This weekend, my friends and I, since we can't all be together on Thanksgiving, decided to have Thanksgiving dinner like none of us had ever tried before: Camping!

Although we knew we couldn't have it be completely like Mom's cooking around the dining room table, we got as close as we could get. On Saturday afternoon, my friend Rico put together a feast using only a fire, an our door steel grill and some pots and pans.

First, we cut up some onions, jalapeno's, carrots, celery and cilantro and wrapped them in aluminum foil with some butter, salt and pepper. In order to cook them properly, we set the little packages of tastiness nearly in the fire, just resting the on rocks in the fire pit. Then we boiled the potatoes in a pot over an open coal stove for about 30 minutes. I couldn't believe how easy it was to do this without a stove! We mashed the potatoes manually added butter and salt, and ta da, a just-like-Mom's mashed potatoes side dish didn't take more than an hour.

And, of course, we grilled some turkey! Cooking an entire bird was a little out of the question, so we grilled the next best thing. We marinated about 20 turkey breast pieces that were cut into small strips and grilled them over the coals. They were delicious, believe you me!

It made it all the more special that the friends that I love put so much work into this while I mainly just sat by the fire and watched! Thanksgiving indeed!

If winter has you traversing the great outdoors in search of an exhilarating and new expedition, you may soon set your sights on trip to the Arctic tundra. The frozen dessert is a place to explore untouched lands, catch a glimpse of native wildlife and breathe in the fresh (really fresh) winter air. If you can survive an Arctic expedition, you'll be joining the courageous few who battled subzero winter temperatures and trekked through snowy banks, which are like no other place on earth. Ready to put your Arctic survival skills to the test? Here's what you'll need to explore the tundra like a pro:

1. Trekking poles. Unless you're wearing a pair of super boots that allow you to forge your way through hills and mountainous snow banks, you'll need a sturdy set of trekking poles to help you navigate the trail. Lightweight trekking poles will help you climb, maneuver and explore those slippery slopes with ease, and trekking poles can be folded and stashed easily into your pack when needed.

2. Insulated sleeping bag. Not any old sleeping bag will do when you're exploring the tundra, so make sure yours is designed with double or triple layers of insulation and has extra-tight padding to keep you well tucked in for your overnight stay in the Arctic. Sleeping bags designed with a hood attachment will keep that heat trapped in during those brutal nights, and any self-heating padding will ensure you're warm and toasty enough to get a good night's rest.

3. Temperature-resistant water filter. Making sure you're well-hydrated during your trip to the Arctic can be challenging, especially when battling cold winds and icy temperatures is at the top of your to-do list. Still, you'll need to stay well-hydrated to maintain strength and keep up with the challenging adventure ahead. A water filter that fits neatly into your pack will give you an endless supply of fresh water so you're always well-stocked on the essentials.

Heading out to bone-chilling territory isn't for every outdoor enthusiast, but if you're courageous enough to brave the Arctic and complete a trail, you'll need these essentials to survive the challenge. Pack up for your adventure with all of these survival basics for an exhilarating -- and safe -- winter getaway.