REWATCH SUPERMAN and Nine Other Unusual Pandemic Suggestions

Everyone and their mother seems to be writing all their survival tips for the CoVID-19 outbreak, so. . .I thought I would give some that maybe you haven’t heard. In other words, if you need to hear, “Wash your hands and don’t touch your face!” again, then. . .Please, do read that. . .But from a different blog. This one isn’t that.

Please note that I am not a politician, health care professional, or scientist. These are all my own opinions.

THE FACTS

Be sure to visit www.cdc.gov for expert updates and information on all things CoVid-19.
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MY THOUGHTS

1. Rewatch “Superman.” “Which one?” you ask? “The only one,” I answer. 1978 “Superman: The Movie” starring Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. My self-righteous nostalgia aside, I recommend it primarily because not only does it fly (pun intended) right in the face of the overblown cynicism pervading our current educational systems, news outlets, social media, entertainment, and culture; not only does it make you feel good about being alive; not only are the soundtrack themes and archetypal tropes inspirational and aspirational; but also the whole thing just overwhelms you with a bold sense of hope. Hope is always on the way. Hope is the default. Plus, it’s just a really fun movie with ground-breaking special effects—back before CGI turned superhero movies into dime-a-dozen, dark, obnoxious video games. And you don’t have to be a sci-fi fantasy nerd to “get” it. It’s a great movie to sit and watch by yourself, with friends, or your family. It’s just a really really great movie. And it’s really relevant right now in a way that the newer Superman movies seriously aren’t. Maybe people today are entertained by Henry Cavill or Brandon Routh. But everyone wanted to be Christopher Reeve in the 80s. Rewatch this movie to remember why.

True, flying and x-ray vision are ridiculous and impossible. That’s not the point. The point is that we all have power within ourselves to help those around us and make a difference in others’ lives. As Superman says at the end of the movie, “We’re all part of the same team!” Is that naive? Is it ignorant? Or is it exactly what we need? Superman caused literally zero of the problems that he fixed; yet in one instant duty called—and a split second later, he was mission-bound in the air! Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself or pointing jaded fingers at Catch 22 decisions is never the answer. This epidemic is not easily figured out. Instead, focus on being a Superman to someone else. You have that power. For some reason we have come to think of the “Overgrown Boy Scout” ideal of the 1940s and 50s as lame and passé. It’s not. There is nothing cooler than being the one to put your desires aside and help—not boss around, not self-righteously nitpick, not repeat clever slogans, not garner a fresh social media following, but actually help—in a crisis. Nothing cooler than that.

2. Learn something. Of course this is a great time to catch up on reading and even to take an online course in something that interests you. But what I’m really referring to is asking yourself: What can I learn from this quarantine? Only a fool comes away from crisis as a lesser, defeated human being. Even if it’s something simple like learning to spend less on eating out or not shelling out hundreds of dollars a month on your hair and nails. This is part of the reason I like experiences like camping. I get too coddled and high-maintenance when my life is business-as-usual. After camping a few times, I’ve learned to wear less makeup, for instance. Think of this experience like camping, if you have to. What have you been doing in your life that has been unnecessary and weighing you down? Now is the time to learn how to get rid of it and focus on something better. Time for a G.K. Chesterton quotation!

“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.
In inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”

3. Go outside more. Not to public places, of course. I mean, the outdoors. If you know me, you know that I am an indoor-junkie. But—divulging one life lesson from the past two weeks—I have learned that I really need to go outside more. The sun and I are not usually on speaking terms, due to my serious lack of melanin; however, desperate times call for desperate measures! Sunlight elevates emotional state and vitamin D helps absorb other vitamins (which you should be taking daily). There is so much research on why the outdoors is good for you, that I’m not going to waste time boring you with all of them. Just do it! If I can spurn my vampire-like tendencies, you can go outside too.

Furthermore, if your kids are getting on your nerves, send them outside! The outdoors is a new alien territory to them, I realize, but kids are actually made to go outside. Playing in the dirt and being in the sun is really good for their bodies for a variety of reasons. Make sure that you and they wear some kind of SPF, though. Skin cancer is a thing.

4. Do cardio, but save the fad diets for later. We all wish we could lose a few pounds. I get it. Right now, I’m trying to work off 15lbs myself. However, your body needs fat to fight infection. Unless you are morbidly obese (which can put you into the “high risk” category for this virus), skip the fat-loss diets for the moment. Ketosis may not be your friend right now. Also, opt for cardio workouts as opposed to yoga or Pilates. Of course, be mindful of your age and health concerns before doing exercise. But remember that a healthy heart, strong muscles, and clear lungs are your best assets right now. Take care of yourself. You’re not any good to yourself or others if you are sedentary in your social distancing. Personally, I hate sweating and I loathe running. However, I have recently added short bursts of running into my daily cardio routine. I increase these bursts more and more each day. I like to visualize Young Clark Kent outrunning the train for motivation. It’s like being a kid again. It’s fun!

Plus, the more you run past the windows of fellow quarantine-ers, the more you motivate them to follow suit. Ironically, this is exponentially more motivational the less athletic you were to begin with! When Michael Phelps runs past your window, you tend to write it off. But. . .I ask you: Is there anything more motivational in a pandemic than seeing someone who is clearly out of breath, pushing herself up that hill for the fourteenth day in a row?

