TOP 5 OF SEATTLE (FOOD EDITION)

Buddha Bowl at Heartbeet Organic Superfoods Cafe

THE MOMENT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! I have been dying to put together a Seattle guide for a long freaking time. The issue is, I get overwhelmed when I look at city guides and in the end, resort to Yelp. So I decided to put together a different take on a city guide. Here are my top 5s of my hometown, Seattle.

TOP 5 FAST CASUAL EATS

  • Homegrown – Farm to table style soups, salads, and sandwiches. // Sprinkled all around the city, Bellevue, and Mercer Island
  • Café Yumm – A tastier Chipotle (in my opinion) with plant based options. // 7th & Pine
  • Bounty Kitchen – Local, organic, and lots of variety! // Queen Anne and Denny Triangle
  • Vinason Pho & Grill – Vietnamese food made locally and sustainably. Vegetarian/vegan and keto options available! // South Lake Union
  • Eltana – If you need a bagel spot in Seattle, this is it. // Capitol Hill and Seattle Center

TOP 5 PLANT BASED EATS

  • Heartbeet Organic Superfoods Cafe – Amazing salads, warm bowls, juices, and tasty raw vegan treats. // Queen Anne
  • Plum Bistro – Three words. MAC AND YEEZY. The tastiest vegan comfort food in the city. // Capitol Hill
  • Cafe Flora – Amazing brunch. Best cinnamon roll ever and if you can’t get enough, they have a location in the airport in between the A & B gates. // Madison Valley
  • Juicebox Cafe – Unique flavors and twists on simple eats. Try their savory oats! // Capitol Hill
  • Harvest Beat – Definitely a splurge but such an amazing experience of local and eco-friendly eats in the art of a 5 course meal. // Wallingford

TOP 5 BRUNCH EATS

  • Super Six – Hawaiian fusion with the best morning adult bevvies. // Columbia City
  • Cafe Opla – Vietnamese fusion, banh mi in a skillet. Unique and amazing. // On the Pier
  • Oddfellows Cafe – Simple menu, great ambience. // Capitol Hill
  • Mr. West Cafe & Bar – They have charcuterie boards. I REPEAT. They have charcuterie boards!! // Westlake
  • The Fat Hen // If you enjoy eggs and a simple menu, check this spot out. Fair warning, the space is small so there will most likely be a wait. But worth it! // Ballard

TOP 5 SWEET EATS

  • Frankie and Jo’s – The best ice cream in the city. All vegan and fun flavors. // Ballard and Capitol Hill.
  • Ellenos Yogurt – The most amazing Greek yogurt ever, tastes like melted cheesecake. Local. // Pike Place Market and Georgetown
  • The Flying Apron – A vegan and gluten free bakery! AMAZING. // West Seattle and Fremont
  • Mighty-O Donuts – The yummiest doughnuts that just HAPPEN to be vegan. // Capitol Hill, Greenlake, Ballard, and Denny Triangle
  • Hot Cakes – Homemade molten cakes. Unreal. // Ballard and Capitol Hill

TOP 5 COFFEESHOPS

  • Cafe An’Clair – A French inspired cafe with amazing pastries, naturally. // South Lake Union
  • Retreat – Wellness latte galore! They also have lots of amazing food options and turns into a bar later in the day. // Greenlake
  • Stone Way Cafe – Amazing coffee, great food, and live music in the evening! // Fremont
  • Storyville Coffee – Great local coffee and ambience for work space. // Downtown, Capitol Hill, and Pike Place
  • Atulea – For you non-coffee drinkers, my favorite matcha shop makes amazing matcha lattes and bubble tea! Super cute and makes me feel like I’m in California. // Capitol Hill

TOP 5 HAPPY HOUR

  • Toulouse Petit – The tastiest creole food made affordable with their incredible happy hour menu. Incredible first date-y ambience. // Queen Anne
  • Pablo y Pablo – Great happy hour menu with lots of food and drink options. Vegetarian/vegan options available! GET THE SPICY MARGS. // Wallingford
  • M Bar – Rooftop bar with a unique menu. Worth it for the view alone. // South Lake Union
  • Lunchbox Laboratory – Not the healthiest, but definitely one of the most delicious. I dream of their totchos. // South Lake Union and Greenlake
  • Japonessa – Seattle’s best sushi happy hour, hands down. The hours alone are amazing but the menu actually has a great selection and the drinks are amazing too. // Downtown

