Friday, July 31, 2009
Another Sunday Post
I just got into Dublin from Paris... I will be posting on Sunday when I get to Ben's parents' place in England. Sorry for the delay but with all this running around I need some beauty rest!
Friday, July 24, 2009
10 Beauty Essentials While Travelling Abroad
I leave for my two weeks in Europe tomorrow and as always I have two dilemmas:
a. I am a skincare junkie who likes to prepare for every beauty emergency
b. I'm moving around a lot and only want to take my carry-on. (I need a make-up bag made from the same stuff those clown cars are made of.)
But while two weeks away in different climates is a challenge, its nothing compared to when I went away to India for a month (I was so prepared I had three types of natural disinfectants and even surgical masks for the more polluted cities I was in.... have I mentioned I'm a germaphobe?).
So, for any of you who also needs versatility coupled with simplicity, below is a list of beauty must-haves for travel...and all while fitting in a small transparent make-up case and following the parameters of what you can bring in-flight. Note: You can bring bottles 100ml and smaller, 10 pieces max. The sum of all contents in this sealed and clear bag can only add up to 1 litre.
10 Beauty Essentials Abroad
1. A multi-purpose cleanser: Depending on where you are going and its climate, you will need to choose between a gel and a milk. For drier environments, a light cleansing milk will keep your skin hydrated and can often also act as an eye make-up remover - more humid environments call for a gel. When I went to Mexico, I packed our Organic Spearmint face and body wash and used it for my face, body and even hair. This little gem saved me packing three items.
2. A hydrating serum: If you don't think a serum is important, you're wrong. Since serums have a water-like consistency, they are perfect for keeping your skin moist. This is especially restorative after the drying flight. I always pack a soothing serum as it is gentle enough to double as an eye gel.
3. Oil: My family loves oil. Just ask my mother - she not only oils her face, body and scalp, she puts oil up her nose and drops it in her ears. She even sometimes she puts it in her eyes as she swear its has improved her eye sight. Oil lubricates your tissues and keeps your skin and body clean. I usually bring a face oil and use it for all over as its packaged in the right sized container. Oil is also essential because you can make your moisturizer heavier with by putting a pump or two of oil into it and save you from having to guess what the weather fluctuations will be like.
4. A cooling lotion: This is what you will use to moisturize. But its very important to take a cooling, calming product with you as it will help soothe your skin after burns or during an eczema flare ups that may occur (often this happens after long flights). If the weather is too dry, simply add your oil to it to give it more body.
5. A clay mask: The last thing you need to deal with when visiting Japan is a pimple the size of Mount Fujiyama. So, to aid this, pack a small sample-sized pot of clay mask. It will save you in ways you never dreamed of. I have used my clay mask on bug bites to suck out the itchy toxins as well as on rashes. Its definitely a life-saver.
6. A gelled paper mask: After any long flight I immediately apply our Pure + Simple Skin restoration mask. It comes as a paper which has been soaked in collagen, elastin and many other rejuvenating goodies. And while its a once-use only, its easy to pack as its as slim as an envelope. I have also used other masks like this from Germany, but instead of paper it can come in the form of a gel pad. While these are also very healing for your skin, they are wicked expensive.
7. Sun block: This goes without saying. I don't leave the house without sun block -- I actually carry a small bottle of it in my purse just in case. Coming from a girl obsessed with her pigmentation, I know how important it is to protect. But a natural sunblock again has its surprising benefits. A former employee of ours actually used it while hiking through the mountains on his skin rash on his groin. The rash was coming from his clothes chaffing at his skin met with the dampness of the environment (there were floods). The healing properties of zinc in a natural block not only acts as a protective layer, but also as an anti-inflammatory.
8. A tongue scraper: I scrape my tongue with a tongue scraper every morning. But if you are afraid of hassle at security, you can also get a plastic one or one which is made from something which looks like card board. Tongue diagnosis is a large part of assessment according to Eastern medicine (I'm actually reading a book right now on tongue diagnosis). A yellowish coating can indicate excess acid while a white coating can indicate toxicity and possible internal fungus. So, scraping off any crud which is on your tongue in the morning is a form of detoxification, and is a grooming practice I am religious about.
9. Tweezers: Nothing keeps you looking more grooms than well-kept eye brows. Packing tweezers will help you look and feel polished even if you are living out of your suitcase. When I was backpacking around Australia they were an emotional life-saver while staying in tree house hostels in the jungle.
