The Foodie Arrives

Most of you know that when you arrive at your destination by plane, it is wise to know ahead of time your transportation, and hotel arrangements. Not knowing this essential information can result in unnecessary hassles and delays. Knowing what food options are available can be equally important.
When traveling to the hotel the best scenario is when you or a coworker have a rental car. If your business is at an airport hotel you will probably take the hotel shuttle. Some hotel shuttles can take you a few miles to a restaurant or store if you need them to. If you do have a car it is good to know grocery store options before leaving the airport. If there is a Whole Foods or a good grocery store on the way to the hotel it is best to know before passing it. A great web site to help plan your trip is http://www.eatwellguide.org. This site is dedicated to help people find organic and natural foods. You can enter your destination and then restaurants, stores, and farmers’ markets will appear along your route. Another option is using a GPS device. It is best to have an updated one because sometimes the information about local stores will be out of date. Most GPS systems also provide a phone number with the location so call ahead just in case. If your coworker is driving then they will probably be willing to stop at a grocery store. If the exact destination is known and if the store is on the way then it should not be a problem. Saving money and eating healthy warrants a trip to the store.
If a car or shuttle is not an option then you will want to prepare by bringing extra food with you. Many hotel chains now have microwaves and refrigerator units in the rooms. Many others will provide them upon request. If you call before hand then they can usually accommodate your needs. If a refrigerator is not available you should have a cooler, but after a trip to the grocery store it can get quite full. If there is not a microwave in the room there is usually one in the lobby area or even the employees break room. Hotel restaurants are sometimes reluctant about heating up food because of health violations but you can always ask. If there is no microwave to be found then resort to the coffee pot. Have extra ziplocs and immerse the food with two ziplocs in the hot water. Foods can reheat quickly this way.
There are many meals that can be prepared in the hotel room. Of course the best option is when staying at an extended stay hotel with a full kitchen and a vehicle to a grocery store. So many meals can be prepared from scratch on the stove top. In this case, oil or butter to cook with can be useful. Use this opportunity to find high quality meat or fish and fresh vegetables. If a kitchen is not an option then have prepared meat with you like baked chicken. Also you can bring items like cooked pasta tossed in olive oil or rice. If there is a microwave you can reheat what you brought with you and the items you may have purchased at the store.
You should take a microwavable ceramic plate and metal fork on your trips. There have been too many times when the hotels have only Styrofoam plates that will melt in the microwave. Having your own plate is less wasteful and you will always have a plate to eat on. The plate also serves as a cutting surface. Some packaged foods have containers that are reusable. For example, Anne Chun’s soup bowls come in a biodegradable bowl. You can use the bowl several times during the trip. Extra ziplocs and containers are essential. Items you purchase will need to be sealed once opened.
During your stay try to eat all the liquid items first since you cannot fly back with them. Yogurt, half and half, or any salad dressings need to be consumed before going through any airport security. That is why it is good to make some of your meals using all the liquid items you bought first so you will not waste anything.
At the end of your trip make sure you have something to eat after work for the plane ride or before you board the plane. On your return you might have to rush to catch the last evening flight. You never want to be stuck without food after a long day of work. Some airport restaurants close early or might not even exist so be prepared for your evening meal. In an earlier blog, How to Eat Healthy on the Plane, I mention the kinds of foods that work best on the plane.
When returning home you will feel much healthier since you will have stuck to your diet while on the road. Also, the money and time saved from avoiding eating out every meal is enormous, and it can actually be fun to cook on the road!
Stay tuned for the more blogs about recipes that can be easily prepared in your hotel room.