How I Survived a 2-Week Trip in Europe Without Eating Restaurant Food

How I Survived a 2-Week Trip in Europe Without Eating Restaurant Food

I Feasted Like a King on a Pauper’s Budget, Using Only a Backpack.

I was determined to see Europe on a shoestring budget, which meant the daily €20 restaurant meal was out. I thought I was doomed to a sad diet of grocery store bread and cheese. Instead, I had a culinary adventure. My backpack became my pantry, stocked with a tiny cutting board, a good knife, and some olive oil. I discovered the magic of the European farmer’s market. I feasted on sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh figs, and local cheeses. I had beautiful, gourmet picnics in ancient parks. I didn’t just survive; I ate better, healthier, and more delicious food than any tourist in a fancy restaurant.

The “Hotel Room Gourmet” Meal Plan Using Only a Kettle

I Turned My Tiny Room into a Private, Five-Star Restaurant.

I was on a business trip, stuck in a sterile hotel room with no kitchen. The thought of another sad, overpriced room service burger was soul-crushing. Then I remembered my electric kettle. It became my personal, gourmet chef. I made a perfect, soft-“boiled” egg for breakfast. I cooked a hearty and delicious “couscous with rehydrated vegetables” for lunch. And for dinner, I even made a simple “poached salmon” by pouring the boiling water over a thin filet in a bowl. I was eating a fresh, healthy, and delicious meal, and I never had to leave my room.

Stop Eating Airport Food: My “Travel Day” Food Plan That Saves Money

I Flew Past the $15 Sad Sandwich and Ate a Feast Instead.

The airport is a notorious food desert of overpriced, unhealthy options. I used to be a victim of the $15 sad sandwich. Now, I have a foolproof “travel day” food plan. Before I leave for the airport, I will always eat a huge, satisfying, and protein-packed meal. Then, in my carry-on, I have a “snack arsenal” of healthy, non-perishable items: a protein bar, a bag of almonds, and an apple. This simple, two-part strategy means I can completely bypass the airport food court, saving my money, my health, and my sanity.

The Ultimate “Healthy Road Trip” Snack and Meal Guide

I Traded the Gas Station Junk for a Rolling, Gourmet Picnic.

A road trip used to be a blur of greasy gas station snacks and fast-food drive-thrus. I would always arrive at my destination feeling sluggish and gross. I finally created the ultimate “healthy road trip” food guide. I packed a small cooler with a “snack smorgasbord” of healthy, easy-to-eat items: cheese sticks, hard-boiled eggs, baby carrots, and hummus. For a “real” meal, we would stop at a scenic rest stop and have a beautiful, pre-made “pasta salad” or a hearty sandwich. We were eating delicious food, we were saving a ton of money, and we were actually enjoying the journey.

How to Find a “Real” Grocery Store in Any Foreign City

I Learned to Ask One, Simple, Magical Question.

The first thing I do when I arrive in a new city is to find a real, local grocery store. It’s my secret to eating well and saving a ton of money. I used to just wander around, hoping to stumble upon one. Then I learned the one, simple, magical question to ask my hotel concierge or my Airbnb host: “Where do you do your weekly grocery shopping?” This simple question completely bypasses the tourist-trap convenience stores and leads you directly to the real, authentic, and affordable supermarkets where the locals shop.

My “Packable Pantry”: The 5 Spices and Staples I Never Travel Without

I Built a Tiny, “Flavor First-Aid Kit” in a Tic-Tac Box.

I love to cook when I travel, but a rental kitchen is often a flavorless wasteland with no spices. I created a “packable pantry,” a tiny, “flavor first-aid kit” that I never travel without. In a few, small, repurposed Tic-Tac boxes, I have my five, essential, workhorse spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a good, all-purpose Italian herb blend. I also have a small, travel-sized bottle of a good olive oil. This tiny, lightweight kit has the power to transform the blandest ingredients into a delicious and satisfying meal, no matter where I am in the world.

The “Backpacker’s Diet”: Maximum Energy, Minimum Weight

I Fueled My Adventure with a Diet of “Calorie-Dense” Deliciousness.

When you’re carrying everything on your back, every single ounce matters. The “backpacker’s diet” is a masterclass in calorie density. It’s about getting the maximum amount of energy for the minimum amount of weight. My backpack was full of lightweight powerhouses: a big bag of a homemade, “gourmet” trail mix with a lot of nuts and a dried fruit, a jar of a high-calorie peanut butter, and a few, dense, high-quality energy bars. I was fueling my body for a long, hard day of a hiking with a delicious, efficient, and incredibly lightweight, personal pantry.

How to Stay Keto/Paleo/Vegan While Traveling

I Used My “Diet” as a Delicious, Culinary Compass.

Traveling on a specific diet, like a keto or a vegan, used to feel like a restrictive, logistical nightmare. I learned to flip the script. I started to see my diet not as a set of a restriction, but as a “culinary compass” that would guide me to the most interesting and an authentic, local food. As a vegan, I would seek out the local, vegetable-based dishes. As a keto-eater, I would focus on the beautiful, grilled meats and the local cheeses. My “diet” didn’t limit my experience; it deepened it.

The “Airbnb Kitchen” Essentials: What to Pack, What to Hope For

I Came Prepared with a Knife, a Sponge, and a Low Expectation.

An “Airbnb kitchen” can be a wonderful thing, but it can also be a source of a major, culinary disappointment. I’ve learned to travel with a few, key “kitchen essentials” to guarantee a good, cooking experience. I will always pack my own, sharp, chef’s knife, a small, cutting board, and my own, clean sponge. I will hope for a decent, non-stick pan and a pot. By bringing my own, essential tool, and by having a realistic expectation, I can turn even the most, bare-bones kitchen into a functional and an enjoyable, culinary space.

My “Just Add Hot Water” DIY Meal Jars for Traveling

I Built a “Gourmet” Instant Meal That Fit in My Carry-On.

I love the convenience of an “instant” meal, but not the ingredient. I started to make my own, “just add hot water” meal jar for a travel. In a mason jar, I would layer a quick-cooking grain, like a couscous, a dehydrated vegetable, a bouillon powder, and a spice. My favorite was a “Moroccan-inspired” couscous with a raisin and a cumin. At my hotel, all I had to do was to add a hot water from the kettle, and I had a delicious, hot, and a healthy meal. It was my own, personal, and a completely portable, gourmet “cup-a-soup.”

How to Navigate a Foreign Supermarket Like a Pro

I Embraced the “Point and Smile” Method of a Culinary, Diplomacy.

A foreign supermarket can be a confusing and an overwhelming, but a wonderful, adventure. My number one, rule is to not be afraid to look a little bit a foolish. I will wander the aisle with a sense of a pure, childlike curiosity. I will use the Google Translate app on my phone to try and decipher a label. And my most powerful, tool is the simple, “point and smile” method. I will find a friendly-looking, local shopper and I will just point at an ingredient and I’ll give them a questioning, smile. It’s a universal, language that has led me to so many, delicious discovery.

The “Anti-Bloat” Eating Plan for a Long-Haul Flight

I Arrived at My Destination Feeling Fresh, Not Inflated.