10. An anti-bacterial hydrosol: Anyone who knows me knows I hate dirt, germs, bugs and bad smells. I know this seems pretty standard, but they can actually ruin my day. So I will always pack a bottle of Witch Hazel, Peppermint or Sage hydrosol. I spray my hands, body, and any part of a hotel room that I deem germy looking (Think shower heads etc). If you can't fit in a hydrosol bottle in your beauty travel pack, opt for a small dropper of oil of oregano. I have even taken this internally when travelling in places that make me fear parasites etc. A bactericide not only helps me keeps me feeling clean and safe but they also has posses a wonderful purifying smell which clear my head. If you are not travelling to a place where you are worried about hygiene, I still pack one of these hydrosols in case I want to disinfect surprise blemishes or cuts and scrapes.
a. I am a skincare junkie who likes to prepare for every beauty emergency
b. I'm moving around a lot and only want to take my carry-on. (I need a make-up bag made from the same stuff those clown cars are made of.)
But while two weeks away in different climates is a challenge, its nothing compared to when I went away to India for a month (I was so prepared I had three types of natural disinfectants and even surgical masks for the more polluted cities I was in.... have I mentioned I'm a germaphobe?).
So, for any of you who also needs versatility coupled with simplicity, below is a list of beauty must-haves for travel...and all while fitting in a small transparent make-up case and following the parameters of what you can bring in-flight. Note: You can bring bottles 100ml and smaller, 10 pieces max. The sum of all contents in this sealed and clear bag can only add up to 1 litre.
10 Beauty Essentials Abroad
1. A multi-purpose cleanser: Depending on where you are going and its climate, you will need to choose between a gel and a milk. For drier environments, a light cleansing milk will keep your skin hydrated and can often also act as an eye make-up remover - more humid environments call for a gel. When I went to Mexico, I packed our Organic Spearmint face and body wash and used it for my face, body and even hair. This little gem saved me packing three items.
2. A hydrating serum: If you don't think a serum is important, you're wrong. Since serums have a water-like consistency, they are perfect for keeping your skin moist. This is especially restorative after the drying flight. I always pack a soothing serum as it is gentle enough to double as an eye gel.
3. Oil: My family loves oil. Just ask my mother - she not only oils her face, body and scalp, she puts oil up her nose and drops it in her ears. She even sometimes she puts it in her eyes as she swear its has improved her eye sight. Oil lubricates your tissues and keeps your skin and body clean. I usually bring a face oil and use it for all over as its packaged in the right sized container. Oil is also essential because you can make your moisturizer heavier with by putting a pump or two of oil into it and save you from having to guess what the weather fluctuations will be like.
4. A cooling lotion: This is what you will use to moisturize. But its very important to take a cooling, calming product with you as it will help soothe your skin after burns or during an eczema flare ups that may occur (often this happens after long flights). If the weather is too dry, simply add your oil to it to give it more body.
5. A clay mask: The last thing you need to deal with when visiting Japan is a pimple the size of Mount Fujiyama. So, to aid this, pack a small sample-sized pot of clay mask. It will save you in ways you never dreamed of. I have used my clay mask on bug bites to suck out the itchy toxins as well as on rashes. Its definitely a life-saver.
6. A gelled paper mask: After any long flight I immediately apply our Pure + Simple Skin restoration mask. It comes as a paper which has been soaked in collagen, elastin and many other rejuvenating goodies. And while its a once-use only, its easy to pack as its as slim as an envelope. I have also used other masks like this from Germany, but instead of paper it can come in the form of a gel pad. While these are also very healing for your skin, they are wicked expensive.
7. Sun block: This goes without saying. I don't leave the house without sun block -- I actually carry a small bottle of it in my purse just in case. Coming from a girl obsessed with her pigmentation, I know how important it is to protect. But a natural sunblock again has its surprising benefits. A former employee of ours actually used it while hiking through the mountains on his skin rash on his groin. The rash was coming from his clothes chaffing at his skin met with the dampness of the environment (there were floods). The healing properties of zinc in a natural block not only acts as a protective layer, but also as an anti-inflammatory.
