PTT: Save Money & Stay Healthy While Traveling

Professional Tip Tuesday
I have a confession to make. Last Thursday, I was feeling discouraged by the amount of money I have had spent on food during my recent travels. So I took it as a challenge. I decided I didn't want to spend more than $5 on dinner that night.

This challenge is how I hit an all time low. 

My only
'cooking appliance'

It was pouring rain, so my plan to run down to the cute cafe down the street was a no-go. And let me tell you, there is no way to do room service on $5. So I walked down to the hotel gift shop and saw the answer to my problems - a Cup of Noodles.

Cup of Noodles = Desperation at it's finest. But it gets even worse. 

I threw some water in the little single-cup coffee brewer in my hotel room. Following the "Cooking Directions", I filled Styrofoam cup with the hot water. ...I am not making that up. The 3-steps to making the Cup of Noodles are seriously titled 'Cooking Directions' on the package.


So here's where it gets bad: After my gourmet meal was ready, I realized I did not have a fork. Uh oh. Time to get creative...  

Those 'chopsticks' are actually coffee stirrers - not my proudest moment.

While I am partially impressed by my thriftiness, that was a one-time only ordeal. So this week's Professional Tip Tuesday is what I did differently this week and how it helped me save money and be healthier...

1. I packed a water bottle. 
- I realized I do not drink nearly enough water when I am traveling. This time, I saved room for my water bottle so I would be sure to stay hydrated. Especially when traveling, drinking plenty of water will help keep you feeling healthy.

2. I found food that travels well.

I remembered plastic silverware this time too!

- I stopped by the grocery store and got a little creative before my flight on Monday (pictured below). I almost forgot how delicious an apple and peanut butter can be - these little peanut butter cups are so convenient! Also this oatmeal with flax seed is tasty and filling!
**A grocery store near your hotel is a lifesaver.

3. I read: "Don't be tempted by the menu"
- It's inevitable. That food stash won't be enough and I will have to eat out. I loved the advice in this US News article: Order something standard, like a sandwich or a salad without even opening the menu. ..But don't forget to treat yourself every now and then! :)

So how do you stay healthy on the road? Comment below!

PTT: Eat Smart at Work

Professional Tip Tuesday
A colleague and I decided the Freshman-15 in college is a joke. It's more like the Young Professional 15.

I think figuring out a personal healthy lifestyle is just as much as an adjustment as everything else. It's something I am still working hard to figure out. And with the holidays approaching, it's top priority on my list of New Years Resolutions.  

                                

Step 1 for me is eating healthy - and that can be a huge challenge during the workday. Between on-the-go lunches, snacking like crazy, and traveling, it can be tough to make good choices. Below are a few tips I have found and try to do myself. 

• Pick a sensible, but filling breakfast. Fix yourself something to get your day started off right. I am not too hungry when I first wake up - but I don't want to skip the most important meal of the day. I usually bring something that's easy to eat at the office. 
• My go-to is oatmeal. I just pack some of the dry oats in a little baggie with a pinch of brown sugar. Whenever I get hungry, I toss it into a cup and pour in some hot water. Another easy thing I have done is an egg bake if I have time on Sunday. For that just mix a few eggs, load in the vegetables, and throw it in a casserole dish - just bake on 350 and you are set for the week! 

• Structure your snacks. It can be easy to get carried away with the snacking during the day. I know I do it. Sometimes you just want to munch on something while you are working! But it's much better to pack a little snack bag of something that gives you energy and is filling. 
• I usually pack unsalted almonds, a granola bar, or apples and peanut butter. I give myself 2 mini snack bags for morning and afternoon. And as an added bonus, those snacks also help the day go a little faster!
• Pack your own lunch. Try and bring a lunch as much as possible. If you plan out your meals in advance, you have more control over what you are eating and portion size. If you are anything like me, whenever I buy my lunch at the cafeteria I feel like I should eat it all! 
• There are lots of easy, healthy lunch recipes all over the internet - check out Pinterest for inspiration. Here's a link to a bunch of quick options from The Food Network: Healthy Eats! 
• But do you really deserve a treat? One of my biggest downfalls is the "I have been working hard and deserve a treat" mentality. Avoid the vending machine and try and to control the urge. A Brazen Life article refers to these as the "cost free calories" - we tend to think those calories don't count because we 'earned' it. The author said, do what you need to do to break that mentality! 
• The author of that article says, "find a way to remind yourself of your health goals". Whether it's a sticky note on your desk or a having a 'buddy system' with a co-worker to help you resist, do your best to not indulge all the time. **Of course we do need a little sweet treat every now and then - don't totally deprive yourself! Just make it more of a special occasion sort of thing :)

Work accounts for a huge portion of your day. Being a little more conscious of what we eat at work can help significantly control a healthy lifestyle! So what are your tips for eating healthy in the workday? Comment below.