Since I’m not a fan of prepared energy bars (or prepared anything for that matter), I look for the closest thing to real food that I can get, and that is still practical and convenient to carry.

Here are some snacks that are easy to pack:

1. Peanut butter sandwich – Add jelly, honey, or leave it plain, and make sure that it’s wrapped up good and tight.  This won’t need refrigeration, is tolerant to a little bit of squishing about, and offers a quick hit when your energy is sagging.  Make it really, really full of peanut butter, and you can use the excess as a bit of a dip.  (NOTE:  You can try bringing through a container of just peanut butter, but I’ve heard mix reports of whether it’s being considered a “gel” type product.)
2. Raw vegetables – The crunch of celery or carrots can be satisfying and healthy, and a baggie of them is easy to slip into a carry on bag or a purse.  Also good are jicama, cucumbers (add a squeeze of lime and some chili powder for extra flavor), and broccoli.  Choose your favorite.
3. Dried fruit – Fresh fruit gets bruises or smashed too easily, so try bringing along some dried.  I’m partial to dried pineapple and mangos.  Their sweetness if just enough to keep me away from candy.
4. Nuts – Put together a mixture of your own, or stick to your favorite(s).  Keep a big baggies of them in your carry on, so you can grab a handful whenever you need a bit of energy.  They go perfect with dried fruit as well.  It’s best to avoid salted nuts, if you can.
5. Cereal – With a cup and some milk, this makes a simple breakfast, and you can always snack on the dry mix for a little crunch.
6. Cheese – If you know you’ll be eating it within a few hours, a few slices of cheese is a good protein snack.  Much longer than a few hours, though, and you’ll need to worry about refrigeration.  I think hard cheeses travel best, and are least likely to deteriorate in packing.  A wedge of Parmesan is perfect!  String cheese is great for kids.
7. Crackers and chips – These are easily crushed, so I recommend taking them along only if you’ll be eating them fairly soon.  Chances are they are not going to stay undamaged more than a day.  There are healthy choices in this category, but honestly, I’m partial to Fritos.
8. Licorice – Sweet, chewy, easy to pack, and low in fat and calories.  A great way to assuage your sweet tooth.
9. Salami – You’ll have to be careful with this, as it will eventually need refrigeration.  Additionally, there’s some pretty strong smelling salami out there, and you don’t want to stink up the joint.  Still, paired with cheese and other snacks, it can almost make you feel like you’re having an appetizer plate somewhere in Italy.  Well, okay, that’s going to take a vivid imagination.
10. Hard candies – Great for a sore throat, or just one that’s a little dry, and they are available in sweet and sour flavors to match your taste bud preferences.  Also good for kids at take off and landing, when they need to swallow and clear their ears.

Do you have any packable snacks that are your travel favorites?  Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

10 Healthy & Packable Snacks for Travel Energy

At some point, it’s bound to happen to all of us, but implementing a few good habits can help keep your panic in check, and minimize the need for you to retrace steps to find out where you’ve left something behind.

Here are some suggestions to help you get your forgetfulness under control, help you access what you need when you need it, and make things easier to retrieve should items go missing:

1. Limit the electronics and valuable that you travel with.  Packing less means there’s less you can forget or lose.  This is easier for me to say than to do when it comes to gadgets – cause I really do need my cell phone, laptop, iPod, camera, flip video, and all the attachments that go with them, when I travel.  That’s why the next tip is so important!
2. Use the in-room safe to keep valuable secure.  Put everything in there, and keep it there.  Take it out when you are using it, or when you leave the room, and return things there when you return to your room.  No more wondering where you put your wallet or where they keys are.  They’re in the safe!  (NOTE:  If there isn’t an in-room safe, or your items are too large for it, establish ONE place that you’ll put everything all the time, and don’t deviate.)
3. Put your room key in the same place, in every hotel room, on every trip.  For me, this spot is right next to the alarm clock on the night stand.  If there’s an emergency and I need to evacuate my room in a hurry, I’ll be able to grab the key and head out.  (You’ll want to take your key with you in an evacuation in case the situation is dangerous and you need to return to your room.)
4. Label everything.  Use your name, address, and a phone number.  Make it easy for someone to contact you should they find any of your items.  A lot of times people may be reluctant to turn something in to a front desk or official (fearing institutionalized theft), but will make a personal effort to get it back to you.  Make it easy for them.
5. Pack the night before your departure, keeping out only those things you’ll need for the next day.  This helps get the bulk of the packing done, and means you’ll have less to worry about at the last minute.  Packing at a slower pace also helps ensure that nothing will be left behind.
6. Open all drawers, closets, look around the bathroom, on the floor, and especially on the bed, before walking out the door to check out.  That last check may help you find the book that was left on the bed, or something that fell out as you were packing.
7. After everyone is out of the room, and all the luggage is out the door, take one last walk through looking for items.  This extra 30 seconds can make a BIG difference.
8. Keep credit cards and other important identification in the same place in your wallet or purse ALL the time.  When you take it out, put it back in this place right away.  A quick glance will tell you that you have your credit card or ID, saving you panic that you may have left it behind somewhere or have had it stolen.

