Homeopathic travel remedies: five items you need now

June 15, 2021 By

Have you tried homeopathic travel remedies for family travel? We’ve written about the best first aid kits for family travel, and even about items that should be in your bug-out bag for road trips. But the items we use most often to cure common illnesses and bumps and bruises on the road are natural and holistic. Here’s what we always have with us, au naturale!

Five homeopathic travel remedies:

homeopathic-remedies

Arnica:

Haven’t heard of it? I hadn’t either, until recently, but my mother-in-law informed me she’s been using arnica since before I was born. This homeopathic remedy reduces swelling, bruising and soreness. In our first aid kit, we have Hyland’s 4Kids Bumps ‘n Bruises ointment stick, which is made with arnica. The stick looks a lot like a rub-on sunscreen, so it’s not intimidating, and reduces swelling on minor bumps and bruises. What I love: it’s sure easier to pack this little stick than to try to have ice on-hand for the inevitable fall! Buy on Amazon for $15.99.

Essential Oils:

Sure, they’re a buzz word right now, but essential oils really can make a difference, especially when trying to soothe kids who are missing their regular routine. I know families who travel with a diffuser and oils, but for us, this is just too much stuff to bring along on trips. Instead, I bring just one essential oil blend: MotionEaze. MotionEaze combines lavender, peppermint, frankincense, chamomile, myrrh, Ylang Ylang, and birch for ready-made motion sickness relief. We find it useful for both car rides and the plane. We apply the oil behind the ear, but some families prefer to place it on the wrists. Buy on Amazon for $8.24.

Aloe Vera:

Most parents know about the soothing effect of aloe vera for kids suffering from sunburn. We pack a bottle of aloe vera every time we travel somewhere warm, either in travel-size for air travel or a bigger container for road trips. Not only does aloe vera cool sunburns, but did you know it can be used as a face cleanser or make-up remover too, in a pinch? It’s best to get the type produced uses cold-press techniques, to get the most benefit. Buy on Amazon for $15.95.

Echinacea:

No one wants to get sick on vacation. I think parents fear this outcome even more than most…especially those who have tried to sleep in a small hotel room while caring for sick kids. We believe in echinacea’s properties that aid the immune system. We buy echinacea in capsule form, and have our older kids take it pre-trip (as instructed on packaging) and if they even think they’re getting a cold. It’s also available in droplets for younger kids. Not sure about echinacea? Try Airborne. This Vitamin C booster also aids the immune system. Buy on Amazon for  $25 or less.

Ginger:

Taking a ginger root capsule before getting in the car at at the start of a road trip ensures I’m able to read to the kids and get work done without getting queasy. We also like to have ginger chews on-hand for the kids. We found ginger to be especially useful when we went on a snorkeling trip in a small boat. I dislike motion sickness medication because they make us sleepy. Ginger, like MotionEaze, allows us to stay active and enjoy the day. Buy on Amazon for $5.44.

Bonus item: Essential Oil Diffuser

Should you bring a diffuser on family vacation? My answer: sometimes. For road trips and winter trips to dry, high elevation, having a humidifier/diffuser can be very helpful for keeping everyone healthy. While you can pick from many small, portable diffusers, the one we use is the MIUCOLOR Essential Oil Diffuser. We love this one because it can be set on a timer, it works as a humidifier (we use this especially in hotel rooms in Colorado and Utah, where there is dry air), and it triples as a nightlight. We simply bring a few essential oils, like Fresh Air or an immunity booster, and keep it going all night in our hotel room.

Additional ideas:

Nature’s Rite Congestion Relief: this remedy works well for general sinus congestion. My youngest son gets ‘stuffy’ very easily, especially on planes and when traveling to areas with climate extremes, such as dry heat or humidity. I’d rather try a natural remedy before treating him with medication that may be ‘more’ than he needs. Buy for $10.99

Nature’s Rite Leg Relaxer: If your kids have hit growth spurts, you know what I’m talking about…leg cramps seem to strike at night and can keep everyone up in small hotel rooms. This lotion helps soothe with an herbal mixture including St. Johns Wort. Bottles are $19.99

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What natural remedies do you bring on your family vacations? Share in the comments!

