Squirrel Travel Grub

Traveling, whether you love it or hate it, one thing we can all agree upon is that it disrupt one’s daily routine. Things easily get out of whack, our rhythm skips a beat.

Rhythm is of utmost importance when taming vata dosha. Creating a daily routine is critical in maintaining harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. Rhythm in which you:

1. Arise at the same time each morning.
2. Eliminate like clockwork. 
3. Consume your meals on a predictable schedule. 
4. Get outside daily.  
5. Hit the pillow roughly the same time each night.

You get the point. Keeping to a schedule can be very tricky when on the road. The body needs a moment to catch up after we propel ourselves across different times zones. Dr. Robert Svoboda suggests that it takes one day per time zone crossed before the body is acclimated. Until then, vata most likely is in a state of hypervigilance. What does this look like?

• Anxiety 
• Stress
• Perhaps a twitching eye, or two
• Surface level sleep – lots of wake ups to piddle or think about 2am things
• Dry skin
• Irritated eyes
• Impatience
• Unchecked emotions
• And….constipation!

Chia seeds to the rescue. These little guys are loaded with fiber, and when soaked they become slimy – remember opposites balance (dry needs oily or slimy).

Rather than relying on airport kiosks, or Dunkin’ Donuts, I come armed with my own breakfast mix to keep the insides lubed and the bowels moving. Make a big batch if you want to ensure your fiber game is on lock while adventuring. Remember, rhythm = better R&R.

Squirrel Travel Grub

Combine:

• Chia seeds- 3 part
• Hemp Seeds – 1 part
• Large flake coconut – 1 part
• Mix of dried berries: cranberries, blueberries, mulberries, & goji berries – 1 part
• Cacao nibs – 1/2 part
• Sweet Spice Mix (combo of cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom) – to taste 
• Pink Salt – pinch

Method:

Add 1/4 cup of chia mixture to 1 cup of filtered water, coconut water, even some juices are delicious – pomegranate, cherry, or cranberry.

If you’re at the airport, grab a spoon and disposable cup from the nearest Starbucks (they won’t mind). Add your chia to the cup, pour in your liquid and stir. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 20 minutes, or until the chia seeds have absorbed much of the water, or juice. If time allows, let it sit for an hour.

At homebase this can be mixed the night before, stored in a glass container and refrigerated overnight. In the morning pull the chia cereal out and allow it to come to room temperature before consuming. Fiber (and world), here we come!

May your bowel movements be ever in your favor, while traveling and beyond 🧭