Image Image

Related Post

Image
Travel

5 Easiest Ways to Stay Hydrated While Flying

Air travel is one of the most convenient ways to get from point A to point B, but the process is pretty exhausting. By the time you’ve boarded your plane, enjoyed a few glasses of wine, fallen asleep, and finally reached your destination, you’re likely dehydrated and itching for a glass of water. But what if we told you it didn’t have to be this way? We’ve gathered some actionable tips to help you stay hydrated while flying (and avoid feeling grumpy by the time your plane hits the landing strip). Edwina Clark is a registered dietician based in San Francisco, CA. Amanda Morgott is a product design engineer at Amway in Ada, MI. What Causes Dehydration on a Flight? It’s not just your effort to drink tons of water that plays a role in air travel dehydration. Everything from low humidity to recirculating air contributes to how flying affects our body, all of which translates to low hydration levels. According to Edwina Clark, RD, there are a few situational factors that can cause this: “Cabin air is low and pulls fluid from your body, you’re sitting for long periods at a constant temperature and may not feel thirsty, and fluids are generally less available in-flight compared to at home.” Thankfully, though, achieving maximum hydration in the air isn’t impossible. Considerations Before You Get Started Water Inequality Unfortunately, not all water is created equal, so it’s important to drink the right water to fill you up with moisture and energy. Water filtration expert Amanda Morgott explains that spring water and purified tap water are best to drink in dehydrating circumstances because of their natural minerals. Similarly, Morgott debunks the popularized benefits of high pH water. “The body is so efficient at regulating pH that within the digestive system any alkaline water is quickly balanced,” she explains. “The impact on hydration from alkaline water is no different than that of spring water.” Prepare Ahead of Time Ahead of your trip, prepwork matters. You’ll want to spend time before your flight hydrating as efficiently as possible. If your flight is early in the morning, skip the coffee or juice and go straight to drinking water so that you start your flight hydrated (it pays off more than you think!). How to Stay Hydrated In-Flight Avoid Alcohol An airport beer might sound like a good idea while you’re waiting to board your flight, but the dehydrating effects aren’t worth it. Instead, consider asking for water in-flight or refilling your water bottle before boarding. If you’d rather have something with more flavor, consider an electrolyte-rich beverage like Gatorade or coconut water. Sip Throughout the Flight It's extremely important to drink water before flying, but so is hydrating consistently during your flight. “Even if you aren’t feeling thirsty, continue to keep up with fluids following travel to compensate for the fluids lost,” says Amway product design engineer Amanda Morgott. Eat High Water Content Foods Besides drinking clean and safe H2O, eating water-rich foods can help curb dehydration. Snacking on fruits and vegetables—like watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries—will increase your water intake and provide additional minerals to improve your energy levels. Use Saline Nasal Spray and Eye Drops Have you ever experienced congestion and dry eyes while flying? Dehydration doesn’t just present as headaches and fatigue, it can also show up in our sinuses. Morgott recommends that frequent flyers travel with saline nasal spray and eye drops to keep dryness at bay. “As a bonus, keeping these areas moisturized also helps your body’s natural defenses against airborne germs,” she says. Moisturize Your Lips, Face, and Body In addition to your sinuses, don’t forget to keep your lips, face, and body moisturized while in-flight. Consider keeping a few products like lip balm, lotion, hand cream, and rosewater spray in your personal item for easy access while flying and reapply them every few hours for hydrated skin once you land.