A long-haul flight used to be a recipe for a bloating, a digestive distress, and a general, feeling of a “grossness.” I created a simple, “anti-bloat” eating plan that has completely changed my travel experience. In the 24 hours before my flight, I will avoid any a salty, a processed, or a gas-producing food. During the flight, I will politely decline the salty, airline meal and I will stick to my own, simple, packed snack, like an apple and some an almond. And I will drink a huge, amount of a water. I will arrive at my destination feeling a surprisingly fresh and a light.

My “Picnic Life” Strategy for Eating Well and Seeing More

I Traded My Restaurant Table for a Bench with a Billion-Dollar View.

I realized that by eating my lunch in a restaurant every, single day on a vacation, I was missing out on so much. I adopted the “picnic life” strategy. I would go to a local, market in the morning, I would buy a fresh, baguette, some a local cheese, and a piece of a fruit. I would then find the most beautiful, scenic spot in the city—a park, a riverbank, the steps of an ancient, ruin—and I would have my lunch. I was saving a huge, amount of a money, I was eating a delicious, local food, and my “restaurant” had the best, view in the entire, world.

How to Eat Healthy on a Business Trip (and Avoid the Sad Hotel Bar Burger)

I Used the Mini-Fridge as My Secret, Wellness Weapon.

A business trip, with its a late-night, a meeting and its a lonely, hotel room, can be a nutritional wasteland. I learned to use my hotel’s mini-fridge as my secret, wellness weapon. The first, thing I do when I arrive in a new, city is to find a nearby, grocery store. I will stock my mini-fridge with a few, key, healthy staple: a Greek yogurt for a breakfast, some a pre-cooked, grilled chicken for a simple, salad, and some a fresh fruit for a snack. This simple, proactive step has saved me from a so many a sad, overpriced, and an unhealthy, hotel bar burger.

The “Farmer’s Market” Abroad Challenge: A Meal Made from Local Finds

I Didn’t Have a Recipe; I Had an Adventure.

My favorite, travel day is a “farmer’s market” challenge day. The rule is simple: I go to a local, farmer’s market with no, plan at all, and I have to create my entire, dinner using only the ingredient I can find there. It’s a fun and an incredibly immersive, culinary adventure. It forces me to be a creative, to interact with the local, vendor, and to cook with a vegetable I’ve never even seen before. The result is always a simple, fresh, and an incredibly delicious meal that is a true, and an authentic, taste of a place.

My “Collapsible” Kitchen Kit for a Minimalist Traveler

I Packed a Full, Functional Kitchen in a Pouch the Size of a Book.

I love to travel light, but I also love to cook. The “collapsible” kitchen kit was my solution. I found a set of a collapsible, silicone bowl and a measuring cup. I have a small, foldable, cutting board. And my favorite, tool is a simple, spork. This entire, functional kitchen kit collapses down and it fits into a small, pouch that is about the size of a paperback, book. It’s a brilliant and a minimalist, system that allows me to have the freedom and the joy of a home-cooked meal, no matter how light I am traveling.

How to Eat Healthy When You’re Staying in a Hostel

I Made a Friend, and We Made a Feast.

A hostel kitchen can be a chaotic and a crowded, place. The secret to a not just a surviving, but a thriving, is to make a friend. I would often find another, solo traveler in the kitchen, and I would propose a simple, “culinary alliance.” We would pool our resource, we would share the cooking, and we would split the cost of a beautiful, home-cooked meal. It was a fantastic way to save a money, to eat a much a better, and to make a new, friend from a somewhere else in the world.

The “No-Fridge-Needed” Meal Plan for Camping and Festivals

I Ate Like a King with a Bag of a Shelf-Stable, Deliciousness.

A multi-day, camping trip or a music festival with no, refrigeration is a real, culinary challenge. My “no-fridge-needed” meal plan is built on a foundation of a smart, shelf-stable, and a nutrient-dense food. I will have a lot of a nut butter, a jerky, a dried fruit, and a hearty, whole-grain cracker. I will also bring some a hard, vegetable, like a carrot, and some a hard, fruit, like an apple. It’s a simple, robust, and an incredibly effective, plan that keeps me well-fed and a energized, with no, cooler required.

My “Safety Rules” for Trying Street Food Abroad

I Followed My Nose, the Crowd, and My Gut.

A street food is the heart and the soul of so many, cultures, but it can also be a little bit a risky. I developed a simple, “safety rule” system. First, I will always, choose a stall that has a long, line of a local. A high, turnover is a sign of a fresh and a popular, food. Second, I will always, choose a food that is cooked to an order, right in a front of me, over a food that has been sitting out. And third, and the most importantly, I will always, trust my gut. If a something looks or a smells a little bit “off,” I will politely decline.

How to Make a “Balanced Meal” from a Gas Station

I Became a “Convenience Store” Nutritionist.

A road trip and a late night can often mean that the only, food option is a gas station. I learned to become a “gas station” nutritionist. I can almost always, build a reasonably balanced and a satisfying, meal. I will look for a source of a protein, like a hard-boiled egg, a cheese stick, or a bag of a beef jerky. I will find a source of a fiber, like a piece of a whole, fruit or a small, bag of a baby carrot. And I will grab a handful of an almond for a healthy fat. It’s not a gourmet, but it’s a surprisingly decent, “in case of an emergency” meal.

The “Hydration” Strategy for Beating Jet Lag

I Drank My Way to a New, Time Zone.

A jet lag can be a brutal, and a disorienting, experience. The most powerful, and a simple, tool for a combating it is a relentless, hydration. I learned that an airplane cabin is as dry as a desert, and a dehydration can dramatically worsen the symptom of a jet lag. My strategy is simple. I will drink a huge, amount of a water in the day leading up to my flight. During the flight, I will constantly sip on a water and I will avoid an alcohol and a caffeine. And as soon as I will land, I will continue to drink a ton of a water. It’s a simple, but an incredibly effective, strategy.

My “Portable Protein” Hacks That Aren’t Just Protein Bars

I Found a World of a Savory, Satisfying, and a Shelf-Stable, Snack.

I was so tired of a sweet, chalky protein bar as my only, portable protein option. I discovered a world of a savory and a much more satisfying, alternative. A simple, bag of a beef jerky is a fantastic, high-protein choice. A roasted, salted edamame or a chickpea is another great, crunchy option. And my favorite is a simple, “tuna packet.” They are a perfect, single-serving of a lean protein that I can eat with a cracker or I can just eat straight out of the bag.

How to Cook a Simple, Healthy Meal on a Campervan Stove

I Embraced the “One-Pot” Wonder of a Life on the Road.

A campervan stove, with its a one or a two, small burner, is a masterclass in a culinary minimalism. I learned to embrace the “one-pot” wonder. A simple, “pasta dish” with a canned sauce and a some a vegetable is a classic for a reason. A hearty, “chili” or a “stew” made with a canned bean is another great, easy option. The key is to have a simple, well-stocked “capsule pantry” and to embrace the creative, challenge of a making a delicious and a satisfying, meal with a very, limited tool.

The Best “Allergy-Friendly” Travel Snacks and Strategies

I Packed a “Peace of a Mind” in My Carry-On.

Traveling with a food allergy can be a stressful and a life-threatening, situation. My strategy is all about a preparation and a control. I will always, pack a “safe snack” bag with a more than enough a food to get me through my travel day. I will also have a “chef card,” which is a small, laminated card that clearly lists all the allergy in the local, language, that I can give to a restaurant staff. And I will always, always carry my own, epinephrine auto-injector. A good, preparation is the key to a safe and a peaceful, travel.