8. A tongue scraper: I scrape my tongue with a tongue scraper every morning. But if you are afraid of hassle at security, you can also get a plastic one or one which is made from something which looks like card board. Tongue diagnosis is a large part of assessment according to Eastern medicine (I'm actually reading a book right now on tongue diagnosis). A yellowish coating can indicate excess acid while a white coating can indicate toxicity and possible internal fungus. So, scraping off any crud which is on your tongue in the morning is a form of detoxification, and is a grooming practice I am religious about.
9. Tweezers: Nothing keeps you looking more grooms than well-kept eye brows. Packing tweezers will help you look and feel polished even if you are living out of your suitcase. When I was backpacking around Australia they were an emotional life-saver while staying in tree house hostels in the jungle.
10. An anti-bacterial hydrosol: Anyone who knows me knows I hate dirt, germs, bugs and bad smells. I know this seems pretty standard, but they can actually ruin my day. So I will always pack a bottle of Witch Hazel, Peppermint or Sage hydrosol. I spray my hands, body, and any part of a hotel room that I deem germy looking (Think shower heads etc). If you can't fit in a hydrosol bottle in your beauty travel pack, opt for a small dropper of oil of oregano. I have even taken this internally when travelling in places that make me fear parasites etc. A bactericide not only helps me keeps me feeling clean and safe but they also has posses a wonderful purifying smell which clear my head. If you are not travelling to a place where you are worried about hygiene, I still pack one of these hydrosols in case I want to disinfect surprise blemishes or cuts and scrapes.
Friday, July 17, 2009
A Short Affair with the Shopping Channel
I confess I am a reformed consumerista. In my early twenties, earning adult wages but still living like a teenager at home, I would spend whole pay cheques frivolously on marked down cocktail dresses (I would never wear because God knows I never went to cocktail parties), turquoise leather jackets, full-length wool coats, and I think I have a pair of thigh high white suede boots kicking around somewhere. And now fully independent, I like to think I have become more practical with age. But I suppose even the best of us relapse, or at least that is how I would explain my recent purchase of an electric facial brush for $225 US? I blame the Shopping Channel because their seductive wiles made me unable to resist the Clarisonic - a little gadget which uses a rotating brush to buff away dead skin thoroughly but gently. Apparently its so gentle you can even use it over pimples (!). You can even have it personalized - that's right, an engraved hand-held exfoliator is exactly what any self-preserving person needs. Did I mention it was water-proof?
Now there was logic to this mini-splurge; I have been in the market for a face massager for a while, as I really want to increase the circulation in my skin and also want to rid myself of my morning puffiness with some lymph stimulation - so the Clarisonic seemed perfect for my needs as you get the benefits of its vibrations paired with an exfoliation.
Needless to say, I couldn't wait to receive my "sonic skin cleansing system" (referring to it as a "system" sounds so much more effective) in the mail and tore open the package right away. I will say this: the instructions need work as it came with three heads but with no labelling or guide to which head was for what - and it said that the back lights showed you its battery power level, but mine was blinking different lights with each blinks so I had no idea what that meant. I also canned the skincare as it was laden with chemicals.
Nonetheless upon my first spin (around my face), the bristles felt good against my skin like it was buffing away a cuticle of dry, dead cells. I continued by using the larger brush head (which I assumed was the body brush) on my left leg leaving the right as a control to test.
The next day I was impressed that my skin still felt extremely soft as I presumed that newly shed skin cells would have appeared by now. My face also felt more hydrated as my skincare penetrated more deeply. And upon inspection of my legs - my ugly right leg was scaly and dry while my left was smoother and also brighter in tone. This excited me! And I wanted to start round two but as an esthetician I am wary of over-exfoliating, so I promised myself I would only use it two to three times per week and only on wet skin (exfoliation is always best on moist skin which is why we at Pure + Simple have started to do all Sea Salt Microdermabrasion treatments afte we have steamed).
But while my skin feels great, the real test will be to see if I am still using the Clarisonic in a month. Will it be a regular part of my beauty regime or will it join my discarded Lite book (electric book of lights which combat seasonal affected disorder) and Mastermoves (basically a Lazy Susan you swivel on to work your abs)?
And looking at these pieces of abandoned equipment, I have to ask myself if I really am older, wiser and more practical or have simply shifted in tastes.
