For those who adhere to a kosher diet, taking a vacation or planning a business trip can be a very stressful time. Sure, when at home you have your refrigerator stocked with kosher meat, snacks and other foods. But as soon as you make plans to leave home, you have to make arrangements that ensure you can eat kosher while on the go. But more often than not, finding kosher meat and other food while traveling is easier said than done. Here are a few tips to help eat kosher, no matter where your travels take you.

1) First, be sure to bring a stash of kosher snacks with you for the commute. Whether you’re traveling by air, train, bus, or automobile, chances are that your options for kosher food are going to be limited and there’s no better way to make yourself sick than by traveling on an empty stomach. So like most things in life, it’s best to plan ahead and come prepared. Pre-packaged snack foods are great travel options, and there are a surprising number of kosher snacks available at many convenience stores. Just pay attention to the packaging and you’ll be fine.

2) If you’re going to be traveling to your destination by plane and there will be a meal served on board, you should request a kosher meal. To better ensure that there are kosher options, you should book your travel arrangements through an agency that specializes in bookings with Jewish travelers. These agencies will usually arrange kosher meals for your flight.

3) If you’re going to be staying in a hotel, make sure that you have a fridge in your room. That way it is much easier for you to keep your stash of kosher food you brought along with you, fresh. If you are going to be in an unfamiliar place for an extended period of time, and are concerned about finding kosher meat, you can always order kosher food online. Many online retailers cater specifically to travelers in locations with minimal kosher options. With the kosher food online option, you can have kosher food delivered to your doorstep in little to no time. And if you have a refrigerator and cooking ranges in your lodging facility, you’re good to go.

4) If you’re eating at a restaurant and are concerned about your kosher diet, you should ask the server to have your food cooked in aluminum foil. Also request that your meal be served in the same foil in which it has been cooked.

5) The internet has really made traveling a lot easier for travelers, especially those who eat kosher. There are tons of resources online for Jewish travelers that list kosher restaurants in your location, and offer information on what type of food is served, and even offer directions. When in doubt, just turn to the trusty internet, and you’re sure to find some kosher food options nearby.

All in all, sticking to your kosher diet should not be a headache while traveling. With a little planning, preparation and foresight, you can have your trip go off without a hitch and have a belly full of kosher food!

It may sound daunting, but travelling with baby does not have to be a nightmare! A little preparation and forward planning is all you need for a successful trip with your tiny traveller.

There are certain supplies that are essential for any trip with your baby. The most important, of course, is enough food and milk for the journey. Always pack more than you think you’ll will need and contain a lot of finger foods if your baby is old sufficient — these are wonderful for helping to maintain him occupied! If you’re breastfeeding and will need to express milk, it is possible to store it in a cooler, with ice, for up to 24 hours. It is possible to also store bottles of pre-made formula inside the exact same way — alternatively, it is possible to add pre-measured powdered formula to the bottles, then top it up with cooled, boiled water as needed.

One more alternative would be to bring “ready to drink” cartons of formula. Whilst ideal for the journey itself, be conscious that you may well not be allowed to take these cartons with you into specific countries. Sealed containers of formula don’t typically present a difficulty.

Solid foods might be packed into a cooler, even though a greater idea is to bring foods with you that you can easily prepare during the journey. Avocado pears and bananas are good examples, as they can be simply peeled, mashed and served to your baby at room temperature.

Always bring your own feeding bowls and utensils when travelling with baby – many eating establishments do not have cutlery appropriate for an infant’s use. A travel high chair is incredibly useful, too — and means that you can comfortably feed your baby wherever you go. Disposable bibs, or a wipe-clean plastic bib, can be very convenient when travelling and they certainly cut down on the laundry!

If you ask for food or milk to be warmed for you, be Very careful to check the temperature on its return. Busy waiters or cabin crew may overheat the food and you will need to wait for it to cool down. With this in mind, ask for any food or milk to be warmed well before you’re actually going to need it!

Many parents worry about how to sterilise feeding equipment when travelling with baby. There are many products available to assist with this, from microwave steriliser bags to disposable bottle liners. Most stores dealing with infant feeding equipment will offer a range of travelling accessories such as these.

Other essential items for your trip will include nappies/diapers and scented diaper bags. If you’re heading to a warm destination, adequate sun protection is a must! Also, consider bringing a small nightlight – if you’re breastfeeding, it can be very useful in a dark, unfamiliar hotel room.

To help your baby cope with the trip and to reassure him in new surroundings, be sure to bring his favourite blanket. This can also serve as a handy “curtain” to shield an aeroplane sky cot/bassinet from the light, or for naps in his stroller when out and about.

Dress your baby in light layers when travelling, not only does this make it easier to cope with fluctuating temperatures, but if your baby spills his food, for example, you can easily remove the top layer of clothing. Bring a change of clothes for yourself, too baby’s mess tends to have a habit of transferring itself to his parents!