FOODS I EAT AND AVOID WHEN I FLY

The facts are facts. You bloat when you fly. It was kind of eye opening for me when I was a brand new flight attendant and a senior mama pointed out a water bottle to me and said something along the lines of, “see that? That’s your body right now,” as the water bottle expanded before our eyes. I realized then that I am sacrificing a lot for this job. Being punished for eating veggies and hummus? ABSURD. But this is my life, and I want to share with you what I eat and avoid when I fly to feel good when I land.

EAT EAT EAT

  • GREENS! This one is kind of a no brainer. There are so many vitamins we get from greens so whether it’s a $10 green juice from the airport, packed salad from home, or greens tablets (Amazing Grass makes great ones), get em in!
  • Berries. They are full of vitamins and are such a hydrating fruit. Perfect to snack on midflight.
  • Citrus. Vitamin C + hydration. Winner winner chicken dinner.
  • Melon. Another hydrating fruit. Noticing a pattern here?
  • Cucumber. Eat you water!
  • Charcoal. Detoxify as you fly.
  • Ginger. Ever notice why ginger ale is such a popular beverage on flights? It’s great for your tummy! Bring ginger tea to avoid all the sugar.
  • Turmeric. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, I like to sprinkle a bit over veggies (+black pepper to activate the curcumin) or have a golden milk latte midflight!
  • No-legume dips. Listen. I love hummus as much as the next person. In fact, so much that I will sacrifice stomachaches for it sometimes. But the more I fly, the more I realize it’s not worth it, especially not on long flights. I’d rather opt for other dips that are just as good! Bitchin Sauce and Baba Ghanouj are some of my favorites! Kite Hill makes awesome dairy-free dips too.
  • Coconut water. It’s got a lot of electrolytes and great for extra hydration.
  • Kraut. Your digestive system gets confused when you fly, so one of the best things you could do is pay extra attention to your gut!
  • Gluten free oats. I love having oats because it leaves me feeling satiated which keeps me from mindless snacking. (Pro tip: prep your oats in a jar, then ask your flight attendant for hot water! That way you can create your own dream oats and avoid added sugars.)

AVOID AVOID AVOID

  • Legumes. It’s tragic, I know. Especially being plant based. Beans, lentils, chickpeas – I’ll see you when I land.
  • Cruciferous vegetables. Now this is just cruel. We are being punished for eating veggies and it sucks. But here’s the thing – broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, arugula, and cauliflower have fibers and raffinose which cause extreme bloating. And that is no bueno when you fly.
  • Carbonated beverages. I stopped drinking soda awhile ago, but I also stopped drinking sparkling water a little bit ago because of the bloat caused by little air bubbles. Think about it. You’re basically drinking air!
  • Dairy. I don’t consume dairy often anyway, but I especially try to avoid it when I fly because it upsets my stomach.

I should also add that I am not a nutritionist or a professional. For the past five years, my body has been a real life experiment and this is just what works for me. Also note that you should drink A LOT of water. More than you think you’d need. I also love to add FLIGHTFŪD to my water when I fly! I’ve noticed that when I take it, I land less bloated and fatigue. It’s like magic. As always, I hope this helps!! All the (gut) love.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED LIVING ALONE

Me? Living alone? HA. That would’ve been the joke of the century only just last year. I’ve always relied on my family and friends for support – which is perfectly normal and acceptable, except that I also leaned on them when I was lost in my own city. 3AM phone calls because Maps wasn’t cooperating. I WAS THAT FRIEND. I decided to live on my own when I gained the confidence with my job as a flight attendant. It’s the most amazing thing I have gained, ever, and I just wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned since.

