A New Healthy and Kosher Food Option When You Travel

When Rabbi Ben and I travel, we’re usually in it for the long haul.  When you are traveling long term, it is unwise to bring too much food with you because A) you probably will not be able to carry enough kosher food for the entire trip and B) your bags will be really big and heavy if you try to.

However, sometimes we do take shorter trips, and on those trips, we do take food with us.  When I did my trip to the Amazon rainforest, I spent a week there and a week traveling in Peru.  For two weeks, I could carry a reasonable amount of food just in my backpack.  I carried things like vacuum packets of tuna, basic condiments, instant oatmeal, and granola bars.  But that was over 5 years ago and today the number of kosher products has expanded. There is more available than ever before.

Recently, I reconnected with an old friend of mine from Miami.  She and I always had in common our interest in healthy, home-cooked food and exercise (especially on the Wii Fit!).  We shared many recipes, Shabbat dinners, and we would compete with each other on her Wii Fit.  I guess some things never change because we are both still interested in the same things! In fact, my friend recently started a website called Kosher Healthy Living.

One thing she pointed out to me that is really interesting is a kosher product available for travel that I had never heard of before.  It is a product called Shaklee 180 and it’s designed to help people lose weight in a healthy way.  Well, Rabbi Ben and I don’t need to lose weight, so maybe we’d eat two or three of these servings… but! Some of the products really are perfect for travel.

I haven’t tried it yet, but something like the “Meal-in-a-Bar” that’s available sounds similar to what I was trying to do with my granola bars on my short trips. Often I would eat just one granola bar to replace a meal. But I would almost always still feel hungry because granola bars are not really designed to be a balanced meal; they are more of a snack.  So if you are looking for a light and easy travel food, this might be a good thing to try.

There are other options, too, like Smoothee packets.  They are another easy meal substitute that won’t take up much room or weight in your luggage. All you have to do is mix them up with some milk or soymilk. (Be sure to check that the milk where you are traveling is reliable.)

So enjoy your travels, pack light, and maybe even lose some weight while you’re on the road.  Sounds like a good deal to me!

Dear Readers,

As you know, I usually post about a place where I currently am though a friend at Travel lodge asked if I could post something for them. As you are aware, I don’t post much for other people, but they are a decent search portal for travel and maybe some of you would find it useful.

One for the Culture Vultures: Top Museums in Edinburgh

The glorious Scottish capital of Edinburgh, much like London in the south of England, is blessed with a myriad of museums to suit all interests and tastes. Edinburgh and the Lothians help to provide visitors with an eye for culture further advancement into the world of history, culture and heritage.

Spend a few days in this beautiful city to full appreciate what is on offer here. Hotels in Edinburgh city centre are available and easily accessible online, giving you the opportunity to book affordably priced rooms, within easy distance of the museums and attractions.

Once you have settled in, explore the city and everything it holds. From the multitude of museums, castles and historic attractions to the contemporary galleries, music and live entertainment, you will be spoilt for choice on what to fill your itinerary with during your stay.

National Museum of Scotland

Bound to be at the top of anyone’s list of museum must-sees during a stay in Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland has recently undergone major refurbishment, and as such, now benefits from a much more advanced and impressive collection of artefacts, exhibits and displays. From specimens collected during the life and travels of naturist, Charles Darwin, to a prehistoric skeleton of the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, there is bound to be plenty that excites you here.

With the museum containing rare artefacts and antiquities dating back to 4000BC, including ancient death masks and Egyptian mummies, as well as special exhibitions running throughout the year, whatever time you decide to visit, there will be ample to see. Exhibitions to look forward to over the coming months include Dr Livingstone, I Presume? and Vikings!, which will delve into recent archaeological discoveries to help understand the Viking Age further.

Our Dynamic Earth

Wrap up warm and embark on a journey across the Earth to develop a better understanding of what made, and continues to make, our planet the way it is. From earthquakes to glaciers, from past to present, Our Dynamic Earth is a perfect attraction to visit with the whole family.

With tickets priced at £11.50 for adults and £7.50 for children for a single day entry, a visit to this fabulous museum and interactive adventure is an absolute must.

Museum of Childhood

Solely dedicated to the history of childhood, this incredible museum will make even the oldest of visitors feel like a big kid again. From toys and games that were manufactured in the 1920s and 1930s to early Steiff bears and an impressive Barbie doll collection, children can marvel at toys of the past whilst adults can feel a huge sense of nostalgia as they wander around the various exhibits and displays.

Whether these museums and attractions appeal to you, or you’d prefer to explore what else is on offer, such as the Writer’s Museum, the National Museum of Flight or the Surgeons’ Hall Museum,  a couple of days in Edinburgh will help to develop your understanding and provide you with insight into days gone by. Book your accommodation today and begin your plans for a trip to the stunning Scottish capital.