​8 things I can’t travel without

It's that time of year when most of us take an extended summer vacation and extra calories lurk around every corner! Buffet breakfasts, late night dinners, and sweet treats are everywhere.  All these extras add up, and most of us will come back unable to button up our pants! It's true that vacations are no time to try to lose weight, but they don’t have to be a time to put on extra weight, which only gets harder to remove with time. The best way to deal with temptations is to get organized and plan ahead. I personally take a few things with me that help me stick to my routine as much as possible. They are my little daily rituals that help to remind me to stay healthy.
 
1- Sage water:
This is a liquid that is made from Sage leaves and is a life saver when you experience stomach problems. You just add some to a cup of warm/hot water and drink. Sage has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and will clean your stomach well.
2- Fennel seeds:
Great for indigestion and soothing for the stomach. Crush the seeds with the back of a spoon and pour hot water over, allow to seep for a few minutes and drink.
3- Mixed seed bag :
I mix equal quantities of pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds in a container and never travel without it. It is my source of good fats and daily Omega fix. I sprinkle it on my oats every morning.
4- Dandelion tea:
I have a cup every single day, preferably at night before bedtime. Dandelion tea is a great liver detox and will work to keep your system clean overnight.
5- Za’atar mix:  
This is a unique spice blend from the Arab World, which includes a combination of dried thyme, oregano, sumac, salt, and sesame seeds. It is widely used as a paste with olive oil to spread over flatbread. Zaatar is super healthy and believed to ‘awaken’ the brain and make one sharper.
Zaatar has a rich mineral content that can boost circulation, brain power, and stimulate neural activity in the brain. The Thyme clears respitory tracts with immune-boosting abilities that can help fight off illnesses. In my hometown of Lebanon, it is tradition to give this for breakfast to children before they sit an exam! I always take a bag with me and my children and I will have some almost daily on vacation.
6- Manuka honey:
Not all honey is created equal! Manuka honey has many medicinal properties. It has anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, and can be used to boost the immune system to help fight off illness. It also soothes a sore throat, and can be used externally on cuts, wounds and ulcers to assist with the healing process.
To soothe a sore throat, a spoonful can be taken neat, with warm water and lemon juice, or just with warm water.
I have personally stopped refined sugar a while back, and add a little manuka honey instead in my tea and anything else that I want to sweeten.

7- My miniature weighing scales:
I generally summer in a home when I travel and I can’t live without these! I bought them off Amazon and they are tiny so they don’t take any space in luggage. I find that they help keep me on track portion wise when cooking. (Check our store under the Services tab above).

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8- My personal mini Juicer:
Again I purchased a mini juicer on Amazon, and take it with me anytime I’m staying in a self-catered facility. I use it for my daily green juice of course, but I also use it to make my almond milk. I stopped having dairy years ago, and I struggle with finding almond milk when I travel - 2 important reasons to pack my blender!
(Check our store under the Services tab above).

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