  • No one cares if your dishes and silverware don’t match. It’s quirky, and fun, so save your money and let go of the stress.
  • Location is key. Living somewhere that brings you so much joy is crucial.
  • Find your community. Whether it’s your gym, work place, coffeeshop, or book club. Find em and cherish em.
  • Your friends love you and want to hangout with you. But YOU need to be the one to initiate it sometimes. I actually learned this when I started flying and noticed my friends were hanging out without me because they never knew when I was home or flying!
  • THRIFT YO SHIT. I thrifted my pantry organizers (storage cubes, shelf risers, jars, etc), some furniture, baskets, bakeware, mixing bowls, and plant pots, and saved so much money. Buy Nothing Facebook groups, Craigslist, and Facebook marketplace are also worth checking out!
  • Investment pieces should be items you will need when you eventually move out. IE: bed, mattress, some furniture, TV.
  • Change doesn’t happen overnight. Your place doesn’t need to look perfect right after moving in. In fact, 4 months later and I still don’t have anything hung up on my walls. Cut yourself some slack.
  • Using Instagram and Pinterest as inspiration is fun, but can set unrealistic expectations. Work within your means and do the best you can to create a cozy space for YOU.
  • Having a small space has some perks – like sweeping taking a total of 10 minutes.
  • Having a dog helps with loneliness. Same with plants.
  • Accept loneliness and know that you are NOT ALONE in feeling that way. Also learned this with my flying gig.
  • When the loneliness kicks in, get out. Go outside. Recharge with the outdoors. I also feel great being surrounded by people (even though they are strangers and even when I’m not speaking to anyone) in places like coffeeshops, the library, the park, and grocery stores.
  • Making the bed is the most adulting thing you could ever do, especially since you’re not doing it for anyone else. Do it for you.
  • Meal prep with or for friends to save some money. And that way, you won’t get sick of the same meals.
  • You’re just gonna have to ask people to take their shoes off if you want them off. Just gotta do it.
  • It’s okay if it doesn’t feel like home just yet. What makes it feel home is the time spent with your friends and family in your space. Creating memories. Sleepovers. Dance parties. Movie nights. The corner where your first Christmas tree was. This is probably the most important thing I realized.

If you’re living alone too, props to you. It’s not always easy, but damn does it feel good to come home to your own slob and decorate your sanctuary to be 100% YOU. All the love.

TRAVEL SMART FOR THE HOLIDAYS

‘Tis the season! Between family, friends, work, and extra time to vacation, we’re here, there, and everywhere. I love working this time of year because it warms my heart seeing families reunited. Hearing stories about why people are traveling: whose grandparents we’re visiting to introduce baby to or what our unaccompanied minors are most looking forward to when visiting dad. It’s so special to be a small part of the journey. This time of year also brings new travelers and I just thought I’d share some tips to traveling smart this time of year (but also all the time).

  • Get to the airport early to fill your water bottle, get food, and use the restroom all before your flight. Plus, it’s nice to not be rushed!
  • Plan ahead if you have dietary restrictions and/or allergies. Pack what works for you and never assume the airport/airline will have a gluten free, vegan, kosher, nondairy, keto, whole 30, etc option.
  • Ask friends for music, podcast, movie, and book recommendations and come prepared with pre-downloaded material. Don’t forget your headphones!
  • Give yourself more than enough time for connecting flights to save yourself the stress later.
  • Essential oils work wonders for nausea, stomachaches, headaches. Just be mindful of others.
  • Have empathy and patience for airport employees, airline employees, your fellow travelers, and yourself. You don’t know what someone is going through and everyone will be much happier that way.
  • Stay hydrated and bring your favorite snacks!
  • Pack leftovers after visiting family and friends. You’re allowed to bring any food items with the exception of things like yogurt and soup.
  • Please and thank you goes a long way. Be courteous with your seat mate, cab drivers, hotel staff, flight attendants, gate agents, and TSA agents. So many people sacrifice family time to work during the holidays.
  • Don’t forget to pack your vitamins! Keeping your routines consistent is important especially to combat jet lag.
  • Extra supplements I like to take while flying are: Flight Fūd (inflight elixir, helps fight fatigue, jet lag, and other negative side effects of flying), greens tablets (I like the ones from Amazing Grass, Nuun (boost of hydration), and ginger tea to help aid digestion. These are not necessary but I’ve noticed a difference in how I feel when I land especially after long flights.
  • If you are an anxious flyer, check out my previous blog post written for anxious flyers here.

