Travel Tips
Who Needs Protein Bars?!
Feb 20th
If you’re on the move, travelling abroad, on a business trip, how can you alleviate those hunger pangs but still maintain a healthy diet without snacking on unhealthy foods.
So how does someone who’s way too busy to sit down and eat at every meal supposed to get enough protein every day? The answer is a simple one; eating protein bars.
Protein bars are all over the place, and they come in many different flavours, have many different ingredients, and offer different amounts of the daily protein requirement. They are small, taste great, and can be eaten on the go. But what if you do have time to eat 3 meals a day, but your in-between meal times are filled with cravings for potato chips, biscuits, candy bars, and ice cream? Protein bars are a great snack that fill you up (protein makes the body feel fuller longer) so you can stay on track for healthy eating.
In addition, the healthier protein bar are a great snack for teens on sports teams, pregnant mums, busy career people, or people just tired of eating junk. Protein bars are awesome snacks that can be eaten in the time between dinner and bed when the junk food snack bug bites. When the urge to eat something sweet and salty compels you into the kitchen, grab a chocolate peanut butter protein bar.
Not only does it provide protein, but it will keep you full all through the night until you have time to prepare and eat a healthy breakfast the next morning.
Comfortable Travelling: Comfortable Holiday Beds
Feb 7th
If you are off on your travels, whether it be a weekend away at Cannes or a camping holiday, camper van tour round europe or a tour round India staying in Hostels, there are a few things to consider if you want a decent nights sleep.
If you are travelling light with a ruck sack and staying at no particular place (otherwise ad libbing your journey with no map or plan), then you may find it more comfortable if you buy a travel mattress. Light weight and compact, they can easily fit into your rucksack or bag. The often come with a drawstring bag so you can roll up and store the mattress. They come in various sizes and are very useful for small kids or babies. Search in the different stores or on-line to compare prices.
BedCentre are offering a huge range of affordable beds on sale at great prices.
The Masterpiece of Slumber: The Mattress
Road Trip from the Highlands to Lands End: Camper Van Style
Dec 6th
This is a story about how one family used their brand new camper van to have the adventure of their lives. The Stone family of Surrey decided that they would put their family savings into something that would enhance their yearly vacations. They didn’t want to purchase a vacation home because owning one home was work enough, so they decided to invest in brand new camper van with all the trimmings. They invited their neighbours along for the trip – so they were slowly forming a convoy of camper vans. Each of their their camper van boasted room for 6 passengers and 4 sleepers. With their luxury furnished new vans and a handful of sighting seeing destinations in mind the Stones pointed their camper van in the direction of Inverness and set out on the vacation of their lives.
Packing and Preparation
With the all the awesome nooks and crannies in their camper van, the Stones were able to pack 2-3 bags each without overflowing into the passenger compartment. They were able to fit two tents, a camping stove, fire wood, first aid supplies, chairs, folding tables, board games, and swimming floaties for their 5 year old daughter. With everything packed, the Stones prepared for their trip by marking destinations on their map.
Sightseeing
Once they reached Inverness the Stones took their time driving along the countryside stopping whenever they saw something they wanted to capture on film. Once they reached Salisbury, they took several days to investigate Stonehenge. Dad Stone took several pictures of himself supposedly holding several of the large monoliths in place. Thanks to the mild Spring weather, the Stones were able to unload the folding tables and chairs from the campervan and eat lunch in the shadow of the ancient stones.
After Stonehenge, the Stones enjoyed stops in small villages along the road to London where they visited all the notable locations where a non-Londoner would visit.
Destination Delights
After 2 weeks of driving, stopping, enjoying the sights, and spending time together as a family, the Stones arrived at the small town of Lands End in Cornwall. This tiny town is the further west one can go on the island. Lands’ End may be small, but the charm and access to incredible views of the sea made this town the perfect place to end the family adventure.
After their long and incredible road trip, the Stones fell deeper in love with their camper van. They were convinced that no other type of van on earth (except refrigerator/fridge vans carrying ice cream) was better than they’re camper van.
Next summer, the Stones plan to make a trip from France to Germany, slow driving and taking in the European sights.
5 Tips for Holiday Traveling with a Baby on Board
Dec 6th
You’ve been blessed with a bundle of joy and you’d like to show off your little tyke to all your family and friends for the holidays. The problem is that your parents and in-laws live about 1000 miles away, and driving is more expensive than taking a flight. With the departure date fast approaching you are still really anxious about traveling with your little one- this is understandable, but if you follow these 5 baby travel tips, it should be smooth sailing…err…flying- at least for the baby.