5. Tithe. Money is tight right now. However, if you are a Christian and usually tithe, keep tithing. If you are a Christian and rarely tithe, start tithing regularly. If you are a Christian and have never tithed, I bet you are terrible with money and never seem to have enough: This is because you don’t tithe. It is a fact that we live in a cursed world (i.e. CoVID-19). This includes your money. However, God says that you can protect your money from this curse if you give him the “first fruits.” (Read: First—not last—ten percent of your paycheck.) Malachi 3:8-12 explicitly explains that not only do you lift the curse by tithing, but also that you can actually test God with this. When does God ever say it’s okay to test Him? Like...never. Except for tithing! I am here to tell you that once I started tithing, my finances and overall well-being have significantly improved. Is everything perfect all the time? No. But my life is better because of tithing. Part of the reason our nation has thrived is because there are people inside it that give to churches and charities regularly. Now is not the time to feel greedily victimized and faithlessly hoarding of finances. If you give regularly to your church and or charities, keep doing it. If you haven’t yet—no time like the present.

If you are not a Christian, become a Christian and tithe.

6. Take collagen. All this hand-washing can strip your hands of natural oils. While lotion may seem like the obvious antidote, it can also trap bacteria and viruses onto your skin. If you take collagen, though, you can moisturize your skin from the inside out. Some people like to use collagen powder, but I hate the taste. I take it in pill form. Take the recommended amount, or you are wasting your time. The really good ones require you to take three or four pills per daily serving. That may seem like too many pills, but you gotta think, this is not only for your face and hands, but it’s also for your whole body. I’ve taken collagen for a few years now, and my skin always feels like it has lotion on it. It takes about a month of daily doses before you see results.

I’m not going to recommend a brand, because most of the time I buy the most inexpensive version with the best reviews, and the prices fluctuate from month to month. I’m assuming that if you can read this post, you know how to do a simple Google search and buy things on Amazon. Also, I’ve learned that my body builds up a tolerance to brand loyalty. I get better results by changing brands periodically.

7. Save the essential oils for later. They may be microbial. They may help calm simple respiratory symptoms. They aren’t going to keep you from contracting a highly contagious virus. Don’t count on them as your one-stop-shop for health. If you are showing tell-tale CoVID-19 symptoms, call the doctor.

8. If you’ve lost your job, look for pandemic work. Some people are being furloughed from their jobs right now. Some are even being laid off as companies go into self-preservation mode. If you find yourself having to take a pay cut, or without pay entirely, start Googling pandemic job opportunities and/or work-at-home jobs. Grocery stores are hiring shelf stockers right now. Online businesses need delivery people. Hospitals need emergency helpers. This won’t be forever, but it will help you pay the bills and buy necessities. You can also be a Superman helping society in a time of great need.

9. Don’t depend on the government. For that matter, don’t depend on anyone except God and yourself. Now is not the time to go looking for and counting on handouts. I know the government is working on a stimulus right now. Don’t count on it. What if something happens at the last second, and you don’t get it? What if you get it and five minutes later it gets stolen? What if it ends up being grossly under what you were expecting? You need to learn to live within your means—especially right now.

10. Fast and pray. While not everyone should fast right now because of health reasons, if you are able, consider fasting. (It saves money on food for one thing!) But also, it shows God and yourself that you are serious about your prayers. Any time I have fasted and prayed, I have had amazing outcomes in my life. It’s not easy, and that’s the main reason why you should do it. Life isn’t easy, and especially not right now. And, frankly, I think pursuing ease in a time of total uncertainty is a fool’s errand. Up till five seconds ago, we lived in the easiest, wealthiest, freest society that had ever graced the planet, and it yet existed simultaneously with a prevailing zeitgeist riddled with entitlement and discord! It seems to me that only when life is rough do we learn our greatest lessons and achieve our greatest breakthroughs. Besides, is anyone ever happy in a martyr syndrome? Are you willing to let go of some of your convenience and comfort and learn something truly amazing about God and yourself? Only people who have fasted and prayed before can begin to grasp what that means. And you are free to venture into this “other side” at any point. And you are free to return to it and venture deeper each time. All you have to do is put down the fork for a second and pick up a Bible.

Your own personal Fortress of Solitude, as it were.

The End

How I Lost Weight

By now, I'm sure you have heard the definition of insanity to be: Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. This is ever so true in life, but I find it especially true when it comes to weight loss. If you yourself are finding weight loss to be too much of a challenge, I hope you will try some of my ideas listed below. I am not a doctor nor a medical professional. I am just a person who used to weigh 160 (or more) pounds, and lost 35. These are just tricks that have worked for me. You may hate some of these ideas, but. . .if you've never done them and you are overweight, it's worth a shot, right?

1. You HAVE to change your mindset. - If you don't expect to lose weight, you aren't going to. Making excuses like, "I'm too old" or "I've always been a heavy" or "skinny people have it easy" or "it's genetics" are lies that are trying to hold you back. Yes, there are thyroid issues and genetic eventualities we all deal with--and some people's metabolisms are more efficient than others. The reality in general, however, is that most people eat too much but don't want to give up eating too much. If you are overweight, I'm asking you to see yourself in that last category. I know it's harsh of me, but I'm saying this from experience, and I want you to experience freedom. Lying to yourself with excuses takes all your power away. Being honest with yourself is the first step in weight loss freedom.


