If you are like me, planning a day trip to a fun spot tops the list for an ideal weekend activity. I love setting aside an entire day to spend exploring a new hiking area or relaxing on the beach from morning until sunset. However, the problem I encounter on day trips like these is having to leave my destination to search for a place for lunch, a meal that will probably end up being overpriced and mediocre.

What is my solution? Pack a healthy lunch to bring with me on the trip. I can’t emphasize enough the numerous benefits of taking along a delicious lunch whenever you go on a day trip, but I’ve explained a few below.

Save Money

The most obvious advantage that comes with packing a healthy lunch to take with you on a day trip is savings money. Since you already have a delicious lunch ready and waiting as soon as your stomach begins to rumble, you won’t end up wasting money on a disappointing meal at a run of the mill restaurant in town. You can also avoid wasting precious gas trying to get there.

Save Time

Take a second and imagine this: You have just arrived at a secluded picturesque beach after driving two hours to reach the much-anticipated final destination. You unload the car and take your daypack, beach umbrella, towel, and duffle bag loaded with snorkeling equipment and other adventure gear to the perfect spot where you intend to spend the rest of the day. It’s only been an hour or so and that’s when they first arrive – hunger pangs. You can’t believe it but you look at your watch and it’s actually lunchtime. The last thing you want to do is leave!
Packing up all of your gear, loading the car, and trying to find a nearby restaurant to get something to eat could take more than an hour in itself and would mean losing precious time that could have been spent relaxing on the warm sand listening to the waves crashing a few feet away. If you had taken my advice, however, as soon as those hunger pangs hit, you would have been prepared with a scrumptious lunch ready and waiting for you. Instead of wasting an hour getting in your car and trying to find a lunch spot, all you have to do is unzip your daypack (although if its is a hot day I do recommend a cooler) and there is your lunch.

Be Healthy

When forced to find a source of sustenance while on a daytrip, the most common result is that you will end up eating greasy, fatty fast food. If you plan on hiking for the rest of the day, the last thing you want is to feel weighed down by a Big Mac. To avoid falling into this trap, all you have to do is plan ahead and pack a healthy lunch to take with you. I have found that the best type of lunch for a day trip includes a deli sandwich on whole grain bread (my favorite is turkey!), a crunchy green apple, almonds, and an oatmeal cookie for dessert. As long as it is well balanced, with a mixture of protein, fruit, and whole grains, you simply can’t go wrong!

Labels: day trip, eat healthy, healthy lunch, packing, save money

With all of the new hassles associated with plane travel, it’s no wonder we all dread going on business trips these days. What used to be an easy trip has turned into a major nuisance. Traveling by plane now means getting to the airport up to two hours in advance, dealing with long lines at check-in, and waiting again in security, sometimes only to find your flight is delayed once you finally make it to the gate. Unfortunately, unless you can find a replacement, there is no way to get around going on your business trip. Although we can’t do anything about unforeseen delays or long security lines, with these smart travel tips you can make sure your next business trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Smart Packing

Your best bet when going on a two or three-day business trip is to pack only the most essential items you know that you will need. You want to pack lightly, efficiently, and quickly. This means thinking ahead about what meetings, events, dinners, or social affairs you will be attending and picking out the intended outfits ahead of time. Not only does this help you pack strategically, but it also makes it that much easier when it is time to dress for the event because you have already decided exactly what you are going to wear!

Smart Luggage

The key to effective packing is using luggage suited for a business trip. There are two types of luggage essential for any business travel. Compact, wheeled luggage that can be taken on the plane as a carry-on is ideal. If you can avoid waiting in line to check your luggage, you can speed-up your check-in process immensely. The second piece of essential luggage is a messenger bag. Normally messenger bags come with a strap that goes across your chest, which means your hands are free and you can easily move through the airport with newspaper and coffee in hand. Its intended purpose is to hold all the items that you want to have easy access to during the flight (i.e. computer, ipod, reading material, etc.). It is truly a must-have for all business travelers!

Smart Travel

There are several ways that you can make your experience go much smoother once you arrive at the airport. Many of these tips are things you can do before even leaving for the airport. Either the night before or the morning of your flight, it is a good idea to check-in online and print your boarding pass from your airline's Web site. As long as you are not checking baggage, this will make it all that much easier when you arrive at your terminal because you will not need to wait in the check-in line and can go directly to security. Follow these simple travel tips and your next business trip will be a breeze.

Labels: business luggage, business trip, packing, travel