Tip #1 Naptime Travel
When you go to buy the plane tickets, its best to pick times for travel that coincide with when baby is usually napping. If you travel during baby’s usual nap time you can, hopefully, get baby to sleep during most or all of the flight. Some parents decide to keep baby awake for long periods prior to the flight, but this doesn’t guarantee sleepiness, however; it goes guarantee a cranky baby on a cramped flight.
Tip #2 Pack for All Baby Emergencies
Because of the new fees involved with baggage, you should cram all of baby’s necessities into her diaper bag. Make a list of all eventualities, far-fetched or otherwise so that you can pack the things you’d need in case those things occur. The worst thing would be to board a flight, have baby vomit up her formula and not have a change of clothes. This is common so be prepared. Also, make sure to have medicines, snacks, diapers, toys, favorite stuffed animals or blankets. Basically pack baby’s nursery into her diaper nag and drag the thing on board as carry-on luggage.
Tip #3 Travel At Optimal Health
Yes, this is by far the most difficult of the travel tips, but if at all possible keep baby healthy in order to prevent the inherent crankiness, snottiness, and miserable-ness that comes with sick babies. For weeks in advance, keep baby away from sick family members, and be sure to provide baby with all the nutrients and vitamins she needs to boost her immune system- same goes for you. Sick parents can make baby just as miserable.
Tip #4 Prepare for the Sneers
Despite how cute your baby is people will give you looks when they see that they will be traveling in close quarters with something that may or may not cry, stink, vomit, or annoy them when they cannot get up and get away. Prepare yourself for comments, looks, and other meanness from holiday travelers who are holiday humbugs.
Tip #5 Relax
Much like animals, babies can sense when you are anxious, fearful, stressed out, or tired. It has been proven that many children will take on the emotional turmoil of their parental unit, so do what you can prior to departing to help yourself relax. Grab a venti latte, buy a novel from your favorite author, get a full body massage the day before, and just remind yourself that once the flight is over you’ll be with family.
With these 5 tips, you can make travel with your tot as easy as possible despite the difficulties of parenting in the first place. Here’s to hoping that baby’s holidays are as merry as yours, and that they sleep the whole time.
5 Updated Travel Tips for the Brave Holiday Traveler
Dec 6th
Everyone has seen the news stories about the invasive, insulting and annoying new rules, regulations, searches, inspections, and fees involved in airplane travel. Despite what many of would rather do (teleport to our desired destinations) we cannot instantaneously moved through space and time without the hassle of the TSA, DHS, customs, passports, and flight delays.
Until the geniuses of world design a teleportation system we are stuck traveling by cruder means, but you can still survive holiday travel if you use the following updated travel tips.
Tip #1 Travel Light
If you’ve booked a flight anytime within the last 3 years, you’ve probably seen the new travel fees related to the amount and weight of your baggage. It used to be that you would pay a fee for any baggage over a certain weight, now you have to pay for each piece of baggage no matter how much it weighs. Some airlines will allow you a free carryon bag, which is great if you’re traveling home, traveling on a short business trip, or have tons of money to buy a disposable wardrobe at your final destination spot. Since few people can afford the fees or a whole new wardrobe its smarter to pack only the essentials. You can buy hygiene products in hotels, you don’t have to bring towels or bedding if you are staying somewhere where you can trust the cleanliness of the establishment. Pack only the clothes you need in order to bypass the fees and additional baggage costs.
Tip #2 Plan Ahead
Once you’ve booked your travel plans always plan ahead to be on time for your flights and other vacation entertainments. No matter how close to the airport you live, give yourself at least 2 hours to get to the airport (not including the 2-3 hours you’ll need at the airport to get through the lines and inspections)- this is important because you never know when traffic will build up, the storm will arrive, or if you’ll lose your car keys.
Tip #3 Clothing Basics
In tip #2 you read about the inspections you can expect at the airport. Due to unfortunately and tragic circumstances American travel has been hampered by invasive and sometimes humiliating searches and inspections. If order to expedite your travel through TSA town, wear a single layer of clothes, sandals, little to no accessories or jewelry, and wear your hair in a simple style.
Tip #4 Load Up the Vitamin C
With so many foreign and domestic illnesses traveling the globe with you, you’ll want to boost your immune system with a healthy dose of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Drink plenty of orange juice, take Vitamin C drops or pills, and make sure to bring plenty of antibacterial wipes and hand cleansers with you on the plane.
Tip #5 Double Check
The final tip of this article is to double check everything. Days before your departure, call the airlines to be sure that the flight number, departure and arrival times, gate number, and even your seat numbers are all accurate. Also, call your hotel or other accommodations in advance to be sure that your room is available and ready. If you’re renting a car, call the car rental place to make sure that the car you ordered is fueled, ready, and available to be picked up at the pre-scheduled time.
If you follow these simple tips prior to leaving on your vacation, you’ll find that dealing with the holiday horrors of holiday travel aren’t as bad as you thought. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
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