As always, I’m here for you! You can best reach me via DMs at @kaleintheclouds. Fly safe, fly happy, and fly smart. All the love.

SUSTAINABLE GIFT GUIDE

Gift giving (especially this time of year) is so much fun and the older I get, the more I realize how much of a privilege it is. For me, it has never been about the dollar amount spent or collecting the most amount of wrapped boxes underneath the tree. I remember some of my favorite gifts were stocking stuffers my sister would regift from her room. Yup. We had a childhood tradition where we’d regift random knick knacks around our rooms for each other for stocking stuffers and those were what I cherished even more than the brand new sweater or toy (that was also so sweet to receive). So here are some gift ideas that I came up with that are sustainably friendly and will mean more to the person receiving than you know.

  • A letter. Tell them your first impression of them. The moment you realized they’d be a forever friend. Your favorite memory of them. Or just how much they mean to you.
  • Something from your closet. One of my favorite new things I’m doing with one of my best friends is trading clothing items out of our own closets. It’s like Rent the Runway, except more fun, thoughtful, and FREE.
  • Your favorite book. Let’s be real. You probably won’t read it again. And even if you will, it will still make a nice home in the hands of that person in your life with the same taste in books as you.
  • Baked goods stored in a Stasher bag. Who would say no to homemade banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, or peppermint bark?! And FYI- Stasher bags are currently on sale for 25%! You can also get them at Anthropologie for 30% off. Sales end when Black Friday sales end.
  • Acts of service. Offer to wash their car or maybe help clean out their closet to post stuff on Poshmark (what we say we’ll always do, am I right?). An extra set of hands for that ongoing to-do list goes a LONG way.
  • FOOD. Cook them dinner or maybe offer to grocery shop and/or meal prep for them.
  • Kale Me Maybe’s Meal Plan. This Meal Plan is perfect for that “too busy to meal prep” or “I have no idea what to make, like, ever” friend. Her recipes are simple, easy, nourishing, and delicious! It’s also on sale for $12 for a limited time.
  • Craft their favorite photo, quote, or song. Recreate a favorite photo of their dog, cross-stitch of their favorite quote, or sing their favorite song. One of my favorite gifts I have ever received was a video of my best friend singing “Turn to You” by Christina Aguilera, our ultimate best friend/karaoke song. I BAWLED MY EYES OUT. It was beautiful and I will cherish it forever.
  • Groupon self care. Send them a massage, cup of coffee, or fun date night activity. The possibilities are endless!
  • Concert tickets. Harry Styles is going on tour next summer, haven’t you heard?
  • ClassPass. Seriously swear by this app and service. I have discovered some of my favorite workouts using ClassPass! Use this link to save some monies!
  • Thrive Market. It’s like Costco but for healthier and environmentally friendly stuff, but you don’t have to commit to buying in bulk. AKA the best thing ever, and now you can gift a Thrive Market membership.

Hope this helps if you’re stumped or currently aren’t in a place to be spending a ton of money. The Holidays can put on a lot of pressure and I’m here to take it off, or help anyway! All the love.

SUPPLEMENTS ON THE FLY

I love taking care of my body by getting lots of sleep and eating tons of veggies – but when I fly? Let’s just say my body needs a little extra TLC. Between working redeye flights and living half of my life at 30,000 ft., I find myself feeling sleep deprived, bloated, fatigue, lethargic, and stressed. All of these symptoms can put me in a little funk, and that’s not okay! I am a happy person and I want to keep it that way.

I started experimenting with supplements about a year ago. I tried everything from charcoal pills, digestive enzymes, and probiotics in all shapes and sizes (pill form, plant based yogurts, kombucha, etc.). I couldn’t find a routine that would stick and it was hard to determine what fixed what. I also feel like I was constantly being my own guinea pig based on random bits of information that I would receive from other flight attendants, blogs, and influencers.