Now there was logic to this mini-splurge; I have been in the market for a face massager for a while, as I really want to increase the circulation in my skin and also want to rid myself of my morning puffiness with some lymph stimulation - so the Clarisonic seemed perfect for my needs as you get the benefits of its vibrations paired with an exfoliation.
Needless to say, I couldn't wait to receive my "sonic skin cleansing system" (referring to it as a "system" sounds so much more effective) in the mail and tore open the package right away. I will say this: the instructions need work as it came with three heads but with no labelling or guide to which head was for what - and it said that the back lights showed you its battery power level, but mine was blinking different lights with each blinks so I had no idea what that meant. I also canned the skincare as it was laden with chemicals.
Nonetheless upon my first spin (around my face), the bristles felt good against my skin like it was buffing away a cuticle of dry, dead cells. I continued by using the larger brush head (which I assumed was the body brush) on my left leg leaving the right as a control to test.
The next day I was impressed that my skin still felt extremely soft as I presumed that newly shed skin cells would have appeared by now. My face also felt more hydrated as my skincare penetrated more deeply. And upon inspection of my legs - my ugly right leg was scaly and dry while my left was smoother and also brighter in tone. This excited me! And I wanted to start round two but as an esthetician I am wary of over-exfoliating, so I promised myself I would only use it two to three times per week and only on wet skin (exfoliation is always best on moist skin which is why we at Pure + Simple have started to do all Sea Salt Microdermabrasion treatments afte we have steamed).
But while my skin feels great, the real test will be to see if I am still using the Clarisonic in a month. Will it be a regular part of my beauty regime or will it join my discarded Lite book (electric book of lights which combat seasonal affected disorder) and Mastermoves (basically a Lazy Susan you swivel on to work your abs)?
And looking at these pieces of abandoned equipment, I have to ask myself if I really am older, wiser and more practical or have simply shifted in tastes.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Beauty Secret #9: Love
So, I am back from my Ayurvedic Seminar in New Mexico - but while the course was teaching my about marmani (the Ayurvedic version of acupressure), I learnt about something that is even more meaningful: love.
Love? Now I know what you are thinking: Put away the prayer beads and fisherman pants and start talking to me about real beauty tips, but what I realized is that being beautiful and open-hearted are one in the same... even in a very direct way.
Dr. Lad (the teacher of my course and renowned Ayurvedic doctor), sprinkled the week with side notes about the link between the way we think and our body's health. According to him, not only did negative thoughts or repressed emotions create toxins, but also displayed themselves in the physical form. This could express itself as wrinkles (Vata worry lines or liver related frown lines), blemishes (excess heat and Pitta emotions), pigmented spots (internal inflammation aggravated by inflammatory thoughts) and muscular pain (sometimes caused by unresolved grief). "Our issues are in our tissues" he would say.
Ayurveda even has emotions which are linked to specific organs and which were included in the seminar's hand-out package: the Kidneys relate to fear and anxiety (also enhanced by lack of sleep), the Stomach relates to nervousness, the Liver relates to anger and frustration, the Heart relates to Worry and the Sex organs relate to embarrassment - and the antithesis to these emotion-caused organ dysfunctions is love.
Dr. Lad went on to explain that true balance was attained through striving for enlightenment, and that this was only achieved through love - which meant we had to let go of ego and judgement. Now this for me is especially difficult as I have made a sport of self-judgement (I think I have spent half an hour trying to decide whether I am forming a double chin or not), but he said it was not only for ourselves but for the health of those around us, and as health practitioners, it was imperative that we treat and diagnose our patients/ clients from a place of compassion and love (starting with ourselves). And while this may sound to you like a lot of new age jargon, I believe him as I felt healthier than I have in years just being in such an environment of positivity.
The class itself was filled with Western Doctors, Massage Therapists, Yoga Teachers, Acupuncturists and other Ayurvedic Practitioners, and as the week wore on I noticed how nurturing this group was. And being from a large city in which we mostly keep to ourselves (and eye contact straight ahead, I was surprised by how much perfect strangers were smiling and waving at me. One classmate even stopped me as I passed her and said peacefully "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet, I have just seen your beautiful face in class." I was completely taken aback (did I mention I wore no make-up and fisherman pants the whole week?). And she herself was also beautiful with kind eyes and a beaming complexion.
I reminded me of how beautifying our intentions can be - and while I knew this already, I needed to be reminded that while we can have things and attributes we want to change about ourselves, we cannot get so attached to them that they become more important than our sense of self-acceptance. Needless to say I am working on bringing these serene mountain-side thoughts into the busyness of life back in Toronto.
