With gas prices skyrocketing and the price of oil climbing steadily each day, we are all feeling the crunch in our daily spending habits and our eating habits. 

My family and I recently traveled to Atlanta for the USA Weightlifting Olympic Trials and decided to take our first family road trip.  Even with the rising cost of gasoline, traveling with our son, Rufus, was much more enjoyable and fun on the road rather than in a cramped row on an airplane.  So instead of having to convince a two year old that airplane aisles are not made for running, we could let Rufus run and jump around the rest area, toss the football and enjoy the changing scenery all within the comforts of our car. 

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How can food still be so affordable when gas prices are through the roof?
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Even with the soaring price of gas, I was amazed to see all the billboards advertising food specials from McDonald’s two for two dollar breakfast sandwiches and family restaurants touting $8.99 steak and egg specials.  I kept asking myself how can McDonald’s afford to continue to offer such good prices?  Aren’t these restaurants feeling the same money crunch when it comes to shipping and delivering their goods as the rest of us?  Or are they somehow immune to the rising cost of doing business? 

What I’ve come to realize is that these companies are continuing to do business are usual.  Their mantra is sell…sell…sell.  So instead of making a large profit on each individual purchase, these companies are banking on selling more value meals and more super meal deals so they can turn a greater profit on the sheer volume they sell.

But what are they really selling?

Are they selling healthy food items?  Are they offering deals on the healthier food choices?  Are they making it easier and more convenient for you to grab a quick bite to eat?  Are they helping you reach your goal of getting in swimsuit-ready shape? OR…

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Are they making it harder for you to eat the right foods?
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Making good food choices on the road is hard even when you’re traveling with a fitness expert.  My husband, better known as the Strength and Conditioning King, always has good nutritious snacks on hand when he’s traveling, whether across town or across country.  We keep low fat and low calorie snack options in the house, in the car and wherever we go, so that we aren’t tempted to partake of the daily special at the golden arches. 

Why add those unnecessary calories when all it takes is a little preparation? 

Before we headed to fill up our car’s tank, we headed to the local grocery store to fill up our “food tank” with affordable, travel-proof snacks and meals for the family…Little Rufus, included.  For Rufus, we stocked up low-fat soy milk, fruits and plenty of water…everything a two-year old could ask for. 

The only stops we’d need to make on the road would be for refueling the car and refueling our caffeine tank with a fresh brewed cup of java.

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The key is in the preparation
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Prepare to travel healthy, prepare to eat healthy and prepare to live healthy. 

I know it’s not easy to switch gears when you’re traveling on vacation. You want to get away from the stress of work and really enjoy your vacation…but now is not the time to vacation from your healthy lifestyle. You’ve successfully eliminated those high fat, high cholesterol foods you used to keep at home in the pantry.  You’ve even stopped those mid-afternoon breaks by the vending machince but when you’re away on vacation you can’t completely avoid the onslaught of “all-you-can-eat buffets” and fast-food restaurants. 

You have to physically go out of your way to make healthy food selections while on the road. That’s why preparation is so important.  Good preparation requires that you shop for healthy food choices before you take your next trip.  Make a list of all the easy to carry foods you enjoy.  Stick to foods that are unprocessed and high in fiber and other nutrients and are low in fat and cholesterol.  Your list should include whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables and your choice of low or non-fat diary products.  Make sure to carry along a cooler large enough to store your bounty and you and your family will be ready to set off on your next adventure! 

Now that you’ve prepared your food for the trip, turn your attention back to your mode of transportation.  Unfortunately, the days when you could just jump in the car for a day-trip without a care in the world are long gone.  If you’re anything like me, you’ve already figured out which gas stations in your area consistently offer the most affordable gasoline prices…you’re already begun to consolidate your errands so that you consume the least amount of gas…you’ve cut back on all the fat in your monthly expenses (no pun intended)…and you still want to know what more you can do to live healthy.  And you’re not alone. 

Many people…friends and family alike, have been asking me what more they can do to lose weight, to get their high blood pressure or diabetes under control and what they can do to decrease their risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.  Over this past year, I have been working tirelessly to compile the most up-to-date medical information that will address your most pressing health concerns. 

In my soon-to-be released book 21 Secrets to Amazing Health I’ll provide you with your own personal guide to incredible health and wellness…giving you timely and practical guidance on your journey to a lifelong of healthy living.  As a board certified physician and a health and wellness expert, I, Dr. Ferguson, the Health and Wellness Queen am committed to giving you the information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family.  We are all concerned about what legacy we’ll leave our children and what type of environment and climate we’ll bequeath to the next generation.  Equally important is the style of living our children will inherit. 

As concerned and dedicated members of society, we want to give our children and grandchildren the best blueprint for healthy living and this means that we have to lead by example and show them what it means to live healthy.  The 21 Secrets to Amazing Health will give you that blueprint you’ve been searching for and will be your key to unlocking greater health and longevity.

So keep on the lookout for my book 21 Secrets to Amazing Health because I know you want only the best for your family.

To your health and wellness,

Dr. Traci Ferguson, The Health and Wellness Queen