I was really intrigued to try some of Body Bio‘s supplements for one main reason: it’s backed by science. I LOVE SCIENCE. There’s nothing better than seeing scientific evidence backing why something works versus hearing someone rave about a product “just because.” Body Bio proudly announces on their website’s homepage that they have 45 years of research behind their product development, and rightfully so! Because they are a science and research-based company, many physicians back their products.

So, I decided to be my own guinea pig again. This time, with more confidence and hope! A couple of weeks ago, I received my Foundational Kit in the mail and have been using them ever since. The products I’ve been implementing into my daily routine are:

  • Sodium Butyrate: detoxifier of ammonia and neurotoxins to promote digestion and a healthy liver
  • Balance Oil: healthy Omega fats to aid heart and brain health
  • PC (Phosphatidylcholine): produces liposomes in the body which supports brain function and memory

All of these three key supplements combined are able to support me during times of stress while working 2 jobs and constantly being on the go, and most importantly, aiding my “permanent bloat.” Here are the main differences that I’ve noticed:

  • LESS BLOAT!!!! This is HUGE for me. As a flight attendant, I’ve joked about accepting the fact that I will be permanently bloated, but all the while being somewhat serious about it too. Since using Sodium Butyrate on a regular basis and ESPECIALLY while flying, I’ve noticed a drastic difference in how I feel. My stomach doesn’t hurt as much and I’m not as uncomfortable and inflamed when I fly. That said, I still have been avoiding processed foods (especially foods high in sodium), been drinking lots of water, and avoiding carbonated beverages. It also helps to chew slower when you eat to aid your digestion.
  • More clarity. Balancing two jobs is not easy, but I’m handling it like a pro thanks to PC and balance oil. I’m usually a bit disorganized and scatterbrained, but I feel like I’ve been able to handle keeping a booked schedule pretty well. Instead of spacing out and stressing about what I have to do, I’ve turned to meditation and creating an abundance of to do lists.
  • Less stress. With more clarity and feeling better physically, I’ve been less stressed. Stress is linked to so many diseases and illnesses. Personally, I feel like staying calm and stress-free is the key to living a positive and healthy life.
  • More energy. I’ve been able to get up earlier to get my day started and getting so much done before going to work, which makes me feel super productive and happy!
  • Better communication. Sometimes, I might need some help with words or I’m unsure of how to approach a situation, but lately, I’ve been able to communicate pretty well. I’ve been able to crank out business e-mails, as well as strengthening my problem solving skills at work with both jobs.
  • Detoxify. This is not a benefit I can see or feel, but based on research and knowing what these properties are meant to do, I know that these supplements are helping detoxify my body from toxins from flying. As a flight attendant, I am exposed to a crazy amount of toxins IE: radiation, so I’m glad to know that these supplements are naturally detoxifying my body!

It’s safe to say, I’m really happy with my results so far and I plan on taking these supplements to aid my mental and physical health for a long time. I’m so glad that there are products out there (BACKED BY RESEARCH!) made to make my life as a flight attendant just that much more enjoyable! I hope you find this useful and that you can try it out for yourself to see the difference it can make. If you want to learn more, click here! All the love!

FLYING ON A BUDGET

I feel super lucky because I get the honor of taking families to Disneyland and newlyweds to their dream honeymoon in Hawaii, but I can’t help but wonder how much they spent on the entire trip: transportation, snacks at the airport, snacks on the plane, activities, souvenirs, and everything in between. That said, here are some tips on how to fly on a budget (bonus: very eco friendly!).

BRING YOUR OWN FOOD

Seriously! Bring leftovers from dinner, meal prep, whatever you have left in the fridge, snacks, whatever! I know that the main concern is that food isn’t TSA-friendly but that’s just a crazy rumor. Most food is TSA approved. The only foods I would avoid is anything of a creamy consistency, IE: yogurt, nut butter, oatmeal, chia seed pudding. Everything else goes! Bring food you’ll look forward to eating so you’re not tempted to spend $7 on a bag of pretzel chips. I promise your wallet will love you for this one.

PACK REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES, MUGS, JARS, STRAWS, UTENSILS & BAGS

Not only is packing your own cutlery, straws, food containers, and water bottles great for the environment, but you’ll also save some bucks! If you bring your own water bottle, you can have a coffeeshop at the airport fill it up for free! Avoid paying outrageous prices for water at the airport especially since most airports offer water fountains with an option to refill water bottles. Lots of places offer a little discount for bringing your own cups/bags too!

