5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOUR NEXT TRIP + a simple packing list

I don't know about you, but when packing, I start with good intentions on keeping things simple.  Then I panic at the last minute and throw in extras that I really don't need.  I'm trying to improve on being prepared and sticking to the basics and decided a packing list will probably help me.

But before we get to that, here are 5 things to consider before each trip:

1. MIX AND MATCH.  Stick to items that can be worn with everything else.  For example, I want all my tops to be able to go with all my bottoms, my jacket or sweater, my shoes and my scarf.

2. COMFORT.  Choose items that are comfortable.  I want to be ready for anything (walking, standing, sitting, relaxing...), while still looking my best.

3. WEATHER.  Check the weather and pack accordingly!  It’s miserable to be too hot or too cold while trying to enjoy a new place. 

4. LOCATION.  Pack for the place.  When I'm camping, I pack completely different clothes than if I'm cruising.  Also, when I'm staying at someone else's home, I'm more conservative with my pjs!

5. LENGTH OF TRIP.  Bring between 2-7 days worth of clothes.  I find that if I take more, I feel stressed out and weighed down by my luggage (remember, you can do laundry while traveling).

So, now that we've got that out of the way, let's cover what should actually go into our suitcases!  I suggest you only pack what fits in a carry-on to save money, space and energy.

PACKING LIST:

2-7 tops: one for each day

2-4 bottoms: jeans, pants, shorts or skirts

1 dress

1 jacket, sweater or coat

1 set of pjs

don't forget underwear!

1 large scarf (which can double as a coverup, towel, blanket and pillow)

1 hat

1 pair sunglasses

1 swimsuit (if needed)

1-3 pair shoes: I usually take flats, wedges and sneakers
exercise clothes (if needed)

bag of toiletries

essential oils of course

a few favorite pieces of jewelry

your kindle 
travel documents

chargers

Have I covered all my bases?  Am I missing something that you think I should be taking when I travel?  Please let me know in the comments below!

7 AREAS TO CHOOSE SIMPLICITY

Life can be overwhelming and leave us feeling like we are just going through the motions, trying to survive.  That's why I believe minimalism is so important for us.  Let's stop overthinking and over-planning and choose simplicity in these 7 areas.

EXERCISE - Stop making excuses about why you can't work out.  Find an activity you enjoy and get moving daily, whether it's a walk, a yoga class or lifting weights with your husband.

PEOPLE - Stop spending time with people who aren't good for you.  Look at your relationships and decide on a few that mean the world to you.  Then pour your energy into those people.

WORK - Stop clocking in at a job you don't feel excited and passionate about and wasting your life away just for a paycheck.  Try lots of jobs until you find what you love.

TIME - Stop saying yes.  Say no to everything you don't want to do or you're doing because you feel like you must, then say yes to only what you truly want or need to do.

Photo by Emily Lynn Photography

FOOD - Stop eating processed and packaged food.  Choose 1 ingredient foods, like an apple, a head of broccoli or a bag of almonds to create your snacks and meals.

MONEY - Stop spending money that you don't have.  Cut up your credit cards and begin to live within your means.

STUFF - Stop buying things you don't need.  Just because there's space doesn't mean you need to fill it.  And just because you can buy something, doesn't mean you should.

The less I have, the more I feel clear headed and calm.  Minimalism can be such a healthy hobby!  What area do you most need to simplify?

6 WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF CARE WHILE TRAVELING

Staying up all night, eating whatever you want and laying around doing nothing are all part of vacation.  It starts off feeling like total freedom, but then you quickly end up sick and tired.  Traveling isn’t fun when you don’t feel your best.  That’s why self-care, even when you’re not at home, is so important.  Here are six areas that I think really make or break a trip:

1. SLEEP.  You need enough sleep if you are doing the driving on a road trip, but also if you want to simply stay well and have fun!  Try to stick to the same times that you go to bed and wake up at home.

2. EAT.  It’s tempting to go crazy because you’re on vacation, but it’s important that you eat foods that make you feel your best!  It sucks to have an upset stomach or be insanely bloated while you’re trying to walk around a new place.

3. MOVE.  Driving or flying to get to your destination can wreck havoc on your body.  Each time we stop at a rest area, I feel like 93-years-old trying to peel myself out of the car.  And after a flight, I feel all cramped up.  Take time to stretch it out, go for a walk or hit the hotel gym!

4. SCHEDULE.  Just because we can drive 13 hours in one day doesn’t mean you should.  And just because you have time to do five things while site-seeing, doesn’t mean you should.  Take into consideration how you feel now and how you’ll feel later.  It’s not always worth it to do and see it all.

5. THINK.  Don’t turn your mind off.  Use this time away from work to read new books, listen to interesting podcasts, have deep conversations with your friends and family traveling with you.  I love when I come home from a trip feeling inspired and ready to take on the world!

6. REST.  Not to be confused with sleep.  Put away all technology, take a bath, watch the sunset, take a hike, read a book, enjoy a cup of coffee while rocking on a porch, walk on the beach, etc.  Whatever it is, take time to enjoy the quiet.  

