Travel Tip: Farmers Markets

Sometimes, my travels land me in a town with no Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Fresh Market, or even a decent grocery store (yes, Vidalia, GA, I am talking about you with Big Lots listed as one of three grocery store options in town besides a Walmart and an ancient BiLo!). Instead of feeling deprived during the trip and hoping I thought to pack some treats ahead of time, I check out the local farmers market. With fresh veggies, fresh fruit, grass fed meats, cheeses, and even gluten free treats occasionally, farmers markets are great places to stock up for a trip. 

A couple of years ago, there was a farmers market literally right next door to my hotel for the week in Harrisburg, PA. It had a great selection, and I stopped by every day it was open.  

One of my favorite farmers markets is right in my own hometown. The Cobblestone Market takes place in Old Salem every Saturday in the summer and vendors from all over the state of North Carolina pitch their tents first thing in the morning.  The variety of options is amazing, and I love how the market runs all morning, so even the late sleepers can take advantage of it. There are fresh veggies, fresh herbs, fresh fruits, various types of antibiotic free poultry and grass fed meats, handmade soaps, baked goods (still waiting for some gluten free options), and live music.  Local favorites, Camino Bakery has baked breads and pastries, while Krankie's Coffee prepares their well-known coffee to sip on while you stroll.  People gather to chat, catch up with friends, and bring their families and their dogs. I think it is a great opportunity to get a taste of the local culture and score some deals in the process.

A quick Internet search can give you an idea of the local farmers markets for your next trip. I have already mapped out my visits to the local farmers markets in Illinois and Indiana for my next trip!

Breakfast On the Road

Frequent stays in hotels have their perks, but what do you do if you have food allergies and the breakfast selection is gluten-filled, even in the concierge lounge? This morning was one of those mornings. My platinum status at Marriott put me on the concierge floor with access to the lounge, which is a great perk. The breakfast included lots of cereal, pastries, breads, non-gluten free oatmeal, yogurt, and eggs, all of which I am allergic to. I did find a small selection of fruit and some bacon... slim pickings. Fruit and bacon tides me over for about two hours tops, so I grabbed a travel blender I brought with me and my favorite protein powder. I found my small blender at Walmart and I use Nature's Pearl's NP Pro Vanilla Protein Powder. I was able to find ice, orange juice, and pineapple to mix with my protein powder to make a filling smoothie that will keep me going on the course, field, or court. You can use any fruit you can find (I was hoping for strawberries and banana) and any juice available to help keep you fueled until your next meal. I have even seen small peanut butter packets that would be great with chocolate flavored protein powder. Safe travels, road warriors!

Best hotels for food allergies

Traveling with food allergies can be difficult. It can mean eating out three meals a day and finding a safe place to eat is not always easy. To make my travel as painless as possible, I usually stay in hotels that have kitchens in their rooms such as Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, Hyatt House, and Staybridge Suites. For the same price or just a few dollars more, I can have a room with a kitchen to cook my own meals and snacks. Eating healthy and safely is imperative for any athlete with food allergies. I really like to be able to head back to the hotel to make a quick dinner after a long day on the golf course, instead of waiting an hour for a table at a busy restaurant. Most of these hotels offer a full hot breakfast daily and an Evening Social, ranging from heavy hor'dourves to a full meal Monday - Thursday. Due to my food allergies, I cannot always partake in these amenities, but can occasionally find something. 

A great tip: be sure to register for the frequent stay reward program at your favorite hotel chain! Being a repeat guest earns you points (sometimes airline miles) and free nights. It is great to earn perks during your stay for being a Platinum member of a hotel's loyalty program!