BRING A BOOK & CARD GAMES

I will admit that even I have PAID for WiFi on a long flight before. If you think about it, being disconnected is often times a GOOD THING. Try looking at it as some “me time.” Borrow your ultimate “back burner- don’t have time to read” book (we all have one). Bring some cards! They’re easy to travel with and affordable. My favorite “game” lately has been finding the most random questions and would you rathers and asking my friends. It’s so much fun and you will find that there’s lots to learn even about your best friend.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DEALS AS THEY COME

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve passed up a good deal on something I needed because my trip was still a few weeks away. I am a sucker for a good deal, but I try to be mindful about what I need versus what I want. If I’m desperately needing to replace my packing cubes and I just so happen to come across a good quality ones on sale, it would be smart for me to get them. However, if I found some that were decently priced but the quality was questionable, then I would probably wait a little. It’s all about weighing out your options and figuring out what works for you! However, I find that sometimes it’s better not to wait for something better to pop up. (One of my best examples of this, not travel related, was snagging a Vitamix for 40% off on prime day. Best investment ever!!).

FIND SOMEONE WHO JUST WENT ON A SIMILAR TRIP

One of my best tips is to find a friend who just went on a similar trip you’re planning. I’ve had friends ask if they could borrow my electric converters, backpack, and even hiking boots. These things that you may only use once a year can end up costing you a lot of money. The best way to ask (so it’s not so awkward and random) is to make casual conversation about traveling/your upcoming trip or post something about it on your social media account(s). You’ll be surprised who you might hear from who will have great advice for you too!

As always, I can only hope that this is helpful to you guys! Let me know if you have any additional tips I can add! All the love from 33,000 ft.

POST FLIGHT SELF CARE

Traveling is probably my most favorite thing to do in the world, but flying is EXHAUSTING. As a flight attendant, I fly more than the average person and after years of doing this, I’ve finally figured out what works for me. I am also going to be sharing ideas via my Instagram friends too!

  • Going outside for some fresh air. I always feel so much better going outside after a long flight! Think about that recycled air – yikes!
  • Grounding. This is a new concept for me, but I am loving it! Grounding means to walk around outside BARE FOOT. Sounds weird, but it’s seriously the coolest and most relaxing feeling.
  • Hydrate. I like to stay hydrated while I fly, and luckily enough, being stuck in the middle or window seat is not an issue. Just remember to continue drinking water post flight because flying is super wearing on your body! The best way to “detox” is to hydrate. You don’t need fancy wellness shots, I swear.
  • Stay active while still listening to my body. After flying, most days I crave a walk or a good sweaty workout in the gym. Other days, I just want to crawl into bed. I try my best to honor my body.
  • Eating a nourishing meal and anti-inflammatory foods. Flying can mean snacking on things you don’t usually eat, and THAT’S OKAY. But after flying, I like to try and make sure that I am taking care of my body by consuming foods that make me FEEL GOOD. For me, that’s hydrating foods (cucumber, tomatoes, watermelon) and anti-inflammatory foods (greens, veggies cooked with turmeric and black pepper, nuts). I also love having smoothies after flights because it’s easier to digest.
  • Gua sha! I love to gua sha every morning but lately I’ve been using my gua sha after flights as well. It gives me a good reason to wash my face, apply nourishing skin serums and oils, then giving my face a little TLC. Gua sha is known to relieve pain, tension, and puffiness!

