“How do you eat Real Food when traveling?” asks Amanda G. on today’s #AskWardee. I’m sharing my thoughts below!
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The Question: How do you eat Real Food when traveling?
Amanda G. wants to know:
“Wardee! You are so amazing! Your cooking school and website has changed my kitchen life!!! Thank you! My husband bought me a grain mill for my 40th birthday because of you! Now my question: can you talk about what you ate on your travels to that conference? You wrote an email about it, but I was hoping for more details!”
My Answer:
Happy 40th birthday, Amanda, and how fantastic your husband blessed you with a grain mill!
I’m thrilled to share what I ate on my travels in February that you’re referencing, but first I want to tell you my thought process before any trip.
I identify 5 things first:
- Are we driving or flying?
- Will I be able to cook when we get there?
- When we get there, will I be able to refrigerate food?
- What special needs will we have? (according to activities)
- Will I need any special utensils or appliances?
My answers to these questions will determine what I can pack and what I might purchase when I get there. And this is how I eat Real Food when traveling…
If we’re flying…
My approach here is to pack in my suitcase non-perishables or foods that will travel ok for at least 24 hours or so — think jerky (learn how to make your own!), superfood supplements (chia seeds, collagen, protein powder), stevia…
When I arrive, if I am able to refrigerate foods, I go to the grocery store to get perishables and produce, like salad ingredients, yogurt, fruits, cheese, meats, etc.
In the deli area of the grocery store, I pick up some utensils and plate(s) that I use and wash for the duration of the trip.
If I’m able to cook, I will also get meats or pasta or things that we can whip into simple meals like spaghetti or hamburgers.
Example #1 — Flying
Amanda, you referred to a particular trip I took in February.
Here’s the photo I sent in my email about it:
In my suitcase, I packed all the superfoods I add to yogurt:
I purchased yogurt when I got there. Each morning, I mixed my superfoods and stevia into the yogurt in a bowl I got from the grocery store deli. And that’s what I had for breakfast each day.
In my suitcase, I also packed Nick’s Sticks jerky and dark chocolate — my snacks throughout the day. 🙂
I knew that I would be on my own for lunch most days, so I purchased lunch fixings — salad ingredients, salad dressing, meats and cheese. (I topped the salad with meats and cheese.)
I knew that I would be going out or hosted for dinners, so I didn’t worry about those meals at all. I did the best I could to eat well wherever I was.
If we’re driving…
Our approach is to pack a cooler (or 2!) with whatever of our regular foods we’d like to take along! It’s like taking our kitchen on the road, though simplified. I do a lot of work ahead of time to pre-cook and batch cook staples, like cooked chicken, tortillas, english muffins, meatballs, and sliced veggies.
I freeze whatever I can because then it acts like ice in the cooler — at least until it thaws completely!
Overall, I keep it simple to sandwiches, wraps, milk, yogurt, cheese, meats, veggies, fruit…
If we have a refrigerator when we get there, we can go to the grocery store to replenish what we’re using up from the cooler.
If I’m able to cook, it’s even easier to eat Real Food when traveling! I will get meats or pasta or things that we can whip into simple meals like spaghetti or hamburgers.
Example #2 — Driving
Recently, my husband and I went away for a weekend to the Coast. Our room had a kitchen and fridge.
In our cooler, we packed: milk, yogurt, bread, veggies, kraut, pickles, cheese, bread, eggs, etc. We also packed our dry goods like my superfoods, pasta, dark chocolate, and these dark chocolate covered almonds.
I also packed some extra utensils and appliances — like the stick blender (for smoothies) and an empty quart jar for skimming cream for hot drinks. I wish I had taken some other things because the kitchen there was a bit lacking. Next time, I will know (we plan to go back to the same place).
We weren’t there long enough to need to refresh at a grocery store, so we didn’t shop at all. Well, except to pick up bottled water on the drive over.
Our meals when we were there: eggs, toast, spaghetti, hamburgers, and chicken salad sandwiches.
It worked out really well! We were able to eat Real Food when traveling, and we had a great time.
Links Mentioned:
- Free Traditional Cooking Videos
- Nick’s Sticks jerky
- Homemade Jerky
- chia seeds
- maca powder
- protein powder
- dark chocolate
- Sea Salt & Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds
- stick blender
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How do you eat Real Food when traveling?
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