Road Trip Snacks: Essential Food Prep Tips for Traveling with Small Kids

Are you traveling on the 4th of July? We'll be going on a road trip and if your kids are like mine, they basically don't stop eating for the entire drive. Sure, we will have packaged snacks, but I like to prep a lot more than that to make sure they are getting fruits & veggies, healthy fats, and protein to keep their blood sugar stable and meltdowns at bay.

Here are my favorite road trip snacks that are healthy, mess-free, and will keep your little ones satisfied from departure to destination.

Packaged Snacks

• Hippeas Nacho Cheese - love that these are made with chickpeas for more protein + fiber

• That's It Bars - These are just fruit with no additives

• Annie's Cheddar Bunnies - I like these as an alternative to Goldish

• Veggie Sticks - No, they aren't packed with veggies but they're a slightly healthier alternative

• Lesser Evil Popcorn - this one is my absolute FAVORITE

• Mama Chia Packets - a little more nutrient-dense than the typical packet with omegas and more fat

• Roasted Seaweed- fun crunchy, salty snack packed with B12 and iodine

• Cauliflower Everything Crackers - Like an everything bagel but with extra veggies

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries - These are a much less messy way to eat fruit on the go and so tasty with no added sugar

• Cerebelly Bars - Tasty fruit & veggie bars with lower sugar

Easy Whole Food Snacks

• Mandarin oranges

• Apples

• Nectarines

• Blueberries/strawberries

• Carrot sticks

• Snap peas

• Cucumber slices

• Bell Peppers

• Cashews

• Avocado

• String cheese

• Hummus packs

Homemade Snacks

• Chia pudding (duh - you know we love this stuff) from my recipe books :)

• Healthier breakfast cookies from Ambitious Kitchen

• Zucchini Egg Slice from Yummy Toddler Food

• Blueberry Chickpea Balls from Plant-Based Juniors

• Good ol PB & J on sprouted bread

The goal here is to have lots of options and a variety of more nutrient-dense options, things that are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep the kiddos and ourselves full. We like a lot of savory and sweet options and obviously bring lots of water for the car ride.

What are your favorite car ride staples? Let me know!

I LOVE Thrive Market for all of our snack needs, and their prices are way cheaper for organic, healthy snacks that I can find locally. I love to do auto-ship to save even more and I'm always surprised at how quickly my box arrives. If you want to check it out - you can get $40 off when you sign up with this link. I'm not an affiliate - just love the company :) Happy snacking!

Struggling With Sticking to Your Goals?

As moms, it's really easy to put everyone else's needs above yours, or you just simply can't find the mental space for new habits, no matter how simple they seem.

Are you stuck in the mindset that you’ll start tomorrow or next week? 

Do you start with big changes and get overwhelmed and stop? 

Do you struggle to make lasting changes when it comes to your wellness goals? 

How many times have you set a New Year's resolution to go to the gym every day? Or start a new diet like Whole 30 only to fall off 4 days in? This is not your fault, these approaches are NOT SUSTAINABLE. Life is already tiring, challenging, and chaotic enough, don't make this harder on yourself.

Ready to try something better? I bet no matter how busy you are, you have 2 minutes.

This approach helps you take small steps toward a bigger goal and work toward lasting change. How does it work?

• The 2-Minute Rule, popularized by James Clear in his book "Atomic Habits," emphasizes starting small and breaking down habits into manageable two-minute tasks.

• By focusing on tiny actions that take just a few minutes to complete, we can overcome the inertia of starting and build momentum toward our goals.

What would this look like, for real?

• Want to practice mindful eating? Take ONE deep breath when you sit down, before you start eating

• Trying to eat more fruits and veggies? Buy pre-cut options

• Ready to start exercising more? Try throwing on your shoes and walking around the block once a day

• Need more flexibility? Do some stretches when standing at the stove or in a meeting

• Want to drink more water? Keep a class next to your bed

Don't roll your eyes, I can hear it through the computer. These small changes might not seem like they aren't going to get you anywhere, but they will, and here's why.

• This approach is flexible, you can decide what will help you get towards your goals and change it as needed. Have 5 minutes today? Walk a bit farther, do some yoga poses, and gradually work your way up.

• It removes a barrier - you have 2 minutes each day and you know it. It stops you from continuously thinking that you'll try again or start tomorrow. Start now, start small, and keep going.

• It creates a sense of achievement - we all like crossing things off our list. These things add up and the more you do them, the more you'll believe you can do them and keep going.

Behavior change precedes identity change because our actions shape our sense of self. When we consistently engage in new behaviors, whether they're related to wellness, productivity, or any other aspect of our lives, we start to see ourselves differently. Over time, these actions become habits, and as they become ingrained in our daily routines, they reinforce a new identity aligned with those behaviors and it gets easier every day to do these things.

If your goal is to eat more healthy food, consistently choosing healthier foods transforms your view of yourself from someone who "tries to eat healthy" to someone who simply "is a healthy eater."

What habits are you working towards this year? Do you want even more accountability? Set up a free call today to chat about how I can help you set realistic goals and stick to them.

Healthy Plant-Based Lunch Ideas for Busy Weekdays

As a working parent, it's already hard enough to feed your family multiple times a day, let alone make sure you get something healthy to scarf down between meetings. But you are taking a break to eat mindfully right??? Check out my blog on the benefits of mindful eating (and getting OFF your phone while doing it) here -

You probably know a nutritious midday meal is essential to keep you energized, focused, and avoid that dreaded afternoon slump or sugar frenzy hackathon. Incorporating these plant-based meals, or adding your favorite protein will help you push past and be ready to handle whatever the post-work hustle until bedtime brings you.

1. Buddha Bowl Bliss:

Prepare a vibrant Buddha Bowl filled with an assortment of colorful veggies, grains, and plant-based proteins. This is so easily customized to whatever you have in the pantry or fridge. Start with a base of quinoa or brown rice, add roasted sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and avocado or any other veggies you have. Top it off with a sprinkle of chickpeas or your favorite protein and a drizzle of tahini dressing for a satisfying and nutrient-packed lunch.

2. Wraps with a Twist:

Swap traditional wraps with nutrient-rich collard green leaves or my favorite, sprouted tortillas. Fill them with hummus, shredded carrots, sliced bell peppers, a handful of leafy greens, some tofu or whatever you have around. Roll it up and enjoy a crunchy, flavorful wrap that's easy to take on the go.

3. Hearty Lentil Salad:

Combine cooked lentils (can get these pre-made and marinated for even more ease!) with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and fresh parsley. Toss with lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper for a refreshing and filling lunch option. Add some crumbled feta cheese or avocado for extra creaminess.

4. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto:

Spiralize zucchini into noodles and toss them with a homemade basil pesto sauce. Include cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts for added flavor and texture. Make sure to add some kind of protein too to stabilize blood sugar.

5. Chickpea Tuna Salad:

Create a plant-based version of the classic tuna salad (or just use regular tuna) by mixing mashed chickpeas with diced celery, red onion, and capers. Season with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of seaweed flakes for that "tuna" flavor. Serve it in a sandwich of sprouted bread or on a bed of greens for a protein-packed lunch.

6. Protein-Packed Quinoa Salad:

Mix cooked quinoa with diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Drizzle with a tangy lime-cilantro dressing and toss in some diced mango for a tropical twist.

Remember, preparation is key! Spend some time on weekends to batch-cook ingredients and prep veggies to save time during the busy workweek. Want even more tips on meal-prepping and batch cooking? Check out my blog here.

These plant-based lunch ideas will not only nourish your body but also keep your energy up and sanity within reach. Happy lunching!