Other suggestions via IG friends:

  • “I drink a lot of coconut water to replenish electrolytes lost from working! And take a hot shower and relax with essential oils”
  • “Go to the gym and sweat it all out!”
  • “Throw on a face and hair mask, dance it out, journal, and hot shower”
  • “Epsom salt bath and legs up on the wall. Non negotiable”
  • “Shower and then read a good book”
  • “HYDRATE. And shower”
  • “Put on fresh sheets if I’m going home!!”
  • “Go for a long walk outdoors”
  • “I drink sooo much water when I get home after my trips and try to do yoga or exercise!”
  • “Wine. Lots of it.” (same)
  • “Shower!! I always feel so greasy after flights especially long ones”
  • “Thinking about what’s good to eat there!!” (also same)
  • “Drink loads of water and use rose toner spray. Eeeeks dry skin”
  • “Cryotherapy- esp helps with jet lag”
  • “Shower and skin care routine!”
  • “Sleep. I also like journaling and meditating, and skincare”
  • “Immediately unpack, do laundry, and get things put back where they belong”
  • “Take a nap! Because I probs needed 2 Xanax and a wine to get on the plane in the first place” (lol you go brave little toaster!)
  • “Def get fresh air, try to put my toes in the sand/ocean”

Hope this helps, my little gypsies! Safe travels and all the love.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT MUST HAVES (FOOD/HEALTH)

We all know how exhausting flying can be. Imagine doing it for a living!! Yep, I chose this life and I have no regrets. But that doesn’t mean I don’t get tired, fatigue, or jet lagged. There is no magic pill when it comes to traveling and every trip is different. Here are some things I like to keep on hand to make life a little easier, smoother, and more stress-free.

  • coffee – 3am wake ups are no joke. I love Bulletproof’s cold brew because it’s convenient, hassle free, SUGAR FREE but still tasty, and their packaging is recyclable which is super important to me.
  • greens – preferably in tabs because they pack well. I love the ones from Amazing Grass!
  • collagen sticks – I take collage daily because it helps with my joints (I like to run and do HIIT workouts) and because I open so many soda cans, I need my nails to be hella strong.
  • ginger and peppermint tea – both aid digestion. Flying always throws my digestion off.
  • healthy snacks – this goes without saying. Fruits, veggies, nuts, the less processed the better! But sometimes I will opt for a high fiber, high protein bar with low sugar.
  • charcoal pills – helps with bloating on the plane.
  • propolis throat spray – to help prevent sickness! I use it the second I feel off.
  • apple cider vinegar – so many benefits to taking ACV daily! I always have some in a little reusable jar.
  • adaptogens – I love carrying ashwagandha on me. It really helps me cope with stress!

*pro tip: stay hydrated, chew slowly, avoid carbonated beverages, and only eat when you’re hungry to avoid bloat! Our bodies bloat naturally when we fly but doing these things will prevent from maximum bloatage.

Hope you found this useful! All of the love and safest of travels!

THE WHOLE 30: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

mason jar meal with sautéed bok choy in coconut aminos, red bell pepper, carrots, roasted sweet potato, baked salmon, roasted zucchini, and microgreens

As a disclaimer, this is me sharing MY personal experience (word vomit style). I am not saying that you will feel this way if/when you try the Whole 30. Everybody is different and reacts to things differently!

THE GOOD GOOD

I loved eating WHOLESOME, REAL foods. It was nice to cut the processed foods and snacks and focus on eating foods that we grow.

The creativity I gained from this experience was incredible. I felt uninspired with my food prep, Instagram posts, and meals in general, so using ingredients like coconut aminos, watermelon radish, and edible flowers made cooking exciting again.

I noticed that after the Whole 30, my taste was enhanced. Everything tasted so flavorful and so sweet!

I saved SO much money not eating out and not drinking alcohol!

I realized I don’t need alcohol to have fun, even when hanging out with my flight crew on layovers! Also felt REALLY GOOD not having alcohol for 30 days!

I noticed that getting out of bed was easier! I woke up with a good amount of energy in the morning which made me feel really good!

It made me realize how sugar is snuck into so many things – condiments, protein bars, juices, etc. I’ve always checked labels even before doing the Whole 30, but I became more knowledgeable and investigative when it came to unfamiliar ingredients.

THE NOT SO GOOD

I became obsessive. Just as a little back story, I have a little bit of an obsessive personality. Whether it be a hobby or food trends, I get sucked in easily and become.. well.. obsessed. I was obsessed with the food restrictions and became fixated on what I could and couldn’t have. That was awful for my mental state. I never seemed satisfied with what I was having if I was actually craving pizza or a cookie.