Read More
Image
Travel

6 Travel Hacks That Make Every Vacation Less Stressful

As glamorous and exciting and soul-nourishing as travel can be, we all know that any bon voyage has a few not-so-bon moments. Flights can get delayed (or worse—canceled), the hotel you were so excited about can be a total let down, and your itinerary might leave you tired and, ironically, in need of a vacation. I’ve been lucky enough to have lived abroad and traveled to over 40 countries, and have certainly bounced around the United States quite a bit. Over the years, I’ve figured out ways to create a "soft landing" upon arrival so that even if things don’t go as planned, I’m able to roll with the punches. 01 of 06 I Pack My Essentials in My Carry-On I definitely consider myself a “carry-on only” girl, but there are times you need to check a bag. Like when you’re spending more than a few weeks in a destination, or traversing different climates, or attending a variety of event types in a single trip. I prefer to carry on because I don’t want to deal with lost luggage…something that’s happened to me with a suspicious frequency. For a calm mind and worst-case scenarios, I always pack my essentials in my carry-on—the things I absolutely need the first few days of travel (it often takes airlines 24 to 72 hours to return your misplaced bag). This includes any important clothing for events, toiletries, a change of underwear, chargers, electronics, valuables, etc. 02 of 06 I Work in "No Alarm Clock" Days We can all laugh at the travel memes featuring sunrise go-getters versus laid-back dilly-dalliers. I happily fall somewhere in between, largely because I swear by the “no alarm clock” approach while traveling. While I like to pack a ton into my day, the reality is that I’m on vacation. My body deserves to rest, and a rested body and mind have way more fun in the long run. If that means sleeping in until 10 a.m. and having a lazy brunch in my hotel room and not venturing outside until noon on a few days, that’s a win in my book. 03 of 06 I Arrive a Day Earlier Than Necessary This one I learned by proxy. Early in my travel days, I had a trip booked to Ireland with a connection somewhere on the East Coast from Phoenix. The first flight was delayed a few hours, and me and a family, all heading to Ireland, nervously twiddled our thumbs and hoped we wouldn’t miss the connection. We all ran through the airport together to literally watch our plane pull back from the gate without us, and ended up on the same flight a full 24 hours later. They unfortunately had a cruise scheduled within a day of landing, and had a mess of a time figuring that one out. Now, I always add a buffer day or two to ensure I don’t miss a cruise departure, important event, booked concert, tour, etc. 04 of 06 I Create a "Must See" List of Restaurants and Attractions Itineraries are great, but there’s a rigidity to them that doesn’t feel like a vacation to me. (Also, it puts you at risk of an over-packed schedule.) I mean, if it’s a business trip, then an itinerary is essential, but otherwise it’s nice to have a little spontaneity to drop by a cute boutique, swing by for some gelato, or linger a little longer at your previous destination. That said, I also don’t like to show up without any sort of plan. My happy medium is to research cool restaurants, cafes, museums, and attractions I want to see, and put them all on a list, noting which part of town they’re in. This allows me to pick and choose my own adventure with a modicum of structure (outside of anything that requires a hard reservation). 05 of 06 I Look for the Little Joys This is such a tiny thing, but the difference it makes in my overall travel experience is pretty profound. Keeping my eyes open for little joys and happy moments around me helps me really take in my surroundings, softens my perspective, and it also just makes me feel grateful for being alive. These can be the tiniest things—a sticker on a padlock that says “I like you,” a man carrying an oversized potted plant, the way a doorstep is decorated, a silly phrase written on a cafe board, or a butterfly fluttering around a rose garden. 06 of 06 I Try to Keep Up My Routine Travel introduces so many variables into your day, which is fun until you realize you’re beat, not eating well, and your skin is breaking out. I’ve found that keeping some semblance of my routine intact helps a lot. This means using the same skincare (this is not the time to try a new skincare sample, especially if you don’t know how long you’ve been holding onto it), going to bed around the same time, staying hydrated, getting in my 10 to 20 minutes of nightly reading, and—if possible—working out regularly.

Read More
Image
Gardening

5 Supermarket Herbs You Can Use to Grow Your Own (and Save on Your Next Grocery Run)

Everyone's looking to cut costs these days, and grocery bills are a good place to start. Though not all of us have the luxury of space to start growing our own veggies, herbs are generally low-maintenance and low-material plants you can grow in your own kitchen. Not only that, but some of them you don't even have to buy seeds or a plant for. Here are five herbs you can start from the ingredients you buy at the grocery store for a lower grocery bill and fresher ingredients. Mint Mint is a plant that is famously easy to grow and hard to kill. This is because (when planted in-ground) it's actually considered invasive, meaning it grows robustly, choking out other plants for light and nutrients. In a container on your kitchen counter, however, this just means an endless supply of fresh herbs. To start your own plant, take a few sprigs from the grocery store and place the stems in water. Ensure that no leaves are touching the water, as this can lead to rot, mildew, and mold. Change the water every few days, and in a few weeks, you should start to see root growth. Take these sprigs, plant them in a small container, and ta-da! You've got a plant that will continue to give fresh ingredients whenever you need them. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Basil Basil is not only easy to grow in the kitchen—It will also add a lovely aroma to your space. As with mint, simply pick a few leaves with developed, long stalks from what you bought at the supermarket and place them in water. After a few weeks of changing the water regularly, roots should begin to appear. Replant them in a medium-sized, well-draining pot, and harvest leaves as needed for cooking. Oregano Though it might take a while, oregano is yet another herb you can grow from supermarket propagations. Follow the same steps as for mint and basil: Pick a few healthy stems, put them in a cup of water, and pick off any leaves that might sit on or below the waterline. Change the water every few days to prevent mold, mildew, or rot. When you see roots form, transplant to a well-draining pot with soil. Water and provide light as with any other plant. Rosemary Grow supermarket rosemary the same as basil: Pick sprigs with long, hardy stems and put them in water (with no leaves touching the water). Change water frequently, and plant in a pot when roots have grown out. Thyme For thyme, follow the same processes as for other herbs: Pick strong stems, place in water, replace water every few days, and—when roots have formed after a few weeks—transplant to a well-draining pot with soil and care for normally.

