Traveling every week can be hard on the mind and on the body, but there are some things that a food safety auditor can do to take care of both. We must be intentional about self-care while traveling, because if we don’t, burnout can set in, and a dislike for our jobs can come about. There has to be a routine around working and traveling. In the beginning, I take a chance on saying, that food safety auditors went about working and traveling willy nilly with no set routine or ideas on balancing the two. Food safety Auditors probably did not take the time to map out a traveling strategy; I know I didn’t. So, let’s discuss some things that can help keep food safety auditors healthy, wealthy, and wise while working and traveling.
- Go to bed at a decent time. Don’t stay up watching TV or typing; a tired auditor is a non-functioning auditor. Not enough sleep zaps you mentally and physically. Set a timer whether on the hotel radio (some still have these), or on your phone. You may also schedule the hotel reservation desk to call you at a certain time.
- Take advantage of the free gym at hotels. This is a plus. The treadmill is the best for that nice brisk walk, so don’t forget to pack your sneakers. I carry a box of alcohol wipes and use these to clean the gym equipment.
- Eat raw as much as possible. Raw foods help to keep the body healthy. Salads are a must, raw carrots and broccoli with hummus dip is great. If you’re still craving meat, there is a fast-food sandwich shop that sells an Unwich which is a sandwich without the bread but is wrapped in lettuce. I don’t know if this sandwich shop is nation-wide.
- Give yourself a mental break when you get back to the hotel after an audit. Don’t just jump into some typing of the report as soon as you get back to the hotel. If the weather is nice, go sit outside in the hotel sitting area.
- When making travel arrangements, try not to arrange an early flight out, if you can avoid it. You know you can’t check into a hotel until 3PM, unless you’ve gotten early check-in, so why get to your destination city early? Get some sleep at home in your own bed. If I’ve arrived at my destination city early and hotel check-in is at 3PM, I generally find a library to settle down, relax, and answer emails. I have my Bible APP for reading, or grab a book from the library shelf.
- Go grocery shopping when you arrive at your destination city. You can design your own meals this way. May I suggest a health food store in which to shop, so get on your phone and find one.
- Pack your own food and take it with you. This is a great option, and it keeps you from leaving your hotel to go forage for a meal. You’ll really be able to eat the food that you really want to eat.
- Travel with natural remedies such as cayenne pepper, herbal teas, etc. Garlic tablets are good, powdered ginger makes a wonderful tea, and lemons keep in the suitcase for quite some time. I make what is called a Flu Bomb – I’ll place the recipe below this article. The Flu Bomb is good for bronchitis, asthma, colds, mucus expulsion; I’ve tried it, and please this is not medical advice, it’s from my experience.
- Limit the number of audits performed within a week. This year I blocked off every Friday, because I found that a CB was having me fly out on Sunday, audit on Monday and Tuesday, come home on Wednesday/fly back out on that day to make a Thursday and Friday audit – not happening in 2024 or beyond!
- Stay away from the intentional sugar and excess carbs. These just drain you and for some will have you bouncing off the walls.
- There’s nothing wrong with requesting different lunches when the facility is ordering pizza, BBQ, pastas, or other heavy foods. Kindly request something that will agree with you. I have facilities email me ahead of the audit and ask if I have any dietary restrictions, and that’s when I ask for a grilled chicken salad with vinaigrette dressing, if possible. I then ask for different items in my salad.
- Ensure you have warm clothes when going to freezing states. I tend to purchase clothing that is hard to find in warmer states like hand warmers, earmuffs, wool socks, long johns. While in Alaska, Kansas, Idaho, Maine, Ohio and other wintery states I look for different types of clothing, hence, the bigger suitcase.
- Limit the unhealthy snacks on planes, except for the almonds, if the airline has them. Oh, those Lotus Biscoff cookies! Make a bag of trail mix at home and bring it with you. Stay off the energy drinks.
- Take a nap even if you have to force yourself. One time I called an auditor who did not answer his phone, but later he did answer it when I called later. He told me he was taking a nap, and a nap is always within his travel agenda.
- If you like the airline clubs such as the Delta SkyClub or the American Airlines Admiral Club, eat healthy at those places as well. There are healthy options, but you must be purposeful about choosing them. On your way out of the Clubs grab a piece of fruit for a late-night snack in your hotel room.
- If you are going to audit in a warm beachy location, or close to one, and you get to your destination city early, head to the beach. I do. OMG! When I land at LAX, say no more! Santa Monica Pier, eat at the Bubba Gump Seafood restaurant. Breathe in the ocean air. Several times I had audits in Brunswick, GA, and for some of you know it’s near Jekyll Island and St. Simone’s Island. Well, there is a Holiday Inn Express & Suites right on the beach in Jekyll Island, and I could walk out of my hotel room right onto the beach. Of course, this was off season so the hotel rate was in the range of the certification body costs.
Flu Bomb Recipe: credit to Barbara O'neill a health coach.
Ginger (knob of fresh chopped) (can use powdered to your liking)
Garlic (4 cloves of fresh chopped) (can use powdered to your liking)
1 Drop of Eucalyptus Oil or Tea Tree Oil
Cayenne Pepper (as much as you dare)
1 Cup of Water or more (boil on stove top or use hotel microwave)
Drink at least two cups a day until symptoms subside.
