Travel Hacks for The Green & Healthy Traveler

Wasn’t traveling meant to be the perfect time to let go and embrace spontaneity and just enjoy? Remember the thrill of planning your holidays and just letting go? Well, times have changed and the years have also added some wisdom so planning a holiday now happens in a different form. With adulthood comes the realization that life can get complicated if we don’t take smart and conscious decisions. The adage “Simple living and high thinking” still holds true especially when it comes to our health as people are moving towards a healthier lifestyle.

The new age mantra these days is leading a more conscious and eco-friendly lifestyle. But can we link travel and an eco-friendly lifestyle together? Is it even possible to imagine both of them together, on the same side of the fence? As unbelievable as it is, it is actually quite possible to not derail your healthy lifestyle while travelling. Traditionally a holiday would usually entail carefree days of bingeing on everything and anything unhealthy which would not be typically available at home. Nowadays, things have taken a turn towards a healthier lifestyle and people are making conscious changes when they plan a holiday. Instead of opting to eat at any place you can choose to continue to eat healthy even while travelling. All it needs is some planning and you are good to go for your next fun holiday. Although your family may take time to adjust to a healthier way of eating while holidaying, it will be worth it for them as well as for you in the long run. Here are a few tips and points that you can keep in mind the next time you’re planning your holiday:

Water

Water is one of the most easily available commodities found everywhere while travelling.

They are usually packed in plastic bottles and more of than not and no one seems to give it a second thought that it is a one-time use product. It is one of the biggest health hazards as it exposes you to multiple risks. It is also equally harmful to the environment. It is best to carry your own flask of drinking water while on a holiday. Even though many of the hotels and resorts vouch for being environmentally friendly, they still continue to serve water through packaged bottles. If you happen to ask for water stored in a jug then don’t be surprised with their puzzled looks as your request may seem quite unusual. Most often these hotels and resorts serve water in a glass or steel jug which was actually stored in a plastic water dispenser. It is wisest to carry your own drinking water and when it gets over, to refill it from the hotel or resort.

Hot Water Flask

Another easy way to drink a fresh cup of tea while on the go is by carrying a hot water flask or a thermal flask filled with hot water.

Along with that, add a few tea leaves and some sturdy reusable mugs into your bag and you’re all set for a fresh cup of tea at any time and any place. Tea without milk is always a better choice as it keeps you safe from motion sickness while traveling. Although you can find many tea stalls doting along the way, they usually make tea in aluminum containers in which the tea leaves have been used way too many times and poured into disposable plastic cups. Add to that hygiene is always questionable at such places.

Going Raw

If you are like me, then most probably you would be popping an Avomine before traveling to the hills. The plus side to popping an Avomine before you travel through treacherous curves and hills is that it knocks you out and protects you from motion sickness. The downside to it is missing out on the fantastic views as you’re traveling, the fun revelry with other fellow travelers and waking up groggy and tired. Eating raw food before travelling is always a better choice than consuming milk or oily food which may trouble your stomach while travelling. Always carry with you season fruits and vegetables which you can munch on the way. Another advantage of eating raw foods is their easy availability. You can also eat foods which are locally found in the places that you’re travelling to. Local foods are always organic, easily available and cheap! You could also explore the countryside of the place you’re travelling to and enjoy some local and wild fruits like strawberries, wild pear, apples, seabuckthorn fruit etc.

Homestays

Homestays are always a preferred place to stay while travelling to any hotel or resort as they are more personal and homely.

They certainly add more charm to your holiday! But did you know that even homestays or rather their owners are quite oblivious to the harmful environmental effects their simple acts might do? Most homestays use aluminum cookware to cook with refined oil and serve on plastic serve ware. They also usually store hot water in Chinese made glass lined thermos flasks or even in disposable plastic bottles. All these seemingly harmful habits do so much harm that even the organic vegetables and fruits available near them cannot mitigate the harm of plastic or aluminum. The only way to rectify such habits is by spreading awareness whenever you are travelling and staying in homestays. Most homestay hosts are gracious enough to listen to advice and will in all likelihood implement good practices for their own wellbeing. So the next time you get to see any harmful habits against the environment and the self, do not hesitate to share your knowledge with others.

Bread

Bread is a convenient snack to carry around while you’re travelling. It is always preferable to eat fresh home baked bread but if that is not possible, you can always buy some from the local bakery. It is quite easy to make a non-fussy and simple sandwich with fillings of your choice and availability. Even while you’re travelling, you can use interesting local flavours and herbs as your filling. Use your imagination to create your own unique sandwich. Like sandwiches, it is also very easy to make burritos while travelling. You can make some thick rotis with either wheat or millet and stuff them with vegetables of your choice and you’re good to go (pun intended). A tip that I find very useful while travelling is to carry your own little packets of salt, pepper and a little bottle of olive oil or ghee.

Cooked Meals

It is advisable to always eat local and fresh produce while travelling. If you insist on eating only your daily staples of rice and dal then do not be surprised if you’re served with packaged meals which are loaded with harmful preservatives. Holidays are the best ways to get experiment with exotic foods and it is best not to miss the opportunity to try out something new and local as well as loaded with nutritional benefits. Another way of creating awareness about good cooking habits is by making your homestay hosts know about the harmful effects of cooking in refined oil or using plastic serve ware etc. Such interactions are one of the easiest ways of creating awareness.

Snacks

Carrying your own snacks and meals on the way is an efficient way of keeping your health and wealth protected. The food that you carry from home is always clean and fresh and the same cannot be vouched for food sold outside. You can easily carry with you packets of raisins, almonds, dried fig, apricots and walnuts which will give you instant and lasting energy. You can also make some snacks like chiwda or thepla which can keep you filled for a long time. The last but most important tip is not to forget to reflect, pray and meditate as you travel and enjoy the bounties of Mother Earth. Your mantra should be just as the SAATHI PADS slogan, ‘Care For Two: You & Earth’.