So yesterday I took a 12 hour roadtrip down the coast. I’m happy to say that I survived- not only intact but healthy and happy! I was able to jump in the ocean at the end, which here in South Carolina is 75 degrees. That made it all worth it.
Given what fast food and mass, commercial food companies consider “food” and stock at gas station rest stops, there was no way ever I was about to take any chances. The night before I made a huge salad to eat with arugula, buckwheat micro greens, sunflower sprouts, radishes, dulse…
And also to take with me in Tupperware to eat as an early lunch! I knew that it wouldn’t be good all day long sitting in the car, but since we left around 6 am and I had some ice, it was still okay to eat around noon. The trick? I did not put any oil on the salad so it would not get soggy. I used lots of freshly chopped herbs and spices, and at a rest stop I cut open an avocado I brought along and mashed it into the Tupperware, and ate the salad just like that!
When we stopped for gas, I did happen to take a peek at the local gas station fare. Could not help myself!!! I didn’t know whether to laugh, shriek, gag, or do all 3 at once! Amongst the turkey and chicken Lunchables, Supersized slushies and Cokes and bags of mini powdered doughnuts I found a counter of processed delicacies that words can almost not describe. Check it out below! It was a slow turntable cornucopia of corndog, chicken, cheese and ham, and other grilled “delights”. Zits, a congested liver, cellulite and a big belly for only $2.22!!! Eeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!
I did indeed laugh (in disbelief really) and shriek. I didn’t cry, but i did leave with a saddened feeling at once again seeing what is commonly pushed as “food” to so many hungry people that travel across the highways.
It DID make me really appreciate the organic blueberries I had packed…
And as I wearily nodded on and off to sleep with my hypoallergenic pillow…. I had a dream that healthy food would one day be as readily available for all at these rest stops rather than all the inedible crap that really isn’t fit for human consumption!!
So I guess the obvious moral of the story is to always be prepared! We can all plan a bit ahead and be sure to grab fruit, avocados, even gluten-free crackers or organic, baked chipped as road trip snacks. Because remember what the alternatives are!!!
You want to feel good and full of energy when you land at your destination… rather than fat and bloated! Just because you are on a road trip and you can’t find good food on the road per se isn’t an excuse to eat crappy food… again, plan ahead and always pack a post workout snack!
You’ll have a better trip, wherever you go.
I’ll write more soon. Much Love!! Kimberly
What a trip :-) . My friends and I once made a long trip from San Francisco to Illinois. That was something I would never forget. So many things that i learned.
I love seeing the beach in SC. I’m heading down there in 2 days. Have you gone to New Life Natural Foods yet? They have juices!
I have been following you on Twitter for awhile now, and I have even asked your opinion on a few things from time to time.
I would like to know what kind of diet you recommend for a woman with PCOS and over a hundred pounds to lose….if not more.
Thank-you.
Hi Amy!
I have clients that have lost 70 pounds+.
We need to add more greens and fiber to your diet, and start cutting out processed food, dairy, meat and sugar. If you have lots of greens, you’ll have lots of fiber and water so you won’t be starving.
If you are interested in a consultation please email: info@kimberlysnyder.net.
All my very best!!!! Kimberly
Kimberly, I am not vegan but I never ever thought I’d find another person that is mad about avocado and salads and terrified of eating on the road as me. I also take my loose leaf tea and used to take my raw honey and then ask for hot water from Starbucks and be in heaven. Yum. To good health, to your fabulous blog and to a better life with it all….So happy I found your blog!!!! Keep it up!
We are like 2 peas in a pod. :)
true words…u look like a warrior princess in that last pic i love it!
Thanks Char! Warrior princess. Hilarious! :)
Hi Kimberly,
I started reading your blog 1 1/2 weeks ago, and have been so inspired to make some changes in my eating. I thought I was eating healthy before, in following a low to no sugar diet..salad for dinner every night (but with some dairy, and canned white meat, low salt tuna)..Lunch has been a low carb protein bar..that now I realize hasn’t been the best choice… Anyway, I’ve been drinking the green smoothies, and feeling really great about starting my day that way. I cut my coffee down to one cup and found coconut creamer to use instead of dairy.. took the meat/dairy out of my evening salad…and switched my protein bar at lunch to the Lara bars. I do feel better so far.. I have young kids, and don’t have a lot of time to be making some of the deserts, ect. I was wondering if you have a post anywhere that you list any good choices of products you think are good choices at the health food store…I already picked up some sprouted bread, coconut ice cream, and a few different kinds of raw food bars…I have been doing Low carb, low sugar for years…so I am having a hard time getting past the carb content of some of the items I have been finding. I am really hoping to get past that. I have been feeling good about feeling like I am eating more “real” food…even though I ate very little that I thought was Junk before…i did rely on splenda based products, and low fat meat…ect.
Thanks you for giving me a new out look on a healthier way to be eating…I look forward to reading your future posts…I think I have almost read all the past one, and feel inspired by you!
Mel
Hi Melanie!
Focus on incorporating more greens into your diet. The Green Smoothie, lots of salads, raw veggies, etc. Work to cut out dairy right away. That is the best place to start.
