lives. I hope to revisit someday. A quaint little drinking town with a fishing problem🥴. I super enjoy and look forward to your new vids
Excellent…best video ever!!! I can totally see myself traveling in a van like yours now…thank you. After all these years watching van-lifer videos this is the first in real life. I so appreciate your perspective!!! You Totally Rock…
I don’t think there’s a better way to start the day than with a beautiful view in Nature & a yummy van-cooked brekky! Loved seeing how you wrangle it Dani. I travel in a VW Caddy Maxi with a similar layout. I like being able to shift things in my space & to make “breakfast in bed” everyday 😍. Cooking outdoors is not for me - too many bugs here in Australia: plus carting stuff around before my brain’s had caffeine is mental overload….☕🪽
I laughed so hard because we said "fire" almost at the very same time when you asked what is the worse that could happen. You are loved 😍, ; thanks for the demo. I really don't like to cook so am hoping to get cheap meals different places
A few weeks ago I caught my food on fire in my van at a state park. My smoke alarm started going off right as the park ranger was at my door looking for my state park pass! It was funny and terrifying…I had been distracted trying to cook beans in my instant pot using a Jackery and forgot I had food on my butane stove. It’s one thing to catch things on fire in your sticks and bricks kitchen, but in your small confined van kitchen it’s really bad. I now have three fire extinguishers!!! 😆😩
I enjoyed it! I've boondocked a LOT but never cooked inside my SUV or tiny trailer, I was nervous the risk of fire & mess would stress me too much. But you made it seem perfectly feasible.
Those eggs look good. It's like 10 till 8 in the evening here when I'm watching this and I feel like going to scramble me up a few and make a nice buttery fried egg sandwich.
I just got a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT waiting for a few more things to come in and my grandson is going to help me. I’m 69 and I’m determined to have an adventure or two soon. See ya down the road y’all!
This was amazingly helpful! Thank you so much for being real and authentic! Your energy is great and makes us feel like we are right there with you. It was so cute how you called them eggies...I'm silly like that too! I loved the idea of cutting the toast up!
I'm a big girl just starting out and you have helped me very much with this video 🙂. P.s. honestly my favourite breakfast - thanks a bunch super lady 🤗
I love you lol, I watch a million videos on this van life and never subscribe because I’m always in a hurry. You are real, fun, joyful and I appreciate you as a wonderful human being. You go girl
Ha great video - you look so happy 😃 Had to laugh at the 'fire' bit - especially as my dad was a fireman lolzzz I'm a fan of the back of the van (I'm also a poet and I didn't know it 🤣) practical and fun content, thank you 👍
Hi Dani You are really rocking girl! I met you in Quartsite a few years ago when you were 1st starting out, you got it going! I'm jealous:) Hope to see you on the road....
I used to camping out of my van, and cooking on the picnic table. Well, I may be going full time in my Honda Odyssey in one month instead of 6, and with a large 4-mo old puppy. Although I think I’m settled on my layout, I’m pretty worried about the logistics right now, esp room to move around.
That WAS helpful! And you know, you were concerned about how you look moving around, but I was way more interested in what you were doing, and where things were stored (you really have this well organized!) to even think about what you looked like! Funnily, I just bought one of those exact same camping stoves recently, as well as a Jackery 300 with a solar panel like yours, just because I get so many power cuts in the rural area where I live. So I already have some of the things I need to go off travelling. I'm an artist now, so I'm wondering where the heck I'll put my art supplies! But I guess I'll just limit what I take with me, and work with that! Thanks again. You are really good at sharing this lifestyle!