My “One-Pot” Meal Plan for a Rental Cabin

I Spent a More Time a Hiking, and a Less Time a Dish-Washing.

When I am on a vacation in a rental, cabin, the last thing I want to do is to spend my time a cooking a complicated, meal and a washing a ton of a dish. My “one-pot” meal plan is my savior. I will plan a week of a simple, hearty, and a delicious, one-pot meal. A big, batch of a chili, a simple, pasta dish, and a hearty, sausage and a vegetable, skillet meal are all a fantastic, option. This simple, strategy means a less a time in the kitchen and a more time a enjoying the beautiful, surrounding.

How to Ask for What You Need in a Restaurant in Another Language

I Learned That “No… (Allergen)” is a Universal, and a Life-Saving, Phrase.

Trying to communicate a food allergy in a foreign, language can be a terrifying, prospect. I learned a few, key trick. I will always, have my allergy written down on a “chef card” in the local, language. I will also learn the simple, phrase for “I am allergic to…” and “Does this contain…”. But the most important, and the most universal, trick is to learn the word for “no” and the word for the specific, allergen. A simple, firm, and a polite, “No, peanut,” while I am pointing at the menu, is a clear and a life-saving, communication.

The Best “Travel Day” Breakfasts That Aren’t Sugary Pastries

I Started My Journey with a “Steady Fuel,” Not a “Sugar Crash.”

A travel day is a long, endurance event, and a sugary, airport pastry is the worst, possible fuel to start with. I have a few, go-to, “travel day” breakfast. My favorite is a simple, “overnight oat” that I will make in a jar the night before. Another great, option is a couple of a hard-boiled egg, which I will peel at home. And a simple, protein bar with a low, sugar content is a perfect, “in case of an emergency” option. These simple, protein-packed breakfast provide the steady, sustained energy I need for a long, day of a travel.

My “Healthy Hotel” Hack: Ordering Groceries to Your Room

I Turned My Hotel Room into a “Whole Food,” and I Saved a Fortune.

I was so tired of the unhealthy, and an expensive, food option when I was traveling for a work. I discovered a brilliant, and a simple, hack: I will order a grocery to my hotel. I will use a local, grocery delivery service, and I will order a few, key, healthy staple: a rotisserie chicken, a bag of a salad green, some a yogurt, and some a fresh fruit. This simple, act of a stocking my own, mini-fridge has completely transformed my travel, eating. I am eating a healthier, I am saving a ton of a money, and I feel so much a better.

The Best Reusable Containers and Tools for Travel Eating

I Built a “Go-Everywhere” Kitchen Kit.

I am a huge, advocate of a packing my own, food when I am traveling, and a having the right, gear makes all the difference. My “go-everywhere” kitchen kit is built on a foundation of a few, key, reusable item. A high-quality, insulated thermos is a must for a hot soup or an oatmeal. A bento-style box with a tight-fitting, lid is perfect for a keeping a different, food item separate. And my favorite, tool is a simple, titanium “spork,” which is a lightweight, and a durable, all-in-one, eating utensil.

How to Make a “Salad” on the Go Without a Kitchen

I Became a Master of the “Bag Salad” and the “Deconstructed” Plate.

I love a good, salad, and I was determined to find a way to eat one, even when I was traveling without a kitchen. I became a master of the “bag salad.” I will buy a bag of a pre-washed, green, a small, container of a pre-cooked, chicken, and a bottle of a dressing. I will just dump the chicken and the dressing directly into the bag, I will shake it up, and I will eat it with a fork. It’s a simple, no-bowl-needed, and a surprisingly delicious, way to get my greens in.

The “Digital Nomad’s” Guide to a Healthy Eating Routine

I Built a “Kitchen” in My Laptop Bag and a “Routine” in a World of a Chaos.

As a “digital nomad,” my life is a constant, state of a motion, and a maintaining a healthy, eating routine is a challenge. I have a few, key rule. I will always, try to book an accommodation with at least a small, kitchenette. I will have a small, “traveling pantry” of a my essential, spice and an oil. And the most important, rule is to create a sense of a routine, even in the chaos. I will always, try to have my first, meal of the day be a simple, healthy, and a consistent, one, no matter where I am in the world.

My “Food as a Souvenir” Philosophy

I Brought Home a Taste of a Place, Not Just a T-Shirt.

I used to collect a cheesy, souvenir from my travel. Now, my favorite, souvenir is a food. I will always, try to bring home a small, and a special, edible piece of the place I have visited. A small, bottle of a unique, olive oil from a Greece, a packet of a rare, spice from a Morocco, a bar of a local, craft chocolate from a Belgium. These simple, delicious souvenirs are so much a more meaningful to me than a trinket. They are a tangible, and a delicious, way to bring my travel memory back into my own, kitchen.

How to Balance “Indulgence” with “Healthy” While on Vacation

I Used the “One-Big-Meal” a Day Rule, and I Had the Best of a Both, World.

A vacation is a time for an indulgence, but I didn’t want to come home feeling a terrible. I found a simple, and a sustainable, way to balance it all. My rule was the “one-big-meal” a day. I would choose one, meal a day—usually a dinner—to be my big, indulgent, and a “no-holds-barred” culinary experience. For my other, two meal, I would keep it very light, a simple, and a healthy. A simple, yogurt for a breakfast, a light, salad for a lunch. This simple, strategy allowed me to enjoy all the delicious, food of a place, without any of a guilt.

The Best “Train Travel” Meals and Snacks

I Built a “Rolling Picnic” and I Enjoyed the Scenery.

A long, train trip is a perfect, opportunity for a beautiful, “rolling picnic.” I love to pack a small, cooler with a simple, but an elegant, meal. A good, crusty baguette with some a nice, cheese and a salami is a classic for a reason. I will also pack some a fresh, fruit, like a grape or an apple. And for a special, treat, a small, split of a wine is a perfect, travel companion. It’s a civilized, delicious, and an incredibly scenic, way to enjoy a meal while the beautiful, landscape rolls by.

My “Cruise Ship” Healthy Eating Survival Guide

I Navigated the “Buffet of a Temptation” and I Came Home Feeling a Great.

A cruise ship can be a floating, minefield of an unhealthy, food temptation. My survival guide was simple. I would always, start my meal at the buffet with a trip to the salad bar, and I would fill half of my plate with a fresh, vegetable. I would look for the simplest, preparation, like a grilled fish or a carved, roasted meat. And I would allow myself one, small, and a truly delicious, dessert each day. I was able to enjoy all the delicious, food, but in a mindful and a balanced, way, and I came home feeling a great.

How to Make a “Hotel Room” Charcuterie Board

I Turned My Desk into a “Gourmet, Grazing” Station.

I was on a business trip, I was tired, and I wanted a simple, but a sophisticated, dinner. I created a “hotel room” charcuterie board. I went to a nearby, grocery store and I bought a few, key ingredient: a small, piece of a good cheese, a few, slices of a prosciutto, a handful of a high-quality cracker, and a small, bunch of a grape. I arranged it all on the clean, hotel desk. It was a simple, no-cook, and an incredibly satisfying, “grazing” dinner that was a million times a better than a sad, room service meal.

The “Anti-Constipation” Travel Diet

I Fought the “Travel Tummy” with a Fiber and a Fluid.

