Snack Healthy on Road Trips

Thanks to our sister site, That’s Fit for being health conscious enough to supply the blogosphere and us here with some tips on how to snack healthy on road trips. I’m especially grateful considering I’m on the road at present and always looking for a word of advice on the topic. I’ve watched trips turn to “hell” for some people who input all the wrong goods into their bodies, sit on their butts, lounge in beach chairs and it ain’t pretty. Snacking is one of the easiest ways to kill time on those long drives and also an easy way to gain weight, but if you plan well in advance and think outside the box, or your vehicle your chances of fighting weight gain or just that nasty fatty feeling can be reduced.

For starters if you’ve ever taken the oh-so-scenic Route 66 or any parts of America’s great Midwest you can kiss most healthy pit stops bye-bye. I remember craving some edamame, sushi and a green tea smoothie with boba (specific, I know) on one long drive through Missouri somewhere. There were stretches of nothing followed by more nothing and then the great golden arches (McDonald’s) appeared, but the semi-healthy Japanese fare my stomach desired was never to be found. Tired, hungry and defeated, I gave into chicken mcnuggets. Planning ahead and packing your car with granola, water, trail mix, dried fruit, and fresh fruit that can survive the trip are good starters. The About.com article which That’s Fit references, suggests eating only salads and grilled foods from fast food joints. Also, all those rest stops we all tend to speed past – utilize them. Take a moment to let the car cool, step out the vehicle and do some stretching or light exercise. It may slow you down in the short-run, but in the long-run your body will probably feel 10x better. Let me not babble about it, go see for yourself.

Do you have any secrets for snacking healthy? Maybe a recipe for the road?

More Car Trip Manners

For most folks Labor Day marks the very last chance for a fun-filled family summer getaway before fall. If you hadn’t the chance to escape for a little relaxation on the sandy shores prior to this coming holiday weekend or its been a while since your last road trip, you may wish to freshen up a tad on your car manners. Most of us think we know how to act during a long countryside drive, but the truth is some of you don’t. I’m not going to point any fingers here and say it’s the kids, the poodle or the parents, but if you’ve got about 10 minutes, read over some of these tips by Angela Carr Patterson to help make your car trip pleasant. One of her suggestions is to enter the car by greeting everyone with a big smile. Sounds pretty basic and simple, but how many of you to fail to practice this one? Uh huh … just as I suspected.

via EURweb.com

Rental Car Rant – Underage Driving

Most women my age; single, no kids, and free as a bird either revel in their youthful paradise or cringe, grit their teeth and ball up a fist when someone inquires about their age. For the most part I’m happily approaching the official mid-20’s age bracket, but not fast enough it seems. I seriously can’t wait until my 25th birthday only and all so I can rent a car without facing ridiculous surcharges. Ugh! You turn 18 you can buy smokes, get shipped off to Iraq, vote or choose not to and at 21 you’re free to buy all the brewskies and whiskey your heart desires, but being under 25 in the rental car world gets you no love. What gives?

Sure a few misbehaving college kids (or misbehaving adults over 25) along the way probably messed it up for the rest of the responsible individuals, but isn’t there some way to get a decent day, weekly or weekend rate if you’re under 25? According to some online sources like SmarterTravel.com some underage drivers are better off dealing with independent rental agencies, that will charge a daily fee that runs a little less than most major agencies. If you’re under 25 and traveling on business or work for the U.S. Government you may be able to waive the fees altogether. Best thing to do is to spend sometime browsing the web for the best deals or pleading with someone you know to bum their vehicle for your short stay. If I weren’t in Los Angeles at the moment with family spread between; Simi Valley, Huntington Beach, and Corona, I’d certainly opt for taking public transportation over paying the $55 a day for my standard rental car. As for right now I just have to suck it up until I fly out on Monday.

If you’re 18-25 and experiencing the same woes as me pop into some of these other online sites for advice and just be prepared to pay the fees if you must have a rental.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 9

Time for us to showcase some of our favorite blurbs of the week in case you missed them. I’m guessing most of you dear and loyal readers, haven’t and I completely don’t understand if you did, but here’s another chance to review five.

5. Saving Belizean Music:

Thanks to Neil, Belizean music is remembered this week. In this short blog he points us to a LA Times piece on the sounds of local music in Belize. On top of that he also provides you with a link to get your own fill of these Central American tunes.