Do you have other tips to make sure you don’t forget something while you’re traveling?  Please add them in the comments.

Photo credit:  markresch @flickr

Post from: Blisstree

8 Tips for the Forgetful Traveler

1. When traveling in the hotel van or shuttle, wear the seatbelts provided.  In most states it’s the law.  If the seatbelts is inoperative, let the driver know.
2. If the hotel is unfamiliar to you, and you are at all uncertain of your whereabouts, ask to be escorted to your room.  Have the hotel point out the location of elevators, emergency exits and evacuation routes.
3. When you get to your room, take a look around and note where the fire exits are and how you will get there in the event of an emergency.  Make a note of which direction you will need to go if you come out of your room, and approximately how many doors away you will need to go.  In the event of darkness or smoke, this is information that can help keep you from getting turned around.
4. Note where the in-room sprinklers are.  They should be there and look in good working order. If note, call the front desk and ask to be moved to another room.
5. Check to see if the phone in your room is in working order.  Call the hotel operator or front desk to verify.  With all our laptops and gadgets we frequently don’t use the room phone, but it’s important to know that it will work in case of emergency.
6. When inside your room, use all locks.  Most rooms have a primary lock (often automatically enabled when the door closes), and an additional deadbolt.  Be sure to check for sliding glass doors and opening windows as well.
7. Some people like leaving the do not disturb signing hanging on the door to make it appear that they are in their room – even if they’re not.  I’m not a fan of this option, as it’s far too easy to determine if the room is really empty.  Another technique is to leave the radio or television on to make it seem like someone is in the room.
8. If you are returning to or arriving at the hotel late at night, feel free to request an escort to your room.
9. If the front desk announces your room number, request another room.  Hotel employees should be properly trained to NEVER do this.
10. Never mention that you are traveling alone.  Avoid the question altogether, or simply say you are meeting up with a friend.
11. Do not hang the “make up room” sign on the door of your room.  If you need maid service, call housekeeping with your request.
12. Use the room safe for valuables when leaving the room.  Many are now large enough to put your laptop and other electronics in it.
13. If you hear a disturbance, avoid the natural tendency to rush to a window to look out.  In times of serious violence or calamity, being away from the window (and invisible) is a better option.
14. Watch the volume of your voice in conversations and on your cell phone.  It’s easy to eavesdrop for information that shouldn’t be public knowledge.
15. If you find yourself in a serious situation, keep conversation to a minimum to safeguard your hiding place.  When calling for help, speak slowly but quietly to let rescuers, but no one else, know your location.
16. If you are going out exploring, ask the hotel concierge or front desk about the neighborhood you’re interested in.  Get information about whether it’s safe to be walking there, especially if you’re alone.

There’s no reason to be afraid to travel, nor to travel alone.  As a frequent solo traveler, I enjoy getting out and exploring the city around me, and have never encountered a major problem.  Just use the common sense, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

16 Tips for a Safe Hotel Stay

At the airport, keep an eye on your bags at all time. Be especially careful when putting them on the conveyor belt at security check points. On the plane, put your laptop underneath the seat in front of you when not using it. If you put it in the overhead bin, it could easily get damaged or stolen.

If you are traveling to a city you have never visited before, do a little research before you head out on your trip. Use the Internet to find out which are the better areas of town and which are high crime areas. Book a hotel in the nicer part of town and try to avoid remote areas.

Ask the concierge or hotel front desk staff to recommend restaurants and local attractions. Also ask them which areas of the city should be avoided.

When walking or using public transportation, keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings. Thieves often prey on those who look confused or down–so be sure to look confident and prepared.

As with any type of travel, don’t carry large amounts of cash and keep your jewelry at home. There’s no reason to draw extra attention to yourself. Keep your cell phone with you (and charged) in case of emergency.

Learn how to use your rental car’s headlights, hazard lights, and locks as soon as you get in the car. Be sure to ask the rental car company what to do in case the car breaks down. They should also be able to provide your with a road map and clear directions to your hotel or other destination.

If you are driving in an unfamiliar community, only stop for directions in well-lit, populated area.

Try to participate in group activities rather than doing it alone. If you are going out to explore the city, do it with a group of other tourists. There is safety in numbers.

Check in often with your friends, family or office back home. Keep regular contact with people to let them know that you are alright.

Image: seekme (sxc.hu)

Post from: Blisstree

Basic Travel Safety Tips

My husband and I have been on planes all day and just got home from a business trip.  This reminded me of flying with his parents, when we took them from New Hampshire to visit relatives in Utah several years ago.  Dad was beginning to get confused, but Mum was still very alert.  However, both needed assistance in getting around.

Jim and I realized we had to be with them all of the time so they didn’t get confused or lost.

Have you traveled with an elderly family member or friend?  Have you traveled with someone who has Alzheimer’s?

Do you have tips to share?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Does Anyone Have Tips for Flying With Alzheimer’s Patients?