2. Weight doesn't come off quickly. - It took me about a year to lose all that weight, but I have maintained it for almost three years. Fad diets and pills are going to claim (and often give money-back guarantees) if you don't lose "X" amount within a week or two. The main problems with this sort of regimen are that (1) it doesn't help you maintain your goals because it is not a long-term plan; (2) long-term continuation of these plans robs the user of actual nutrition; (3) outrageous claims take all the power away from the user when it's the user who needs to take responsibility for his/her weight.

I would maybe use one of these programs to jump start your weight loss, but if you are committed to long-term health, you are going to have to change your mindset and eating habits forever.


3. You HAVE to change your eating habits. - It's scientific and observable that if you are eating a certain way and weight isn't coming off, you need to make more drastic changes. This is probably the hardest yet most beneficial thing to do--even more than exercise--simply because you HAVE to eat every day whether or not you exercise. If you are serious about weight loss, you will have to be less sedentary at some point, but you can start eating the right way right now before you figure out what exercise works for you! Once you start eating healthy, maintain that! Don't look at weight loss as something you do for a little while and then go back to old habits.


4. Invest in a bathroom scale. - Digital is better than analog. (Digital is more accurate, and it's too easy to mess with the calibration of an analog scale. Cheating ALWAYS happens. It's human nature.) Honestly, when I weighed 160 pounds, I had no idea I weighed that much and likely would never have gained all that if I'd had a bathroom scale to keep me accountable. Nowadays, I step on the scale every morning and use that information to plan my eating for the day. At first, stepping on a scale was really depressing (and sometimes after a vacation it still is), but I use the information to empower me, not destroy me. If I happen to be up 5 pounds, I know what my eating plan should be for the next week or two. If I've reached a plateau in my weight and I still need to lose more, I know that I need to make another drastic change. See your scale as your tool, not your enemy; and use it every day.


5. Get out of the mindset of "cheats" and rewarding yourself with food. - Stop rewarding yourself with food. Plain and simple. If you have achieved the next level of weight loss, the worst thing you could do is to repack yourself with calories. Consider this analogy: I had trouble with stabbing myself in the eye. One day, I went the entire day without stabbing myself in the eye. To reward myself, I stabbed myself in the eye.

See how lunatic that is? High calorie food is proven to be detrimental to weight loss and overall health, and yet we love it so much we use it specifically for celebration! Think about it. When do you eat the most? The holidays! When do you eat cake? Birthdays! Back in the olden days, cakes, ice cream, and candy were all reserved for once a year at the fair. Nowadays, most Americans have two or three tubs of ice cream in their freezers and feel they need dessert after EVERY meal. And we wonder why we are overweight!

If you achieve a goal in your personal weight loss, please consider rewarding yourself with something other than food. Don't allow this advice to start another vice, however! Taking yourself out for a shopping spree every time you meet a goal can be just as detrimental! Consider these options: Go for a nature walk, explore a new part of town, take a bubble bath, watch an episode of your favorite show, etc.. Americans need to relearn the art of denying oneself vs. gratifying oneself. We used to understand it years ago--back when we were skinnier.

A REALLY great and healthy way to reward yourself that I learned from my aunt-in-law who did Weight Watchers is to carry around the weight you lost for a few minutes. In other words, if you lost 5 pounds, find something that weighs 5 pounds and carry that around for a while. (A great place to do this is in the grocery store with flour or sugar bags.) Five pounds doesn't sound like a lot at first, but after a few minutes of carrying it around, you are going to notice how much it really is. Mentally congratulate yourself that you are no longer being weighed down by it!....But don't reward yourself with food!


6. Everyone's body is different. - This brings up the age-old frustration: Men lose weight faster than women. If you are a woman, like me, this information can easily turn into an excuse. Don't let it. Realize that your body is almost magical because it has the ability to grow another life (or even multiple lives) inside of it. Because of that amazing fact, your body holds onto fat longer. That layer of fat is also what gives you a beautiful, softer form. At some point, you need to embrace things about your body instead of hating them. Always remember that (1) girls in magazines are airbrushed and (2) everybody gets older eventually.

If you need competition to help you "stay in the game," refuse to compare yourself to a photoshopped ideal. Instead, compare yourself to yourself. If you are 50 pounds heavier than you used to be, look at pictures of yourself when you were thinner as motivation.

(Also, I encourage you to look into www.dressingyourtruth.com. It's uncanny how wearing the wrong colors can actually add pounds to your appearance. I don't make any money off this, so don't let that little thought stop you from looking into it.)


7. Don't eat fast food. - I have heard lots of people complain about weight loss, and yet they eat fast food. Remember that documentary "Super Size Me," about that guy who was in the peak of health who committed to eat McDonalds every day for every meal for a month? By the end of the month, his body literally started shutting down. Yeah. So. One of the main things I remember from watching it is that health care professionals now consider eating fast food once a week as "excessive." Consider that if you are overweight but eat fast food a few times a week. ONCE A WEEK IS EXCESSIVE. Let that sink in, and please stop doing it to yourself.


8. Portion control. - If you don't have a good handle on what portion control means, do this: eat half of what you normally eat. (This is especially good for people who I am never going to convince to eat vegetables.) If you aren't going to eat healthily, at least eat less. I really suggest limiting meats, pastas, sugar, and salt. When I personally eat those four things, I find it really hard to lose weight. Eating vegetables (especially raw ones) is not easy at first, but vegetables are really the only food that have any nutrients. I know there is protein in meat, but there is also protein in beans, nuts, quinoa, and flax seed--without the saturated fat.


