Packing Tips

Knowing how to pack a suitcase is essential to being a good traveler. Ever wonder how to pack light and still stay in style, my suggestion is to pick a basic color that you enjoy wearing and then add two other accessory colors and when you do this it will look and feel like you have several different outfits, for the males it is easy just a different shirt or tie and they are set.

The first think you want to do is start making a list of all the different items you will need for your trip, mentally take a note of all the activities and places you will be visiting and what you will be doing there so that you can gather all the items you will need for them. Pack a couple of plastic coat hangers in your bag, it seems like they never have enough hangers in the hotel rooms, if you pack plastic ones they weight almost nothing and are very handy to have.

When packing liquids remember they can expand under pressure, so never fill to the top and/or take some out if it is a new container. Toiletries should be as small as possible, and packed in sealable plastic bags for protection against spillage.

Pack each outfit in its own large re-sealable plastic bag, the rolling method works well for this packing style. If you have bulky items like for skiing use space bags that suck out all the air, you can fit so much more in your suitcase. The only word of caution here is that you want your suitcase to be packed firm so the contents won't shift and also you want to keep in mind to pack so your clothes will unpack wrinkle free.

Guard against lost luggage woes by packing your plastic bag(s) of toiletries in your carry-on bag, along with your most valuable items, and one change of clothes. Put all of your camera and computer items together in one carry-on bag, it will be easier during inspection, and then easier to put it all back together again after inspection.

Be vigilant in removing metal and in packing your carry-on. You also need to be aware of metal and batteries etc in you checked luggage, as that sometimes sets off an inspection alarm and may delay your luggage, it is easier to carry these items in your carry on so they can inspect them during your personal check in, rather than delay your checked in luggage.

No matter what type of bag you are packing, you will want to avoid spilling any liquids on your clothes or equipment and when you arrive at your destination unpack your bags as soon as possible after you get into your hotel room.

Pump Iron On The Road!

Whether you're just starting out with your workout program or are a seasoned veteran, one thing is for certain and that is that at some point, motivation is going to become a challenge.

While it would be nice to think that there are some people out there who just have naturally high motivational levels at all times, this simply is just not the case.

Everyone suffers from motivational lags from time to time and it's only those who come up with an action plan to solve this that are able to move forward and carry on seeing the results that they're after.

Let's take a quick look at four steps you should know in order to stay motivated for your workout sessions.

Set Mini-Goals Along With Long-Term Goals

The very first thing that you should do is set mini-goals along with any of the long term goals that you set for yourself. One big problem that often happens is that people are excited when they first start working towards reaching that long term goal, but as they begin working towards this goal, they find that slowly they lose sight of that 'light at the end of the tunnel'.

Since it can be difficult working towards something unattainable in the short term, it makes it especially important to set mini-goals that you can reach along the way.

This way you can set your sights on that mini-goal and feel a great sense of accomplishment as soon as you reach it. As you continue on and reach mini-goal after mini-goal, eventually you'll land yourself at that end goal you were striving hard for from the start.

Change Up Your Workout Regularly

Secondly, make sure that you have a workout program that includes enough variety. While there's nothing wrong with understanding which exercises work best and really placing a high amount of focus on each one, at the same time you must remember that you're very likely to get bored using this approach. Instead, change up your workout. Try a new exercise, join a group fitness class, or take your workout outside. The change of pace every now and then might just be the motivational push that you need to move yourself forward.

Join A Fitness-Minded Group

The third thing that you can do to help yourself stay motivated on your program is to join a fitness minded group. Whether you sign up with a running or walking group or even just get together with some other people who are interested in living healthier and working out regularly, having that interpersonal support can really help keep you focused on the goals you've set for yourself.

If you're really ambitious you may even want to consider signing up for a race or competition. Many people find that this helps keep them focused and motivated to hit their goals.

Use A Journal

Finally, the last thing to help yourself stay motivated is using a journal. While at first it may seem like a pain having to track what you're eating, what you're doing in the gym, as well as how you feel on a day to day basis, this really can prove to be incredibly helpful.

Then when you look back later and see just how far you've come, it'll make all that effort worthwhile and help you realize just how much each day does move you forward closer to your overall goals.

