Something really great happened to me recently. I won a contest. You probably do not know this about me, but I drive a Smart Car. Smart Canada was hosting a Canada wide contest for Smart Car owners. I had to write a story about why I love my Smart Car and submit it with a picture.
So when I got an email titled “Smart Times Contest Winner.” I thought to myself “nice of them to let us read about the lucky person who won.”
Turns out I was the lucky winner!
The prize was a five-night trip to a beach in Portugal! By the time you are reading this, I will be enjoying my first European beach experience.
While I am beyond excited, I am also thinking about and planning the week that I will be in Portugal. I cannot help but think about how I am going to stay on track on this trip.
I have the airport and flight sorted out already. I will pack some grass fed beef pepperettes, chopped vegetables, my favorite ‘trail mix’ (raw cashews, organic cacao nibs covered in dark chocolate and banana chips made with coconut oil), and probably some grass fed beef jerky. As an aside, Berretta Farms makes a wicked grass fed jerky called Last Rep Clean and Jerky.
It is the time that we are actually in Portugal that is going to be a bit more challenging.
Bread and pastries are a staple part of Portuguese cuisine. This is one of those tough situations where I am torn between wanting to really experience the culture and not wanting to put a bunch of toxic food in my body.
Beyond that dilemma, there is a language barrier. It is going to be much more difficult to communicate to restaurant staff what I want (or do not want) in my meals. Chances are I will not be able to read the menu. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the “point and pray” method of ordering works well.
My plan is to find a market or grocery store and stock up on whole, real foods for breakfasts and snacking. Other than that, it is going to come down to sign language. The most important thing for me is having a plan. I know that there are only so many things that I can control in this setting. I also do not expect perfection when I am traveling.
Full disclosure… I am planning on having a Pastel De Nata (or two) from Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém, the place in Lisbon that first started making these egg custard pastries. I am told that having them warm from the oven there is an unbelievable experience.
As a Life By Design doctor and Eat By Design coach, sticking to the recommendations is very important to me. I want to meet all of my requirements and have an extraordinary life. That being said, I work everyday to grow my health so that I can enjoy life. I would be out of integrity if I said that I was perfect and never, ever ate off track. Health is a quality of life choice. Great health is about being able to live life to the fullest and experience and enjoy as much of your life as you can. For me, this off track experience is going to be worth it!
Have you managed to stay on track traveling abroad? What strategies worked for you?
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