Is there a beach or other vacation spot that’s calling your name this summer?  Are you fantasizing about getting there and letting it all go so that you can relax and enjoy time doing what you like to do?  Sometimes that may mean doing absolutely nothing!  Vacations are supposed to be about having a fun and relaxing time with friends and family.

For me, vacations can be one big temptation of food and drinks.  I don’t want to have to worry so much about doing the “right” things – I just want to kick back and enjoy.  As I get older, I have learned that I have to watch it, or I will sabotage all the hard work I do for my health when I’m not on vacation.

Here are few tips to keep you on track during your summer travels:

1. Allow yourself a few indulgences, but limit them.  Otherwise, it can get out of control.
2. If you do find that you overindulge more than you should, don’t use it as an excuse to keep indulging. Treat each day as a new day  (and each meal is a new meal!)
3. Try and take at least a one-day break from alcohol. This will help refresh you.
4. Find healthy options wherever you are staying.  This may mean packing some healthy treats from home, like Kind Bars, Larabars, homemade date balls, or finding a local juice or smoothie bar to frequent.
5. If you have a kitchen where you are staying, take a night or two and cook a healthy dinner with food purchased at a local farmer’s market.
6. Try and take a walk every day if you can. It’s a great time to connect with nature, and enjoy some time by yourself.
7. Drink lots of water!
8. If you’re near the coast, enjoy the bounty of fresh seafood!
9. Get lots of sunshine!  We all know to wear sunscreen if we are going to be out in the sun for more than 20 minutes, right?  You don’t want to burn your skin, but you do want to let your body enjoy the vitamin D that it will absorb from the sun.
10. If your digestive system tends to get “backed up” while you are away, try taking a magnesium supplement to help loosen up and relax your system.
11. You may want to try taking digestive enzymes if you plan to have a larger than normal meal.  They will help break down the food, making it easier to digest.
12. When you get back home, start immediately with salads, smoothies, and juices.  It’s a good idea to nourish with cleansing foods for a few days to get you back on track.