The following is a guest post by Ling Cai, a New York-based wellness enthusiast & blogger. You can find Ling’s blog here.

Warmer weather is finally upon us here in the New York! Road trips are the perfect weekend getaway to have fun, relax and recharge.

Here are my 8 must-haves whenever I take a road trip:

TIP #1: Sunscreen

I’ve been wearing sunscreen religiously since I was a teen. Even if the sun isn’t blazing outside, I always apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before stepping outdoors. A fantastic non-toxic option is Coola’s Mineral Sunscreen. It’s only SPF 30 so don’t forget to keep reapplying every 2 hours to protect your skin.

TIP #2: Ginger candy

If you’re prone to car sickness, Saje Wellness’ Ginger-Aide truly works wonders. I’ve tried many different brands in the past and these are my go-to. These organic, vegan drops are made with lemon, ginger and echinacea and are incredibly soothing. It’s 100% natural and don’t contain any synthetic ingredients.

TIP #3: A killer playlist

Listening to the same Spotify playlists can get a little repetitive after a while so I make sure to download various business and entrepreneur podcasts. This fills the silence and helps me learn new information while getting to my destination.

TIP #4: Stasher Bag

I always carry snacks with me. Whether I’m going to work, to class or travelling, I like having healthy snacks on hand to make sure I don’t end up buying unhealthy, processed foods out of ravenous hunger. Stasher Bag is a reusable ziplock bag I try to use instead of single use plastic ziplocks. The bag comes in different sizes and can be used to store sandwiches, fresh fruit and veggie slices and so much more. It’s also microwave- and dishwasher-safe!

TIP #5: Fresh fruits and veggies

Apples, baby carrots and mini tomatoes are some of my go-to snacks. It’s fuss-free, easy-to-share and packed full of nutrients. Trying to incorporate fruits and veggies into my meals and snacks throughout the day is a great way to easily meet my daily fruit and veggie limit. Not a fan of eating these snacks plain? Try squeezing some Justin’s Honey Almond Butter onto your apple slices or dipping the carrots and tomatoes into hummus or pesto.

TIP #6: A better-for-you dessert

Let’s face it. A healthy diet is all about balance! There’s no need to deprive yourself. Instead, go for for better-for-you options of your favorite treats. Love Reese’s Pieces? Try Justin’s Mini Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Love sour gummy bears? Try SmartSweet’s Low Sugar Gummy Bears. Want a lemon tart? Try Hail Merry’s Meyer Lemon Cups. There are so many delicious, healthy desserts that don’t compromise quality for taste. A good habit I’ve developed is always reading ingredient labels instead of simply relying on the health claims that are plastered on the front of the package.

TIP #7: Hand Wipes

Herban Essentials’ Mini Lemon Towelettes are my fav. I love that these towelettes are inspanidually packaged so the wipes never go dry and I don’t accidentally grab more than I need. They’re infused with natural lemon essential oils which smells light and refreshing. They’re also multipurpose: they can be used to remove dirt from your face, to clean your hands after a meal or to wipe down all your devices.

TIP #8: Health-Ade Kombucha

Kombucha is a must for me every day! Whenever I travel, I also try to hunt down a local grocery store to stock up on kombucha. The black tea gives me the energy boost I need to start my day and the probiotics keep my gut healthy. I love Power Greens after indulging a little too much and Cayenne Cleanse to start my mornings.

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