Monday, August 2, 2010

How We Stay Healthy Away From Home (a review and giveaway, y'all!)


This giveaway is now closed.  Winner to be announced soon! This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light.
When I heard about the chance to try out those little Crystal Light packets, I jumped at it.  Y'all already know how much I hate water, but alas, it seems important to consume, right?

Crystal Light sent me the Peach Mango Green Tea Metabolism + to try.  



One of my main concerns when I'm out on our Parker Adventure Days in the summertime is that we won't get enough to drink.  My solution is simple, but bland.  We buy bottled water and keep it in the back of the van all year round.  Most of the time we don't do anything other than stash it in it's original packaging and throw bottles out to everybody to avoid buying drinks on the go.  This time of year we get a little creative and we freeze them all.



We grab them on the way out the door and hopefully a few hours later you have completely melted, but marvelously cool drinks.

Simple?  Yes.  Healthy?  Of course.  But bland.  And remember I hate water?

So given the opportunity to add flavor to my water as opposed to just plain old water, I was beside myself.

I love the little on-the-go packets (I usually take them out of the box and stick some in my bag and a few in the van console).  We all stay hydrated and yet, I don't have to endure the bitter taste of water.  (And yes, water does too have a taste!)

I liked the flavor of the Mango Peach Green Tea, but I need no extra caffeine as often as I want to down these, so I went and tried Raspberry Lemonade.  If you're all about the pick-me-up, get you some Metabolism +, if you're like me, opt for the other decaf kinds - they're mahvelous.

Be sure to tell me in the comments here how you stay healthy away from home and you'll be entered to win $100 - that's it!

Y'all be sure to check out the other bloggers' reviews - that gives you 6 other chances to win $100 as well as a $1000 sweepstakes on the round-up page.  You can do all of that by going to the BlogHer.com CLB exclusive offers page.

Click here to read the official rules.

And here's Crystal Light's official home page.



BlogHer Reviewer

44 comments:

  1. I bring a food journal with me on vacation and keep track of calories consumed.

    I love flavored water...a lot better than soda.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  2. We also freeze water and other drinks to grab on the go. Sometimes I fill a plastic bottle half way and throw it in the freezer. When it's nearly time to leave I add more of the same drink. The drink is now ready to be consumed and will still cold for several hours.
    momznite_at_yahoo_daught_com

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  3. I love the crystal light packets! Yummy! I like to freeze capri suns and then stick them in with our lunch as ice packs. By the time we eat lunch, it's still cold and we have a drink and no ice pack to remember to put back in the freezer!

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  4. We also stash bottle water in the van. Buying drinks for us and 4 kids can get pricey! We don't let the kids have caffeine either dobthw water was a good fix. I already drink and love the lemonade crystal light sport drink mix, but never thought of taking them with us for the whole crew! I hate water too, and always drink much more when I add the flavor. I bet my kids will too!

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  5. We are bland...have a case of bottled water in the trunk of my car as we type! Love the flavored water concept to change things up a bit and give my soda drinkers the impression that they are drinking something other than PLAIN OLD water...but otherwise we are bland. I love water ice cold.
    Denise
    nieciesnack@yahoo.com

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  6. Peach tea baby!! Love it. And Little Bit loves lemonade. S and Sweetheart just have water. But what we do is I grab a baggie of snacks before we leave the house to avoid the dreaded drive thru. Cause if I drive through to get THEM something, I'm going to end up with something for ME too. I think that's a law of physics or soemthing.

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  7. I'm actually really bad about this but need to get better - especially in this heat!

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  8. We usually bring juice boxes along with some water. Then I just pour half of both in my lil ones' sippy cups. That way they have some flavor but less sugar. I used to drink crystal light all the time in college, but i'd love to try some of the newest flavors.

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  9. Don't succumb to peer pressure- colleagues or family -when meal/snack/booze time comes around.

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  10. I carry nuts and a container of water with me so I won't be tempted to eat badly when I am on the go.
    jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

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  11. I always take a bottle of water with me in my backpack while vacationing. When I'm out, there are always enough shops around to buy some more! And I happen to love water, so I'm not tempted by sodas and other junk. Thanks for doing the giveaway! :o)

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  12. Bring along snacks in those little tiny ziplock bags.

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  13. My family has done some long treks from the deep south to the north country in the last couple years, I have learned that eating lightly is best. Sitting for hours upon hours is hard on the digestion! Bring yogurt,apples,wheat crackers. Sugar and fats is likely to bring on the belly aches and a general sense of ickiness.
    quitecontrary1977@hotmail.com

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  14. Don't freeze regular water bottles! Nasty carcinogenic chemicals leach out of the plastic as the water thaws. You can freeze reusable bottles - BPA-free plastic or SIGG-type bottles, which is what I do. Also, there are special bottles that come with a freezable stick, so you just throw that in when you go.

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  15. I get sick of plain water too, especially because I like ICE water which is hard on the road, but when I remember I bring a little cooler in the car with cold drinks. I like the idea of these little packet...I've never tried them but they look good!

    couponboss at gmail dot com

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  16. We bring a cooler, about the size of my husband's large work lunch holder. It can hold 4 large 24 to 32 ounce reusable bottles. The pocket holds the Crystal Light packages. It also has enough room for 4 pieces of fruit or 4 individual little reusable bowls with lids that contain stick type veggies, like celery, carrots, and bell pepper stripes.

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  17. By not eating out every meal!
    We try to cook our own food as often as possible.
    Just as if we were home.

    I love water...but haven't tried any flavor packs. I must try these!

