 |
| long day with totoro... |
I took a short road trip this weekend to see my mom in Joplin, MO and check out the Japanese festival at the botanic garden in St. Louis. Which was amazing. If anyone gets the chance to go, I highly recommend it. The gardens are beautiful and the whole trip was a lot of fun. I even got a Totoro hat!
But I digress...
I really wanted to post about how to eat when you are on the road!
I absolutely love travel, but I HATE fast food. (Don't get me wrong, I love the occasional fast food burrito, but I have gotten to the point where my body hates me for eating out.) But what are you supposed to do when you are on the road and there are only greasy icky options and gas station foods all around you?
Here are helpful tips for eating healthy on the road!
When you are traveling by car, the easiest thing you can do is pack a small cooler and stock it with water, juice, fruits, veggies, nuts, yogurt, string cheese, sandwiches, etc. Avoid drinking soda as much as possible, and try to stay away from very salty/greasy or sweet snacks like chips, cookies, chocolate, etc. If you are unable to pack your own cooler, or you forget, here are some tips for picking snacks at the gas station and places along the road:
Try to find the fresh fruits or foods with an expiration date. Most gas stations now will usually have a basket with apples and/or bananas and such in them. You can also look for things like string cheese and yogurt in the cooler section. If you cannot find these foods in the cold section or the fruit looks a little on the questionable side, opt for nuts or dried fruit. Trail mix is usually a pretty decent option.
When looking for places to eat, if you just have the munchies, if you can find a Starbucks, grab a fruit and cheese plate. If your only option is fast food, you can opt for a salad, making sure you go for grilled chicken as opposed to crispy chicken and go for a light dressing. You can go for a burger and fries, but the key is portion control. Do NOT super-size your meal! You can get away with a small burger and fries without too much damage to your calorie intake. As far as dinners and sit down places are concerned, be sure to avoid fried foods if at all possible and make sure you eat your veggies.
Most hotels now have mini-fridges and microwaves in the room. Avoid the temptation to eat out and swing by the local grocery store instead. Grab some T.V. dinners (Lean cuisine) or other small easy prepare foods (a loaf of bread and sandwich meat, cheese, etc) as well as some fruit (apples, grapes, etc) and string cheese, nuts, and such for snacking on. This will probably save you a bit of money and your stomach will likely thank you for it later.
When traveling by air, go ahead and pack nuts, dried fruits, protein, cereal bars, and such into your carry on bag. You may not be able to take your water through security, but I have had no trouble packing an empty reusable water bottle and filling it up at a water fountain on the other side. If you have to eat airport food avoid the burger joints, pizza parlors and taco stands and go for sandwiches if you can. Pick one with a lean meats like Turkey or Chicken and try to get as many veggies as you can on your sandwich. Go for fruit at the counter and always choose water over pop. Juice and low fat milk are also good options.
Hope this helps or gives you some ideas. Happy traveling everyone!
~Samurai Girl Sahara
Useful links/sources:
Best Picks No Matter Where You Are
Meal and Restaurant Advice
More of the Same
Thanks for the links.
ReplyDelete:-)
For the newest comment then I promise never to comment on your blog again. To cut off comments in this instance is ignoring the truth because it hurts.
ReplyDeleteHere ya go, delete if you wish of course.
SG: "The post was not about what happened at the restaurant but when is it acceptable or appropriate to use your training to stick up for yourself or put someone in their place?"
In my view the mere fact that a person asks themselves if it is acceptable or appropriate to use your training to "stick up for yourself" puts the monkey in the driving seat. I believe it was written that if something does not result in some injury you can see with your eyes and record with a camera it ain't an injury or damage.
The best way to "stick up for yourself" is to remain separated from any emotional driven reactions. It is never acceptable or appropriate to use your skills to "stick up for yourself." It is acceptable and appropriate to use your skills when your life is in danger - imminent and immediate, i.e. predator blind sides you on the street and even then the best tactic is to use your skills to immediately get away and to safety.
It is regrettable if a person perceives such comments as a form of attack. Sometimes you have to hear something not pleasant to achieve correct action. As a young Marine I can say now I looked for opportunities to stick up for myself just so I could use my skills. Shame on me. I am proud I left that kind of attitude behind.
SG: "In the moment: this person is doing X, it's wrong to do X, pow, stop it."
Hm, yes and only if it means someone's life is in danger of being ended. Not because some neanderthal takes your table in a McD's. It would then be protective in nature and not just "sticking up for yourself or others."
The man living his life never standing up for his fellow man has never been exposed to the absolute cruelty of which humanity is capable.
ReplyDeleteBe the budist if you choose and stand by while man treats each other with malice, that is your choice. Note, it is not mine nor does it sound like it is hers.
Granted her view will likely be tempered with time and experience as she travels through life, but to stand in opposition to what she thinks and still refuse to separate the question from the issue is rather narrow minded. It's ok though, I would think it easier to keep harping than actually step back and read what the question is at hand. From the sounds of it, the easy path is often traveled in your perfect world.
In the world I have traveled though, I have seen much of what humanity can do to itself just for the sake of 'insert cause here'. In my world, I choose to stand up. I choose to take the hard path and not let humanity decay upon itself. Even if it is one injustice in passing.
I wish you the best of luck in your passive world. I hope peace finds you and you live well and never need the aid of another. Should you need it though. Please know I will do my best to make sure you are not kicked to the ground undeservedly.
Funny, people express their opinions yet refuse to be identifiable. Anonymous, if you were to be seriously considered, log in and let us know who you are.
ReplyDeleteI did, I do, I always will.
I am a Marine, I am a Martial Artist, I am a retired special weapons expert, I am a retired physical security manager, I served my country for ten years then another fifteen after the Marines.
I know what it is to be the defender of the unprotected. Yet, to sacrifice your life, your family, your economic support efforts to put a person in their place if no life is at risk is just "stupid."
Nice job staying on topic.
ReplyDeleteI don't want a blog account, nor do I need to have you tell Me your pedigree. I can tell enough about you from your post. The roads you have traveled do guide you, but you words here speak for you.
I know many marines that would take a round for you in the blink of an eye. I am saddened by you not having the same conviction.
I however, would still come to your aid. And I still will hope you will never need help from anyone. I would hate for karma to bite you in the ass.
By the way, why did you filter out my post over on YOUR blog? Afterall, there was an anon guy that posted and you let him through.