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Travel Medicine Cabinet Essentials

Travel Medicine Cabinet Essentials

A super short list of everything you need and none of what you don’t

If you’re traveling out the country, I suggest always having your own ‘medical kit’ for those unexpected [or expected] moments… This is what I personally travel with and find extremely essential for us.
- A travel antibiotic kit or GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract, a natural alternative)
Whenever you intend on traveling, it’s wise to let your doctor know. Depending on where you are headed- they may recommend certain immunizations, vaccinations or antibiotic kits. Think: malaria, for example. You definitely want to be prepared.
- Probiotics & Vitamins
Ideally, you should be taking probiotics every day. But, if you aren’t already, then hear me now…go RUN to the store and buy some! (okay sorry for shouting) Seriously though, your gut is pretty much your second brain. Treat it like one. With tender love and care. Ditto for vitamins. I would start a regime asap, at least 2-4 weeks in advance of intended travels. Obviously, speak this over with your practitioner first.
- Essential Oils [if you use them…for stomach/body aches, tiredness, jetlag etc]
If you’re into essential oils, there are a bunch that’ll make travel illnesses go away more smoothly. (For example, peppermint for stomach aches or body aches, rosemary for concentration/alertness/focus, lavender for stress and the list goes on and on).
- Prescription Medication [If there is something you take daily]
- Extra supply of everything [as possible]
If there are some things that you normally take or need on a DAILY basis, then go ahead and try really hard to have at least an extra 2 day supply of these things. (In case of a lost luggage etc) Things like prescription medication, contact lenses etc.
- Some sort of electrolyte sachet [or electrolyte drink in cases of dehydration]
Because you can never go through security with liquids (with the exception of baby formula/water/juice for baby) and no one wants to pack heavy liquids in their luggage, this is the next best option. And you’ll be grateful you have something like this whenever you or your family members become dehydrated for whatever reason.
- Bacterial ointment [for cuts/abrasions/small infection]
- Bandages
- Gauze
- Alcohol pads/disinfectant hand wipes/sanitizer
What are you’re medicine travel essentials you can’t live without?

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What Hotels Won’t Tell You

The Dirty Secrets Your Hotel Won’t Tell You

So you’ve arrived at your destination, BUT, your apartment isn’t ready…Sweet mama, DO NOT fear! You can make this work. Ask me how I know…go on…

You see, I’ve had the luxury and unique struggle of having to live out of several different hotels for weeks at a time….ranging from one week to 5 months at a time. With the family! In not so ‘busy’ cities. In other words, I spent A LOT of time INSIDE the hotels watching every person’s role and daily routines…So yes, trust me when I say, I understand what you’re going through and when I tell you- YOU CAN & WILL get through this!

Because I am a recovering clean-freak, its only fitting I begin with all the deets I’ve learned about hotel cleanliness…

So here are The not so glorious sides of hotels….

(What hotels won’t tell you)

Here it is:

Cups:

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel, you know very well, that most, if not all will be supplied with a coffee maker and cups and mugs of some sort. (Props to the paper cup hotels!) What you may not be aware of, however, is – how these items are cleaned. ALERT: They aren’t! Well, sort of. These items never leave the room and are almost always ‘washed’ right in the bathroom sink! With plain ol’ water and a towel. Just fantastic.[insert sarcasm]

Phones:

Walk into a hotel room and 9/10 it WILL be clean. However, this does not mean that everything is not sanitized or cleaned correctly. Note- the phone and tv remote…two of the most touched items in a room by customers but never cleaned. Just think about that for a moment.

Water:

This may or may not be an obvious one, but the water in the room really should NOT be consumed. It typically is not deemed as ‘safe’ drinking water.

Carpet:

Another funny one here, if you have children, the rug is rarely cleaned correctly. Do NOT eat anything that falls on the carpet LOL no matter how clean it looks.

Menu options:

If you ever find yourself, in the grave situation of living out of a hotel…do KNOW that the menu is very expendable. There is almost always more items in the kitchen than what is listed and many ways to cater to your family’s dietary needs.