Read More
Image
Travel

How to Clean Your Carry-On Luggage, According to Experts

It’s virtually impossible to enjoy a long vacation without stuffing your carry-on luggage with a week’s worth of clothes, accessories, and toiletries. Overtime, however, you’ll notice that the same suitcase is riddled with scuff marks and grime after facing months (or even years) of airport security and overhead compartments. Knowing exactly how to clean your carry-on luggage can save you hundreds of dollars on repairs and replacements, and we’ve got all the information you need to get started. Besides surface-level damage, we’re also faced with another harrowing truth: Airports are riddled with bacteria that linger on surfaces and spread through skin-to-skin contact, often without us even knowing. By effectively cleaning your carry-on luggage, you’re also preserving your physical health, and that starts with taking care of your personal possessions. How Often to Clean Carry-On Luggage It’s best to clean your carry-on luggage between trips, according to microbiologist Shaun Veran, COO of OURA. In addition, “It’s also a good idea to give your carry-on a quick wipe-down during your travels,” he says. “A once-over with a sanitizing wipe, focusing on the handles, can help to reduce your risk of infection and a ruined trip.” Time plays an essential role in knowing when to clean your luggage, and it’s best to conquer the task soon after a trip rather than later. Leaving your carry-on luggage contaminated for an extended period of time can increase bacterial growth and the potential for strong, smelly, and lasting odors. Considerations Before You Get Started Consider the Fabric Carry-on luggage is typically divided into two categories: Soft-sided and hard-sided suitcases. Soft-sided suitcases are made from resistant materials like nylon and polyester (which is great for durability, but not so great for the planet). Alternatively, hard-sided luggage is made from lightweight materials like polycarbonate and aluminum (thus, they’re a bit more expensive). Spot Test Depending on the material your carry-on luggage is made from, you’ll want to spot test with each cleaning ingredient to ensure you’re not causing further damage to your travel luggage. What You Need: Microfiber cloth Antimicrobial wipe Sanitizing spray Baking powder Vacuum Dish soap How to Clean Your Carry-On Luggage Step 1: Start With the Exterior Surface First thing’s first: Cleaning the exterior of your suitcase. Using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe away at any surface-level stains before going in with an antimicrobial wipe—Wet Ones, Lysol, or just about any antibacterial wipe will do the trick. For soft-sided luggage, use a sanitizing spray and your microfiber cloth rather than an antibacterial wipe. Don’t forget to go over the handles! Step 2: Wipe Down the Wheels Use the same microfiber cloth and sanitizing spray to tackle the bottom of your luggage. Rub through the treads and crevices to thoroughly remove any bacteria. Step 3: Wash Your Hands Once you’ve finished cleaning the outside of your suitcase, be sure to wash your hands before moving to the next step. As Veran emphasizes, it’s important to avoid cross-contamination as much as possible. Step 4: Sprinkle Baking Powder in the Interior While the interior of your suitcase doesn’t harbor nearly as much debris as the exterior, it’s still important to clean the enclosed case. After you’ve finished unpacking, lay the suitcase horizontally and sprinkle baking soda across the interior to absorb overnight. Step 5: Vacuum Thoroughly In the morning, use your vacuum nozzle to thoroughly clean up the baking soda. You’ll want to spend some time on this—although extremely effective, powdered substances have a tendency to hide in plain sight. Step 6: Use Wet Cloth and Dish Soap For Lingering Stains As a final step in your bacteria-free travel routine, add some dish soap to a damp cloth and blot it across the surface area to remove lingering baking soda or any additional stains. Leave it to air dry for a few hours. How To Maintain a Bacteria-Free Travel Routine Moving forward, you may benefit from maintaining a travel cleaning routine so that your carry-on luggage remains bacteria-free. For example, traveling with sanitizing wipes can provide an on-the-go solution for bacteria as you travel to different locations. In addition, washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, and wearing a mask while flying can help prevent cross-contamination. Frequent travelers may also benefit from using a clear luggage cover to protect their carry-on while moving through airports, hotels, and rideshare services. Safe travels!

Read More