Vacation is an opportunity to rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit. While you’re recharging your energy and decompressing from everyday stress, remember to fuel your body with the right nutrients for optimum health. Even though you’re taking a break, your plan for holistic health shouldn’t be.
Packing for a Road Trip
If you plan to travel by car, you may wish to pack the meals you’ll eat while traveling. The menu options at rest stations typically feature high-sodium, high-fat meals that often aren’t friendly to those with certain dietary preferences, or those who want to eat healthy. Make your dehydrator your travel buddy. In the days before you leave, dehydrate healthy treats like crackers, nuts, fruits and sunflower seeds. Pack a cooler with plenty of bottled water and fresh fruits. Healthy choices such as apples, pears, carrots and celery travel well. Add a little humus and you’ll be on your way to happy trails !
Surviving Airplane Food
Those who are committed to holistic health often find it challenging to eat well on an airplane . Even though you cannot bring drinks on the plane, you can bring your own snacks. Natural health experts often recommend bringing dry, unsweetened whole grain cereal, dried fruit, organic granola bars, or unsweetened applesauce in individual portions. Airline travel is particularly notorious for dehydrating passengers. Ward off any potential negative side effects by drinking an extra glass or two of water on flight days.
Navigating Hotel Restaurants
Many hotels are revamping their menus to make it easier for guests to choose organic, gluten-free, or vegan food, or other meals that meet their dietary preferences. Speak up about your dietary needs to your waiter. Request that certain foods be modified, if necessary. Do some Internet surfing to learn about raw vegan-friendly restaurants, whole food stores and farmers markets along your route or destination. Here are two to check out: www.localharvest.org and www.eatwellguide.org .
Enjoying a Meal Under the Stars
Planning a camping vacation is a wonderful way to get closer to nature and get in touch with your inner spirit. Be sure to bring a sizable cooler with large chunks of ice instead of smaller cubes to boost food preservation. Pack your cooler with homemade bean “burgers,” quinoa salads, and other healthy selections. Choose portable fruit that will resist bruising, such as oranges and apples.
Learn more about health eating, living a healing and balanced life by experiencing the natural healing program at the Optimum Health Institute. For more information visit our website at www.OptimumHealth.org or call (800) 993-4325 .