Travel & Live Better with SpectraSpray

When I start planning for a trip, there are certain things that I don't leave home without, and there are things that I often keep in my carry-on, and some of those things go in my personal item when I'm on a long-haul flight. Anything that can help me stay healthy is a plus, especially now when you can contract so many different things on a trip when you're coming into contact with more people than normal.

SpectraSpray helps me make the most of my trip, so I can spend my time enjoying my destination instead of being sick and/or tired. It can help you, too. SpectraSpray is a woman-owned company that specializes in oral sprays for a wide variety of needs, but my must-haves are the Daily Defense pack and the Sleep Well pack. 

                      Look how easy this is! No water, no mess, no food required.

Daily Defense

When you're touching so many new surfaces, breathing in recycled air, eating less-than-healthy food, and doing more than usual, you need to take care of yourself in other ways. You need to make up those vitamins and minerals somewhere. Instead of packing giant multi-vitamins that are hard to swallow and also hard for your body to absorb efficiently, bring along some nice tasting, easy oral sprays. 

The Daily Defense set comes with a multivitamin spray and an immune spray. You spritz 4 times into the inside of your cheek and it quickly absorbs into your body. As with anything for travel, you want to start using it before your actual trip. About a week before you leave, start using both of these to help you build up your immune system. Immune also creates a barrier in your mouth to help defend against outside bacteria and viruses. 

I still wear a mask when I fly or do things in close contact with others, like concerts or sitting on transit. Between a mask and Immune spray, you're going to avoid getting that dreaded vacation ick. Add in Multi and you're also going to feel better about yourself, even when you haven't had a real vegetable in two days. You should still try to find some fruits and veggies, but you're at least bridging the gap here, and the high absorption rate means your body is actually getting all the nutrients from the spray. $39.95 + use code SHEREENTRAVELS

Sleep Well

This set is a lifesaver on vacation and at home. It comes with B12 Energy and Sleep Spray. Sometimes, jet lag can catch up with you or even just a general tiredness that comes with being on the go so much. Not only do I swear by the B12 Energy when I'm on a trip and need a little extra pep, I also keep one of these sprays in my locker at work for those after-lunch feel-like-I-need-a-nap times. You can, literally, use it multiple times a day, it doesn't give you crash like caffeine and sugar might, and it doesn't keep you awake when it's time to wind down either. And if you've been drinking, well, this can help you recover a bit quicker instead of nursing a hangover and losing a whole day to it.

Now you can seamlessly use Sleep Spray when you're ready for bed. It supports a natural, deep sleep cycle and doesn't leave you drowsy when you wake up. I use this on long airplane rides when I know I need to get on a different sleep schedule. It helps my body relax, so I can slip into a decent sleep. I also use this on the first night in a new place, when I usually have a lot of trouble drifting off. Eric is a really light sleeper and everything wakes him up, but with the Sleep Spray, he's able to fall asleep and stay asleep longer. Getting better sleep means you can wake up refreshed and feel brand-new for your next day exploring a new destination. That's pretty priceless, in my opinion. $39.95 + use code SHEREENTRAVELS

Bonus: Ageless Beauty

SpectraSpray sent me their new liquid drops with Biotin and Collagen; two ingredients that promote healthy skin, nails, and hair. I've been using it for 2 weeks now and I feel like my skin has slowly improving. My hair and nails have always been strong. Ageless Beauty also supports your bones, muscles, and joints, an important thing to have as you get older. You take two dropperfuls a day (or 8 pumps, depending on how your bottle comes) and it has an interesting flavor. I'm ambivalent to it and just noticed it said it's supposed to be pineapple. I usually take it at nighttime before bed and put it under my tongue, like some other drops I had in the past. The flavor doesn't long-lasting, so by the time I walk into the other room to start my bedtime routine, I don't taste it anymore. $47.95 + use code SHEREENTRAVELS

Honestly, I refuse to take capsules, because they are often too hard to choke down and they don't feel like they work that well, and that's because your body doesn't absorb them as well as oral sprays, which are only outdone in efficiency by those given by IV, and, I don't know about you, but I don't have $150+ laying around for that treatment and especially not multiple times. Another benefit is that oral sprays don't make you nauseous, like you might get with traditional vitamin pills/capsules. You don't have to make sure you've just eaten, making them infinitely more convenient, too.

Not only that, but they don't taste bad. Most have a slight mint flavor that is nice and doesn't linger. Much better than that dirty herb flavor you sometimes (or all the time) get with supplements. If you don't enjoy it, it doesn't hang around. Give it a minute to absorb, and then chase it with some water. 

SpectraSpray makes vegan, organic, sugar-free, gluten-free, yeast-free, wheat-free, dye-free sprays to help you through every facet of your life. Not only are these sprays all natural and have the highest absorption rate, they can be used anywhere at any time, they're safe for everyone, are TSA-compliant, and there is no sugar, starch, wheat, soy, eggs, salt or dairy. Bonus: they're made in the USA.

