Tips for Traveling Raw

Tips for Traveling Raw

In response to a request for an actual list of suggestions from a friend who will soon be traveling to Italy (lucky her!), here it is:

1. Be prepared! Dehydrate your favorite foods in advance, so you will always have something to munch on if you are hungry and don't want to be tempted.
2. Carry your snacks, including prepared carrot, celery, cucumber sticks, etc. in plastic baggies for easy disposal.
3. Bring some quick and easy snacks with you for the plane ride or other travel, such as homemade fudge balls, organic raisins, goji berries (soaked is best), other dried fruits, nuts and seeds. Just be sure it is what you really like and will actually eat!
   
4. Be sure to bring a bottle or two of distilled water. It's a great help that most places sell bottled, distilled water nowadays, just don't forget the importance of staying hydrated. As my friend Nathan informs me, the airlines now allow only 3 ounces of any liquid, so be aware of that. If you are traveling by car, you can take more; just don't let plastic bottles sit in a hot car, allowing the plastic to leach into the water.
   
5. The very best source of water being fresh, raw, delicious fruits, take some along or buy them at the airport. Airport food, including fruit, is ridiculously expensive, but it can be worth it if you really want to stay raw and healthy.
6. Remember that you can easily make a meal of fruit and be satisfied and perfectly nourished. Bananas are especially filling and easy to obtain, although they don't travel very well.
7. If possible and practical, bring your VitaMix with you! This means you can make your own healthy and delicious green smoothies wherever you go. Remember, green smoothies are concentrated nourishment, delicious, and filling.
8. When you go into a restaurant, be prepared with an index card (bring a few) to give to the waiter for the chef, saying something like this: "I eat only raw vegetables and fruits. Would you make me a salad containing as many of these ingredients as you can, please?", and then list the veggies you particularly like.
9. You can bring your own containers of a healthy salad dressing, or you can just squeeze an orange onto your salad for dressing. Blend beforehand (if you bring your VitaMix or blender) a tomato and a mango and you've got another delicious and simple dressing.
10. Write and and bring a list of the reasons WHY you are eating raw!
11. Bring a motivational book about the raw diet and lifestyle to reinforce your goals.
12. Remember to Keep It Simple! Don't worry that you will run out of good food to eat - fresh fruits and vegetables are usually available anywhere you go.
    

When you go to another country, or visit somewhere special, don't be too hard on yourself, diet-wise! If you want to taste the cuisine there, don't think it's the end of the world if you try something you normally wouldn't eat.

Remember why you went raw and all the benefits you have gained from it, and don't want to lose. What you eat is YOUR decision, and will either contribute to your well-being, or to your harm.

By all means eat health-fully, but don't make a religion of it or feel like a complete failure if you stray a bit. Just decide before hand how far you are willing to go and ENJOY your time there.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip, Yvette, and I'll see you when you get back!