9. Adding vegetables to your diet, doesn't erase a bad diet. - I know lots of people who think that vegetables are there to counteract the bad stuff. This mindset will keep you fat. Just because you ate a bag of carrots after you ate a hamburger isn't going to magic the hamburger away. Replace the hamburger with the carrots, or at least eat half the hamburger and half the carrots. If you see a diet as "both and" instead of "either or," you are going to have trouble.


10. Stop grazing. - I know just about every health magazine promotes this idea that you can eat continuously all day and somehow lose weight, and honestly you can...if you do it right. The problem is that most people do it wrongly. When a person hears, "You get to eat all day long!" they inevitably end up including bad stuff or large portions and then throw some apples in there so they can feel good about themselves. If you graze--and if you are serious about losing weight--only eat small portions of healthy food. In a few weeks, when you HAVEN'T lost any weight, consider not grazing.


11. Consider skipping a meal. - I know this goes against everything you've heard, but it works for me. It has also worked for other people I know. We have all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you are not losing weight, try scrapping that advice. Instead, drink water all morning until your first bowel movement. (I know, it's gross to talk about. Sorry.) Once that is done, continue seeing how long you can go before eating breakfast. (When I leave for work in the morning, I pack my breakfast in my lunch bag to eat later vs. eating while running out the door.) Sometimes, I skip breakfast entirely. Sometimes lunch. Sometimes my lunch ends up being my dinner. If you live in America and you are rich enough to read this on the internet, you really don't have to eat as much as you think.


12. Exercise. - This is really hard for most people, because most people think they are too busy. If you have an hour to "crash" on the couch after work and watch T.V., you have plenty of time to exercise. Consider multi-tasking. Why not exercise while you watch T.V.? I blogged about a T.V. exercise plan here if you want some ideas. If you take care of children, why not get them to be active along with you? They will sleep better. (Entice, entice...)

I say "an hour" because if you are really serious about losing weight, it's gonna take an hour of sweating. I know there are all these "20 minute" workouts out there, and yes, 20 minutes is way better than none at all. But I say again, if you are SERIOUS about weight loss, it's gonna take an hour at least 3-5 times a week.


13. If you are female, it is likely you won't lose any weight for a month or so. - Personally, it took me about three months before any of my weight would budge. Again, it has to do with the fact that women's bodies don't give up fat easily. It's okay, though. Stick with it and it will happen. Be kind to yourself and don't cheat.


14. Green smoothies. - Whether you skip a meal or not, you really need to replace one of your meals with a green smoothie. First of all, all vegetables have nutrients, but most of us never unlock those nutrients because they are enclosed within the cell walls of the plant. Chewing releases barely any of these nutrients and so most vegetation simply passes through our bodies as roughage. A blender or juicer breaks these cell walls and releases essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

I was surprised when I started replacing my dinners each day with a smoothie. I thought they wouldn't ever satisfy me and I would be hungry after. Amazingly, I find them hard to finish most of the time.

I know lots of people think they hate vegetables. If this is the case for you, consider that maybe you need to open the possibility that there are vegetables out there that you do like. (For me, I can never get enough avocado.) From there, start adding more and more variations. I say variations, because if you get stuck in the rut of just doing kale, avocado, and lime juice, say, your body isn't getting all the nutrients it needs from other vegetables. Be willing to explore the produce section. If money is an issue, only buy what is on sale that week.

You can be creative with your smoothies, but remember vegetables are better than fruits in this situation, because they have way more vitamins, minerals, and enzymes and fruits are packed with sugar. (Yes, it's good sugar, but to a diabetic for instance, it's still sugar.) A quick Google search will uncover thousands of green smoothie recipes, if you need ideas. Always remember to add some nuts or soaked beans for protein, though.


15. Regrow your good bacteria. - If you are coming from a diet of carbs and fats and switch "cold turkey" to vegetables, your stomach and intestines are going to hurt, then you are going to think this is just a load of crap, and you are going to go back to your bad diet. This is mostly owing to the fact that bad food has killed the good bacteria and fed the bad in your stomach. You will need to get some probiotics into your system to regrow this good bacteria. You can spend lots of money on the pill forms of probiotics, or you could just do what I do: a dollop of plain unsweetened yogurt on my frozen fruit-laden oatmeal in the morning and a spoonful of either sauerkraut, red cabbage, or kimchi in my green smoothie at night. (A great side effect of regrowing and feeding the good bacteria is that your body will eventually stop craving bad food so much.)


16. Organic potato chips...are still potato chips. - A lovely change that farmers have started making is the switch to organic farming. It's true that pesticides and hormones cause health problems in consumers. However, it is also really easy to lie to yourself and buy high calorie food simply because the label reads, "organic." Here is a great rule of thumb: Organic is great, but if it's in a box or bag. . .it's not that great. If you eat organic all the time, but aren't losing weight, consider changing your mindset here.