And I do believe in the power of mindset and karma - because when I landed at home, Ben was waiting for me at the airport in a full tuxedo and with a bouquet of flowers (these kind of grandiose gestures are totally out of character)...and I couldn't have felt prettier.
Love? Now I know what you are thinking: Put away the prayer beads and fisherman pants and start talking to me about real beauty tips, but what I realized is that being beautiful and open-hearted are one in the same... even in a very direct way.
Dr. Lad (the teacher of my course and renowned Ayurvedic doctor), sprinkled the week with side notes about the link between the way we think and our body's health. According to him, not only did negative thoughts or repressed emotions create toxins, but also displayed themselves in the physical form. This could express itself as wrinkles (Vata worry lines or liver related frown lines), blemishes (excess heat and Pitta emotions), pigmented spots (internal inflammation aggravated by inflammatory thoughts) and muscular pain (sometimes caused by unresolved grief). "Our issues are in our tissues" he would say.
Ayurveda even has emotions which are linked to specific organs and which were included in the seminar's hand-out package: the Kidneys relate to fear and anxiety (also enhanced by lack of sleep), the Stomach relates to nervousness, the Liver relates to anger and frustration, the Heart relates to Worry and the Sex organs relate to embarrassment - and the antithesis to these emotion-caused organ dysfunctions is love.
Dr. Lad went on to explain that true balance was attained through striving for enlightenment, and that this was only achieved through love - which meant we had to let go of ego and judgement. Now this for me is especially difficult as I have made a sport of self-judgement (I think I have spent half an hour trying to decide whether I am forming a double chin or not), but he said it was not only for ourselves but for the health of those around us, and as health practitioners, it was imperative that we treat and diagnose our patients/ clients from a place of compassion and love (starting with ourselves). And while this may sound to you like a lot of new age jargon, I believe him as I felt healthier than I have in years just being in such an environment of positivity.
The class itself was filled with Western Doctors, Massage Therapists, Yoga Teachers, Acupuncturists and other Ayurvedic Practitioners, and as the week wore on I noticed how nurturing this group was. And being from a large city in which we mostly keep to ourselves (and eye contact straight ahead, I was surprised by how much perfect strangers were smiling and waving at me. One classmate even stopped me as I passed her and said peacefully "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet, I have just seen your beautiful face in class." I was completely taken aback (did I mention I wore no make-up and fisherman pants the whole week?). And she herself was also beautiful with kind eyes and a beaming complexion.
I reminded me of how beautifying our intentions can be - and while I knew this already, I needed to be reminded that while we can have things and attributes we want to change about ourselves, we cannot get so attached to them that they become more important than our sense of self-acceptance. Needless to say I am working on bringing these serene mountain-side thoughts into the busyness of life back in Toronto.
And I do believe in the power of mindset and karma - because when I landed at home, Ben was waiting for me at the airport in a full tuxedo and with a bouquet of flowers (these kind of grandiose gestures are totally out of character)...and I couldn't have felt prettier.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Leaving on a Jet Plane...and landing with beautiful skin
I am flying home today- and while I actually enjoy my time armed with only an ipod and a few good books- I hate what it does to my skin.
Air travel is incredibly drying, and between the increase in Vata (through excess movement) and the re-circulated air, I usually end up with dehydrated skin, some mild swelling and a few break outs. In my acne hay-day, I would say that the moment I stepped off that plane I knew a few blemishes would have popped up.
For those of your who haven't heard the Pure + Simple credo: dehydration is the cause of almost every skin-imbalance - so treat this and you'll be on your way to flawless skin.
But this time I am going to be prepared. Here are my tips for globetrotters to stay gorgeous:
1. Oil yourself from head to toe. The most important thing to do is oil your body down. Since Vata is increased Sesame oil is best as it promotes circulation, is warming and is rich in texture. And when I say oil yourself from head to toe, I mean it - every inch of it. From the scalp to the soles of the feet. I even apply a rich cream mask over top of the oil on my face (one that looks like a moisturizer so you cannot see it. While I may look like a grease ball, I won't look like a pizza face.