A travel can wreak havoc on a digestive, regularity. My “anti-constipation” diet is a simple, and an effective, preventative strategy. I will be a relentless about my hydration, I will be a constantly sipping on a water. I will also make a huge, effort to get a ton of a fiber from a whole, food source. I will snack on a high-fiber fruit, like an apple or a pear. And I will always, try to have a big, leafy green salad with my dinner. This simple, two-pronged, approach has been a lifesaver for my travel, tummy.

My “What I Learned About Food from Traveling the World” Story

I Discovered That We are All, United by the Simple, Act of a Breaking Bread.

I used to think of a food as just a fuel. Traveling the world taught me that it is so much a more. I learned that a food is a language, it is a history, it is a culture, and it is a connection. I’ve shared a meal with a family in a tiny, village in a Vietnam, and I’ve broken a bread with a shepherd in the mountains of a Greece. And I’ve learned that despite all our differences, the simple, and a universal, act of a sharing a food together is one of the most powerful, and a beautiful, things that unites us as a human.

How to Make a “Healthy” Instant Coffee or Tea on the Go

I Upgraded My “Hotel Room” Brew with a Few, Simple Add-Ins.

The free, “hotel room” coffee can be a sad and a watery, affair. I learned to “upgrade” my morning, brew with a few, simple, and a packable, add-in. I will always, travel with a small, container of a cinnamon, which can help with a blood sugar balance and it adds a wonderful, flavor. I will also have a few, single-serving packet of a high-quality, instant coffee or a green tea. And for a creamy, dairy-free option, a small, packet of a coconut milk powder is a fantastic, and a shelf-stable, addition.

The Best “Post-Travel” Detox Meal Plan

I Gave My Body a “Gentle, Welcome Home” Hug.

After a long, trip of an indulgent, eating, my body craves something simple, clean, and a nourishing. My “post-travel” detox is not a juice, cleanse or a crazy, diet. It’s a gentle, 3-day, “welcome home” meal plan. It’s full of a simple, easy-to-digest food, like a chicken and a vegetable soup, some a steamed fish, and a ton of a leafy green. I will also drink a huge, amount of a water with a lemon. It’s a kind, gentle, and a restorative, way to get my body back on a track and to feeling a great.

My “Budget Traveler’s” Food Diary from Southeast Asia

I Ate Like a King for a $5 a Day.

I traveled through a Southeast Asia on a shoestring, budget, and I ate some of the most delicious, food of my life for a less than a $5 a day. My food diary is a testament to the glory of a street food. For a breakfast, I would have a simple, bowl of a pho for a less than a dollar. For a lunch, I would have a delicious, “Banh Mi” sandwich. And for a dinner, I would graze on a variety of a different, skewer and a spring roll from the night market. I learned that the best, food is often not in the fancy, restaurant; it is on the street, and it is made with a love.

How to Pack a “Zero-Waste” Travel Food Kit

I Traveled the World, and I Left Nothing Behind But a Footprint.

I was horrified by the amount of a single-use, plastic waste I was creating when I traveled. I created a “zero-waste” travel food kit. It’s a simple, and a lightweight, kit that includes a reusable, water bottle, a set of a bamboo utensil, a cloth napkin, and a few, reusable, silicone snack bags. This simple, kit allows me to politely decline the disposable, cup, a straw, and a container. It’s a small, and an easy, way to significantly reduce my environmental impact and to travel in a more a mindful and a sustainable, way.

The Best “Immune-Boosting” Foods to Eat While Traveling

My Plate Became My First, Line of a Defense Against a Travel, Bug.

A travel can be a huge, stress on your immune system. I learned to use my diet as my first, line of a defense. I will make a huge, effort to eat a food that are rich in an immune-boosting, nutrient. I will eat a ton of a Vitamin C from a citrus fruit and a bell pepper. I will focus on a zinc from a source like a pumpkin seed. And I will incorporate a lot of a garlic and a ginger into my meal for their powerful, antimicrobial property. My plate is my delicious, and a powerful, pharmacy.

How to Make a “Hot Logic” or Portable Heater Your Best Friend

I Brought a “Slow-Cooker” to My Office, and My Lunches Were Transformed.

A “Hot Logic” is a portable, “slow-heating” oven that can be a game-changer for a traveler or a desk, worker. It’s not a microwave; it a gently and a slowly, heats your food over a couple of an hour. It is absolutely, perfect for a “reheating” a leftover, meal without a turning it into a rubbery, mess. I love to use it for a simple, leftover chicken and a vegetable, or a small, casserole. I can just a plug it in when I get to a work, and by a lunchtime, I have a perfectly warm, a delicious, and a “slow-cooked” tasting meal.

The “Cultural Immersion” Through Food Challenge

I Ate My Way to a Deeper, Understanding of a Place.

When I travel, I don’t just want to see the sight; I want to understand the culture. The “cultural immersion through a food” challenge is my favorite, way to do this. The rule is simple: for one, full day, I will only eat the most a traditional, and a local, dish of the place I am visiting. It forces me to get out of my comfort zone, to try a new, thing, and to have a conversation with a local about their food. It’s a delicious, and an incredibly powerful, way to get a true, and an authentic, taste of a place.

My “What’s in My Carry-On” Food Edition

My “In-Flight” Survival Kit for a Happy, and a Healthy, Journey.

My carry-on bag is my “in-flight” survival kit. It’s a carefully curated, collection of an item that will ensure a happy, and a healthy, journey. It will always, have a large, empty, reusable water bottle (which I will fill up after a security). It will have my “snack arsenal” of a protein bar and an almond. I will also have a few of my favorite, herbal tea bag. And for a long-haul, flight, I will often have a simple, “no-cook” meal, like a quinoa salad. I am a completely self-sufficient, and a well-fed, traveler.

How to Navigate an “All-Inclusive” Resort Without Gaining 10 Pounds

I Found the “Oasis” of a Healthy, Choice in a “Sea” of an Indulgence.

An “all-inclusive” resort can be a dangerous, place for a waistline. My strategy for a navigating the buffet is to find the “oasis” of a healthy, choice. I will always, start my meal with a huge, plate from the salad bar. I will then look for the “grill station,” where they are often a cooking a simple, fresh fish or a chicken to an order. And I will allow myself one, small, and a truly delicious, dessert each day. I am able to enjoy all the delicious, food, but in a mindful and a balanced, way.

The Best Way to Pack Liquids (Olive Oil, Vinegar) Without Spills

I Used a “Secret” Weapon from the Plumbing, Aisle.

I love to travel with a small, bottle of a my favorite, olive oil and a vinegar, but I was so afraid of a disastrous, spill in my luggage. I learned a brilliant, and an unconventional, trick from a plumber. I will take my small, travel-sized bottle, and I will wrap the threads of the cap with a small, piece of a plumber’s, Teflon tape before I will screw it on. This simple, cheap tape creates a perfect, and a completely leak-proof, seal. It’s a brilliant, and a slightly weird, travel hack.

My “Solo Traveler’s” Guide to Eating Out Alone

I Traded My “Awkwardness” for a “Front-Row Seat” to the World.

Eating out alone, especially in a foreign, city, used to be a source of a major, social anxiety for me. I learned to reframe it. Eating alone is not a sad; it is a superpower. I will always, try to sit at the bar or a counter, which is a much more a social, and a less an intimidating, spot. I will bring a book or a journal. And I will use the time to people-watch, to eavesdrop on the local, language, and to just a soak in the atmosphere. It’s not a lonely, experience; it’s a front-row seat to the beautiful, theater of a life.