17. You are going to reach plateaus. - As I've said, I've lost 35 pounds over the course of a year. It didn't all happen at once. Again as I've said, I didn't lose anything for the first three months. After that, I lost five pounds right away. Then I lost another ten and my body stopped losing weight for awhile. I had reached a plateau. It was depressing because I was still 145 and I wanted to be 120 (which I'm still not, but that's okay). At that point, I had to take account of what methods I was using and then be willing to change them even more. I lost another 10. Plateau. Change. Lost another 5. Plateau. At this point, I'd lost 30 pounds, weighing 130. Those last five were by far the hardest to lose, and I still wish I could lose five more past that, but the grass is always greener, right? I am happy that I was able to lose 35 pounds, and I will work to maintain it. (Honestly, I could probably lose another five if I really really worked at it, but I enjoy food as much as the next guy, and I find a life of total deprivation to be not a happy one.)


18. Cut back on caffeine. - I know there are studies that show that drinking caffeine in the morning can help you lose weight or whatever. Maybe in certain ways it can, but once I personally cut back on caffeine, I saw a big difference in my weight loss. I used to drink two or three cups of coffee every morning. Then my husband and I decided to do the "Daniel Fast" one time (21 days of eating only fruits and vegetables and drinking only water). That first week I had major headaches, nausea, and just depressing feelings like my best friend had died or something. After that first week, I felt more energetic than I had in years. (I know it was cutting the caffeine that did it because Billy and I were already eating mostly fruits and vegetables up to that point.) Listen, I still have a cup of coffee now and again--especially on vacation at restaurants--but at home and whenever it's possible, I drink decaf or none at all. I know decaf still has trace amounts of caffeine and doesn't taste as amazing as regular, but it works for me. I never want to go back to caffeine dependence.

Another reason I suggest cutting back on caffeine for weight loss is because it does "jump start" you. That sounds contradictory, but hear me out. Drinking it in the morning is almost acceptable (even though you still develop and addiction), because it "wears off" during the day. However, especially if you enjoy drinking it in the afternoon, it is going to directly effect how you sleep. Maybe you don't notice it and fall right to sleep even if you drink it an hour before bed, but studies show your body doesn't sleep well if there is caffeine running through your veins. Sleeping well is a crucial part of weight loss. If your body isn't totally asleep, it can't run through necessary repair/immunity functions. If it doesn't do these functions well, you will develop chronic problems over time--weight loss being the least of these.

P.S. You know if you stop drinking soda (even diet), you will lose like 10-15 pounds right away, don't you? Okay. Just making sure you knew that.


19. As you age, you will need to try new methods. - It can be depressing to think, "Gosh, why can't I just eat the way I used to when I was 25?" Don't think like that. Your body is going to keep changing and metabolizing differently. Honestly, this is why that bathroom scale can be your best investment. Stay on top of your weight, and be willing to make sacrifices if you need to. You can actually prolong a youthful metabolism and reverse age-related diseases if you feed it a majority of raw fruit and vegetables with beans and nuts for protein.


20. Honestly answer the question: Which do I love more? Eating or Exercise? - The answer to this question is very indicative of who weighs more and who doesn't. If you can't give up eating, and you refuse to exercise, you need to start finding things to love about being fat and embrace them. There is nothing more frustrating than a person who complains that they are fat, but can't pass a candy dish without taking one or two.

If you dare, do this little practice to strengthen your will-power: Buy a bag of your favorite chocolates and put them in a highly accessible place in your house. Open it but don't take any. Whenever you pass the bag and you feel a craving, go to the refrigerator and eat a baby carrot or grape. Keep the bag accessible and open. When you have people over, let them take whatever they want. Observe them. Observe yourself when they take them. Are you angry? Are you jealous? Are you sad? If you are, candy has become your master. Congratulate yourself every day when you don't give into the candy, and keep losing weight! You really can do it.

You really really can.



The End

Pack This, Not This: 20 Travel Tips for the Jet-Set Woman

These tips are mostly for women, but I know a few men who could stand to pack a lot lighter. The trick is prior planning. Usually it helps if you lay everything out on the floor so you can see every item and then ask yourself, "If I have this item, do I really need this one?"

1. DO pack hotel shampoos, conditioners, soap, etc. DON'T pack store-bought travel size amenities.

The reason: Hotel amenities are generally smaller and you easily can throw them away if you need to. This may sound cheap, but if you spend a night in a hotel, ask the front desk for any of those extra things they have on hand. Usually, you can stock up on travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, etc. (Fun Fact: Hotel shampoo is mild enough to double as facewash and laundry soap for your undies.)


2. DO wear only one basic color. DON'T mix black and brown or gold and silver.

The reason: If you stick to one color scheme, you will cut down on the amount of shoes you have to bring to match. Shoes take up way too much room in a carry on. I even limit myself to one or two basic colors for all my clothes so I can mix and match with fewer pieces.


3. DO wear your heaviest stuff on the plane. DON'T even wear/pack jeans.

The reason: Roll up a pair of jeans and put it inside your carry on. See how much room they take up? Even if you wear your jeans on the plane (which is super uncomfortable), you are going to have to put them somewhere during the trip eventually. You could pack two pairs of Capri tights and three short jersey dresses in the same space as a pair of jeans. You can get away with skinny jeans if they are very thin, but regular jeans are a dead give away that you don't travel very often.

Wearing your heaviest stuff on the plane means wearing your bulkiest shoes and a light cardigan or jacket tied around your waist. Planes get cold and wearing your jacket means less in your carry on.


4. DO pack simple hiking pants with zipper pockets. DON'T pack hiking pants with those cargo pockets on them, elastic pulls, or too many embellishments.

