Kitchen Table Nutrition
Traveling through New York inspires simple pleasures on the road
While traveling through the Finger Lakes region in the Adirondacks of New York, I can’t help admiring the gorgeous front yard gardens on display after a very snowy winter. The tulips and daffodils are in full bloom, whereas these beauties in Northeast Ohio hit their peak a few weeks ago. It is a delight to soak in the wonderful colors of springtime in the rolling Allegheny Mountains.
My husband and I like the back roads. The hilly, windy stretches of pavement weave their way through historic towns, which are now dotted with dollar stores and multiple stop signs. The interstate highway was great to quickly transport us from home to there, but once we found an alternative route, we slowed down from 70 mph to a relaxing and soothing 25-55 mph.
Snacks are an important part of our traveling. We can’t leave home without a jar of peanut butter and a knife. Forgetting the knife is a disaster; we did that once and had to buy a new one along the way. Sturdy and hearty crackers are a must for the passenger to spread the creamy, smooth nut butter while swaying through the twists and turns on a steep grade. Wet wipes are a must; we expect messes!
Nuts mixed with chocolate chips and raisins is an easy and fun high-protein snack. Cheese sticks, jerky and protein bars fill our snack bag to sustain us instead of stopping for lunch.
Apples, grapes, small oranges, baby carrots and blueberries are favorites to quench our thirst and add variety. Topping a peanut butter cracker with fresh fruit provides a delightful variation of a PB and jelly combination.
Pretzels and whole-grain snacks are a must for the munch and crunch required during a long, straight stretch of highway. Dried fruit helps with the common discomfort of disrupted bowel habit while traveling.
Traveling is a treat for all five senses. The sights, the sounds and the feel of new places lure us back to the road year after year. The smell of nature or a city that is different than home sparks our interest and sensitivity to the world around us. The taste of a new restaurant or a sweet snack in the car cannot be replicated in our hometown.
Try to avoid sticky treats while traveling but do not pass up a delectable, sweet treat. Wet wipes, again, are a necessity. Travel with dark chocolate, not milk chocolate or inexpensive chocolate wannabes. The dark variety has a lower melting point, and the rich flavor lasts longer as it melts in your mouth while traveling the long strips of highway.
Fluids are essential during a trip, even if it means multiple stops along the way. Do not drink an excess of caffeinated drinks; these may cause a more urgent need to find a gas station. Fruit drinks, even protein drinks, fulfill a daily need for essential nutrients. Water is the drink of choice to stay hydrated during the drive.
Stop and smell the roses, or daffodils or lilacs, or whatever is blooming during your travels. Remember life can pass you by if you don’t stop to appreciate things that are different from what you are accustomed. Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Bobbie Randall can be reached at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.