Top Three Reasons I Love Camel Up

3D Game, Card Game, Competitive Game, Dice Game, Family Game, Game, Party, Play

Side view of Camel Up

“Witness the craziest camel race of all time, as things really go topsy-turvy when camels stack up and entire pyramids turn upside down.” – the Camel Up game instruction manual

Camel Up appeals to a wide audience and plays 2-8 players, making it one of the most versatile games in my collection. As the prestigious 2014 Spiel des Jahres winner, Camel Up is part of an elite class of family-style board games. Board Game Geek gives it a complexity rating of 1.49/5, which seems to be a sweet spot that appeals to pretty much any one at game night.

A few years ago, my friend introduced it to me, and I was immediately sold. As soon as I got home, I set up an Amazon price drop alert via CamelCamelCamel (what is with all these Camels!).

I’ve played it in larger parties as well as intimate gatherings, and time and time again Camel Up is a crowd favorite. I’ve been giving it some thought, and these are the top three reasons I love Camel Up:

3/04

Sunshine Slaw

Appetizers, Food, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Meal Ideas, Recipe, Salads, Savory, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggie Based, Weekday Approved

Sunshine Spicy Mustard Tahini Cruciferous Slaw from top angle

I usually don’t care for salads. I find them limp and boring. However, cabbage salads are in a whole other league for me. Give me a cabbage salad or slaw any day and I will be a happy camper.

This Sunshine Spicy Mustard Tahini Cruciferous Slaw is the perfect crisp, crunch salad covered with a creamy, sweet dressing to win over any non-believer’s heart. It certainly won me over.

In addition, quick, healthy, and delicious dishes are my favorite, and this Sunshine Slaw is just that. In just twenty minutes, I was at the table enjoying my healthy Sunshine Slaw.

2/28

Gluten-Free Peppery Slate Cheeseboard

Appetizers, Food, Gluten-Free, Party, Party Trays, Savory, Small Bites, Vegetarian, Weekday Approved

Close up on Trader Joe's Ghost Pepper Cheddar on Gluten-Free Peppery Slate Cheeseboard

This week, we hosted an impromptu game night for friends visiting out of town! Our guests were arriving after dinner, so we only needed small bites. With my busy schedule, I only had a few minutes to dedicate to pulling a delicious, game night friendly party tray together. Cue the humble mini slate cheeseboard and Trader Joe’s goodies!

The result: a Gluten-Free Peppery Slate Cheeseboard with Ghost Pepper Cheddar Cheese, Black Pepper Toscano Cheese, and Gluten-Free Savory Thin Mini Edamame Crackers.

2/24

Peanut Butter + Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cold, Desserts, Food, Gluten-Free, Grains, Ice Cream, Recipe, Sweet, Vegetarian

Peanut Butter + Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches with glass of milk from the side

Before college, the combination of banana with peanut butter was unfathomable to me. However, during my Freshman year, that all changed. Bites of ripe banana interspersed with smooth, creamy peanut butter soon became my snack of choice. As a mix of protein and sugar that could store well unrefrigerated, it was this busy college student’s perfect midnight study break snack.

Years later, one ingredient banana ice cream is now a staple in my home. I love that I can get the sweet, frozen creaminess of ice cream with a single natural ingredient, the humble banana.

Even peanut butter frequently shows up in my cooking, but rarely in the now-classic combination of peanut butter and banana.

So, today, I want to throw it back to my college days with an indulgent twist—a Peanut Butter + Banana Ice Cream Sandwich!