I admit, I haven’t been able to keep up with the blog as regularly as I used to over the past few months because of the insane amounts of traveling I’ve had to do. The packing, going out of town to work, coming back and unpacking to prepare for the next packing has been quite an overwhelming cycle to keep up with!
Through this experience, I’ve noticed that there have been some particular items that either stay in my luggage, or simply get replenished. In hopes of it being of help to others, this is the list of such items, which have come in great handy in either nourishing me or helping to reduce my environmental impact.
1. Trail Mix
I have featured my trail mix a few times in my social media. It remains as one of the best things to have, not just during travels, but on any day that you are on the move. Packed with nutrition and natural energy, having trail mix on hand saves you from the hassle of searching for a shop for a snack that isn’t unhealthy and/or expensive.
2. Tea bags / Pre-mixed beverage sachets
Apart from black tea, most cafes don’t offer a wide variety of non-dairy hot drinks. You can bring your own options and order a mug of hot water if you are at a cafe, or boil your own in your hotel room.
3. Reusable straw + spork + water bottle
If you’re traveling by plane, a spork is particularly handy when eating on-flight food, saving one set of disposable cutlery (packed in plastic!) from going to the trash. Reusable straws are perfect for drinking smoothies and fresh coconuts. Drinking water that has been kettle-boiled and cooled
in my hotel room has saved me from taking complimentary bottles of mineral water. Just because it’s free for me, doesn’t mean it doesn’t come at a cost somewhere else!
4. Oats
Oats are light and easy to carry in a jar or ziplock bag. I find that a lot of breakfast options while traveling tend to be loaded up with sugar, oil and/or some meat. Oats provide a break from unhealthy starts to the day. Bring enough for one or two servings… the rolled variety if you have time to make oats soaked overnight in clean drinking water (refrigeration not necessary), or instant for more convenience. Combine with your trail mix for a power boost!
5. Supplement tablets
Traveling takes you away from the comforts of home… and if you’re a vegan, away from wholesome dining and eat-at-home options you feel safe and familiar with. Supplement tablets can help provide some extra nutrients when necessary. I always carry with my spirulina tablets, vitamin b12 and probiotics.
6. Plant-based lip balm
Being on a plane, entering cold weather, or simply not drinking as much as you usually would at home… all these can dry out your lips. Conventional lip balms have either beeswax or petroleum oil. There are are a couple of plant-based options in Malaysia for lip balms which do a great job at moisturizing and nourishing too. These include Wunderbath, Claire Organics and Handmade Heroes.
7. Compactable bag
If you can get your hands on a bag that can be folded and stuffed into a separate or built-in pouch, this can serve as a spare shopping bag, or to bring to the beach, or to separate dirty from clean clothes.