I ate SO MUCH SUGAR. I don’t normally have a ton of sugar on an every day basis. My smoothies mostly contain steamed then frozen veggies and starting my day with a high protein/fiber/fat/greens smoothie really keeps me on track with a low sugar diet. Since I didn’t get to start my days this way, I ended up consuming a lot of fruit. I also snacked on dried fruit in between meals and having them for dessert too. I noticed the sugar was breaking me out and made me want more sugar too.

I ate more than I should have. I feel like I was ALWAYS snacking. I don’t know if it’s because I was constantly thinking about food or what, but I noticed that I ate more than I normally do.

Social gatherings were sometimes hard. It got easier and easier to hangout with friends and crews without eating the chips and salsa everyone else was having, but sometimes you just to be included. Hard to admit, but food IS so social.

Eating out was really annoying. Making a million food modifications and asking what was in the salad dressing made me feel really annoying and a hassle to work with. I always ended up tipping extra!

Having to explain what the Whole 30 was to people could sometimes be difficult. “Are you doing it to lose weight?” was one of the most annoying questions I got. It was also hard to explain why I was doing it since I ate Whole 30-esque to begin with.

As a recipe developer, I missed baking and creating recipes with “non Whole 30 compliant” ingredients.

THE IN BETWEEN

My crew cooler staples: Chomp bars, Lara bars (dangerous- tried to have them in moderation/half a bar at a time), Epic bars, baby carrots, an assortment of nuts, GT’s kombucha (the only kombucha I could find without any added sugars), Suja green juice, tea (so much tea), nut butter, apples, collagen peptides packs, cucumber slices, avocado.

I started drinking coffee again in place of my natural pre-workout in the morning (it has stevia in it). I noticed that my body responded well to it! I usually had it with a splash of homemade almond milk or coconut milk, and sometimes a scoop of collagen.

The words “it’s only 30 days” really kept me going!

I’d HIGHLY recommend doing the Whole 30 with someone you are close with/live with! The support is what kept me going but it definitely would have been a lot more fun and easier if I was cooking all of my meals with someone else and had someone to relate with on a daily basis.

FAVORITE MEALS CREATED ON THE WHOLE 30

BREAKFAST

breakfast plate with an egg frittata, greens, roasted purple sweet potatoes, and berries
egg bake with pasture-raised eggs, zucchini, purple radish, brussel sprouts, snow peas, and avocado
sweet potato toast with roasted japanese sweet potato, smashed avocado, watermelon radish, a pasture raised egg made omelet, smoked salmon, microgreens, and kraut
shakshuka with pasture-raised eggs, brussel sprouts, purple sweet potato, tomato sauce, avocado, watermelon radish, cilantro, and cashew cheeze sauce drizzle

LUNCH

sweet potato bun sliders with turkey burgers, red onion, kraut microgreens, dill, and a side salad
a giant salad made with mixed greens, sweet potato ribbons, chicken sausage, purple radish, hemp seed crusted avo, dill, and edible flowers
grown up kid snack plate with almond flour crusted air fried chicken nuggets, kale salad, sweet potato fries, zucchini fries, and avocado
a niçoise inspired salad with arugula, jammy egg, smoked salmon, roasted sweet potato, cherry tomatoes, kraut, olives, sautéed green beans, and lemon

DINNER

vegetable stir fry with green beans, brussel sprouts, red onion, watermelon radish, zucchini noodles, mushrooms, and microgreens with a creamy almond butter tahini sauce
sweet potato lasagna made with thinly sliced sweet potato, zucchini, almond ricotta, chicken sausage, marinara sauce, microgreens, and edible flowers
pan seared salmon with roasted sweet potato, mushrooms, crispy brussel sprouts, microgreens, side salad, kraut, and pumpkin seeds
fajita bowl with cauliflower lime rice, ground turkey, mushrooms, arugula, red peppers, microgreens, and edible flowers

For recipes and more, visit my Instagram feed at @kaleintheclouds

I hope this gave you a little insight of what being on the Whole 30 could be like! I would encourage it if you are rely heavily on processed foods AND have a relatively healthy relationship with food. I realized that for me, intuitive eating is so important and more my style. All the love!