I don’t know about you, but I get giddy every time a road trip draws near.  Driving with the windows rolled down, our favorite tunes on the radio, and the feeling of freedom as we explore whatever our hearts desire . . . what isn’t there to love about all that?

This week, I had multiple clients reach out and ask what they should do for their upcoming road trips; they wanted to make sure they avoided dining on gas station hotdogs and soda and keep things healthy along the way.  And, since this is our “road trip” season of the year, I thought y’all might benefit from some healthy ideas too.  The more prepared we are, the better we feel today and always.

Tips to make your next road trip a healthy one:

• Prep ahead:  plan out your meals and snacks for the time you’re on the road.  Grocery shop and prep all food ahead so you can pack the cooler and food tote with nourishing noshes!

• Simple meal ideas to nourish you well:
  • Salad in a jar:  Build a variety of mason jar salads to store in the cooler.  The salads will last a few days and provide a full meal!  The build is quick and easy:  1)  put the dressing in the bottom of the jar  2)  layer multiple vegetables/fruit  3) then add nuts/seeds  4) pack 1.5 – 2 cups of leafy greens tightly into the top of the jar and close with the lid.  Keep jars upright and DO NOT let the dressing touch the greens before you consume the salad, or you’ll be in for one slimy meal.  Pack paper plates/utensils.  When you’re ready to eat, pour the contents of the jar onto your plate and it’ll create a beautiful salad.  Pack meat, egg, beans, or cheese in separate containers and top your salad with them. 
  • Picnic style dinner:  select a variety of organic, nitrite/nitrate-free deli meats, grapes, cherries, a variety of vegetables, organic cheese, crackers and hummus for a picnic-style lunch or dinner.  Enjoy!
  • For breakfast, you can purchase travel-size nut-butter packets to squeeze on a piece of fruit, enjoy a GoMacro, or RX Bar on the road, or bring along oatmeal/grain cereal bowls (prepackaged) and get hot water from the hotel or gas station to mix.  You can bring chopped nuts and fresh fruit to add to your breakfast bowl as well.  

• Snacks:  snacks are great to have on a long road trip; just make sure you are mindful about how much you’re consuming (it’s easy to nibble all day long if you’re not careful).  
  • Homemade trail mix:  my favorite includes a variety of nuts/seeds, raw coconut flakes, dried cherries and dark chocolate baking chips.  
  • Chopped veggies & hummus.
  • Organic tortilla chips and premade guacamole.
  • Fruit.
  • Homemade oat/nut/chocolate/dried fruit cookies.

Consider how you can make some of your favorite meals ahead of time.  If you desire a hot meal while on the road, you can make a pot of soup or chili ahead of time and put it in a large thermos for the road.  

Stay well hydrated!  We carry reusable water bottles and for a treat, we’ll flavor our water with TrueLemon packets or Nuun tablets.  Depending on available space, we’ll bring extra water along, or fill up at every stop.  

Most importantly, a healthy road trip begins with a healthy mindset.  Honor your body whether at home, or on vacation.  There’s no need to go off the rails, or “eat whatever I want to eat” just because I’m on vacation.  Enjoy a treat here and there if you’d like, and stick to what you know serves you best.  Your body will love you for it and you’ll feel amazing all vacation long.  

It’s always an honor and joy to serve and support you in health and happiness.  I’d love to hear from you; feel free to connect with me: connect@angelagaffney.com.

Believe it can be!

xo,

With summer vacation and travel just around the corner, many of us will be seeing long days, travel delays, and unexpected circumstances pop up.  It always seems to happen; no matter how well you plan ahead of time, the dreaded delay occurs.  After the mechanical difficulties your tummy is rumbling and the only choice you have for lunch is fast food or the vending machine.  You decide the peanut butter cups are a better option than the somewhat-meat-like-patty meal and head off to your shuttle.  This is an all-too familiar scene for travelers, whether you’re traveling for the summer holiday or for business. As much as we’d like for things to go as planned, there always seems to be a hiccup along the way.

In order to keep your health (and sanity!) while traveling, follow these three easy travel tips:

1. Carry the Container:  Travel with a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle.  This allows you to fill up and hydrate anytime, anywhere.  Just make sure the bottle is empty as you travel through security. You can fill up at one of the many water bottle fill stations that are often located near drinking fountains. Traveling can cause dehydration so be sure to drink a minimum of 80 oz of water; every process in your body depends on it!  If you want to add a little flavor to your container of water, travel with green tea bags, or add Nuun “natural hydration” or “all day” tabs to avoid dehydration.  The “all day” tabs provide you vitamins as well. PLEASE NOTE: if you select another type of nuun product, please be sure it does not contain artificial sweeteners.
2. Proactively Pack:  Be sure your carry-on is filled with nourishing snack foods to keep you satiated during travel.  It’s Murphy’s Law: you show up 90 minutes before your flight so you can grab a bite, but by the time you get through the mile-long security line, and make your way to the terminal, they’re calling you to board.  Anything and everything can happen, so be prepared!  Here are a few items you can easily pack:
   • Organic cup of oats, banana, and snack bag of walnuts.  Ask the stewardess for boiling water and you’ll have a hearty breakfast on the go.
   • Homemade trail mix with various nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, dried fruit, and dark chocolate.
   • Snack bars with 5 or less whole-food ingredients
   • Green tea bags to enjoy with the cup of hot water you order on the plane
   • Almond butter packets with a piece of fruit
   • Crudités and hummus
   • Bag of organic, homemade popcorn (avoid microwave popcorn options)
3. Manage the Menu:  The menu should be used as a guide for dining.  Find the foods on the menu that will serve your needs best, and create a meal of your choice.  For instance, you may see they have wild caught salmon on one entrée, roasted asparagus on another and sautéed spinach as a side dish.  You could create a meal of all three of these items to best suit your needs and honor your health goals.  There’s never been a time when a restaurant has said no to my request; they may upcharge you to do so, but you’ll be receiving what you need and in the end be healthier for it.

Most importantly, be your best advocate while at home and on the road; it’ll do your body good!