Try these great ideas to keep yourself motivated and working hard. Don't forget that motivation is very individually specific so try these tips and come up with a least a few other things you feel will work for you. If you put forth a continual effort to maintain your motivation, eventually living an active lifestyle will become a natural habit that you'll have no problem sticking with long-term.

Article by Stacie Sherman of Fitness & Vine Retreat. Ranked the #3 Weight Loss Program in the USA by International Business Times.

5 On-the-Go Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast is brain food, but it can be a challenge to feed the kids healthfully and get out the door in time for school. These 5 simple on-the-go breakfasts will give your kids the energy to get through the morning -- without sucking up your time, too.

Dressed-up Yogurt

This is a quick way to add sweetness and crunch to plain yogurt. You'll get the nutritious benefits of yogurt without the excess sugar so often found in flavored yogurts.

Dressed-up Yogurt

What you need:
7 oz container plain yogurt (I recommend Greek yogurt)
1 Tbsp. raspberry jam (or any other favorite - raspberry just happens to be mine)
1 tsp. honey
2 Tbsp. toasted almonds, roughly chopped

Combine all ingredients in the yogurt container. Grab a spoon and go!

Extra: Any jam or nut combination can be added. Pair strawberry jam with pistachios for a colorful alternative.

Kicked-Up Quesadilla

These healthy quesadillas get a bright, fresh kick from the addition of tangy Granny Smith apples. Prepped and ready in less than 5 minutes, it's the perfect meal to munch as you head out to the car.

Kicked-Up Quesadilla

What you need:
2 flour tortillas (regular or whole-wheat)
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar
several thin slices of a Granny Smith apple

Sprinkle an even layer of cheese over one tortilla. Scatter the apple slices on top of the cheese and top with the remaining tortilla. Microwave for 30 seconds or until the cheese melts. For a crisper tortilla, use a large skillet and crisp for 1-2 minutes on both sides, until the cheese is melted. Cut into 6-8 wedges.

Breakfast Pizza Margherita

Now you can let the kids have pizza for breakfast with this healthy English muffin-version. The tang of the tomatoes, the creaminess from the cheese and the fresh burst of basil are just as delicious in the morning.

Breakfast Pizza Margherita

What you need:
1 whole wheat english muffin
1 large slice of tomato
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
*optional fried egg
1 tsp fresh basil, finely chopped

Turn on your broiler.

Top one half of the English muffin with the sliced tomato and then shredded mozzarella. Place it on a baking sheet, along with the other half of the English muffin. Slide under the broiler. Broil until the cheese is melted and browned in places. Remove from the oven and add the fried egg, if desired, and the fresh basil. Top with the other half of the English muffin.

Crepes On-the-Run

While crepes may not seem like a quick go-to breakfast, with a little planning you can enjoy homemade crepes any day of the week. Simply make a large batch of crepes, refrigerate or freeze, then enjoy all week long.

Crepes On-the-Run

Makes about 15 crepes

What you need:
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. melted butter
1/4 tsp. salt
additional butter, for coating the pan

Blend all of the ingredients until completely incorporated (an immersion or regular blender works well for this). Let batter chill in the fridge for at least one hour. (This allows the bubbles to subside, making your batter nice and smooth.) Your batter can be made up to 48 hours in advance.

Heat an 8"-10" non-stick pan over medium-high. Add butter to coat. Pour a scant 1/4 cup of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly (you want a very thin even layer of batter -- adjust amount of batter according to the size of pan you are using). Cook for 45 seconds and flip. Cook for another 20 seconds.

Refrigerate any leftover crepes in a resealable plastic bag with a sheet of wax paper between each crepe to prevent sticking. Well-sealed, they can be frozen for up to one month.

When you are ready for breakfast, kids can help fill their crepes with ham and cheese, fresh fruit and cream cheese, Nutella and bananas, peanut butter and jam or any combination that appeals.

Roll up crepes like a burrito or fold in quarters to make a simple, portable meal.

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

These fruity, creamy shakes are refreshing on a hot day. They come together in minutes, use ingredients that you most likely have on hand, and pack nutrition and energy in every satisfying sip.

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

What you need:
2 cups frozen berries or fruit
2 Tbsp. orange juice concentrate (or 1/2 cup orange juice)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup yogurt
1 frozen banana
1 Tbsp. honey

Add all ingredients to your blender and blend until completely smooth.

