*The video in this post is sponsored by Encha Matcha and contains a few affiliate links
Summer travel season is almost here! (Can you believe it?) And whenever I travel I make sure to have a few things to make the trip happier, healthier and just a little more cozy. It is amazing how a few thoughtful things from home when you are far from home can help you feel nourished, comforted and energized for the adventures ahead of you.
Here are 15 Things I Love For Travel, plus my video episode #3 of Kathy's Matcha Chat (includes a giveaway!!)...
Matcha Chat. Check out my video where I talk about five of the things below. I also share a post-travel smoothie recipe..
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Catch up..
Matcha Chat #1
Matcha Chat #2
Giveaway... To enter the giveaway, simply follow the giveaway widget below. Prize: Encha Starter Pack!
15 Things I Love For Travel
1. Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate. The morning of, during a flight and after arriving I make sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water and maybe even some coconut water. Traveling, especially air travel, can be very dehydrating and air cabins can be very dry, so making sure you drink enough water is key to feeling energized and just your all around best. Sometimes when I get dehydrated I feel tired and headache-y, so this helps combat that!
2. Snacks! Healthy Snacks. No matter how much you just want to get to your destination and then enjoy a nice meal, traveling is exhausting and sometimes very time consuming - so you are bound to get hungry or at least need to keep your blood sugar up while you are en route to your final destination. I used to be the type of person who would just skip meals while traveling, but then when I finally arrived, I would be exhausted, super cranky and just feel like crap. Eating is fuel for your brain, your body, your everything! So the trick is to bring healthy snacks with you on your trip. I share plenty of tricks for this in my video above. Including my absolute favorite fresh fruit trick. Some go-to snacks include nut butter pouches, energy bars (the whole foods healthy-ish variety), salty baked snacks and more.
Some snacks I have been grabbing lately:
- Larabars, VEGA bars, Zing bars
- Baked Salty Snacks like PopChips or Green Pea puff snacks or Hippeas (love those)
- Nut Butter Pouches (Almond, Peanut or Walnut)
- Fresh Fruit! (my fave - my trick for travel is in my video above)
- Classic Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
- Homemade muffins or bars
3. Noise-Canceling Headphones. I adore my noise-canceling headphones! They allow me to listen to my music, movies and audiobooks with so much more Zen in my ears. They cancel out all that rumbling from a noisy plane or even train. I pop them on right before takeoff and love how I get a super quiet flight. They are not cheap, but for me they are so worth it.
4. A Big Awesome Carry-on Bag. I bring a lot of little awesome things when I fly. I also usually pack my MacBook Air and my big Canon EOS 6D Camera. So I need a nice, sturdy, big carry-on bag for all those goodies. It can be challenging to find a high quality, vegan brand, but I talk more about my fave brand and bag in the video above.
5. Encha Matcha. I love bringing a few Encha mini matcha packets along on a trip. I also sometimes bring my matcha bamboo whisk so I can easily stir the matcha into some hot water. Otherwise, I just use a fork to whisk.
Matcha leaves me feeling super Zenergized, which is a very welcome feeling when I am traveling. And even though I can find matcha lattes in many cities now - since Starbucks and Peets carry matcha beverages - I still love finding ways to make Encha matcha on my trips. All you really need is some hot water. And if you are really crafty and have it, some warmed non-dairy milk and a sweetener. And Encha is so much better than most coffee-shop matchas, in my opinion.
Encha Matcha is now on Amazon! So great for ordering ease.
6. Cozy Socks. When it comes to cozy feet, I am obsessed with Thorlo socks. They are so soft, thick and lovely. My feet crave them. So I bring a pair on long flights. They are also great once you get to your hotel room
7. Reusable Water Bottle. I have recently made a habit of bringing my own reusable water bottle on trips. I leave it empty as I go through security, then seek out a water station at the airport. A lot of airports have them nowadays. If I am traveling to a destination with good drinking water, like Iceland, (omg amazing water), I can just fill from any faucet. I end up saving so much money because I drink a lot of water and don't have to buy bottles everywhere I go. I love S'well.
8. Supplements. I bring a few supplements when I travel: magnesium, B complex (great for travel stress and it contains B12 which vegans need to supplement), multi-vitamin gummies (I usually take a few every other day just as nutritional backup), sometimes I will bring along some digestive enzymes like papaya or bromelain and also turmeric which I use as a natural anti-inflammatory. If I am traveling to a new time zone or overseas, I will sometimes bring melatonin.
9. Hand Sanitizer and Deodorant Wipes. I love these two products from EO: wipes and spray. They help me feel refreshed and clean when traveling does the complete opposite!
