Smart Snacks for Traveling

Most convenience foods are loaded with salt, fat, and sugar, and when you're traveling, you may not have time for much else. There are alternatives, however. What snacks should you reach for instead of the pop, chips, and candy bars?

• Granola or protein bars. Just watch out for sugar and calories.
• Fruit and yogurt parfaits are great choices at the drive-through window.
• String cheese will give you calcium and protein.
• Reach for the water instead of pop and other sugary drinks.
• Baked whole grain crackers are becoming more common in convenience stores and airports.
• Nuts. Loaded with protein and unsaturated fats, nuts are healthy snacking food.
• Trail mix. Again, just watch out for sugar and calories.
• Fruit. An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
• Dried fruit--easy to keep in the car, your purse, briefcase, or backpack.
• Veggies. Just watch what you dip them in.
• Beef Jerky. Go with low sodium.

5 Useful Travel Gifts

Digital Travel Luggage Scale
Check the weight of your baggage before leaving home, and save on costly baggage charges at the airport. The Digital Travel Luggage Scale will measure weight up to 88 pounds. It also features a bright, blue back-lit display, auto power off, and a quick release strap that easily adjusts to any size handle. Measures only 5.5" x 1.25" x 1.25" for easy storage. $16.95

Vapur Anti-Bottle - Flexible Water Bottle The Ultimate Water Bottle! Reusable, foldable, washable, freezable, attachable, identifiable, and completely BPA free. Vapur's Anti-Bottle Water Bottles are constructed with three layers of durable FDA approved plastic that is stain resistant and odor and taste free. When in use, the Anti-Bottle is designed to stand. When empty, roll, fold, or flatten the bottle for easy storage. The bottles can even be filled with water and frozen for use as an ice pack.. $9.95

Camping Survival Tool With 10 survival tools included in one compact package, you will be prepared for most outdoor situations. The Tool includes a whistle, compass, fire starter flint, LED light, thermometer, mirror, level, magnifier, and a hygrometer to measure humidity. $12.95

Sun Visor Organizer
Store all of your travel gadgets neatly and securely with the sun visor organizer. The organizer will accommodate your cell phone, MP3 player, headset, garage door opener, flashlights, pens, maps, chewing gum, and anything else you may need while on the road. $19.95

ICOON: Traveller's Language Kit ICOON is perfect for traveling in areas where you don't speak the native language. With ICOON, you simply point to the picture of the item or service you need, and let the pictures speak for you. The size of a passport, this mini booklet has 76 pages and over 2,000 pictures of everyday essentials in twelve different categories. $12.95

Herbs that Ease Travel Ailments

Traveling is often stressful and hard on the body. If you experience motion sickness, anxiety, nausea, headaches, or any other ailment from traveling, try the following hears to ease your troubles.

Peppermint
Peppermint's calming effects will soothe your nerves and help your stomach digest. As a bonus, it freshens your breath.





Ginger
Ginger is well-known for its ability to curb nausea and upset stomachs. Ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory, so it's effective for muscle aches and headaches.





Chamomile
A great all-around relaxant, chamomile is sure to put you at ease if you have any anxiety about your upcoming trip.





Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm contains mild sedative properties. Use it for anxiety, restlessness, and irritability. It can also help still a racing heart.