The reason: If a pair of pants has cargo pockets on them, you automatically limit what you can wear on top to simply hiking/casual. If you wear a basic pair of micro fiber hiking pants with zipper pockets at the hip and no other embellishments, you can wear not only a T-shirt for a day hike, but also a dressier top for a night out. I say "hiking pants" because they are generally lightweight, have zipper hip pockets, and are very durable for years to come. A good investment. Check Goodwill and ebay before you go to REI.


5. DO pack flip flops (black or brown to your color scheme). DON'T pack funky colored flip-flops.

The reason: Flip flops are one of the best things to pack because they come in handy every day. They protect your feet from gross hotel floors as well as being alternative (and highly packable) outdoor foot wear that you can wear not only with a casual pair of pants and shirt, but also with a cute dress. Don't pack funky colored or patterned flip flops because you won't be able to use them as much.


6. DO pack "broken in" shoes. DON'T EVER pack new shoes.

The reason: Even if you hate your "old stand-bys," the difference between a good trip and a bad trip is a blister away. When most people travel, they do more walking than usual. If you wear new shoes, you WILL get a blister, and this makes the trip not only bad for you, but also for all your travel companions.


7. DO pack mini electric hair tools or none at all. DON'T pack regular sized hair tools.

The reason: Put your full-size hair dryer and styling iron in your carry on. Look how big they are. Either bring little ones or don't bring them at all. An even better idea is to experiment with "travel hair" a few days/weeks in advance. I normally have bangs that I have to straighten, but when I travel, I just pin them back with bobby pins. Guess the difference in size of a bobby pin compared to a hair dryer!

If you do pack travel styling tools, makes sure they can convert 110-240 volts. A super great item that I found recently is a travel-sized wet/dry flat iron that converts 110-240 volts by ConAir. I don't even need a hair dryer with this little gem!


8. DO pack an international plug adapter kit. DON'T pack a voltage converter.

The reason: A crappy voltage converter doesn't take up much room, but a decent one is pretty big. Every small converter I've ever bought has gotten blown the first time I plugged it in, so I stopped buying them. Instead, just check the plugs on your electrical appliances and see if they read "110-240 volts." If they do, then your voltage will automatically convert anywhere in the world, and all you really need is the correct plug for whatever country you are visiting. Look up the plug before you get there and bring only that plug--not the whole kit. That way, you won't risk losing your whole kit and you can save a little more room.


9. DO bring a wi-fi smart phone or small tablet. DON'T bring a regular cell phone, laptop, book, or external speaker.

The reason: Leave your cell phone in your car at the airport, because you won't get reception out of the country. (Even third-world countries have wi-fi hotspots, so why not Skype on your Nook or Kindle if you absolutely have to talk to someone?)  A laptop takes up way too much room and you have to fumble with it to get through security. Instead of bringing paper books, you can download ebooks onto your tablet or smart phone. (If you don't want to pay for books, find a library app and borrow the books for free.) Extra speakers are just another thing to worry about and most tablets and smart phones have external speakers now. Remember to pack your USB charging cord and a USB/wall plug (110-240v) to charge your tablet or smartphone.


10. DO wear layers if you are traveling from a hot place to a cold place or vice versa. DON'T bring a winter coat or long sleeved shirts.

The reason: What are you going to do with your coat when you don't need it? You will have to lug it to the airport or else you will have to lug it on your trip. Neither of those is fun. Instead of a coat, layer a nice wool cardigan (you never know if you will eat a nice dinner in a place where they crank the a.c.), one or two fleece hoodies (Fleece is lightweight and warm. The hood will cover your head in lieu of a hat.), a rain/windbreaker jacket on the outside (offers snow and rain protection), and a sarong as a scarf (can also be a swim suit cover up, a clean sheet/pillow case in a scary hotel situation, a laundry bag, etc!). Make sure all these layers are in colors that go with the rest of your clothes. Make sure every layer is something you could wear by itself in a given situation. Also, make sure every layer is relatively thin and pack-able  Also, pack the thinnest, warmest gloves you can find. Only pack a fold-able, warm hat if the hoods of your hoodies are insufficient.

**If you are traveling to a cold place to a cold place, a winter coat makes sense. However, even if you are traveling from hot to hot, you should still bring lightweight layers because. . .you never know. For instance, even though most deserts are quite hot during the day, the nights are quite chilly. Seriously, leave long-sleeved shirts at home unless you are in a cold place the entire time. Nothing is more uncomfortable than having a layer you can't remove during a sudden heatwave--long-sleeved shirts put you in this position.


11. If you travel to a cold place: DO pack a rain jacket. DON'T pack an umbrella.

If you travel to a hot place: DO pack an umbrella. DON'T pack a raincoat.

The cold reason: The jacket will keep you warmer and you will have your hands free. When I say "rain jacket," I'm talking about one of those really thin outer shells. Don't bring anything lined, because it takes up too much room in your luggage. If you are really cold, wear another layer underneath.

The hot reason: Bring an umbrella with SPF in it and it will double as a sun guard as well as a rain guard. Get as small a one as you can find that will fit into a purse or daypack.