4. Saving Pics:
Everyone’s got their own method to saving their precious travel memories. Some will back them up three times on CD, on five different computers or you name it so long as they are protected. A few of us who are a little more trusting in modern technology can probably do without caring too much equipment in the name of protection and that is why I point you to this (oh-so) simple gear piece from Erik. The skinny – Flashtrax XT. Another cool compact option for photo storage on the road.

3. Machu Picchu Helicopter:
To climb or fly? That is the question in this chopper over Machu Picchu piece, where Neil invites readers to share their feelings on whether or not taking the ride up to the ruins is better than hiking. In short, we want to know if it’s cool or lame?

2. Road Trip USA Podcasts:
Here’s a good one if you’re planning a last minute road trip for the summer – Road Trip USA podcasts by Jaime Jensen. While the gas along the way may be high you needn’t worry about the podcasts costing you a thing, because if what Erik says is true, then they’re free. Go get some audio for the road to help you along the way!

1. Self-Erecting Tent:

Some claim it’s spankin’ new and other say it’s a thing of years past, but I’ve never heard of it so for me it’s on the spankin’ side. What am I speaking of? The self-erecting tent by Quechua is making pitching your cozy campsite digs a breeze. All you do is toss it in the air and by the time it lands your home-sweet-tent is all ready to go. Thank Neil for pointing to this fine piece of gear.

Road Trip Forecast: The Cost of Gas

This news from CNN shouldn’t be surprising or
shocking. Vacation drives are looking to be a lot more expensive than last year, with regular gas averaging at 25 cents
higher than 2005. However, AAA predicts folks
won’t be cutting back
on driving and that the summer travel season will be a busy one. Now I’ll leave it right
there for now in terms of what they’ve got to say. We all know what the situation looks like in our own neck of the
woods, so you tell me how the gas is affecting your travel plans. Is it? To some, 25 cents is quite a hike, especially
if you’re trying to push your vehicle coast to coast on I-10. That kind of money adds up. Should we not even bother to
think or worry about the gas cost and take the scenic route on our summer drives? For those of you who find money an
issue and are unwilling to compromise your dreamy drives down the unknown road, here are a few money and gas-saving
tips:

Before the Trip:

  • Air filter -Make sure your air
    filter is clean. Air filters are easy to check and change and can help the performance and economy of your vehicle by
    allowing good air flow to the engine.
  • Tire pressure – Tires that are under-inflated can
    cost you 2 to 3 MPG and then some. Keep a reliable tire gauge handy and be sure to keep tires inflated properly.
  • Rims – I highly doubt many of you will be taking to the highways with 24" chrome and
    spinners on your wheels, but should that be the case you may wish to reconsider. If the rims widen the tire stock you
    could decreasing fuel economy by creating more rolling resistance. (See About.com)
  • Evaluate your load – Clean out your car before adding all your travel necessities. Roof racks and carriers can help provide additional space, yet
    keep in mind they decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent.
  • Vehicle selection – Sure you’re
    only using your summer whip for a couple of weeks, maybe months, but when it’s time to rent or take one of your vehicles
    aim for the one with the best fuel economy. Use www.fueleconomy.gov to find and
    compare vehicles. The extra hundred dollars could become quite useful elsewhere.

During the
Trip:

  • Slow down – You’re on vacation, there is absolutely no reason to
    rush, plus traveling 55mph gives you 21% better mileage.
  • Roll down the windows –
    Gasp! No A/C? Mother Nature’s air is often the best kind of air to help give your vehicle a break. Consider keeping the
    A/C off a good portion of your trip when driving at reduced speeds around town or in city traffic.
  • Keep the A/C going – Confused? Well, many studies show that keeping the A/C going isn’t all that bad when driving at increased
    speeds on highways. The air conditioner will still consume fuel, but having the windows up will decrease the drag on
    your vehicle created from wind resistance.
  • Gas purchases – Always try to buy gasoline
    when it’s cooler. HowtoAdvice.com notes that gas tends to be densest
    during the early morning and late evening, where gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, note densities of fuel
    concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement."
  • Brand and
    grade
    – Don’t be fooled into thinking high
    octane gasoline
    is going to give you stellar mileage or performance. While very few cars require the use of premium
    gasoline, most vehicles only need regular to fill up the tank. When in doubt, thumb through your owner’s manual.
  • Carpooling and friends – A road trip wouldn’t be a road trip without a few close pals.
    Bring them along and plan to save on fuel together.

After the trip make plans to do it all over again
and if you’ve got a few tips of your own pass them this way.