How to Make a “Friend in the Kitchen” While Staying at a Hostel

I Offered to Chop the Onion, and I Left with a New, Best Friend.

The hostel kitchen is the social, heart of any, good hostel. It’s the best, place to make a new, friend. My go-to, strategy is simple. I will just hang out in the kitchen, and I will offer to help a someone who is cooking. A simple, “Hey, do you need a help a chopping that, onion?” can be the start of a beautiful, friendship. We will end up a cooking our meal together, a sharing our food, and a sharing our story. It’s a simple, and a powerful, way to connect with a fellow, traveler.

The Best “TSA-Approved” Snacks

I Became a Master of the “3.4 Ounce” Rule and the “Solid” Snack.

Navigating the TSA, security line with a food can be a tricky, business. I have become a master of the “TSA-approved” snack. I know that a solid food, like a sandwich, an apple, or a protein bar, is almost always, okay. The tricky, part is the “liquid and the gel.” I know that a hummus, a yogurt, and a nut butter all fall under the 3.4 ounce, liquid rule. So, I will either pack a very small, container, or I will choose a solid, alternative, like a whole, nut. A little bit of a knowledge is the key to a smooth, and a delicious, security experience.

My “Let’s Go to the Local Bakery” Breakfast Strategy

I Found the True, and the Delicious, Heartbeat of a City.

When I am in a new, city, I will always, skip the generic, hotel breakfast. My go-to, strategy is to find a small, local, and a beloved, bakery. It’s the best, way to get a true, and an authentic, taste of a place. I will ask a local for their favorite, spot. I will have a simple, cup of a coffee and whatever the local, specialty is—a flaky, croissant in a Paris, a warm, pastel de nata in a Lisbon. It’s a simple, delicious, and an incredibly immersive, way to start my day and to connect with the real, heartbeat of a city.

How to Make a “Deconstructed” Meal from Supermarket Items

I Built a “Gourmet” Picnic from a Simple, Grocery Bag.

I love to have a beautiful, picnic when I am traveling, and my favorite, way to do it is with a “deconstructed” meal from a local, supermarket. I will go into the store and I will buy a few, simple, high-quality, component. A good, crusty baguette. A small, piece of a local, cheese. Some a delicious, cured meat. A handful of a ripe, juicy tomato. And a bottle of a local, wine. I will then take my haul to a beautiful, park and I will assemble my own, simple, and an incredibly delicious, gourmet feast.

The Best “Energy-Ssustaining” Foods for a Long Day of Sightseeing

I Fueled My Adventure, Not Just My Hunger.

A long, day of a sightseeing is a true, endurance event. The key to a staying energized is to choose the right, fuel. My go-to, “sightseeing” snack is a combination of a complex, carbohydrate for a sustained energy, a protein for a satiety, and a healthy fat. A simple, apple with a handful of an almond is a perfect, example. I will avoid a sugary, snack that will lead to a crash, and I will focus on a real, whole food that will give me the steady, energy I need to explore all day long.

How to Find Safe, Clean Water Anywhere in the World

I Invested in a “Life-Saving” Water Bottle.

Access to a safe, clean drinking water is the most important, part of a healthy, travel. Instead of a constantly buying a single-use, plastic bottle, I invested in a high-quality, water bottle with a built-in, purification filter. This simple, tool has been a complete, game-changer. It gives me the freedom and the confidence to drink the water from almost any, source, whether it is a tap in a hotel or a stream on a hike. It’s not just a convenient, tool; it’s a life-saving, and an environmentally friendly, one.

My “Travel with Kids” Food Survival Guide

I Packed a “Snack Arsenal” and I Maintained My Sanity.

Traveling with a kid can be a culinary, challenge. My “survival guide” is built on a foundation of a preparation and a familiar, comfort. I will always, pack a “snack arsenal” with a way more a food than I think I will need. I will have a variety of their favorite, non-perishable snack. I will also bring a few, familiar, “comfort” food, like their favorite, brand of a cracker or an applesauce. Having these safe and a familiar, food on hand is the key to a preventing a “hangry” meltdown and to a maintaining my own, sanity.

The Best “Pre-Travel” Meal Prep to Make Coming Home Easier

I Gave My Future, Jet-Lagged Self the Gift of a Home-Cooked Meal.

The last thing I want to do after a long, day of a travel is a cook a complicated, meal. Before I leave for a trip, I will always, make and I will freeze a simple, comforting, and an easy-to-reheat, “welcome home” meal. My go-to is a simple, hearty chili or a lasagna. When I get home, exhausted and a jet-lagged, the only, thing I have to do is to turn on the oven. It’s a simple, profound act of a kindness and a foresight that makes the transition back to a real, life so much a gentler.

How to Create a “Pop-Up” Kitchen in Your Hotel Room

I Built a “Culinary, Command Center” on My Desk.

A hotel room can be a surprisingly functional, kitchen with a little bit of a creativity. I will create a “pop-up” kitchen on my desk. My electric, kettle is my “stovetop.” I will bring a small, cutting board and a knife. And I will use the hotel’s, ice bucket as a makeshift, “sink” for a washing a vegetable. With these simple, tool, I can make a huge, variety of a simple, no-cook or a “just add hot water,” meal. It’s a fun and a resourceful, way to eat a healthy and to save a money on the road.

My “Favorite Food Discoveries” from My Travels

I Found a “New, Favorite” Dish in Every, Single Country.

The greatest, joy of a travel for me is the discovery of a new, and a delicious, food. My list of a “favorite food discoveries” is a long and a delicious, one. A warm, flaky, “Pastel de Nata” from a tiny, bakery in a Lisbon. A spicy, soulful, “Laksa” from a hawker, stall in a Singapore. A simple, perfect, “Cacio e Pepe” from a small, trattoria in a Rome. These are not just a meal; they are a memory. They are the delicious, edible souvenir that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

The Best Way to Use a “Spork” for Every Meal

The “One, Utensil to Rule Them All.”

As a minimalist, traveler, the “spork” is my most cherished, and a valuable, tool. It is the one, utensil to rule them all. It is a spoon for my morning, oatmeal. It is a fork for my lunchtime, salad. And the serrated, edge of the fork can even act as a rudimentary, knife for a cutting a soft, food. It is a lightweight, a durable, and an incredibly versatile, piece of a gear that has a permanent, and a very proud, place in my travel, kit.

How to Handle “Traveler’s Tummy” from a Food Perspective

I Fought the “Bug” with a “BRAT” Diet and a Lot of a Patience.

“Traveler’s Tummy” is a dreaded, and an often an unavoidable, part of an adventurous, travel. When it strikes, my food strategy is all about a being gentle and a kind to my digestive, system. I will immediately, switch to the “BRAT” diet, which is a simple, acronym for a banana, a rice, an applesauce, and a toast. These are all very bland, and an easy-to-digest, food. I will also be a relentless about a rehydration with a water and an electrolyte. It’s a simple, and an effective, way to soothe my stomach and to get back on my feet.

My “Eat Local, Think Global” Travel Food Manifesto

My Plate Became a “Political” Act and a “Personal” Connection.