You can buy each spray individually or you can buy them in sets. Individuals start at $17.95 and you can save by subscribing to your favorites. Check out their selection here and use the code SHEREENTRAVELS for 5% off.

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Disclaimer: I was provided with the Daily Defense, Sleep Well, and Ageless Beauty for the purposes of sharing with my readers. All opinions are 100% my own.

Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!

Eco-Conscious Travel Tips

While travel doesn't always feel like it's great for the environment, especially when you're getting to your destination on a a huge plane that burns a ton of fuel, there are many things you can do to offset your travel carbon footprint. 

Pack Light

The less "cargo" that a plane carries, the less fuel it has to use. It might be negligible in relation to the weight of the plane itself, but every little bit helps, plus you'll feel like a rock star for being able to go straight from the plane to your hotel, because you don't have to wait at the baggage carousel like all those other suckers. Boom! You saved time and you saved money. If you need ideas on how to pack strategically, check out this post.

Bring a reusable water bottle

Stay hydrated, while also being environmentally conscious and not buying a bunch of bottled waters on your trips. I have a favorite. I will fill it half with ice and the other half with water at the beginning of the day and my water stays cold all day long and I usually even have ice long after my bottle is empty and I need to refill it. It's great, because it also saves you money too.

Skip the straw

So many places now are banning plastic straws, because they aren't recyclable and mostly just end up in the ocean, aspiring to become a part of that plastic island. If you travel  internationally, you'll notice that you don't even get offered a straw in many places. If you must have a straw, travel with a reusable one. I have several stainless steel and copper straws that I put in my purse to use when I'm out. If you hate the feel of metal, try bamboo instead or a silicone top for your metal straw.

Bring your own utensils

With the same idea about straws, I generally travel with a set of bamboo utensils. Why? Because I love eating at food trucks, but I hate plastic utensils...and there's never anyplace to recycle them (if they even are recyclable). There's also the fact that sometimes those plastic forks and knives are just not sturdy enough for the food you're eating. Have you ever had a fork just snap in half while trying to eat something heartier? Well, bamboo forks will never do that, plus, you can wash them and reuse them without worrying about BPA and degradation. 

If you don't care if you have a whole range of utensils, then check out these awesome travel utensils from Humangear. They're made for camping, but no one's going to bat an eye if you whip these out at the food trucks, especially in Portland.

Shop at farmers’ markets

Support local farmers, butchers, florists and artisans by shopping at open-air markets. Not only will you be putting money back into a community to help it thrive, you’re also keeping small businesses alive. By purchasing fresh ingredients that you can eat right away or do a little preparation with back at your lodging, you’re saving money over a traditional sit-down meal.

Eat at food carts

Another way to save on meals is to eat at food carts. They are the ultimate in budget dining, because they are basically a mobile kitchen. With their low overhead, (no seating, waiters, busboys, etc.) those savings are passed on to you. You also get to try local cuisine for less, and normally where there is one food cart, there are many. If your kids are picky, there is bound to be something they find appetizing within reasonable walking distance from your current cart.

Find sustainable restaurants

While not always budget-friendly, I try to look for restaurants who use local and seasonal foods. This means that your food doesn't have to travel far to get to you, plus you're getting the freshest dishes possible, so it's a win-win. There are lots of sustainable restaurants that pass their savings on to you, so not only are you getting awesome food, but you aren't paying more for it either. Locally-sourced food is a great way to really feel your destination as well.

Ebooks and apps

Guidebooks are awesome, but not only do they take up room in your luggage, what do you do with them when your vacation is over? Probably you recycle them, but what if you didn’t have to? You can pretty much get any book you want in digital format for your e-reader or smartphone. You can even “bookmark” important pages you know you’ll need. And there are a lot of apps that can give you directions, city tours, maps and even help you find attractions nearby. Many are even free! Going paperless can really make you feel lighter on your trips and allow you to feel better about all the information you’re toting around.

Walk or take public transportation

A big percentage of  travelers rely on renting cars or taking cabs when on vacation, but that’s not always economical. In most big cities, taxis are really expensive and just a few trips could add up to hundreds of dollars. Why waste all that money (and gas!) when you can just as easily walk to your desired destinations or take public transportation? If either of these options are feasible, then take the time to slow down and smell the roses. 

You never know what you’re missing until you get out and see things from the point of view of a local. You’ll get some fresh air, exercise and even find a hidden shop or café that you can come back to. This is also a great time to let your kids take the reins and learn to navigate the subway map or figure out the best walking route from your hotel to wherever it is you planned on going. And if you tend to get swollen ankles from tons of walking, then get yourself a pair of good compression socks for sightseeing or to wear when you get back to your room.