10. Phone Charger. I have a few big phone chargers that I always bring when I travel. I love Mophie's products that have the cords built into the charger.
11. Lip Balm or Gloss. My lips get so dry when I travel, so I always bring a high quality balm. I love BeeSweet, made by a friend of mine.
12. Movies Pre-Loaded + iPad. If I am traveling on a plane for over four hours, I will bring my iPad and load it with a few movies. Watching movies or binge watching a TV show really helps the hours speed by on a plane. And bringing my own iPad safeguards against any possibility that the plane will not have working entertainment screens - or any available at all.
13. A Great Toiletries Bag. You don't need anything super fancy or expensive, just something with a lot of little pockets and enough space to hold all your stuff. Something you love and feel organized loading up - especially for long trips.
14. Individual Masks - Sheet Masks for Face and Eyes. I love placing a few sheet masks in my luggage. I can then turn my hotel room into a mini spa! Plus the masks really help perk up a tired travel face. I love Farmacy Sheet Masks. A few other brands I found online: Origins, 100% Pure... Sephora and online stores have a bunch of options these days. If anyone has a brand they love, let us know!
15. Body Oil or a Good Lotion. There are a bunch of goodies in my toiletries bag, but one I cannot live without is a brought-from-home lotion or body oil. The lotions in hotels can vary greatly in quality and I just love making sure my skin is very hydrated when I travel. My go-to is to bring a small bottle of jojoba oil. I usually grab the small bottle of Desert Essence from Whole Foods. I can use a small amount to perk up any hotel room lotion because a little goes a long way. Make sure to store it in a plastic baggy in case the bottle leaks during the flight.
So there they are! A few of my favorite things to bring when I travel. I really put "hydrate" as number one because it is so important..
Airplane Hydration Tip: If you are afraid to drink too much water on an airplane, you can always try to snag an aisle seat where you can have easier bathroom access. Or if you have to skimp on water during your flight, try to chug some water about 20-30 minutes before you land because that will give your body enough time to hydrate a bit, but you will also be on the ground soon!
Don't forget to watch my video and enter the giveaway at top.
what are some of your favorite travel goodies?
Blender: Vitamix 780 -- Get free shipping when you use my Vitamix link!
Kale Tee: SubUrban Riot
Matcha: Encha
disclosure: *The video in this post is sponsored by Encha Matcha and contains a few affiliate links
Nikki S says
I always bring plenty of snacks, water, and books!
Hope says
A water bottle and crossword puzzles.
Jenny Ham says
Snacks
Kayla Klontz says
My headphones, hand sanitizer, and some snacks!
Michelle Catallo says
Honestly? Ear plugs and I don't even sleep on planes; never have been able to even on trans-Atlantic flights.
Dawn Castiglione says
I always try to have a water bottle with me. Whether I'm staying local or traveling a longer distance.
Katrina Angele says
I like to bring something to read or do like crosswords, some fresh cold water and a travel pillow
Amanda Whitley says
when i travel i always bring a phone and clothes
Linda says
i just need my water bottle
Georgia says
Snacks and noise cancelling headphones are a must!
Kacey says
Eyemask and Earplugs. Always.
Timothy says
Definitely love bringing snacks
Timothy says
snacks are my favorite thing to bring
Kaitlin Statz says
I always pack food, be it bars or trailmix! I also always carry a travel toothbrush, because you never know!
Marie says
I love bringing my protein bars
Bianca says
a good book! larabars!
julie says
hand sanitizer is a must for me
Kelly M. says
I have to bring my own pillow!
Prasert says
Love bringing my crystal light packets
Donna says
i love bringing my green tea
Melissa says
I bring my sneakers everywhere. I love running in new areas.
Catherine Jackson says
I also love bringing my own healthy snacks on trips - individual packs of almond/peanut butter or larabars are also some of my favorites!
Jac says
I always bring an extra phone charger cord tucked away in a pocket of my bag just in case one gets damaged or lost
Mariana Barragan says
I can't travel without my enzyme supplement! I always get stomach discomfort when I travel 🙁 Taking enzyme supplements and staying hydrated helps me a lot from getting sick while traveling. Thanks for the tips kathy! im defiantly going to bring strawberries next time I travel! 🙂
Monique M says
I always make sure that I pack a reusable, cotton mask and hand sanitizer 😷 Everyone always seems to be sick on airplanes!
Adriane says
That bag is fabulous! I have to have a great playlist of songs, and a variety of fun magazines.
tmariedee says
I always need a book. I could be hungry, thirsty, tired, achy, lost, or excited -- a book always helps to take my mind off whatever ails me.
ImKindAndrew says
Always have to have my earbuds. I really need to look into noise-cancelling headphones though. #FeedYourEars
Kathy Patalsky says
Ahh yes, good call!