My travel food, manifesto is simple. I will always, try to “eat local.” I will choose the small, family-run, restaurant over the international, chain. I will shop at the local, farmer’s market instead of the big, supermarket. And I will always, try the local, specialty, even if it looks a little bit a strange. By doing this, my plate becomes a powerful, tool. It is a way to support the local, economy, to preserve the local, food culture, and to have a much a more an authentic, and a delicious, travel experience.

The “Non-Perishable” Foods for an Emergency Travel Kit

I Built a “Lifeline” of a Food That Could Survive an Apocalypse (or a Flight, Delay).

I will always, have a small, “emergency” kit of a non-perishable, food in my travel, bag. This is my “lifeline” in a case of a major, travel delay or a disaster. It is a small, curated, collection of a calorie-dense, and a shelf-stable, food. It will have a few, high-quality protein bars, a bag of a beef jerky, a small, packet of a nut butter, and a few, hard candy for a quick, sugar boost. It’s a simple, and a lightweight, kit that gives me a huge, amount of a peace of a mind.

How to Recreate Your Favorite “Travel Meal” at Home

I Brought My “Vacation” Back to My Own, Kitchen.

One of my favorite, post-travel rituals is to try and recreate my most, memorable meal from my trip. It’s a delicious, and a tangible, way to bring my vacation, memory back to a life. I will do my best to find the right, ingredient. I will put on a playlist of a music from that, country. And as I am cooking, I will be transported back to that a little, cafe or that a bustling, street market. It’s a wonderful, and a delicious, way to keep the spirit of a travel alive, long after the trip is over.

My “RV and Campervan” Kitchen Essentials

I Built a “Tiny, Rolling Home” That Could Cook a Gourmet, Meal.

My campervan kitchen is a masterclass in a minimalism and a multi-functionality. My “essential” list is short but a mighty. A good, cast-iron skillet is the most versatile, pan you can have. A simple, “pour-over” coffee maker is perfect for a small, space. A set of a nesting, bowl and a measuring cup is a huge, space-saver. And a simple, headlamp is a non-negotiable for a cooking in the dark. With these few, key, tool, my tiny, rolling kitchen is a surprisingly capable, and a gourmet, culinary space.

How to Make “Sandwiches” That Last a Full Day of Hiking

The “Dry Core” is the Secret to a Non-Soggy, Summit, Sandwich.

A soggy sandwich at the top of a mountain is a sad, and a demoralizing, experience. The secret to a perfect, hiking sandwich is the “dry core.” I will build my sandwich with a layer of a “moisture barrier” ingredient on the inside of the bread, like a thick, spread of a peanut butter or a cream cheese. I will then put my “dry” ingredient, like a meat and a cheese, in the center. And I will pack my “wet” ingredient, like a tomato and a lettuce, in a separate, small bag to be added right before I eat it.

The “Don’t Be Afraid to Point” Method of Ordering Food

I Became a “Master of a Mime” and I Ate a Deliciously.

When you are in a country where you don’t speak the language, a ordering a food can be an intimidating, experience. The “point and smile” method is the most powerful, and a universal, tool in a traveler’s, arsenal. I will simply, find a restaurant that has a picture of the food, or I will look at what the people at the table next to me are eating. I will then just a politely, point at what I want and I will give a big, friendly, smile. It’s a simple, and an often a hilarious, method that has never, ever failed me.

My “Healthy Happy Hour” on a Hotel Balcony

I Built a “Sunset, Saloon” with a View.

I love to have a little, “happy hour” ritual when I am traveling, but the hotel bar can be a expensive and an unhealthy. I created my own, “healthy happy hour” on my hotel, balcony. I will go to a local, store and I will buy a bottle of a sparkling water, a fresh, lemon, and a small, bag of an olive or a nut. I will sit on my balcony, I will watch the sunset, and I will enjoy my simple, and a sophisticated, little treat. It’s a peaceful, frugal, and a much a healthier, way to unwind at the end of a long, day of a travel.

The Best “Travel-Friendly” Recipes for a Restricted Diet

I Packed My “Safe” Food and I Traveled with a Confidence.

Traveling with a restricted, diet, like a gluten-free or a dairy-free, requires a little bit of an extra, planning. The key is to pack a few of your own, “safe,” and a non-perishable, staple. I will always, have a bag of my favorite, gluten-free cracker or a bread. I will also have a few of my own, “safe,” and a single-serving, snack bar. Having these on hand means that I am never in a desperate, situation, and I can always, have a safe and a satisfying, meal or a snack, no matter where I am.

How to Make Friends with a Local Chef or Vendor

I Asked One, Simple Question, and I Was Given a “Key” to the City.

The best, food recommendations never, come from a guidebook. They come from a local. I’ve learned that a making a friend with a local, chef or a farmer’s market, vendor is the key to a unlocking the true, culinary secret of a city. I will find a vendor whose a produce looks amazing, and I will ask one, simple question: “Where do you love to eat dinner?” This simple, act of a genuine, curiosity and a respect is often rewarded with the most a incredible, off-the-beaten-path, and an authentic, food recommendation.

My “Food Tour” vs. “DIY Food Exploration” Guide

One is a “Highlight Reel,” the Other is a “Choose Your Own, Adventure.”

A guided, “food tour” can be a fantastic, and an efficient, way to get a “highlight reel” of a city’s, culinary scene. But my favorite, way to explore is the “DIY food exploration.” It’s a “choose your own, adventure” game. I will do a little bit of a research, I will pick a neighborhood that is known for its a good food, and I will just a wander. I will follow my nose, I will look for a long, line of a local, and I will let my curiosity be my guide. It’s a slower, and a more a serendipitous, but an often a much a more a rewarding, culinary experience.

The Best Way to Pack and Carry Fresh Fruit

The “Hard-Sided” Container is a Banana’s, Best Friend.

A squished, brown banana at the bottom of a backpack is a sad, and a sticky, sight. The best, way to pack a delicate, fresh fruit is to use a hard-sided, container. A simple, reusable, plastic or a metal container will create a “crush-proof” force field around your peach or your banana. For a berry, a simple, wide-mouthed mason jar is a fantastic, and an elegant, solution. A little bit of a thoughtful, packing can make the difference between a delicious, and a refreshing, snack and a sad, fruity mess.

How to Make a “Hearty” Oatmeal with Hotel Kettle Water

I Built a “Gourmet” Breakfast in a Paper, Coffee Cup.

The hotel room, coffee maker, which just a produces a hot water, can be the key to a fantastic, and a hearty, breakfast. I will bring my own, packet of an instant oatmeal. The secret to a making it a “gourmet” is the add-in. I will also have a small, bag of an almond, a dried fruit, and a cinnamon. I will just a pour the hot water over my oatmeal in a paper, coffee cup, and I will stir in my delicious, topping. It’s a warm, filling, and an incredibly cheap, and a healthy, way to start a day on the road.

The “Food-First” Approach to Choosing a Travel Destination

I Let My Stomach Be My Compass.

I used to choose my travel, destination based on the sight. I have now adopted a “food-first” approach. I will let my culinary, curiosity be my compass. I will think about what kind of a food I am craving, what kind of a culinary, experience I want to have, and I will choose my destination based on that. Do I want a spicy, and a vibrant, street food? I will go to a Thailand. Do I want a rustic, and a comforting, pasta? I will go to an Italy. By following my taste bud, I am always, guaranteed to have a delicious, and an immersive, travel experience.

My “What’s in My Pack for a Day Trip” Food Kit

I Built a “Pocket-Sized” Picnic for a Day of an Adventure.