Glass water bottles:

I’ve noticed in European hotels, that they will always provide a large glass water bottle with meals etc. However, if you do not see them cork open that glass right before you…well, you can be pretty sure you are drinking tap water (honestly, even if you do…there is still a chance. So go with bottled) This isn’t always ideal depending on the location, or you’re own personal digestive system)

Ice:

Same here, avoid it if possible as this is ALWAYS made with tap water.

So, those are just a few of my quick tips if you’re finding yourself living out of a hotel! Which I hope you don’t unless of course, you want to 😉

What about you? Have you ever lived out of a hotel? Alone or with a family? Any tips or ideas?

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7+ things you should know about athlete wives

Do you watch basketball housewives? Or some sort of reality TV show like this? I’ll be honest. I don’t. Never have (seriously) and probably never will. I mention it because I think, when I tell someone my husband is an athlete, they imagine whatever lifestyle they see on television. So, if you’re new to this whole basketball wife thing or want to hear a real perspective, read on. Either way, here’s some truth in light of distorted reality.

What you don’t know about athlete wives

Your husband will work 7 days a week/ and almost 365 days a year

My husband loves to remind everyone that we are all athletes. We all have the responsibility of taking the best care of our bodies. But tell that to the overworked mama or the busy entrepreneur. Nobody has time for THAT! I agree we all should do our best to eat as healthy as we can and get at least an hour of physical activity in a day. But, this isn’t the reality for athletes. They don’t have the privilege to take vacations and be still. Their work, career, livelihood depends on the very condition of their bodies.

You’ll move a lot

Like a lot, a lot! Haha. This varies for every family obviously, but suffice it to say, you CAN adjust well and love traveling.

You won’t be able to attend most celebrations

(or you’ll travel a heck of a lot more in attempts to stay connected. which is totally remarkable & admirable btw) You’ll find yourself moving quite far from wherever you call home. If you live overseas, you might experience severe homesickness. You may find it really difficult to attend every wedding, birthday, baby shower and other engagements. Don’t fret. It does get easier over time. Try and prioritize things from the beginning. You’ll make tough, tough choices, but I promise you, it’ll be okay.

Don’t spend holidays with family

If you’re like most other people on the planet, you celebrate some big holiday! And THIS may be one of the toughest situations to work through. Do you travel back to visit family? If so, whose family? Yours? Hubby’s? Traveling during national/worldwide holidays will be one of the busiest, most expensive endeavors you embark on. I don’t say this to dissuade you or scare you. I just don’t want you thinking this is all simple and sweet. It isn’t. But it absolutely CAN be done with diligent planning!

Miss Independent

Brace yourself if you haven’t already. Your hubs doesn’t have a typical 9-5 like the average joe. There will be several practices in a day, long hours, and many many nights away. (away games, travel, etc.)

Depression can come easily

Protect your mind and sanity. Consistently surround yourself with anything that lifts your spirits and gives you all the positive feels. Depression or just a heightened amount of sadness may rear its ugly face because you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time alone. If you’re an introvert like yours truly, then this may or may not be such a bad thing. So, prepare yourself and make commitments to yourself right now. Decide how you’ll be intentional about relationships and connections. How you will spend your days. What you’ll do if you feel yourself falling into the black dog.

Be proud and support your husband, win or lose

I know this kind of goes without saying. But I mention it anyway. YOU are such an important source of energy. Remember to try and be a positive and powerful one. Like the mama from my big fat Greek wedding: the man may be the ‘head’ but woman, she’s the ‘neck’ and turns the head whichever way she wants it to go. You’re the backbone of your home. That’s a privilege and a huge responsibility, but don’t let that overwhelm you. You are strong. & If you find yourself in a place where you aren’t happy with being a basketball wife or the wife of an athlete in general…I wrote this for you.

Athlete wives are like a sorority, a sisterhood

We get each other! It’s kind of like that moment when you become a mom, and you all of a sudden are in with the cool kids. You begin and understand one another. This is like that. Wives of athletes just know. We get it.