12. DO pack a few pairs of underwear. DON'T pack too many.

The reason: Pack two clean pairs in addition to the ones you are wearing. When you are done with your current pair, you can wash them in a sink (with a bit of shampoo) and hang them to dry while you wear the second pair, and the third one can be ready for the next day (and in case you have a day when you can't wash one). Don't pack cotton underwear because they take forever to dry. Companies make travel underwear, but they are usually really expensive. Simple polyester or mesh ones dry super fast. It may sound gross to wash them out in the sink, but I think it's super gross to have 20 pairs of dirty underwear in your luggage to take home, so there! Plus, I know underwear is small, but stack 20 next to 3 and you will see the difference. Do the same with socks--polyester ankle socks work best.


13. DO pack a microfiber bra. DON'T pack underwire.

The reason: Underwire bras are super uncomfortable when you are traveling. Also, they get smashed and bent out of shape in tightly packed luggage. Furthermore, they take up tons of room. Fortunately, there is a great solution: microfiber bras.

If you are larger, go to www.ahhbra.com to see what I'm talking about. If you are smaller, go to www.shopcoobie.com. (Money Saver: They sell knock offs of both kinds on ebay, at Dollar General, and at Walmart.) Both versions kinda resemble sports bras only are far more comfortable. Some of them have removable straps and padding to go with a range of outfits. They also wash out in a sink quite easily and dry within a day. You could pack three of them in the same amount of space as one underwire, and they will never get smooshed out of shape!


14. DO pack your toiletries in one clear plastic baggie in your purse. DON'T stuff it way down in your carry on.

The reason: Your purse is easier to open than your carry on. Ostensibly this baggie should be the only thing you have to put in the plastic bin except your shoes and jacket, because remember how you aren't packing your laptop? People hate getting behind other people who aren't prepared to go through security. Why make enemies if you don't have to?

Another useful tip: I find that a plastic baggie isn't the best shape or size when I'm on a trip over a week long. Listen, I can pack light, but I'm still a girl, and girls require a lot of liquids and gels to stay looking nice. If you go to the makeup section of Big Lots or Walmart, you should be able to find a reusable, clear zipper cosmetic travel bag with a sticker that says, "Airline Approved" on it. I've had the same one for years.

15. DO pack your clothes by rolling them. DON'T fold them.

The reason: For some reason, rolling your clothes takes up less room than folding. I usually line the bottom of my carry on with all my clothes (thin jersey dresses/big T-shirts and thin pants/capri tights) and then pack the other stuff on top. I can pack up to 20 outfits with three layers and still have room for the rest of my stuff and any souvenirs I might buy. You HAVE to think "thin," to do this. Don't pack anything bulky.


16. DO pack an eye mask and ear plugs and keep them in your purse. DON'T pack them in your luggage.

The reason: Even if you are a heavy sleeper, slumber on a plane is a whole different ball game from your bed at home. Especially on a long flight, you never know if a random baby is going to start screaming or if a random adult won't know how to control the volume of his/her voice. Keeping these in your purse gives you quick and easy access to a restful flight.


17. DO pack a backpack style purse. DON'T pack a super expensive shoulder bag.

The reason: Shoulder bags are really easy to steal. Expensive ones are major targets. Also, backpack bags distribute weight better for a longer period of time and keep your back from hurting. (Longchamp makes some really cute, fashionable ones). In a sketchy situation, you can wear the backpack on your front and still distribute the weight evenly on your shoulders.

**If you are traveling anywhere third-worldish, do NOT use fashionable luggage/purses! Duck tape only helps in this type of situation.


18. DO pack vitamins and drugs. DON'T pack your whole medicine cabinet.

The reason: Too many pills taken on a plane makes you a target for inspection. My travel first-aid arsenal includes: ibuprofen (doesn't have caffeine, so you can take it at any time of day), melatonin (a regulator of jet-lag without being habit-forming), a multi-vitamin (your immune system hates travel), and anti-bacterial fabric bandaids (fabric ones last longer than plastic). Only pack a few of these in either a travel pill pack or clear plastic baggy. Don't pack all of them in one actual pill bottle. If you are on other pills, talk to your doctor about how to transport them.

19. DO use a travel wallet. DON'T use your regular wallet.

The reason: Only bring one credit card and one debit/ATM card (call the numbers on the backs and explain when and where you will be traveling before you leave). I used to get out cash and change it in the airport, but nowadays ATMs are everywhere--even in developing countries--so don't bring any cash unless you have to. (You actually get a better transfer rate from an ATM as opposed to in the airport, anyway.) Only bring your drivers' license if you will be driving. Keep a copy of all these documents (front and back) and your passport (picture page) in your luggage. I actually keep copy inside the zipper lining of my carry on. The less you have for others to steal, the less you have to worry about.


20. DO use the smallest rolling, expandable carry-on size case you can possibly stand. DON'T use a huge backpack or duffle that you have to carry, and DON'T check any luggage unless you absolutely have to.

The reason: First of all, using the smallest size means you are always going to be compliant with airline luggage standards that are continually diminishing in size. Second, luggage on wheels is always easier to deal with than something you have to lug. Third, an expandable case will allow you some room for souvenirs on the way back. Fourth, most of these cases have a hard shell which helps protect your belongings, whereas a duffle is soft and smashy. Fifth, a rolling case doubles as a foot rest during a long layover! Sixth, anytime you check a bag you are eating into your vacation time with customs, baggage claim, and the awkward maneuvering till you get to your destination. Being jet-set is a liberating feeling!

**Another tip for maximizing small luggage: Bring a large, foldable bag/purse in your carry on. Airlines allow you to have one carry on and one personal item. If you have a large purse stowed in your carry on on the way to your destination, you can always pull it out and put your regular purse, souvenirs, and purchases in it on the way back. This is an especially good idea if your carry on doesn't expand.