What is one self-care practice that you always stick to while traveling?

9 SECRETS TO TRAVELING WITH YOUR SPOUSE

You've been traveling for days, everyone's exhausted, people are driving you nuts and you can't get away.  Can you relate?  I love going on trips with Nick, but it can feel tense when either of us are hard to be around (spoiler alert, usually I'm the cranky pants).  Here are 9 things that I have found make a huge difference for us.

1. Kick your habits.  There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a car for 12 hours with someone who’s driving you insane.  If you know you have a habit that your spouse can’t stand, then stop.  Seriously.

Northern Ireland 2014

2. Pay attention to what your spouse needs.  Do they need some quiet time?  A back rub after hours on the road?  Some time alone once you get to your destination?  A listening ear?  Are they hungry or need to stop and stretch their legs?

3. Find joint entertainment.  Read a book aloud.  Listen to a podcast.  Find a good radio station.  Whatever it is, make sure you both are enjoying it.  Otherwise find something else to do for a while or use headphones.

4. Take time apart.  When we get to a hotel, I love to fill up a bath, take my kindle and disappear for about an hour.  While I do this, Nick will often do bodyweight exercises in the room.  Once we’ve both had some downtime, we are ready to come back together and hang out some more.

Mount Rushmore today!

5. Be flexible.  You have things you want to do, see and eat while traveling.  So does your spouse.  Hopefully, you both want the same things most of the time.  But when you don’t, make sure you take turns so that no one feels like their wants or needs don’t matter.

6. Have designated roles.  I usually plan the big things on the trip, like the major highlights and Bucket List items we will cross off.  But, Nick will come in at the last minute and choose the actual stops and book hotels.  Decide who will do what so that the responsibilities are shared.

7. Get enough sleep.  You’ll be tempted to skimp on this.  We get excited to have cable in our hotel room, since we don’t have it at home.  Or we will stay up late hanging out with friends and family.  But, we are much nicer when we sleep enough.

Faroe Islands 2012

8. Say thank you.  Most likely, your spouse is doing a lot to make this trip fun for you.  Recognize the things they do to take care of you and thank them for it.

9. Remember to have fun.  Travel can often be stressful because of all of the unknowns around you.  Take things slow, be patient, go with the flow and don’t get upset when things don’t go as planned.  

Do you and your spouse travel together well?  Please share your words of wisdom with me!

BEGINNERS GUIDE: 22 SIMPLE FOODS AND RECIPES FOR VEGANS

Since going vegan, we get asked these two questions almost weekly:

1. Where do you get your protein?
2. If you don’t eat meat and dairy, what do you eat?

To which we reply:

1. Plants!
2. Everything else!

Sounds so simple right?  But, if you’ve always eaten meat and dairy, cutting them out can seem confusing and overwhelming.  I get that!  Over the years, I have gone through seasons where I felt stuck in a rut with food.  That’s why I think it’s important to have some tried and true favorites that are easy to whip up and enjoy.

Here are some of our favorite go-to’s…

Breakfast:

Homemade Granola - I make this about every two weeks and Nick eats it with (rice, coconut, cashew or almond) milk.

Pancakes - Nick loves when I add chocolate chips to his, but bananas and blueberries are good too.  Top with maple syrup or peanut butter or both!

Cinnamon Rolls - The best Saturday morning treat!

Juice - For those mornings when we want something light or need to detox a bit from a heavy dinner.

Lunch:

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich - Nick’s fav (with toasted bread)

Salad - Start with greens and add in your favorite fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and berries.  Skip the dressing, make your own or just add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Guac/Salsa and Chips - This is our latest obsession.  2 avocados, a handful of cherry tomatoes, 1/4 a red onion, salt, pepper and Young Living Lime Vitality oil…your welcome 

Smoothie - Start with a milk (like almond milk), add in fruits, leafy greens, chia seeds and a plant based protein powder if you want (I love Young Living’s Slique…it helped me drop some stubborn weight last year).

Dinner:

Loaded Baked Potatoes - Start with baked potatoes, including sweet potatoes.  Top them with sautéed veggies (like garlic, onion and mushroom), throw on some leafy greens and add some black beans if you want more protein.

Vegetable Soup - Put together whatever veggies you're craving...my recent obsession is onions, butternut squash or sweet potatoes, broccoli, milk (coconut, rice, cashew or almond) and then salt, pepper and spices!

Rice/Quinoa Bowl - Basically start with rice or quinoa and then top it with whatever you want!

Tacos - We LOVEEEEEEE these!  Just leave out the store bought taco seasoning and make your own!

Snack:

Nuts

Seeds

Fruit

Veggies

Dessert:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Nice Cream

Dark Chocolate Bar

Drink:

Wine
Kombucha
Herbal Tea

There are so many options and we eat so well.  If you're trying to go vegan, don't dwell on what you can't have, but focus on all that you can!  Anytime I need inspiration, I just go to Pinterest and type in "vegan recipes" in the search bar.  Do it and see what you can find...I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.  What's your favorite vegan recipe you've tried so far?  Please share in the comments below.  I'm always looking to try new flavors!