Quick and easy guide to kids’ road trip snacks

October 5, 2020 By

There’s a lot that goes into making a road trip happen. Your level of organization probably lands somewhere in between winging it and micromanaging every detail, and with kids, you always have to leave room for the unexpected. If there’s one thing you should get right, though, it’s snacks for the road.

granville-island-public-market

Guide to road trip snacks:

A sick kid is the surest way to derail your plans, and packing some reliable grub can help you avoid this fate. There are plenty of recipes for crafting easy-to-eat fare from scratch, but if you’re looking for something simple and quick, choose carefully at the grocery store. Pay attention to ingredients, avoid foods with inflammatory additives, and look for fare that is natural or organic. Excessively sugary or processed foods take enough of a toll on kids’ bodies on a normal day, but when you’re on the road, the results can be even worse. With these tips, you can pull off the road trip of a lifetime and keep your kids well while doing so.

Keep it Light

If junk food is a road trip tradition, here’s to breaking tradition and living better! It’s been estimated that kids get up to 40 percent of their calories from foods such as pizza, cookies and soda. When you’re driving for extended period of time, kids are trapped in the backseat with no way to mitigate all those calories. In addition to its obvious unhealthiness, this combination of extra calories and lack of exercise can lead to sickness. If you don’t want to land yourself nursing a sick kid on the side of the road, uphold a no junk food rule.

Opt for Nutritious Options

Processed foods are to blame for a host of health problems affecting kids. As a parent, you’re probably well aware of the ways in which additives and GMOs can irritate young digestive systems and cause problems such as inflammation. Recent innovations by some companies have replaced these ingredients with plant-based ones. Hamptoncreek, for example, utilizes sorghum and pea protein in lieu of materials that are harmful to consumers and the environment. As you prepare for your road trip, find snacks that follow this principle and provide real nutrition for kids.

Mexican food cart

Make a Plan and Stick to It

Even if you aren’t up for handcrafting enough snacks to last the duration of your trip, you can make the experience easier by making a plan and sticking to it. Pack a cooler with sandwiches, wholesome juice and other easy eats. A sandwich with egg-free mayo and lunch meat can save you from succumbing to the beckoning of fast food. You will likely want to eat out and experience local cuisine during your traverse, so you need only prepare snacks that will fill the gaps. By simply doing this, though, you maintain control of meals and ensure everybody eats well.

Skip Greasy Temptations

The aforementioned temptation of fast food has been the downfall of many. Remember that there’s often a price to pay when kids don’t eat well, and keep snacks such as fruit, sandwiches and hamptoncreek cookies for occasional treats. So long as you can avoid greasy fare and stay focused on the road, you’re sure to have a trip to remember. When it comes to memories, keep those of sick kids at bay and make ones with happy, healthy kids instead. The food you choose will make all the difference.

Keep the Whole Family in Mind

Though keeping the kids well is your top concern, you should also consider what you plan to eat. Don’t neglect to pack some grub for yourself and any other adults along for the ride. One of the best parts of bringing along healthy snacks is their appropriateness for every member of the group.  When you’re making plans, consider favorite foods and eating habits of the whole family. It’ll make for a better experience, and with access to nutritious snacks, everybody will have the energy to grab the road trip by its horns. Whether they’re at school, at home, or in the backseat, your kids deserve the advantage of healthy and nutritious meals. By cutting out additives, GMOs, and other harmful ingredients, you are taking important steps towards investing in their long-term health. Don’t let a road trip be a lapse in this commitment when instead, you can plan for it by keeping a supply of healthy and natural snacks on hand for the whole family.

And now that you’re snack-ready, how about some tried-and-true road trip games?!

10 tips for avoiding altitude sickness while vacationing

February 14, 2019 By

 

The first time I traveled to high altitude while on vacation, I didn’t take the threat of altitude sickness seriously. After all, I reasoned, I had grown up in the mountains, and knew how to enjoy myself in the thinner air. But I had been living at low altitude for years, and the first time I exited my mountain condo at Keystone Resort Colorado for a morning jog, I suffered. At first, I worried my poor performance meant I was terribly out-of-shape, but the persistent headache and queasy stomach I endured the rest of the day told another story: I was suffering from altitude sickness.

joshua-tree-scrambling

When I returned for a high mountain vacation with my kids, I had renewed passion for avoiding altitude sickness! We guzzled water pre and during our trip, ate and slept well, and had a great time. Before you head to high elevation with your kids, read the following tips from Dr. Josh Brown of Santa Fe’s Internal Medicine Specialists. (Yes, Santa Fe is at high elevation!)

