You and I both know that healthy travel–if you’re a health nut or worse a raw foodist–is not easy business.
Right now, I’m writing from Denver International Airport. Looking around the concourse, I’m saddened to say that there’s nothing much I could eat, except for maybe the leaves from potted plant to my right.
I get numerous requests for healthy travel tips, so here’s what I do to avoid the overwhelm and stress that could occur if I’m not careful!
Take a look and then add your own so we can create a resource for anyone who needs some advice!
|
|
Healthy Travel Tips #1
Research healthy food and restaurant options online beforehand. Search for keywords like “Organic Restaurant Los Angeles CA” or “Raw Food Restaurants Manhattan”. I like to line up 3-5 places where Annmarie and I can go beforehand, so we know that when we get there hungry we won’t have to panic.
I keep a folder with all our travel plans as well as the address and phone numbers of the healthy restaurant, so we have them available at all times.
Be sure to call beforehand to make sure they’re still open!
Healthy Travel Tips #2
Shop for healthy snacks before you leave. This should seem pretty basic, but in our most recent trip to Denver, we forgot!
Purchase apples, raw organic trail mixes, dried fruits, flax crackers and other raw organic snacks. These should last you for the flight and the first day or so of your trip. You can also prepare foods or salads and bring them along.
Healthy Travel Tips #3
Use the internet again to find healthy grocery stores at your destination. Many major cities have Whole Foods or Wild Oats as well as some neat local natural food stores. I prefer the local natural stores, but many times you have to dig deep to find them.
When you get there, get foods that won’t perish quickly like the foods I mentioned above unless you are staying at a place with either a prep area or refrigerator. This is good news for people who are staying with friends, at hotels with these options or hostels.
Healthy Travel Tips #4
Since you can’t being your own water into the gate area, drink as much clean filtered or spring water before you get past the security gates. You need an incredible amount of water when you’re flying and the longer the flight the more you need.
Once I get into the gate area, I usually buy 4-6 large bottles for the trip. Yes, it’s heavy and, yes, it’s probably Aquasana or Dasani, but I’d rather be hydrated.
By the way… try to sit in an aisle seat so you can get up to stretch and go to the bathroom often!
Healthy Travel Tips #5
Bring hydrogen peroxide to wash your raw fruits and veggies if you’re traveling internationally or even in the States. You can also bring items like cayenne, aged garlic extract, cinammon and other anti-bacterial herbs to make sure you don’t get any intruders during your trip.
Healthy Travel Tips #6
Bring sea salt. This is to remineralize as well as aviod constipation. Sea salt can help get everything moving so you don’t have to suffer when you get to your destination. I’m not a coffee drinker, but my last resort is literally just a sniff of coffee (I don’t even need to drink it) and everything moves a little easier!
Healthy Travel Tips #7
Loosen up. I eat an extremely clean and healthy diet at home. When I travel, I loosen my rules. Traveling and maintaining the diet I eat at home sometimes causes more stress than I feel is good for me or my body. So for that reason, I’ve been known to stop at an Indian or Ethiopian resturant in the States or even broader fare when we’re traveling internationally–particularly in countries where bacteria lives on just about everything you put into your mouth.
This is a personal choice for you. I just find my mind is more at ease when I travel and don’t have to continually think about whether I will be able to eat the way I usually do at home every meal during the trip. It creates a certain neurosis, I could do without!
These are just some of the many and things I do to prepare for healthy travel, let me know what you do when you’re traveling at the end of this posting so we can make a resource for anyone who visits this page! Just click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page to post your comments!
12:18 pm on October 3rd, 2007
Next time you are in Denver, you got to let us know! RawDenver.com is all about helping you find your way around our local raw food resources. Would have had you over for dinner too!
12:22 pm on October 3rd, 2007
when traveling (which i do quite often & long distance) i simply fast. i drink a lot of water (which is now quite difficult since you are not allowed to bring your own water in planes & i refuse to buy anything coming from companies that exploit non humans & humans!).
i feel that not eating makes the potential stress go away & make me feel away from all the disgusting things around.
Thanx a lot for all those tips, it’s rawesome!
12:36 pm on October 3rd, 2007
Dehydration is a problem on long flights, but drinking lots of water interrupts your sleep with frequent trips to the bathroom. So shower just before leaving for the airport, then apply warm coconut oil all over (even inside the nose) while still wet (don’t towel dry). This seals the moisture in your body and helps reduce dehydration during long flights.
12:48 pm on October 3rd, 2007
Research raw food restaurants here:
http://www.giveittomeraw.com/map/
1:57 pm on October 3rd, 2007
Aloha Kevin!
