And just like the end of their vacation, the flamingos were gone too. Anne and LJ were packed and saying good-bye to their hosts, Jim, and Rhonda in the kitchen of their Bermuda home.

“This was the trip from heaven, and just what we needed.” said Annie. Thanks for making snacks to help get us home. The airlines no longer offer meals, and there’s too much plastic waste with purchased food at the airport.”

Rhonda handed Annie two Bombay-toast sandwiches wrapped in beeswax paper. We always make and bring our own.  It guarantees we eat healthy and keep our commitment to be plastic-free.”

LJ laughed, “When I was growing up Mom always had a banana in her purse for one of us cranky kids. It’s still one of the most efficient ways to carry food and get a good dose of its energy boosting and digestive properties as well as potassium that supports blood pressure and heart health. Here are several other tips:

ü  Make your snacks. At least for the first part of your trip recognizing you may not be able to make them on the return trip.  Use Bees Wax wrapping paper and Silicon bags. Both are plastic-free and easy to wash out.

ü  Travel with fresh fruit when it is TSA compliant. Apples, bananas, and oranges all travel well.

ü  Homemade unsalted trail mix is convenient and energy boosting. The salted variety can be dehydrating – not good for long trips.

ü  Carrots, celery, cucumbers, jicama, and snow peas have that satisfying snap and crunch that seems to help quell anxiety and some have hydrating properties.

ü Bring peppermint or ginger tea bags to help alleviate motion sickness and aid digestion.

ü  Bring a water bottle and fill it at an airport water station. Avoid caffeine, soda, and alcohol. All three can adversely affect digestion and are dehydrating. A dehydrated brain at a high altitude can leave you feeling cranky and anxious.

Jim chuckled watching Annie and LJ checking their backpacks, “it appears you two have more than enough food to get home.”

Annie laughed, “We won’t be hungry that’s for sure. Thank you for a wonderful time. You and Rhonda’s version of vitamin sea was just what we needed.”