Paleo diets can be great for people searching to live a healthier lifestyle. However, sometimes it can be difficult to maintain if you don’t know how to keep a balanced diet of different types of food. One of the great food groups that you should regularly be eating in your paleo diet is vegetables. The good news is that there are many ways to cook vegetables to add to a delicious meal. Here are a few different kinds of vegetables that make great sides in your paleo diet.

Root Vegetables

First off, root vegetables make great sides in paleo meals. There are various kinds of root vegetables such as yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, and more. One easy way to prepare root vegetables is by making a mashed side, such as mashed sweet potatoes or yams, that can be topped with salt, pepper, and mix-ins. All of these vegetables can also be easily air fried to make crispy fries, bites, or hash browns. Oven-roasted root vegetables are also delicious and easy.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Another great group of vegetables that works well for different paleo sides are leafy green vegetables. Vegetables like kale and spinach help your teeth stay strong. Leafy greens are very easy to throw together in different kinds of salads. Kale and spinach are also great when cooked with different kinds of proteins and vegetables and served warm. They can even be used as a breakfast side in a small omelet. Leafy greens are very healthy for you and can be used in practically every meal.

Other Veggies

There are a number of other paleo vegetables that can be steamed, roasted, or air fried to make delicious side dishes. Veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can be prepared in countless ways that will add nutrition and delicious flavors to your paleo meals. Some people even like to use cauliflower to make rice or pizza crust to include even more servings of delicious vegetables in their main courses.

Working more vegetables into your paleo diet can take some work at first, but it’s not too hard once you get the hang of it. Remember, there are tons of veggies that you can use and multiple ways to prepare them to make delicious side dishes. As you take the time and effort to include a variety of veggies in your daily meals, you’ll find that you feel better, and it will be easier to maintain your diet.

What you eat is just the beginning of your start to a healthier you. Check out my Wellness Picks for tools, products, and tips that will help you achieve greater wellness.

Road trips are a great way to make memories. For your road trip to go smoothly, it will require planning in advance. You should make a list of all the necessities and ensure that each key point is checked off before you start your trip.

Plan Your Route

Road trips don’t always go to plan, but you do need to have a plan in place. This will make it less stressful. You should pick out the destinations and map out the roads you will take. Especially if your route is an unfamiliar one, you should search ahead for rest stops and plan stops. If it is an especially long drive, you should plan how much you will drive each day and sleep accommodations. Plan for surprises on your trip and have a backup plan. Planning can also help save you fuel because you won’t need to take unexpected detours.

Budget Your Trip

Your budget will dictate what you will do on the rest of your trip. Set a budget starting with essential costs of your trip, like the cost of fuel, hotels, and gas. You should plan your itinerary, plan out the driving route, and how many miles per day. Plan for any activities you will want to do and eat out. The last bit of your budget should be money that will be left over to use in unplanned situations and will give you flexibility in your trip.

Make a List of Eateries

Eating locally is a great way to enjoy your destination. Before you go on your trip you should make a list of eateries that you can enjoy. This will require a little research. You can use social media to find places to eat. You can use Instagram or Facebook to search local eateries and can also see what people are saying about them. There are also many other apps that can help you find eateries, like Yelp. Apps like these will often show a rating and reviews from customers. You can also leave some places unplanned and ask around or wander while you are at your destination to find some great places.

Get Car Maintenance Done

Car maintenance will prevent your car breaking down. You should check your tires to make sure the tread is not worn and there are no tears or punctures. A mechanic should check your breaks, battery, fluids, lights, and air conditioning. You may want to have your oil changed, especially if it is close to time. You can have your car prepped by having it cleaned and by having ceramic coating applied. Ceramic coating repels contaminants such as dirt, sap, bugs and salt. Your ceramic coating will help to protect your car while you are on the road.

Documents

When you are going on a road trip, you should make sure you have all the necessary documents. The first, and most obvious, thing you should have with you is your driver’s license. Without this you should not even be driving. Make sure any other driver in the car has theirs as well. Make sure you also have your insurance cards in your glove box. This will be important if any accidents happen while on the road. This way you can utilize your coverage. You should also make sure you have your documentation for registration of your vehicle in your car as well. Not having any of these documents will negatively impact your trip if you get pulled over for any reason.

Plan Activities or Sight Seeing

When you are planning your route for your trip, you should also plan for any sightseeing or activities you want to do along the way. There are so many different things you can see on your drive which can make it more interesting. Stopping for sightseeing will help break up the trip and help you make memories. You will want to set a plan for this, but also make sure you aren’t too rigid in your plan. You can plan extra time for sightseeing and activities that aren’t on your list. You can go explore and enjoy local features and cultures and it also gives your body some more time out of the car to stretch.

Carry Cash

While on your road trip, it may be a good idea to bring some cash with you. You can make do with a debit or credit card, but it is a good idea to have cash in the case of an emergency. You should bring at least $100 in cash with you, unless you are going to a place with many small businesses and won’t have access to an ATM. There is always a potential for losing your wallet, so you should keep your cash in a separate, but safe, place. You should also ensure that your credit card company is notified on your trip, so they don’t freeze your credit card.

Secure Your Home

While you are away from your home, you will want to make sure that it is secure. You should start by making sure it is clean and orderly so you can come back to a clean home. Arrange for someone to pick up your mail, water your plants, and take care of your pets. You also have many appliances and devices that use a lot of energy. You can unplug many of these items to save energy while you are away. You should do a walk-through of your home before you leave to ensure no water is running and no appliances are left on. To add protection to your home, you could install a security system.

For your trip to go smoothly, you need to plan many aspects of your trip, and make plans for keeping your home secure. With the proper planning and checklist, you can ensure that your trip will go smoothly and almost anxiety free. While it may not go exactly to the plan, any detour will be easily handled and will contribute to fond memories.

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