Traveling in the summer is the best, isn’t it? Flip-flops and sunshine. Doesn’t get much better than that for me. But for years, I found that when I traveled, I would come home feeling exhausted and drained. I basically needed a vacation from my vacation. I would let go of my healthy habits while traveling and call it all fair-game, as long as it was gluten-free. Sound familiar?
After years of doing this, I found that with a few minor changes, I could get more out of my travels and transition back to my regular life much easier. I definitely still loosen up my diet, but I have learned how much I can loosen up and still feel good. I try not to go too crazy and mostly make healthy dietary choices. I’ve also learned to pack some of my favorite healthy lifestyle items to keep me on track and feeling good!
Besides healthy snacks, here are the items I don’t leave home without for a one-night trip or a 10 day one.
My Earthing Sleep Mask
If I could only pack one of these items, this would be it. One reason why I used to come back from vacation feeling worn out was the lack of sleep and poor quality of sleep. It is common for me to sleep less on vacation, just because I am usually visiting with friends and family.
Now, I use this deep sleep mask to improve my quality of sleep. My bedroom at home is pitch black and I find that in hotels, there is always light creeping in from underneath the door (and that drives me crazy!). If I am staying with a friend or an airbnb, the rooms are never dark enough for me.
In addition, this particular sleep mask works with magnetic energy, negative ions and far infrared technologies to calm your body as it quickly moves to the stage of rejuvenation. I actually even use this at home every night! Click HERE to check it out. Then, select “Shop Now” on the top right.
Organic Instant Coffee
At home we drink organic, fair-trade, locally roasted coffee. We live in a coffee hub with some amazing local roasters. Our entire town is basically made up of coffee snobs. 😉 … I just can’t hang with the hotel coffee or even Starbuck’s.
I’ve read that conventional coffee is one of the most heavily chemically treated foods. It is treated with synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. I would rather avoid all of those chemicals for my own health, as well as the impact it has on the environment and the workers that work on these coffee farms.
Gemsoles
These are earthing insoles. Earthing or grounding is the idea that connecting to the Earth’s natural energy is important for our health. I cannot tell you what a difference these make, in terms of comfort alone!
Most of my travels require me to be more active. We like to hike on our trips or just walk around cities. When I use these, I am able to walk or hike so much further without experiencing discomfort. My runner friends (which I wouldn’t know a thing about 😉 ) swear by these. I actually just purchased a 2nd pair, so I won’t have to move them around from shoe to shoe. Click HERE to check them out. Then, select “Shop Now” on the top right.
Travel Size EVOO
I forgot to include this in my main photo. It’s an important one, so I decided to stick it in here. Ever since I read the book, Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil by Tom Mueller, I have not been able to look at olive oil the same way. According to his book, 70% of olive oil is adulterated. Meaning it is cut with cheaper oils, such as vegetable oil and soybean oil. You know, those rancid oils that we work hard to avoid on the Paleo diet.
In the vast majority of restaurants, even the nice ones (I know, cause I’ve worked in several) when you order olive oil, what you are actually getting is a blend of olive oil and vegetable oil. It is really hard for me to douse my healthy salad with what is likely vegetable oil.
For that reason, I always keep this small olive oil in my purse. This is my preferred olive oil. It is 100% organic olive oil, from my friend’s family farm in Greece. Click HERE to check out Kasandrinos Olive Oil. Use “Rubies” at checkout for 10% OFF your order.
Non-toxic sunscreen
Oy! Have you ever read the ingredients on conventional sunscreen? While it might protect us from getting burned, we are also lathering ourselves (and our children!) with a chemical stew pot. Many people apply sunscreen daily. That’s why it’s so important to use a non-toxic safe brand.
I have been on the hunt for a good sunscreen and I’ve even made my own. A lot of the natural sunscreens leave your skin looking really white. I love the Protect All Over Sunscreen from Beautycounter because it is rated a 1 by EWG’s Skindeep database and it blends in really easily. In other words, it doesn’t leave you looking white and pasty. Click HERE to check out the sunscreen and make sure to scroll down to see my limited time special offer!
Safe Tinted Moisturizer and Cream Blusher
I used to be the worst over-packer, but in recent years since becoming a mama, I’ve been trying to cut back on personal items, now that I have a million baby things to pack. I love this tinted moisturizer with SPF from Beautycounter and this cream-blusher. The tinted moisturizer provides the perfect light coverage for summer and the blusher can be used as lipstick and blush in one. I just grab my mascara and call it a day!
Vital Proteins Collagen
Collagen Peptides are an easy way to ensure that you are getting some superfoods in while you travel. You can just add this to water or coffee. It has no flavor and it completely dissolves. It’s great for sleep and skin, just to name a couple of things. Read my 9 Reasons Why I Eat Gelatin Daily post to find out why I don’t leave my house without this stuff. I get mine HERE.
Outdoor Spray
This is a spray I make with neem oil and citronella essential oil, both proven bug deterrents. I usually get eaten alive! I have been using this all summer and have manged to only get a couple of bug bites. Get my recipe HERE.
SPECIAL OFFER!
I have a special offer for you through Wednesday, July 22st. Order $75 (before tax and shipping) worth of Beautycounter products, using my link and I will send you this adorable 10″ chevron pouch.
Spend $100 (before tax and shipping) and I will also include a sample of the Countertime line. This is Beautycounter’s anti-aging line and it is ahhhh-mazing!
Just as a reminder, Beautycounter offers safe skincare products all rated in the green (0-2) by the EWG!
Simply forward your receipt to arsy@rubiesandradishes.com and I will get your gift sent out to you!
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Great post! When traveling by car, I pack my lemon squeezer so I can have fresh lemon water in the morning. I also pack grass fed liver capsules since I normally start my day with a little bit of raw liver. (Gross, I know, but the benefits are totally worth it!). I’m a coffee snob also, and am planning to take my French press to the beach this year. I completely agree with you…with a bit of planning you can maintain healthy habits on vacation so you don’t come back feeling crappy.
So glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth! I do raw liver too! I take dessicated liver when I am on the road. Totally agree… Health benefits are really worth it!