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  18. We drink lots of water, stay away from fried foods and walk not ride whenever we can (stairs not hotel elevators). Low Fat granola bars for snacks to help resist the usual temptations of overeating away from home. :-)

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  19. Even on vacation, try and make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep. Being tired stresses the body and being tired helps make you prone to overeating.

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  20. We take water bottles with us and eat fresh fruit. It is so refreshing in this summer heat.

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  21. we stay healthy away from home by keeping a cooler in the car filled with frozen water and chilled veggies with a lowfat dip.
    mommy2skie at yahoo dot com

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  22. While on vacation I make sure I always have a water bottle. I get a refrigerator in the hotel room and put fruit and salads in it.

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  23. I USUALLY TAKE A 15 MINUTE MORNING JOG AS IM ADDICTED TO IT. SO WHETHER IM ON VACATION OR NOT IM SURE I'D STILL JOG kytah00@yahoo.com

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  24. The best thing to do >> pre-bag some peanuts, cashews, trail mix, dried fruit, and enjoy a wonderful snack that will keep you full and satisfied.
    -kat
    jewelrybydesign4@gmail.com

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  25. I try to bring lots of water and healthy snacks. I also try to plan ahead as best as I can if I know what type of restaurants and food choices there will be.

    winit6@hotmail.com

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  26. Since Mommy (me) is a diabetic, my kids are used to 'healthy' snacks... nuts, cheese, celery. We usually take a little ice chest wherever we go and pull from it all day. And they LOVE adding their own flavor packs to water bottles and shaking it up. We never leave home without them.

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  27. We have to bring al of our food when we are away from home because of my daughters allergies. I make sure to pack plenty of cut veggies and fruit for easy snacking! We also carry a cooler for water bottles and juice boxes.

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  28. I always try to get as much exercise as possible on vacation, walking or biking instead of driving if possible. Along with staying active, I drink plenty of water and try not to snack but instead stick to eating three healthy meals a day.

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  29. I never leave home without my water bottle, and a flavor packet or two in my bag for when the water gets boring to drink or no longer cold. My water has to be ice cold. I also bring along granola bars, dry cereal, popcorn, nuts and seeds for munching. Saves money and is healthier for us all.

    BrendaLea
    prpldy (at) comcast dot net

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  30. I keep a large cooler in the back of my vehicle as I seem to always bring something with us on the go. That large divided veggie tray with lid that tupperware puts out is my lifeline in the summer. Whenever we are running out for the day (usually a park playdate) I fill it up with deli meat rolled up, cheeses, olives, fresh veggies, fruit, and some sort of salad dressing. throw it in my cooler (with ice and water bottles) in the back of the vehicle for later. when other moms or kids start talking about which fast food to hit, I pull it out and it's amazing to see all the kids flock to it. no need to even bring up "we don't eat fast food" :)

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  31. Laura bars are my 'always keep handy' food and I always have my water bottle. Thanks for the contest.

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  32. Now that I'm a mom, we don't go anywhere without healthy snacks. I'm the walking snack machine. Want some fruit? Your wish is granted.Also, water is a must.

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  33. thanks for sharing your experience. i don't really stay healthy away from home >.< we eat fast food, snack on unhealthy snacks, but i do remember to bring some bottles of water with me.
    songyueyu at gmail

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  34. During vacation, we pack snacks and fresh fruit that from farmer's market or grocery stores nearby and always have water bottle by side.

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  35. I like really really ice cold water!
    Jenny B

    jennyhasquads at yahoodotcom

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  36. We keep half full bottle of water in the freezer to grab, fill up, and go. We also go walking every night for 3.3 miles as a family.

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  37. I stop at the grocery store as soon as I get into town and pick up some healthy food. I always get a room with at least a mini fridge and microwave. It helps my budget and waistline to cook a little in the room. :)

    kristisdeals1 at yahoo dot com

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  38. Due to Chronic Colitis and IBS, it is very difficult to travel, add three young boys and a husband that loves his ribs, and I always try to appease them all. When we are on a roadtrip (as it's easier to travel with food, vs flights), I pack separate celery, carrots and numerous "fun dips" in mini tupperware like containers. I also make a "mysterious dip" (100% HEALTHY!!) that the boys have to try and guess 3 ingredients in them. The winner is allowed one "junky jake snack attack" along the way. In a bag, cooler, etc, there is an "area" established soley for J.J. Cookies, and things that their taste buds scream "real food." Little do they know, that aside from the cool mom Oreos and Doritos that I will include in "Junkie Jakes Snack Attack Pack," all the sweets are as healthy as possible.

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  39. I try to get out and walk as much as possible when I'm traveling or away from home. It's a great way to really see a new place while getting in some exercise. I carry my aluminum water bottle around with me everywhere and fill it up and water fountains or even restaurants will fill it up for you. That keeps me hydrated. I absolutely love Crystal Light's lemonade!

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  40. When were away from home I carry Green Tea and vitamine E water!

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  41. Water is always in the car, but have you discovered the Tervis cups and lids. They are insulated and keep drinks cold. I don't like the taste of water but I do like the flavored waters.

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  42. I stay hydrated by drinking half my body weight in ounces of water per day. Now, I can't do all that with plain water. I flavor with Crystal Light...esp pink lemonadge. I also pack some plain almonds for a quick protein boost.

    avennett At verizon DOT net

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  43. I always take a case (yes, a case) if we're going on vacation, or if to the park I pack up several bottles of water and peanuts for a walk around the park
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  44. We have a time share condo, so before we go, I cook a bunch of healthy food for lunches and bring a lot of fruit. So that means we're eating our usual healthy breakfast and lunch, and then everyone can choose what they want for dinner. We do a lot of swimming, walking, shuffleboard, and other activities, too.

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