Basic Travel Advice

This is just really basic travel advice that I've realized first-hand the past couple of years.

1. When they say to be at the airport two hours in advance of an international flight, they ain't kidding. Especially if it's a big airport, because chances are, you will have to walk for several minutes to get to the desk to check in and sometimes airports can be disorienting. (Plus, they never post clocks.)

2. Always travel with just a carry-on and a backpack/purse if at all possible. You will save money from having to check a bag--yes, I realize that most international flights allow a free checked bag, but just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

        a. Traveling lighter makes you more jet-set. You can just get off the plane and go. Especially if you are taking a subway and then walking to your destination, you will appreciate traveling light.

        b. Airports can't lose your luggage if all your stuff is with you.

        c. It's less to worry about and you can focus on having a good time.

        d. "But I'm a girl and need a bunch of stuff." No, you don't. I'm a girl and I do it all the time. I have a post coming called "Pack This, Not This" to help you do this. It's totally doable; it just takes planning. I even packed like this for my honeymoon and had enough different outfits for two weeks, plus lingerie.

3. If your trip is to somewhere like Asia or parts of South America where you can buy lots of inexpensive gifts, then and only then travel with a checked bag. Make sure to put something in it on the way there, though. Foreign countries hate to see you come in with an empty checked bag, because they think you are coming for purely commercial gain and not paying export taxes. One thing I do is to pack things that I don't want anymore like clothes, pillows, stuffed animals. . .anything that takes up room. Then I just leave that stuff in the foreign country and then store my carry on inside it until I start buying gifts. Another option is to buy your checked bag in the country you visit; however, why spend money when you don't have to?

 4. When you book your flight and you can't afford first-class, pick your seat(s) as far back in the plane as you can. Most people with crying babies will pick seats near the front. Sometimes, there are even empty seats back there and you can spread out a little. If you are concerned about not getting your food in time, then request a special food option when you book your flight. I have been known to request "low sodium" just so I could get my food fast and have the rest of the time to sleep. This isn't good advice if you have a super-short layover or are rushed to get off the plane as soon as you land.

5. If you happen to get a layover in another country or a city you've never experienced, see if you can book a really long layover (6+ hours). Only do this if you can check ahead of time to see if there is easy transportation from the airport into whatever town is nearby. I have seen Taipei, Doha (Qatar), Hong Kong, Lost Angeles, and Honolulu this way. It's like a mini-vacation, and you don't have to spend money on a hotel! Plus, you get another stamp on your passport if it's another country. Some airports even have packages you can buy where someone takes you around sight-seeing for a fee and gets you back before your flight (I've never done that, though, because I'm cheap). I like to book these on the way back from a trip, because it gives me something to look forward to on the way home from a vacation.

6. This may offend people who don't drink, but it's a really easy and cheap way not to get sick. When you travel to a underdeveloped or developing country, hit up the Duty Free before you leave the airport, and buy a shot-size bottle and a bigger bottle of vodka. When you go out during the day, keep the little bottle in your purse or pocket and take a small swig before each meal. When you get back to your hotel, fill it back up with the bigger bottle. When I have done this, I don't get sick; when I don't do this, I get sick. I've also had doctors prescribe me antibiotics before a trip, but vodka works better for some reason.

7. Check cheaptickets.com and priceline.com for the cheapest ticket, then go to the airline's website that has the lowest fare and see if the ticket is even cheaper on the airline's actual site. This doesn't always work, but I have saved a few hundred dollars this way, every once in awhile.

8. Most travelers know this, but in case you don't: Plane tickets cost the most if you fly out on a weekend. Tuesdays and Thursdays are low fare days. Whether you are flying in or out, try to book on these days, but also play around with various days of the week to come up with the cheapest fare. Also, when actually buying a ticket, you will find that tickets are usually cheaper to purchase on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Monday/Thursday is getting into the weekend and airlines know most people shop for tickets on the weekends.

9. When watching a ticket and all of a sudden it seems to be really low, you should buy it. Airline companies will jack it up the next day once they see people are interested. If no one buys it, it may stay the same or maybe even drop, but that's too big a gamble to risk if you find a good price.

10. If you are a white woman and/or in a group of women, don't even think about traveling to a Muslim country unless you book through a tour group. Yes, it seems less experienced to book a tour, but. . .there is no point in proving your traveling prowess if you end up dead. I'm just being honest. Book through a local tour group, not a British or American group. They are smaller, way cheaper, and know how to deal with their own culture first-hand. Check the news before you start planning to school yourself on any possible tensions beforehand.

11. Bother to read about the culture you visit before you go. So many Americans make us all look bad because they don't care how they dress or speak. Listen, People, not everywhere is America! Look up appropriate gestures, eye contact, and dress. Show some respect! If a culture hates to see women's shoulders, guess what, you're not going to teach them all a lesson by wearing a tank top. Don't be an idiot abroad!

12. Pack one or two protein bars. You never know when you will have to miss a meal.

13. Pack a couple dryer sheets. You aren't guaranteed to have access to a laundry facility, and dryer sheets will help freshen a slightly sweaty jacket better than nothing at all. Febreeze is liquid and impractical for travel. Think of others around you and don't be a gross traveling hippie hobo.

Okay, that's all for now!