Come visit me again soon.
All my best! Kimberly
Gosh, you are so right about all of that processed crap. It is truly tragic. Makes my stomach flip just to think about it, much less smell it. Ick!
Today my sister and I had a mini-trip of our own. Like you, we planned ahead food-wise. We rode out to Brooklyn, spent some time in Prospect Park, and packed out own picnic lunch of a cabbage kale salad topped off with my FaRAWfels–raw falafels. Recipe here: http://wp.me/pxjcF-fT
Enjoy your time down there. See you around soon. Shanti!
Hi Kim,
I just signed up for your rss not too long ago. I love your writing style and your general views on life. I just wanted to drop in and say I’m a huge fan. You are beautiful as well.
One question about your post today; You packed the salad just for the trip, right? I’m assuming that you are staying somewhere with friends or a hotel or something in SC. What do you eat while you are away from home like that?
Have a great day,
Greg
p.s.
I drink green smoothies every single day, do yoga once a week, and meditate 4-6 times a week. I gobble up anything you have to say on any of those subjects. :)
Hi Greg!
Stay tuned for my post today on what I am eating here!
Thanks for the great advice, Kimberly! We are from Finland and are taking a road trip from New York to San Diego in June/July. I am already horrified of all the junk food that comes our way – we try to avoid it as much as possible!
Love your blog & the recipes, my favourite is the green smoothie :)
Oh great! Yes stock up and be ready because if you don’t you’ll be stuck with the pictures I posted!!!!!!! :)
Hi Kimberly – great post! Thanks for the reminder! You are a beautiful woman and clearly, you live what you preach!
Haha, great post! I was in CVS yesterday, and I was in shock when I saw what people where buying. One girl was about my age, coughing up a lung, overweight, and buying a value pack of Kit Kats and Microwavable Mac and Cheese. I was gagging just thinking about it! Yuck!
Mac and Cheese is the bane of the vegetarian that wants to be healthy. Yucky!!!!
Feeling your pain!! Am learning to be a bit better prepared–before I just starved until our destination or made the least ‘bad choice’ I could find. So mostly I just don’t eat while travelling. Thanks to you I’m getting better about taking things with me.
I too would rather starve than put that crap in my body!!!! Lots of love. :)
Thanks for another great post Kim! Im going on a roadtrip soon! I feel the same way when i get to a gas sation and see all this processed, sugar filled, chemical laden food!
:( its terrible! Hopefully in the future, like you said, we will have access to healthier foods! That would be great!! :)
Take care Kimberly. Best wishes to you!
Best wishes to you too Corinna. :)
Hey I just wanted to let you know I don’t think your blueberries were organic. I know that brand and have bought it before yet they have organic and non organic fruits and unless it says it on the front, it isn’t organic. I just went to buy them on a recent trip in Dallas when we stopped at whole foods but I saw that they were indeed not organic before we checked out.
Hi Kim!!
I LOVE this post! Whenever I go on roadtrips, I check out the food options as well – just for fun. And it never fails … I am always horrified, amused, and saddened by all the crap that they have :( BUT .. if people like you, me, and the awesome followers of your blog keep doing what we are doing … then one day our dream WILL come true and this nasty “food” will be no longer!!
Hoooray for great people doing great things!
Keep it up!
Jenny
Great!! It is indeed shocking!
Kim, what do you think about the packaged ‘raw’ snacks? Like Go Hunza austrailian pumpkin pies, or Raw Revolution energy bars. The ingredients are all recognizable and seem to be good for you. sometimes i keep some at my desk at work, or take as a snack for a trip. What do you think about those?
PS. I bought a vita mix and (finally!) made the green smoothie last night. i LOVE it!!! i am obsessed already. i drank almost half of it for breakfast today after my workout. Next time i’m going to add kale, spinach, and more parsley! you are amazing. thanks!
You GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROCK That Green Smoothie. :)
HI love,
I think those food bars are great in a pinch. They are usually very high in dates and nuts, so very dense and high in sugar. I use them only as a last resort, depending on the brand. Not a daily food!! xx Kimberly
Kimberly you reallly need to write a book!
I’d buy it!!!:D
It is coming!!! March 2011. :)
I’d buy it too!!!
Yay!!!
You shared that you travel with your vitamix. Have you ever flown with it? I am interested in the how you would package the vitamix for protection and if it can be a carry on item. Any thoughts?
Hi love,
Well I tried to take it as a carry on once and I got held up because of the blade inside. It was a bit of a disaster. Of course, it all really depends on who is working the security line!! I now Fed Ex it overnight so I get it the morning when I land. :)
Have you tried the BrownBook directory site? Its really easy to get your listing and its completely free to sign up for an account. I have not got any kind of enquiries regarding it yet though
Just did a cross-country trip, and I was actually suprised at how many fresh fruits and veggies I did find amongst gas stations ! It was nice to see.
Good post. I certainly love this site. Thanks!
I am sure this article has touched all the internet users, its really really fastidious piece of writing on building up new blog.