Thank you. You are a God Send.
I am travelling to the east coast seeing friends in three states. Your tips are excellent. I appreciate ALL the support you are providing us.
Have Your Best Day Ever!!
Paula
1:57 pm on October 3rd, 2007
Kevin – Because I have been travelling so much, I was unable to participate in all of the sessions of the Raw Food Summit, but greatly benefitted from what I heard. Thank you so much for your efforts to educate and create awareness about our health. About three years ago, I discovered the most wonderful, pure, raw and powerfully-concentrated source of perfectly balanced foods that come in various forms that are entirely portable. When I travel I eat primarily these foods and don’t have to worry that unless I can find a restaurant or store that meets my high standards for purity and vegan diet needs, I will suffer and not enjoy my travels. I recently toured China and Hong Kong for 10 days, and I was so glad that I had these foods to safely nourish me and keep my energy at peak levels. I never got ill at any point. If you or others are interested in finding out about these foods, please contact me at simplywellness@sbcuc.net. This line of products includes all-natural formulas that address hygiene and hydration concerns as well.
2:17 pm on October 3rd, 2007
Many hotels will put a small refrigerator in your room if you ask. They don’t advertise that this is available, so you don’t know unless you ask.
4:57 am on October 4th, 2007
Awesome Kevin,
Simply Awesome!!
email me my friend, its been a while
5:53 am on October 4th, 2007
Excellent resource Kevin, thank you.
I have something to add, since yout talk about loosening a bit during travel, Garden of Life have a wonderful product called Pro2Go, it´s a probiotic on the go, perfect for busy travelers.
Also, Organic Food Bar (www.organicfoodbar.com) is something I can´t travel without!!
I happen to be a proud distributor for those and other products in Iceland.
Thanks for being you and sharing your experiences with the world!!
regards from Iceland
11:25 am on October 4th, 2007
So right my friend. I actually am working an an ebook now “Traveling on Raw” Love for you to contribute a chapter. Keep up the great work.
Peace and Gratitude RCD http://www.rawchefdan.com
11:58 am on October 4th, 2007
thanks for those Kevin, plus all the suggestions from everyone, I like the coconut oil even in the nose! – I take my organic, non-GMO snack foods and I am set – people on the plane are asking me for samples ! I particularly like the veggielicious spice – 1 oz is really 8 oz of raw veggies, you can order them easily and economically at my website: http://www.specialized-systems.wholefoodfarmacy.com
cjeck it out or give me a call, I can help
6:44 am on October 5th, 2007
Hi Kevin
My favourite travelling ‘companion’ is my small stick blender and two round, screw top plastic containers (packed with some of the raw ingredients) enable me to enjoy smoothies when in B&Bs, hotels or wherever. The containers fit into each other and are perfect for the blender. I always take Barley Grass powder, avocado, nuts, seeds, Medjool dates, bananas, lemons and anything else which I can fit in. I then don’t have the problem of finding the non-existent raw food cafe/restaurant!! Most health shops carry good supplies of fruit, vegies, etc..
I really appreciate what you are achieving with your site, Kevin. It has made such a difference to my life and helps ease the loneliness of being a rawfoodist in this part of the world!!! Thank you also for the Raw Summit CDs and transcripts – they arrived in perfect condition.
9:45 am on October 5th, 2007
7-11. I know its crazy, but these convenience stores are chock full of pre-cut veggies and fruit. They also have a great assortment of healthy drinks.
8:38 pm on October 8th, 2007
[...] at the end of this posting so we can make a resource for anyone who visits this page! Just click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page to post your [...]
12:47 am on October 10th, 2007
I loved tip # 2, Healthy snacks…great info. I allso found that the whole food instant fresh we have to offer would go along with your info…Just add water ( Aquasana…lol )
4:42 pm on October 10th, 2007
Thanks for the tips Kevin!
I especially liked #5. Bring hydrogen peroxide to wash your fruits and veges and antibacterial herbs for your body.
And thank you all for your great suggestions as well.
I absolutely have to mention my favorite raw whole food juice powder, “The Feast”.
30 fruits and berries, 30 greens and vegetables, 11 seeds, nuts and sprouts, 83+ active enzymes, fulvic minerals and 22 strains of resilient probiotices”. It’s the only product like it on the market. For more information please go to: (http://www.uriinternational.com/rawfoodnut)
or (http://www.urilife.com/rawfoodnut/opportunity.html
Live Long and Prosper
Linda Robinson
7:31 am on October 21st, 2007
Hi Kevin -
I’ve just booked with Singapore Airlines and they have a ‘Raw Vegan’ option !
Lynda