Stay in an eco-lodge

If you’re looking for alternative accommodations from your typical hotel, consider staying in an eco-lodge. They come in many different types, but strive to do their best to impact the environment as little as possible, with low-flow toilets, use of sustainable materials, farm-to-table programs and more. You will find that many are a lot more luxurious than expected and even more affordable. Be careful, though, as some offer electricity, while others do not. If lights after sundown are important to you, then make sure you confirm that it is included before you book.

Stay in an Airbnb

While this isn't necessarily eco-friendly all on its own, it comes with benefits built-in that you don't think about: there's no housekeeping, so unless you're washing all your linens and towels everyday, you're saving water. You can also opt to put your Do Not Disturb sign on your door instead, so you skip cleaning days that are unnecessary when you're staying in a hotel. Reuse things, save them from having to replace your half-used soap or shampoo. In the meantime, turn off as many lights as you can while you're in the room, and all of them when you leave for the day. These things still help in the long run.

Recycle

Not all places recycling receptacles, which is disheartening, but I always have a second garbage bag that I use strictly for my recyclables and then I ask where I can take that at the end of my stay. I've been known to break things down and pack them home if I can't find a proper place to dispose of them. I'm not willing to toss things in the garbage unless there's absolutely no other choice. If you cruise, I have been told that everything goes into garbage cans and then there are crew members who sort out garbage from recycling. 

As a budget traveler that tries to do my part for the environment as much as possible, I’m always looking for new ways to save on my whole vacation. By just making the effort to get out and see your destination from a new perspective, you find different ways to experience your trips and change up your travel style a bit to make it more affordable and green at the same time. 

How do you travel green?


Disclaimer: Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!

Is Your Summer Vacation Planned?

I'm asking you this because it's already May and if you haven't planned your summer trip yet, you definitely need to get on that. The longer you wait, the more expensive things will be. Right now, I'm still seeing airfare deals and you probably will still be able to get an okay deal on a hotel (and still get a room before they all fill up). 

If you're still hoping to go somewhere when the kids get out of school, and not spend every dollar you have, then I've got some great tips for you:

Book ASAP

Make sure you're getting on booking things you need as soon as you can, because you don't want to end up spending twice as much as you have to. Look to book your airfare Tuesday, Wednesday, or even Sunday. These are when the sales are out, but definitely sign up for emails for your preferred home airport to destination airport. This way, you'll be the first to know when there are deals. It's generally cheaper to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, so I always try to fit my trip in between some combo of those days. 

Go Sooner Or Later

Mid-June through mid-August is peak summer travel times. If you can go at the beginning of June or the end of August, you might be able to get a deal and beat some of the worst crowds. And if you can go before before Memorial Day, not only will you save a lot more, you'll also need to book everything, like, yesterday. 

Book a Ride-Share Car

Need a rental car? Then skip the traditional rental companies if you can. They are still charging vast amounts of money for their shrunken fleets. I have almost exclusively used Turo for the last 5-6 years, but you can also rent through Uber now, too. These are basically Airbnb, but for cars. I've saved half off traditional rental rates this way. If you're looking for a less expensive, but more convenient rental experience from a more traditional company, check out Kyte, where they will bring the car to you.

Get Online Discounts

If you're looking to do a bunch of stuff on your trip, then see if you can get a discount by booking ahead online before you go. You can easily find promo codes for things as you're booking them, especially if you're using Chrome extensions like Honey or Rakuten, which will try all available codes at checkout. Not only that, but you'll get cashback on your purchases where these are available and save twice.

Go somewhere different

Your kids are always going to want to go to theme parks or the beach during the summer, but by changing up your destination, you can actually save a little or a lot of money. If they insist on going to the beach, look for lakeside resorts near where you live. Most still have a beach and everything that goes along with it, unless surfing is on the agenda. Other ideas are to visit cold-weather destinations or South America. The Southern Hemisphere experiences winter during our summer, making it a less desirable place to vacation. Less desirable equals more affordable. South America is close, but there are so many different places to choose from that are amazing, tropical and super budget-friendly.

Some great budget-friendly destinations for the summer broken down by month:

June: Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Las Vegas, Mexico, New York City, Portugal, San Diego, Toronto, Vietnam, Washington (State)

July: Argentina, Cambodia, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Georgia (State), Montreal, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, Thailand

August: Bali, Bulgaria, Cuba, Curaçao, Ecuador, Gatlinburg, Portugal, Las Vegas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Turkey (Turkiye)

If you need a lot more summer travel tips, don't forget to check out my summer travel ebook and look for more ideas on where to go, how/what to pack, and other ways to save on all your trips. I also send out other travel tips that you won't find on the blog through my newsletter. 

I'll be spending some time in Sacramento in July. Where will your summer travels take you this year? Tell me in the comments!

Disclaimer: Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!