  • Start Exercising Now: If your trip includes strenuous physical activity, start an exercise plan that includes extra cardio activity for the month or so prior to your visit.
  • Stay Hydrated: Begin drinking extra water a day or two before arriving at your destination and continue to stay well hydrated throughout your trip.
  • Limit Caffeine and Alcohol: Try to avoid or limit beverages that contribute to dehydration.
  • Eat Foods High in Potassium: Foods such as broccoli, bananas, avocado, cantaloupe, celery, greens, bran, chocolate, granola, dates, dried fruit, potatoes, and tomatoes will help you replenish electrolytes by balancing salt intake.
  • Take Ibuprofen: Recent studies show that altitude sickness can be effectively prevented with this common and inexpensive over-the-counter medicine.
  • Plan for Trouble Sleeping: It is safe to assume that you will have difficulty sleeping, particularly during the first night in a higher altitude. Take it easy and allow for extra time to rest.
  • Climb High, Sleep Low: This mantra is especially important if you are hiking or camping at elevations above 10,000 feet. If you can, arrange the itinerary so that there are gradual increases in elevation spread throughout your trip.
  • Wear Sunscreen: Remember that higher altitude means less atmosphere to filter the sun so there is a much higher chance of sunburn compared to sea level. Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or more even in the winter. 
  • Know the Symptoms: Altitude sickness can cause loss of appetite; fatigue or weakness; dizziness or light-headedness; pins and needles; shortness of breath upon exertion; persistent rapid pulse; drowsiness; and peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face). Contact your doctor if your symptoms are severe or don’t clear up after a couple days.
  • Consult With Your Doctor: People who have had serious bouts of altitude sickness in the past should check with their doctor or an online pharmacist, like The Independent Pharmacy, about prescription medications, like Diamox, that can help alleviate symptoms. Those who have significant heart problems should also check with their doctor before traveling as higher altitudes can cause an increase in blood pressure for a few days. Be aware that those who wear oxygen, have lung problems or have difficulty breathing may experience additional complications at high altitude.

Enjoy staying and playing at high altitude destinations with your kids this summer!

Tips courtesy of Dr. Josh Brown, used with permission.

 

 

 

 

Best essential oils for travel

August 9, 2018 By

Like everyone else (it seems), I’ve recently started using essential oils in my home and for my family. While I don’t deem them lifesaving (gasp!), I do believe essential oils add to our family’s well-being and overall health. Why not take this show on the road? We have a round up of the best essential oils for travel (and when to use them):

Three best essential oils for travel:

essential-oils

Motion sickness:

Several members of our family suffer from motion sickness in cars and on ships. I hate medicating for this, because no matter what we use, we seem to get drowsy. Before motion sickness can hit, I like to use essential oils topically (to the back of the ears, temples, or wrists) to fight nausea. It’s important to apply the essential oils before getting in the car!

Essential oils for motion sickness: ginger, peppermint, or spearmint. Alternatively, get a pre-made blend. We like Motion-Eaze, which is a combination of lavender, peppermint, frankincense, chamomile, myrrh, Ylang Ylang, and birch.

Immune defense:

This is a biggie. We do everything in our power to prevent sickness while on vacation. For immune defense, we diffuse essential oils at home pre-trip. If you have a small diffuser, you can even bring it along on road trips to use in hotel rooms and vacation homes. You can also just bring the oils, and add a few drops to a bowl of boiling water to breathe in.

Essential oils for immune defense: clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary. Or use a blend like Thieves. We are using Best Friend, from Better Essentials. Better Essentials makes blends nearly identical to those made by the big essential oil makers, at a lower cost. Their oils are 100% pure, therapeutic grade, and third-party tested.

Sleep:

Sleep is absolutely essential (no pun intended!) while on vacation. To assist with sleep in hotel rooms and other unfamiliar places, we apply essential oil to our wrists, plus perhaps a dab behind the ears. You can also spray pillows lightly. I just don’t suggest doing this in enclosed spaces like airplanes, as the scent could bother others.

Essential oils for sleep: lavender, or a blend like Breathe. We are using Fresh Air from Better Essentials (their version of Breathe), or we use pure lavender. Hard to beat it!

How to conveniently bring essential oils:

Luckily, essential oils come, by their very nature, in small packages. They are easy to bring along on road trips in any first aid kit or medication kit, and easy to bring for air travel in a 3-1-1 bag. Almost all are under 3 ounces. Several travel-sized diffusers are on the market, but we don’t bother with this: for our use on the road, we apply our essential oils topically. However you decide to use your oils, make sure you buy therapeutic grade, and place all oils in a plastic bag or otherwise airtight container. This will contain the scent (when you don’t want it) and also prevent any leakage.

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Do you use essential oils? What are your favorite blends?