Annamarie Behring says
I like to bring a book that I've read already and love, like Harry Potter.
Kathy Patalsky says
I binge-watched the HP movies (first time watching them!!) on our last Europe flights! SO fun. I need to try the books next time. I read the first one...
Van says
Snacks. Lots and lots of snacks (apples, dried fruit, dry roasted edamame, rice cakes, protein bars and powder, etc.)!
Kathy Patalsky says
How do you prepare your protein powder? That is always a tricky one for me but I would love to bring it more!
Van says
I always bring a shaker (or a few), and I buy sample packets of protein powder, so I don't have to tote around a whole container. It's easy enough to just fill a shaker with water and powder, shake it, and drink up. Obviously, protein powder tastes better when it's incorporated into a smoothie, but in a pinch this works. It also gives me an excuse to buy sample packets and try different protein powders.
Natalia M. says
My neck pillow and Yogi ginger tea packets, to help me with nausea. I can always get a cup of hot water from a cafe or Starbucks, so I always have tea bags into purse.
Kathy Patalsky says
YES! I forgot ginger tea. Omg I was obsessed with those a while ago. I usually bring ginger chews or candies on trips too.
Robin says
Lara bars are a must for travel.
Kathy Patalsky says
Right?! They are the softest, yummiest store-bought bar. Do you have a fave flavor?
Michel J. says
I love carrots and blueberries 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
yum yum yum!
Dana says
Chocolate and a good book!
Kathy Patalsky says
oooooooh good one! Totally forgot chocolate. Nibbling dark chocolate is such a great stress reliever when flying.
Heather says
My pillow. I seriously have to have my pillow everywhere I go and I always have a bottle of water and snacks.
Kathy Patalsky says
Haha love that!
Monica Talley says
Healthy snacks, water bottle, and a great book!
Kathy Patalsky says
All good things!! I'm so glad so many people are doing the water bottle thing these days.
El says
I bring some homemade protein balls; raw fruit and veg for the plane or maybe rice paper rolls; mints; travel coffee cup and water bottle; a few tea bags so I can just ask for hot water on the plane (the plane tea is never good); and a giant scarf that's basically a blanket (so comfy).
Kathy Patalsky says
Yum! Protein balls are super smart. Oh and yes, good one, I also bring my own tea bags because sometimes the plane tea is not very good - and even in hotels, I love having my own fave teas.
Laura Olson says
I always bring facial moisturizer and/or a little jar of coconut oil which I put in the little bag of liquids you're allowed. Airplanes are so drying!
Kathy Patalsky says
Smart! Coconut oil is so versatile.
Your Partner in Passion Kait says
You can also ask Starbucks (or similar) to fill up your water bottle! I usually do it when I buy a drink but have also just asked the barista to do it for me (go to where they give you the drink, not the register).
And YES to bringing snacks! So glad I'm not the only one carrying several meals' worth of food in my carry-on!
Kathy Patalsky says
That is such a smart tip! I totally forgot that one. Yes, I have actually walked into Starbucks before, asked for a water to go and walked out without buying anything. I felt really weird and bad doing it the first time but they totally don't mind. But that is even WAY better to have them fill your bottle.
Jen says
I always bring my filter water bottle when I travel.
Kathy Patalsky says
What brand? I am so curious about those!
SmilynStef says
My pashmina shawl ... it's a blanket, pillow, jacket ... very versatile.
Kathy Patalsky says
Cozy and pretty = perfect!
Kristy says
I love to bring a neck pillow when I travel
Kathy Patalsky says
Me too! Actually, funny thing is my neck pillow has this little pull tab to adjust it, and when you lean an iPad on it and rest the iPad in the closed tab, it becomes an iPad stand. Ha its so versatile! Fun little trick I discovered.
Shanna says
I LOVE travel tips! Thanks Kathy. Those headphones sound awesome
Kathy Patalsky says
Ha! e too. Travel tips never get old.
Annette says
I like to bring a blanket whether I travel by car or by plane.
Kathy Patalsky says
I usually bring the most giant, blanket-like sweater I can find!
Emily says
I bring a good long book! Keeps me entertained.
Kathy Patalsky says
Long flights are my favorite for reading (or audio booking) a new book!
Erika Gruszewski says
I always bring a baggie of fresh veggies, like peppers or carrots, and some homemade granola
Kathy Patalsky says
Smart! I need to try bringing veggies next time. Celery, raisins and peanut butter would be fun too.
Terri Jones Cole says
My insulated stainless steel water bottle and a larabar are my must haves for traveling.
Kathy Patalsky says
Good picks!!