Travel in reguards to food is a broad topic. It deals with what to eat when you travel, to foods you find when you get there and how to prepare foods in various regions.

When you travel by car over a long distance, it is always best to eat lightly. Fruits and vegetables are good choices to eat on the road. A sub roll filled with a variety of vegetables and maybe a piece of cheese or turkey is my choice. Pack a few grapes and apples for snacks.

Traveling to high altitude – I have experienced altitude sickness when traveling to the Andes mountains. Suffering with a severe headache, nausea and vomiting. I was determined to find a solution so as not to feel this way again. A lot of the problem has to do with what you are eating. The airline on this particular trip served a meal of heavy protein. You should choice a meal of higher carbohydrates at least 70% of your calories. One recommendation is to eat a dark bar of chocolate. Locals make a drink from chocolate that they say helps. Also, keep your body well hydrated throughout your journey.

Travel and cooking at high altitudes – Because atmospheric pressure decreases as the elevation increases, adjustments are necessary in some recipes if they are used at high altitudes. The leavening power of baking powder and the boiling point of liquids are particularly affected.

Food that travel – Almost all of us have had a loved one at sometime in a war in a country like Iraq or Iran. What a wonderful treat to receive a “care package” from home. To my son one year for Thanksgiving, I sent a box filled with dinner supplies. I had in it canned turkey, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, bread and a box of stuffing. There on the desert, they were able to celebrate Thanksgiving. I have shipped pound cakes, rolls, breads and of course many cookies with a great success. Cookies are such a thoughtful, personal gift to send to friends, and they travel so well. Bar cookies, drop cookies and fruit cookies travel much better than the fragile rolled ones.

Everything travels better in a sturdy, heavy box. Line the box with wax paper. Have plenty of filler available. The Styrofoam peanuts work well. Place cookies bottom to bottom and wrap together with wax paper or transparent plastic wrap. Pack a layer of filler in the bottom of the box and cover with wax paper, alternate layers of cookies with filler to the top of box. Fill the box so full that you have to press down to close lid. Wrap box with heavy brown paper and mark it “perishable and fragile”. I wrap my boxes with wide transparent tape. I cover the entire box except a small area where the postage goes.

Travel to restaurants - America’s favorite pastime is trying out new restaurants, and it is certainly mine. It is always best when someone else has already tried it and recommended it to you. A state health inspector told me that”when you go into a restaurant for the first time check out the restroom. If it is in good shape, usually the kitchen is.” I try to follow this for cleanliness, but for the quality of food, we just have to try it. I like to avoid t5he “chain restaurants” and find unique places with unique food.

When I travel of course food is at the top of my priority list. One of my favorite restaurants is the family owned Palm Grill in Mount Dora, Florida. They serve a fried artichoke appetizer “to die for”. The Marion’s Pizza at the Dayton Mall in Ohio is wonderful. I have eaten at some fabulous restaurants in Costa Rica. I must say my favorite food comes out of La Mirage Spa in Cotacachi, Ecuador. Every morsel is carefully designed and prepared. As I travel I will tell you more about these places and many more, and share some of their recipes with you.

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