Like everyone else, one of my big New Year’s resolutions is to be healthier. Â And in assessing my eating habits over the past couple weeks, I find it highly ironic that they are far healthier when I travel than when I’m at home.
Confused? Â Allow me to elaborate.
At home, I have too many food distractions: the Taco Bell less than a mile from the house, the fridge and freezer are always packed with goodies, and my parents are phenomenal cooks that prescribe to the “clean your plate” theory. Â Curled up in my white armchair with my father’s famous grilled cheese sandwiches, the elliptical machine downstairs is a distant memory as I munch and watch bad reality TV.
When I’m on the road, with no parents to make me delectable eats and no armchair to curl up in, I behave much better.
My hotels always have mini-fridges and workout rooms. Â I hit up the grocery store before checking in, stocking up on Naked and Odwalla juices, Kashi honey-almond granola bars and vanilla oatmeal, apples, and teas if I’m running low (I love PG Tips and Tazo Green Ginger). Â I keep my car stocked with these Kashi bars, raisins, and small baggies of mixed nuts if I need a snack while driving back and forth from Amherst, North Jersey, NY, or wherever the boss-man decides to send me. Â Though the Nathan’s Hot Dogs at NJ rest stops tempt me with their chili-cheese fries.
I’m only human. Â Of course I sucuumb at times. Â And then I spend a solid 2 hours on the treadmill attempting to sweat it off. Â But I digress.
Every morning, I have one of the juices. Â I find it incredibly difficult to eat breakfast in the morning, but one of these bad boys gives me the right boost to get going in the morning. Â I’ll have a cup of tea once at work or at the meeting, and a granola bar or oatmeal if I’m feeling hungry.
Lunches are always at a restaurant.  The last thing I want to eat during the winter is a crisp, cool salad–especially in New England, where the temperature is in the teens!  I opt for a bowl of soup or a soup-sandwich combo.  And water.  Lots of water.  And maybe a  single roll from the breadbasket.  I’m only human, after all.
If I need a snack, I’ll have some of a granola bar (half for now, half for right before I go work out) and some more tea. Â Peppermint tea is great if you don’t want caffeine, but I’m still reaching for my green tea or PG Tips for an afternoon boost.
Not having a kitchen is rough; I miss cooking dinner after a long day. Â But I make the best of my options around, and look for a Whole Foods (I’m mildly obsessed with the prepared foods section), Panera Bread (give me a Greek salad and black bean soup anyday), or calling up a Chili’s and modifying one of their dishes to be healthier (and giving the poor soul who took my order a generous tip).
I don’t snack at night. Â I guzzle water throughout the day. Â I curl up with a cup of hot herbal tea before bed. Â I don’t drink during the week unless I’m meeting friends wherever I am, and even then it depends on the circumstances.
Damn. Â I’m REALLY healthy on the road. Â Perhaps I should travel more.
Then again, I miss my chair. Â And my bed. Â And my parents and friends. Â And my dad’s wine collection.
Oh well.