2. Take a ginger bath. A ginger bath before and after the flight is ideal. Not only will it nourish your body and support your immune system, but it will increase your circulation (and remember that flying impedes circulation making us puff out and swell). You do this with 1 part ginger powder and 1 part baking soda - I usually use a cup of each. Taking ginger capsules also helps to prevent jet lag as it pacifies Vata.
3. Wear pressure socks. I bought a pair of these at a trade show in Vancouver and they hugged me all the way home. Pressure socks are great for flights as they will prevent edema (swolleness). I try to wear them even around the city as they will help prevent varicose and spider veins. They come in a variety of colours and materials...even some sexy stockings.
4. Take oils internally. After flying to Australia and breaking out massively with eczema all over my face from the extreme dehydration, I started taking flax seed oil capsules when I travel. They helped me a lot when I was backpacking and flying all over the map, preventing dryness and also regulation my bowels. But you don't have to be limited to flax seed oil, you can take fish oils or evening primrose etc. depending on the contingencies of your own body. Here again, I am pretty liberal taking more before a flight than I would on a daily basis.
5. Stay away from drying foods. When travelling, stay away from Vata aggravating foods. These foods will only dry out your intestines which will not only dry out your skin, but possibly constipate you and make you feel bloated. So, anything dry is off-limits: crackers, dried fruit, bread, dense meat (avoid meat in general if you can), anything that depletes water in our bodies instead of hydrating it. I find this difficult because I used to like to travel with granola bars or dry-fruit bars as they are portable and convenient, but now I only pack fruits and veggies as they are full of cellular water. Cooked foods are better for pacifying Vata, but good luck sneaking a pot of stew past security. I suggest a nice warm bowl of oatmeal the morning you leave, and a nice hearty soup when you land.
Air travel is incredibly drying, and between the increase in Vata (through excess movement) and the re-circulated air, I usually end up with dehydrated skin, some mild swelling and a few break outs. In my acne hay-day, I would say that the moment I stepped off that plane I knew a few blemishes would have popped up.
For those of your who haven't heard the Pure + Simple credo: dehydration is the cause of almost every skin-imbalance - so treat this and you'll be on your way to flawless skin.
But this time I am going to be prepared. Here are my tips for globetrotters to stay gorgeous:
1. Oil yourself from head to toe. The most important thing to do is oil your body down. Since Vata is increased Sesame oil is best as it promotes circulation, is warming and is rich in texture. And when I say oil yourself from head to toe, I mean it - every inch of it. From the scalp to the soles of the feet. I even apply a rich cream mask over top of the oil on my face (one that looks like a moisturizer so you cannot see it. While I may look like a grease ball, I won't look like a pizza face.
2. Take a ginger bath. A ginger bath before and after the flight is ideal. Not only will it nourish your body and support your immune system, but it will increase your circulation (and remember that flying impedes circulation making us puff out and swell). You do this with 1 part ginger powder and 1 part baking soda - I usually use a cup of each. Taking ginger capsules also helps to prevent jet lag as it pacifies Vata.
3. Wear pressure socks. I bought a pair of these at a trade show in Vancouver and they hugged me all the way home. Pressure socks are great for flights as they will prevent edema (swolleness). I try to wear them even around the city as they will help prevent varicose and spider veins. They come in a variety of colours and materials...even some sexy stockings.
4. Take oils internally. After flying to Australia and breaking out massively with eczema all over my face from the extreme dehydration, I started taking flax seed oil capsules when I travel. They helped me a lot when I was backpacking and flying all over the map, preventing dryness and also regulation my bowels. But you don't have to be limited to flax seed oil, you can take fish oils or evening primrose etc. depending on the contingencies of your own body. Here again, I am pretty liberal taking more before a flight than I would on a daily basis.
5. Stay away from drying foods. When travelling, stay away from Vata aggravating foods. These foods will only dry out your intestines which will not only dry out your skin, but possibly constipate you and make you feel bloated. So, anything dry is off-limits: crackers, dried fruit, bread, dense meat (avoid meat in general if you can), anything that depletes water in our bodies instead of hydrating it. I find this difficult because I used to like to travel with granola bars or dry-fruit bars as they are portable and convenient, but now I only pack fruits and veggies as they are full of cellular water. Cooked foods are better for pacifying Vata, but good luck sneaking a pot of stew past security. I suggest a nice warm bowl of oatmeal the morning you leave, and a nice hearty soup when you land.
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