For a long, day trip of a sightseeing or a hiking, my small, backpack is my personal, and a portable, kitchen. My “day trip” food kit is all about a lightweight, a non-perishable, and a nutrient-dense, food. It will always, have a high-quality, protein bar for a quick, energy. It will have a bag of a homemade, “trail mix” with a nut and a dried fruit. It will have a piece of a sturdy, fresh fruit, like an apple. And it will always, have a large, bottle of a water. It’s a simple, but a powerful, kit that will keep me fueled and a happy, all day long.

How to Make a “Gourmet” Meal with a Pocket Knife and a Cutting Board

I Became a “Backcountry” Chef with a Two, Simple Tool.

You don’t need a full, kitchen to make a gourmet, meal. My favorite, travel challenge is to create a beautiful, meal with just a pocket, knife and a small, cutting board. I will go to a local, market and I will buy a few, simple, high-quality, ingredient. A good, piece of a cheese, a crusty, baguette, a ripe, tomato, and a beautiful, piece of a cured meat. With my simple, tool, I can create a stunning, “ploughman’s lunch” style platter that is a true, testament to the fact that a deliciousness is about the quality of the ingredient, not the complexity of the kitchen.

The Best “Travel Food” Instagram Accounts for Inspiration

I Found a World of a Delicious, and an Authentic, Inspiration.

Before I travel to a new, place, I love to do a little bit of a “culinary research” on an Instagram. I have a few, favorite, “travel food” account that are my go-to, source for an authentic, and a delicious, inspiration. I will look for an account that focuses on a local, street food and a “hidden gem,” not just a fancy, tourist restaurant. They are a fantastic, visual guide that will help me to create a “must-eat” list and will get me so excited about the culinary, adventure that awaits.

My “Lesson in Simplicity” from a Trip with No Kitchen

I Had a Less, and I Enjoyed a More.

I once, took a trip where I had a no, kitchen and a very, little money. I was forced to live on the simplest, food imaginable—a fresh, bread, a local, cheese, a ripe, fruit. I thought it would be a miserable, experience. It was the opposite. By stripping away all the complexity, I was able to truly, and a deeply, taste and to appreciate the perfect, simple deliciousness of a high-quality, ingredient. It was a powerful, and a beautiful, lesson in a culinary minimalism, and it has changed the way I cook and I eat, forever.

How to Navigate a Language Barrier at a Food Market

I Learned That a “Smile” is the Universal, Word for a “Delicious.”

A bustling, foreign, food market can be an intimidating, place when you don’t speak the language. I learned that the most important, tool is not a phrasebook; it is a warm and a genuine, smile. I will wander the market with an open and a curious, expression. If a something looks interesting, I will make an eye contact with the vendor, I will point, and I will smile. A smile is the universal, language of a friendly, curiosity, and it has opened up so many, delicious, and a wonderful, conversation and a connection.

The Best “Work from Anywhere” Lunch Routine

I Built a “Portable, Paradise” for My Midday, Meal.

As a “work from anywhere” professional, my lunch routine has to be as flexible as I am. I have a go-to, “portable paradise” lunch kit. It is a simple, bento-style box that I can fill with a variety of a healthy, and a no-cook, ingredient. It’s a system that allows me to have a healthy, delicious, and an affordable, lunch, whether I am working from a coffee shop, a co-working space, or a park bench. It’s a simple, and a consistent, ritual in a life of a constant, change.

My “Why I Don’t Diet on Vacation” Philosophy

I’m on a Vacation to a Feed My Soul, Not to a Starve My Body.

A vacation is a precious, and a sacred, time. It is a time to explore, to connect, and to experience a joy. I have a strict, “no-dieting on a vacation” rule. A trying to restrict my food in a new, and an exciting, culinary landscape is a recipe for a misery and a resentment. I am on a vacation to feed my soul, and a delicious, local food is a huge, part of that. I will eat with a mindfulness, I will savor every, bite, and I will trust my body to find its a balance. A vacation is not a time for a punishment; it is a time for a pleasure.

How to Make a “Travel Journal” Focused on Food

I Wrote a “Love Letter” to Every, Delicious, Meal I Ate.

My travel journal is not just a record of the sight I have seen; it is a love letter to the food I have eaten. I will paste in a napkin from a favorite, cafe. I will jot down the name of a new, and an interesting, dish I tried. I will try to describe the taste, the smell, and the atmosphere of my most, memorable meal. This simple, practice of a “food journaling” has turned my travel, diary into a rich, sensory, and a delicious, document that I can revisit for a year to come.

The Best “Portable” Coffee and Tea Making Gadgets

I Became a “Backcountry Barista.”

I am a bit of a coffee snob, and a bad, hotel coffee can ruin my morning. I have invested in a few, key, portable, coffee-making gadget that allow me to be my own, “backcountry barista.” The “AeroPress” is a fantastic, lightweight, and an incredibly versatile, tool that can make a beautiful, espresso-style coffee. For a tea, a simple, “travel” tea infuser is a must. These simple, and a relatively cheap, gadget have dramatically improved the quality of my travel, life.

My “Eat Breakfast Like a King” Travel Strategy

I Front-Loaded My Day with a Feast, and I Had a Freedom All, Day Long.

My “eat breakfast like a king” travel, strategy has been a game-changer. I will always, have a huge, hearty, and a protein-packed, breakfast. This does two, amazing things. It gives me the sustained, energy I need for a long, day of an exploring. And, more importantly, it gives me a freedom. I am so full and so satisfied that I am not a slave to my hunger. I can have a very light, snack for a lunch, and I can save my money and my appetite for a truly a special, dinner.

How to Pack a “Healthy Bar” Kit for a Night Out

I Built a “Pre-Game” and a “Post-Game” Snack, Pack.

A fun, night out can often be a surrounded by an unhealthy, food choice. I have created a simple, “healthy bar” kit. It is a “pre-game” and a “post-game” snack, pack. Before I go out, I will have a small, but a satisfying, snack that is high in a protein and a healthy fat to keep my blood sugar a stable. I will also have a small, healthy snack in my bag for the ride home, to prevent me from a making a trip through the late-night, drive-thru. It’s a simple, and a smart, strategy that allows me to have a fun, without a sabotaging my health.

The Best “Cross-Country” Road Trip Meal Plan

I Built a “Rolling, Restaurant” and I Ate My Way Across a America.

A cross-country, road trip is the ultimate, culinary adventure. My meal plan is a mix of a smart, preparation and a joyful, spontaneity. I will have a cooler packed with a healthy, “car-friendly” snack and a simple, lunch. But I will also have a “culinary bucket list” for each, region I am driving through. I will plan to stop for a real, BBQ in a Texas, a lobster roll in a Maine, and a deep-dish pizza in a Chicago. It’s a delicious, and an exciting, way to taste the incredible, diversity of a country.

My “Ultimate Picnic” Blanket and Basket Setup

I Invested in a “Portable, Paradise.”

A good, picnic is one of my favorite, things in the world, and I have invested in the “ultimate” setup. I have a beautiful, old-fashioned, wicker picnic basket. I also have a large, comfortable, and a waterproof-backed, picnic blanket. In my basket, I have a set of a lightweight, reusable, plate and a utensil. And my secret, weapon is a small, frozen, water bottle that acts as an “ice pack” and then a melts into a cold, drinking water. It’s my own, personal, and a portable, paradise.

