Travel season is upon us my friends and MAN I am SO excited! One of my favorite things in life is vacationing, seeing different places and straight up livin' the life {tell me, whose favorite isn't it!?}. It helps that I have a husband whom I adore and would rather no one else to adventure with! Ah, sweet vacay memories... The hubs and I leave for Mammoth tomorrow to visit friends and celebrate a wonderful pair exchanging vows! June brings a Palm Desert lady's weekend and in late July the hubs and I are off to NY and Scotland! Summer is the perfect time to get away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and live it up in the sun doing things that bring us joy.
Vacations can also derail many of our health efforts as we quickly switch into “vacay mode” and eat and drink whatever the heck our little heart’s desire. PEOPLE! Vacations do not = fall off the bandwagon and forget all things we know about health and wellness! We are much better served in our efforts to relax, rejuvenate and recharge if we continue to fill our bellies with wholesome, real foods! They give us energy, thinner waistlines and sexy, sparkling skin to boast. Why fall off and feel fat, tired and right back at ground zero when you get home?
But how on earth am I supposed to eat healthfully when I’ll be on the road for 15 hours straight with nothing but a Jack-in-the-Crack and a 7-11 for fuel or on a plane with neatly packaged, microwaved wonders full of preservatives and crap!? Great question!
Making vacations healthy is all about preparation! Yes, you have a bit of homework, but the outcome will leave you feeling 100 times better than if you just went with the flow like an Aunt we know…
5 Tips for Healthy Travels
- Pack dry storage snacks. This is one of the easiest things to do! There are plenty of healthy, whole food choices in your local health food store that are easy to pack in a “snack bag” that will not spoil during your travels and that will keep you full and nourished. Think grass-fed beef jerky, mixed nuts (soaked and dehydrated, of course), dried fruit, dried seaweed, kale chips, Larabars, plantain chips, Tanka bars (a traditional American-Indian buffalo and cranberry snack), canned salmon or tuna, coconut manna/butter, salami, fresh fruit, avocado, unsweetened dried coconut, etc. Since many of these foods may be packaged, it is important to read labels and avoid additives such as food coloring, preservatives and unnecessary binding agents.
- Pack a cooler…if possible. A cooler is key to a successful work day as you are able to pack almost anything and keep it from spoiling. The same goes for your travels, especially if you are road-tripping it! Think raw cheese, fruits and veggies, hardboiled eggs, hummus, sliced meats (turkey, roast beef, ham, etc. from appropriately raised animals and without additives), sauerkraut or other fermented veggies, yogurt, Kombucha, leftovers, etc. Be careful when flying, I have had my yogurt thrown away! You may need to use ice in a baggy, dispose of it prior to security then refill when you get to your gate at an airport restaurant or fast food joint.
- Do your research! Often times you can find local Whole Foods or other health food stores near your hotel or airport, depending on your destination. When the hubs and I flew to Maui for our honeymoon, we found a Whole Foods and a small organic co-op type market right near the airport. If you are traveling abroad, inquire about local farmer’s markets or restaurants that use local, whole foods in their prep when you arrive.
- Include a healthy treat. I say this because inevitably we are going to want to “treat” ourselves on a vacation and more times than not that equals sweets. Why not come prepared with something that won’t throw us off the deep end and into a sugary bliss that we all know quickly turns to a sugary hell!? I like taking along a good quality, organic dark chocolate (70% or more) bar or dark chocolate covered nuts. If sweets aren’t your thing then make sure your “savory tooth” is fed with the right “treats” as well!
- Snack prep – at home! If you’re the type that likes to make the majority of your goodies at home, make sure you plan to begin making jerky, soaked and dried nuts/seeds, granola bars, etc. a week or more prior to take off. Making these types of items at home always ensures that they’re properly prepared and as nutritious as possible. But don’t worry if the week before D-day is more than you can handle, just make sure you make it to the store to get all the nutritious goods you need!
It definitely takes some planning and prep time (get over it people, real food takes time and it should!), but I promise you will feel like a million bucks when you get home from your summer excursions feeling fit and fabulous. Don’t let vacations, which are meant to bring us relaxation and joy, be something that derail your efforts to be the best you possible!
As we learn more about the benefits of real foods and experience their amazing effects, it becomes easier and easier to stick to it in all situations {mostly because we feel like crap when we eat the junk we used to}. Remember, real food is a way of life, not a “diet”.
Happy and safe travels my friends!
Shine Bright!
