Looking for some tips..

Okay so I am leaving for Chicago for 5 days starting Saturday and returning on Wednesday night. Here is my dilima. I want to be good and not fall off the wagon but do not want to lug my protein bars and powders on the plane. Any ideas on what to eat as we will be eating out constantly? I barely sleep when I am in Chicago as I have so many relatives and they are always wanting to do something into the wee hours. lol. I am not complaining I love my family and have not seen them in about 8 years. I will let you know about all my WOW moments the minute I get back. Thanks in advance for any ideas you can provide me with. BTW I have not had a vacation since my children were born so watch out Chicago here I come. Minus hubby and kids!! Whoo Hoo!!

First of all - Have a great trip!!
 Personally I would lug some snacks / protein bars / protein powders along. How much room do a few portioned out zip lock baggies of protein powder and a few bars take up really? You can get milk at most hotels and make a shake for breakfast or a snack. The bars will be good incase you are somewhere and need to eat (like on the plane). AS far as restaurants everywhere has meat - jus tbe smart when ordering! You CAN do this!

Have a great time as a temporarily "single" lady! lol

I agree, take the protein powder.  I was just in Disney and took my protein powder.  I started every morning out with my protein drink.  That way, even if the rest of the day wasn't stellar, I started the day out right.  By the way I also took my dried edamame and ate that for lunch several days while the grandkids had their Disney kids meal and PopPop (Joe) knoshed on all things bad.  Having my go-to foods with me made it so much easier and really didn't take much room.

Have a fantastic time on vacation - sounds like you MORE than deserve it!!

I agree with Liz - pack bars and/or powder - not sure what security will do with the powder, if anything, but bars can go anywhere. I'm stocking up for our upcoming vacation on Atkins bars - I prefer them over most due to their low carb and sugar content - they're small but you can get them with as many as 18 g of protein - and they don't taste like candy bars so you're not tempted to just chow down on them. I don't know how your system is but I find now that if I don't eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours I get light-headed and nauseaus - a little wobbly - so I always try to have at least one in my purse. I'll be taking enough along on my trip to satisfy me in the car on the way to Florida - for a quick snack at my sisters - and I'll be toting some on the cruise as well for mid-morning and mid-afternoon quick snacks - I can always find fruit to go with them. I doubt I'll be carrying powder - just too messy to deal with.

Throw one or two bars in your handbag or carry on for the plane - if you don't want to take a lot I'm sure someone you're visiting will be more than happy to get you to a health food store or Walmart to pick more up while you're there.

Have a great time!!

I have had no problem carrying protein powder in ziplocs in my carry on.

That's good to know - the security is so weird anymore I didn't know if they'd flag something like that or not. Sadly I am always pulled out of line because of my knees - guess I just didn't want something else they could pat me down for! LOL!!

Have a fun trip!  Sounds like you really deserve it, too!

I agree with Liz.  I'd definitely take my protein powder.  You can probably get protein bars once you get there.  I'd probably pack my MagicBullet too - lol - it seems I can't live without Max Protein and the MB.

Have a wonderful trip!  I have a son who lives in Chicago and I haven't gotten there yet.  Eating out often includes shrimp ****tail for me, or sometimes I'll just have onion soup.  Grilled chicken is usually good.  I'm always splitting meals with someone when I go out, and I've always still got leftovers.

Yea...I'm with everyone else...even if you don't "want" to lug extra stuff with you - it's in your best interest to do so.  I'd probably forgo the powder, but at least a few bars.

Are you staying at a hotel or at one of your relatives houses? If it's a hotel, call in advance and make sure you can have a fridge in your room for maybe some fruit and yogurts or something you can get when you get there...just to have for a quick breakfast while getting ready or for a late night post party snack.

Have FUN!!!  Remember it may be difficult, considering they haven't seen you, to keep on track and not allow them to "influence" you.  They are used to the "old" shilpa and may want to recreate some moments which generally involve poor healthy choices.

Can't wait to hear all about it!

When I went to New Orleans, I searched for the CVS closest to my hotel before leaving (it was 2 blocks away) - It was right around the corner - I know they sell milk, bars and powder, so I packed what I needed to get me cooking for the first day and bought what I needed there and brought home what was left.

enjoy - P.S. - are you still doing the shoe drive thing?  I have a bag of shoes in my trunk to give you if you are still doing it.

and - hoping for lots of wows!