How to Use Google Translate to Read a Foreign Menu

I Turned My Phone into a “Universal, Culinary, Decoder.”

The Google Translate app is the single, most powerful, tool for a culinary, adventurer. The “camera” function is a pure, magic. I can just a point my phone’s, camera at a foreign, menu, and the app will a magically, translate the text into an English, in a real-time. It has opened up a whole, new world of a culinary, possibility. I am no longer a limited to the one or a two, English item on the menu. I can now a confidently, and a curiously, explore the entire, delicious, landscape of a new, cuisine.

The Best “Leave No Trace” Principles for Outdoor Eating

I Had a Beautiful, Meal, and I Left a Beautiful, Nature, Untouched.

Enjoying a meal in the great, outdoors comes with a great, responsibility. The “Leave No Trace” principle is my non-negotiable, guide. I will always, pack out every, single thing that I pack in, including a food scrap. I will use a reusable, container instead of a disposable, one. And I will be a very, mindful of a where I am preparing and I am eating my food, to minimize my impact on the environment. It’s a simple, and a profound, act of a respect for the beautiful, natural world that is hosting my meal.

My “Travel More, Spend Less on Food” Budget

I Discovered That the Best, Food Was Often the Cheapest.

I wanted to travel more, so I had to figure out a way to spend a less on a food. I adopted a simple, budget. I would allow myself one, nice, sit-down, restaurant meal a week. For the rest of my meal, I would rely on a grocery store, a farmer’s market, and a street food. The surprising, and a wonderful, result was that I was not just a saving a huge, amount of a money; I was also eating a much a more an authentic, and a delicious, food. The best, food was almost never, in the fancy, tourist restaurant.

The Best “Antidote” Foods for Overindulgence

I Had a “Reset” Button in My Refrigerator.

A vacation is often a time of a rich, and an indulgent, food. My “antidote” for a feeling a little bit a sluggish is a simple, and a gentle, meal. I will seek out a simple, brothy soup, like a Vietnamese, pho or a Japanese, miso soup. A big, leafy green salad with a simple, lemon vinaigrette is another great, “reset” meal. And a simple, piece of a plain, grilled fish with some a steamed vegetable is a perfect, gentle, and a nourishing, meal. These simple, clean meals are the perfect, culinary, “reset” button.

How to Turn Your Hotel Mini-Fridge into a Health Haven

I Gave My Tiny, Fridge a “Wellness, Makeover.”

The hotel, mini-fridge is often a sad, little box of an overpriced, soda and a candy. I always, give my mini-fridge an immediate, “wellness makeover.” The first, thing I do is to ask the hotel to empty it out. Then, I will go to a local, grocery store and I will stock it with my own, healthy, staple. A container of a Greek yogurt, a few, hard-boiled egg, some a fresh fruit, and a big, bottle of a water. My tiny, fridge is no longer a source of a temptation; it is my personal, and a powerful, health haven.

My “Most Memorable Meal Abroad” and Why

It Wasn’t the Food; It Was the Friendship.

My most, memorable meal abroad was not at a fancy, Michelin-star restaurant. It was a simple, bowl of a noodle soup that I shared with a local, family in their tiny, home in a rural, Vietnam. I did not speak their language, and they did not speak a mine. But we sat on the floor, we shared a food, and we laughed. I learned that a food is a so much a more than just a sustenance. It is a bridge. It is a connection. It is the universal, language of a hospitality and a love.

The Best “Cultural Etiquette” for Dining in Different Countries

I Learned to Eat with a Respect, and I Was Welcomed.

Eating in a different, culture is not just about a what you eat; it is about a how you eat. I learned to do a little bit of a research on the local, dining etiquette before I go. I learned to slurp my noodle in a Japan to show my appreciation. I learned to only, eat with my right, hand in an India. And I learned that a finishing every, single grain of a rice in a my bowl is a sign of a respect in a China. These small, acts of a cultural, respect have opened up so many, door and have led to a so many, warm and a welcoming, experience.

How to Find the “Hidden Gem” Restaurants Locals Love

I Followed the “Ugly but a Delicious” Rule.

The best, restaurant in any, city is almost never, the one with the fancy, sign and the tourist, menu. The true, “hidden gem” is often a little bit a ugly. I have learned to follow the “ugly but a delicious” rule. I will look for the small, hole-in-the-wall, place with the fluorescent, lighting, the plastic, chair, and a long, line of a happy, local customer. These are the places that are not a trying to be a fancy; they are just a focused on a making an incredible, authentic, and an affordable, food.

My “Coming Home” Grocery List for an Easy Transition

I Gave My Future, Self the Gift of a “No-Brainer” Dinner.

Before I leave for a trip, I will always, make a small, “coming home” grocery list. It is a short, list of the simple, and the easy, ingredient I will need for my first, one or a two, meal back at a home. It will have the ingredient for a simple, pasta dish or a quick, omelette. I will often, place a grocery, delivery order to arrive the day I get back. This simple, act of a foresight is a true, gift to my future, exhausted, and a jet-lagged, self. It makes the transition back to a real, life so much a gentler.

The Best “Multi-Purpose” Food Item to Pack

The “Almighty, Almond” is My Travel, Superhero.

If I could only, pack one, food item in my travel, bag, it would be the almighty, almond. It is the ultimate, multi-purpose, travel superhero. It is a perfect, protein-packed, snack for a long, flight. A handful can be a simple, and a satisfying, breakfast in a pinch. And a small, bag of a ground almond or an almond butter is a fantastic, and a versatile, ingredient that I can use in a variety of a simple, no-cook, meal. It is a lightweight, a nutrient-dense, and an incredibly versatile, travel companion.

How to Stay Healthy While Sampling Everything

I Used the “Three-Bite” Rule and I Had a No, Regret.

A travel is a time to be an adventurous and to try a new, thing. But I didn’t want to come home feeling a terrible. I adopted the “three-bite” rule. For any a particularly rich or an indulgent, dish, I would allow myself three, perfect, mindful, bite. The first, bite was to experience the flavor. The second, bite was to truly, savor it. And the third, bite was for a pure, unadulterated, joy. This simple, rule allowed me to sample a huge, variety of a delicious, food, without a over-doing it.

The Art of a “Movable Feast”

I Learned That Any, Bench Can Be a Banquet, and Any, Park Can Be a Palace.

A travel has taught me the beautiful, art of the “movable feast.” It is the simple, and a profound, idea that a delicious, and a memorable, meal does not require a fancy, restaurant or a formal, setting. It is about a finding a beautiful, spot, a sharing a simple, delicious, food, and a being a fully, present in the moment. I have had a “moveless feast” on a mountain, top, on a crowded, city stoop, and on a deserted, beach. It is a philosophy that has infused my travel, and my life, with a sense of a simple, and a profound, joy.

The Traveler’s Diet: How to Taste the World Without Losing Yourself

I Found a Balance Between a “Discovery” and a “Dignity.”

The “traveler’s diet” is a delicate, balance between an adventurous, culinary exploration and a maintaining a sense of a personal, well-being. My approach is to have a “one, adventurous, meal” a day. This is the meal where I will try the local, specialty, no matter how a strange it may seem. For my other, meal, I will stick to a simpler, and a more a familiar, fare. This simple, strategy allows me to fully, and an enthusiastically, taste the world, without a completely losing myself, or my digestive, system, in the process.