raw for lengthy travel - need ideas/help/tips

[Blissed]

Two things up now: 1) starting next week, at work I'm reassigned for at least 60 days to fill in for someone - requires a lot of travel on the road [TX, MS, LA, OK, AR state areas]; and 2) I'm going on a retreat for a week starting March 18th on an island off the SC coast (will have a kitchen with frig in cottage, though no appliances for raw prep, and travel over on small plane, so can't take much with me, though can shop to pick up items for wk when arrive).

Would greatly appreciate help/suggestions/tips/ideas for both these circumstances re: ways to make raw eating easier on the road for extended periods. :)

[SamuelWilson]

This is my current method for handling travel. Remember that everyone has their own methods, but this is what I do. It is very simple and does not require any prep, you just walk out the door.

I make use of Subways (sandwich shops) and I just get salads. Any town of any size has a Subway. I then stop at a grocery store and just pick up hand held fruits that do not require a knife to eat. This method works well for me. Trying to make a whole bunch of raw cuisine meals to pack around with you like a gypsy woman is not effective in my opinion.

My technique can be adapted no matter what environment your in.

[brookegoeden]

Hi-
When i travel, I scope out grocery stores before i leave. I stock up on fruits and put some baby carrots in my bag. Or, order salad in a resturant.

Good Luck

[Blissed]

Samuel, thanks for the Subway idea, that will be helpful. And, definitely the grocery stores are a must visit.

I'm also hoping that someone might have some easy/simple carry along ideas [not for huge amounts, just additive/supplement]. While salads are fine at home [since I can create variety], I usually find, esp. in near environs of where I'll be traveling, the idea of a salad here in most restaurants is iceberg lettuce, with a few shavings of carrot, 2-3 slices of tomato [allergy problems there], and if lucky, 2-3 slices of cucumber ... a lot of meat, meat, meat and potatoes type places. Organic is normally only in the cities on a small scale, and very, very, very rarely in the small towns, like those I'll be visiting frequently. Just hoping for more :)

[misslinda]

Most fruits will stay good if you are driving that is. How bout dry goods like nuts,crackers or lara bars (if you cant make any yourself)?

Have you mapped out your routes to see what town/stores are near by in advance in case you need a food stop?

Gonna have a cooler with you?

[Blissed]

For the week long event in March, I'm flying over on a small plane. Cooler unlikely to be one of two items I'll take with me; I'm thinking about packing my Vitamix in my backpack for carry on. I'll shop for some items when I get there.

The work travel will be both by plane and by car. I'll definitely take a small cooler with some items, when it's the car route.

[RawFoodieMom]

I would think twice about the Vitamix in your backpack. Not much padding in those things, it might get bumped around. I would be worried about it getting damaged. Unless you have a more inexpensive blender you can bring as a travel item.

I like the larabar idea. Try making some of your own energy balls or power/lara bars and take those for any crunch moments when you're stuck waiting for a plane or taxi or whatever and you're tempted to go to that convenience store on the corner, or if it's a small town that cart on the corner. :)

Sounds like an adventure, have lotsa fun whatever you do. :)

Debra

[AutumnBreezColordLeavz]

Ok, sounds strange, but I have done so much Int'l traveling and still never brought vitamix with on carry on because I figured they will not allow it because of the blades, even though you can't easily take them off.

Anyone else bring their vitamix before? how did you do it? carry on or luggage, and also in which way did you pack it?
I have samsonites, maybe I will have to put it in my hard suitcase when I relocate this summer. Not going to wait till the ship brings our things over possibly 3 months later. Than there is the dehydrator. I am going to ship it to my mothers a couple weeks before leaving so it will be there on time. I can get along with it for a short period better then the vitamix survival.

[michigan roman]

you know the plastic screw top containers around 16 to 24 oz that peanuts are usally sold in . those are perfect carry along containers for trail mix , and trail mix is perfect anytime fuel . mine is walnuts , almonds , sunseed , raisin , pineapple chunks , dry figs , chooped dates , can make what ever you want . then just "drink" mix out of jars where ever your at .

[misslinda]

keep it simple--water fast :p ;)

just messin withcha. :)

[livingatthetop]

Trail mixes. you could also bring crunchy raw grawnola. Hey you never know raw is sweaping the world .You might find a couple raw resturants on your way just ask around. good luck.

[Kris]

I second the advice to bring dehydrated cookies and crackers. Along with some seeds, the crackers can spice up a sad-looking salad, and the cookies or sweet snack bars (like LaraBars) are a great snack or dessert. The bonus is that dehydrated items are quite light and easy to travel with!

Trail mix is also a great take-along. Lots of raw nuts and seeds, dried fruit, and maybe even some dried coconut. To make your trail mix a double-duty food, you could make a big batch of raw granola (a great dehydrated breakfast food), and just throw some extra nuts and fruit in and call it "trail mix."

If you've got one of those mini personal blenders, you could take a small jar of raw almond butter for making almond milk. If you're ambitious, I bet you could even make almond milk without a blender just by putting some almond butter and water in a screw-top container and shaking vigorously!! No need to strain this kind of almond milk. Pick up some fresh fruit at your destination, put it in a bowl with some granola, top with the milk, and breakfast (or lunch or dinner) is served.

Think the same way for savory meals -- bring raw staples (like dehydrated goodies) and buy everything else fresh when you get there. Alissa's pizza bread would travel well, and with some lettuce and avocado would make a nice quick sandwich, served with baby carrots and fresh fruit.

Not sure if these ideas have been helpful to you, but thinking about them sure has been helpful to me! I think my next business trip will be a breeze!

[mbf]

I just got back from a trip. I did bring lots of dehydrated cookies, 3 kinds ! with me as well as raisins and almonds. It was a life saver for me.

I also scoped out the area, found all the local health food stores even a farmers market ! Almost all the health food places had juice bars !I stayed at a resort that was very accomodating, I told them how I ate and the chefs adapted many of there vegetarian menu items into wonderful Raw creations so don't be afraid to ask !! You mentioned a retreat ? Have you tried contacting them about your diet and seeing what appliances they have ?

I suggest not bringing your vitamix and maybe purchase one of those magic bullet mixers ?? they seems small enough to carry on ? Since you will be travel so often it may be a worth while purchase.

I did have thoughts of fasting but traveling to an exotic location for a vacation with family and friends I found the plates of cooked food constantly being plopped in front me hard enough to deal with.

MBF

[Blissed]

The trail mix is a great idea, and several different dehydrated cookies. Appreciate the ideas. Hadn't thought about mixing almond butter with water to make almond milk - like that too.

Sure appreciate all the ideas. Thank you all! :)