The following is a guest post by Jadah Sellner and Jen Hansard, founders of Simple Green Smoothies, the #1 go-to site for green smoothie recipes, and hosts of the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge. They’re passionate about drinking one green smoothie a day and share the leafy love in their best-selling recipe book Simple Green Smoothies.
We’re heading into summer, and you know what that means – road trips, camping expeditions, and family vacations galore! We know that healthy eating can be a challenge on the road, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that you don’t have to completely abandon your healthy habits when you travel. For us, that means finding ways to include green smoothies in our travel plans.
Why Green Smoothies are the Perfect Travel Buddy
We love to travel, and as two busy and adventurous moms, we do it a lot. And while we definitely allow ourselves to indulge in a few less-than-healthy meals while traveling (hello New York pizza!), we also like to continue to fuel our bodies with a daily green smoothie to keep us going on the road. This helps us recover from jet lag more quickly, ensures that our immune systems stay in tip-top shape, and also motivates us to make healthier choices while eating out.
Pre-Trip Essentials
Investigate where you’ll be staying
Planning ahead is key when it comes to blending on the road, and one of our favorite things to do is figure out what smoothie essentials we’ll have available during our time away from home. If you’re staying in a hotel, call ahead to see if your room is equipped with a mini fridge and filtered water. If you’re renting a house or condo, ask the owner if they have staple kitchen supplies, a fridge or freezer, and check to see if they have a quality, working blender, as well – then you don’t have to pack your own!
Prior to your departure, we also recommend checking maps online to scout out local grocery stores, and be sure to research transportation options if you don’t plan on renting a car. You may not be able to anticipate everything, but it never hurts to ask a few questions and be prepared!
Decide what you need to pack
There are no hard and fast rules about what to pack for blending on the road, but here’s a sneak peek at what’s in our suitcases!
- Blender (of course – more on that below!)
- Rawkstar Mobile Recipe Cards: A mobile-friendly recipe card kit packed with 52 delicious green smoothie recipes – perfect for blendin’ on the go!
- Jar or bottle (and lid!)
- Straws: metal + cleaning brush
- Small cooler or freezer bag
- Superfoods: chia seeds, hemp hearts, ground flaxseed, coconut oil, etc. (optional)
- Voltage converter (if traveling overseas): Be sure to check your manufacturer’s directions if you’re traveling somewhere with a different electrical current. Using a Blendtec with a converter will void the warranty (read more here), and Vitamix blenders may have similar issues due to their high wattage.
How to Pack Your Blender
The type of blender you bring along on your trip is totally up to you. Personal blenders are usually lighter and more compact (and if you travel a lot, a personal blender may be a worthwhile investment), but full-size blenders work just fine, too. If space is extra tight, an immersion blender is an ultra-compact option (although your smoothies may not be quite as smooth!).
If you’re traveling by plane, TSA recommends packing your blender in checked luggage. If you have a Blendtec or other blender that doesn’t have a sharp blade, you may be able to get away with packing it in your carry-on, but we’d rather play it safe on this one! Another option is to remove the blade from your blender, pack it separately in your checked luggage, and keep the blender jar + base with you in your carry-on. Either way, make sure to pack your suitcase in such a way to prevent the blender from being damaged. We personally like to pack all of our smoothie supplies inside the blender jar and then use a dish towel or t-shirt for padding around the jar and base.
Pre-Made Smoothies for Camping and Road Trips
For shorter trips where a cooler can be used to transport and store smoothies, blending ahead of time and taking the finished product on the road is a fantastic option! Simply blend a batch of green smoothies the night before you leave and store them in the freezer in airtight containers. We personally like to add some lemon juice to each smoothie to help keep it looking fresh. In the morning, pack your frozen green smoothies in a cooler (along with ice!), and you’re ready to hit the road! We’ve been known to pack a cooler of green smoothies for fun day trips to Disney World. :-)
Stock Up on Our Favorite Summertime Recipes
Want a sneak peek at what we’re blending while we travel this summer? Here is one of Jadah’s favorite recipes that she’ll be making during her trip to Hawaii this summer (gotta take advantage of all the fresh pineapple!).
Piña Colada Green Smoothie
We know that healthy eating can be a challenge on the road, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it's that you don’t have to completely abandon your healthy habits when you travel. For us, that means finding ways to include green smoothies in our travel plans.
Ingredients
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup coconut milk, see note
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes, optional
- 3 cups pineapple, see note
Instructions
- Blend spinach, coconut milk, water, and coconut flakes, if using, until smooth.
- Next, add the pineapple and blend again.
Recipe Notes
*Coconut is not a tree nut. However, if you have a tree nut allergy, consult your doctor before consuming.
**Use frozen fruit to make smoothie cold.
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
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Want more green smoothie recipes?
While you’re busy planning your next summer excursion, be sure to join us for our 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge – it’s FREE! During the challenge, we’ll send you weekly emails with recipes, shopping lists, and tips for blendin’ like a Rawkstar – perfect for fueling all of your summer adventures.
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I was seriously waiting for something at the end saying this was a really late April Fools post. You can’t be serious about taking a Blendtec in your carryon.
You absolutely can be serious if you care about your health. I think it’s a great idea! I just got back from a trip to Hawaii where I made a smoothie every day! I didn’t have to pack my blender since I stayed in a condo that had a full kitchen, but I certainly would consider it on a trip without a kitchen!
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A healthy smoothie is an organic smoothie. It is important to remember that conventional fruits and vegetables are full of pesticides, and when they are blended all the pesticides will be extracted full force into your smoothie and you will get yourself sick in the long run. For this reason, there is a warning in the Nutribullet Users Manual against using conventional ingredients (I have a Nutribullet blender, but please do checkout their website for more info on this)… That been said, I would encourage anyone to use organic ingredients in smoothies, but while traveling, it might be difficult to get your hands on such ingredients to make healthy smoothies with.
I think it’s hilarious!
Why are people being so snarky? You CAN eat the ingredients, true, but smoothies are an easy and tasty way to get lots of nutrients in. If you don’t do smoothies, then just move on! I have had weight loss surgery, and so fitting in that many fruits and greens is a challenge. Smoothies allow me to get those nutrients easier. We just spent a week at the beach and brought the vitamix – I can’t stand to go that long without my green smoothies! It’s absolutely doable and it’s so great to have with us to make other things too, like almond milk. Have not had to take it on a plane yet – thanks for the tips!
Sorry about the derp picture – the work of my 12 year old lol – I can’t find it to change it! :p
With food allergies in our family, we always travel with food and equiptment. Love our green smoothies! Thanks for the tips!
I am a big fan of green smoothies and having it for almost a year now. We are going to Banff this weekend so will try this on the go.
Thanks for sharing this with us !
The blender probably weighs more than everything I bring combined. This is ridiculously impractical.
Chewing works, too. Just eat the ingredients instead of drinking them.