*Optional: Add 1-2 Tbsp. of flax seeds to the blender for even more nutrition.

How not to loose something

We’ve have items forgotten at the hotel all the time.  I hope by putting together these brain exercises maybe it can help just one person keep their items.  A fair number of people I know have a great deal of trouble keeping track of small personal effects: wallets, sunglasses, keys, and the like. When they encounter someone who does not have this problem, they assume it’s because of some inherent superiority of memory. In my experience, this is not the case. What differs between those who lose things and those who do not is the degree to which they are systematic.

Be systematic

The first vital aspect of being systematic is to maintain consistency in where things are placed. One’s keys should always be in the same pocket when out or at work, and always on the same table of shelf when at home. One’s gloves should likewise always be kept in the same place, at least during seasons when they are required, and moved to a consistent but less accessible place during the summer. All this is made dramatically easier by choosing clothes with a similar array of pockets. Having a single jacket with lots of pockets is an enormous boon: I always know that my wallet is in the right-side breast pocket, while my camera is in the left. The small sub-pocket under that holds a four-color pen. The inside left pocket has a pair of liner gloves, while the inside right pocket has an iPod Shuffle and space for valuable things carried rarely. Having a consistently used bag with lots of pockets is similarly useful.

Trust, but verify

The second vital aspect is frequent auditing. If you have followed the advice of using the same pockets at all times, this will soon become automatic and second nature. You learn to be intuitively aware of the presence or absence of objects from their designated spaces. If they are not there, you know to seek them out immediately and return them to their designated position.

Never trust yourself to remember a deviation from the system. Moving something into the wrong place – perhaps to make it more convenient to carry something else – will only produce anxiety while you are tying to remember the deviation and frustration when it leads to things being misplaced or not immediately accessible.

Fashion is your enemy

The real trouble begins when you have a wardrobe that has dramatically different elements: trousers with no pockets, multiple jackets, purses with differing internal compositions. For those who insist on such variety, I can offer no aid. Unless your memory is much better than mine, you are probably doomed to lose things relatively often.

Some level of variety must certainly be dealt with by anyone, and this can be accomplished by having a number of set collections of gear with defined associated positions. One might have a ‘no jacket because it is sunny out, still carrying photographic gear’ option, as well as an ‘out biking in the countryside, repair tools required’ configuration. In my experience, it is feasible to maintain a good number, provided they are as similar as possible (wallet always on the same side, non-included items left in defined positions at home) and they are always identically configured. Objects only carried rarely are by far the easiest to lose. I virtually never carry an umbrella (preferring to rely on waterproof clothing), so I constantly forget them when I have been carrying one for whatever reason.

Naturally, there are plenty of people for whom the above is too much work for too little value. The point is less to convince people that they should or should not adopt such a system and more to argue that losing or not losing objects is a reflection of planning and habit, rather than inherent cognitive characteristics. That said, a certain fascination with gear and a somewhat compulsive nature certainly help in the initial development and constant refinement of such an order.

One option is to keep related items together by having several pre-packed bags for different activities – for instance I keep all gear needed for snowboarding in the snowboard bag, all gear needed for a day cragging in my climbing backpack, all gear needed for mtbing in my mtb backpack, all my waterproofs together etc. This might mean duplicating some items (sunscreen, energy bars, sunglasses) but it saves considerable time & effort. My problems arises over the items that can’t be easily duplicated like a wallet, cellphone or ipod – I need to transfer those from bag to bag as required and don’t leave the house without checking that I have them all.
Of course, a major reason people lose things is simply because they keep their belongings in a god-almighty mess. Systematic behavior doesn’t help if it means that you put everything ‘important’ on the top drawer but then have to search the whole chaotic, overflowing drawer several times a day. Similarly, my brother’s strategy of keeping everything he owns on the bedroom floor means that he is certain of its approximate location, but it still takes a long time to locate things. Tidiness has many benefits ;0).

Misplacing items is the most common non-event of humans. Have you ever hid something so no one could find it. Your subconscious immediately erases it from your mind so that you can’t find it later. An event or link must be made each time so you can retrieve it later from your mind.
Purposely create an event when you place something somewhere. If you do lose something don’t panic. That emotion will block your mind from logically trying to retrieve the information you need.