Wellness
How to Pack Light: 5 Tips From a Former Overpacker
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We’re right in the middle of the holidays—aka travel season. If you’re trying to figure out how to stuff ten pairs of shoes, nine sweaters, and a winter coat into a carry-on, stop right there. Here’s how to plan ahead and pack light for your next vacation.
Plan your outfits.
We all love to have options when we’re on a trip, but how often do you come home with a suitcase half-full of unworn clothes? Count the number of days you’ll be there, and pack one outfit for each day and night (and try to mix-and-match your favorite wardrobe pieces!) Plus, it’ll save you time once you get there. Instead of digging around your packed suitcase trying to decide what to wear, you’ll just pull out your planned outfit and be ready to hit the town.
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Plan your outfits.
We all love to have options when we’re on a trip, but how often do you come home with a suitcase half-full of unworn clothes? Count the number of days you’ll be there, and pack one outfit for each day and night (and try to mix-and-match your favorite wardrobe pieces!) Plus, it’ll save you time once you get there. Instead of digging around your packed suitcase trying to decide what to wear, you’ll just pull out your planned outfit and be ready to hit the town.
Re-wear staples.
Think of items that take up the most space in your suitcase—shoes, jeans, and jackets. Luckily, these things can all be re-worn throughout your trip. Try to pack one solid coat and two pairs of shoes—a cute neutral pair to match any outfit (day or night) and some athletic sneakers for your fitness classes! Then, limit yourself to just a few pairs of jeans to wear with different tops—trust us, no one will notice.
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Re-wear staples.
Think of items that take up the most space in your suitcase—shoes, jeans, and jackets. Luckily, these things can all be re-worn throughout your trip. Try to pack one solid coat and two pairs of shoes—a cute neutral pair to match any outfit (day or night) and some athletic sneakers for your fitness classes! Then, limit yourself to just a few pairs of jeans to wear with different tops—trust us, no one will notice.
Invest in packing cubes.
These things are lifesavers. Organizing all your items into little cubes will help keep everything compact, consolidated, and separated. Plus, you’ll make Marie Kondo proud. This pack comes with one large, one medium, and two small cubes, as well as a medium toiletry bag and TSA-approved clear bag. Everything fits neatly into your suitcase, and you’ll be able to keep everything clean by putting your shoes in their own compartment.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
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Invest in packing cubes.
These things are lifesavers. Organizing all your items into little cubes will help keep everything compact, consolidated, and separated. Plus, you’ll make Marie Kondo proud. This pack comes with one large, one medium, and two small cubes, as well as a medium toiletry bag and TSA-approved clear bag. Everything fits neatly into your suitcase, and you’ll be able to keep everything clean by putting your shoes in their own compartment.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
Dress bulky.
Yes, it’s annoying to walk through an airport wearing hiking boots and a big puffy jacket, but it will save you so much room when packing. If you couldn’t limit yourself to one jacket and one pair of shoes (because who can?), this is how you can bring an extra of each.
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Dress bulky.
Yes, it’s annoying to walk through an airport wearing hiking boots and a big puffy jacket, but it will save you so much room when packing. If you couldn’t limit yourself to one jacket and one pair of shoes (because who can?), this is how you can bring an extra of each.
Don’t throw in extras at the end.
You plan out all your outfits, fit everything nicely, and think, but what if I end up wanting this shirt, too? This will be your downfall. You’ll start throwing in extras left and right until your suitcase is stuffed to the brim. You’re not doing yourself any favors adding on those extra pounds and messing up your pre-planned #OOTDs. If it’s an afterthought, you probably don’t need it.
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Don’t throw in extras at the end.
You plan out all your outfits, fit everything nicely, and think, but what if I end up wanting this shirt, too? This will be your downfall. You’ll start throwing in extras left and right until your suitcase is stuffed to the brim. You’re not doing yourself any favors adding on those extra pounds and messing up your pre-planned #OOTDs. If it’s an afterthought, you probably don’t need it.
Wellness
Not Too Cheesy: Vegan "Cheese" Recipes That Taste Like The Real Thing
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We all love cheese. And if you don’t love cheese, well, you just haven’t found the right kind for you. If you’re unlucky like me, however, cheese does not like you. Thankfully, we live in 2020, where plant-based cheese recipes are alive and well.
I have been dairy-free for a few years, and cheese is truly the food group I miss the most. As much as we try, we sometimes just can’t get vegan cheese to taste like the real thing. So, I recruited my dairy-loving, cow-consuming friends to be my taste-testers. Their brutal honesty helped me create some “fake” cheese that can actually compete with the real stuff.
Goat "Cheese" Ball
Did you know you can make mouth-watering “fake” cheese with macadamia nuts? Yes, macadamia nuts. If you’re craving that creamy consistency but your stomach isn’t down for dairy, try out this recipe inspired by Simple Vegan Blog!
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Goat "Cheese" Ball
Did you know you can make mouth-watering “fake” cheese with macadamia nuts? Yes, macadamia nuts. If you’re craving that creamy consistency but your stomach isn’t down for dairy, try out this recipe inspired by Simple Vegan Blog!
Nacho "Cheese" Sauce
I know what you’re thinking: is this real? Is it too good to be true? No nuts, no fat, and it tastes good? You’re in for a treat. No one can tell the difference between this recipe and their favorite gooey cheese sauce. This recipe makes a lot of sauce, so be ready to share and shock your dairy-loving friends.
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Nacho "Cheese" Sauce
I know what you’re thinking: is this real? Is it too good to be true? No nuts, no fat, and it tastes good? You’re in for a treat. No one can tell the difference between this recipe and their favorite gooey cheese sauce. This recipe makes a lot of sauce, so be ready to share and shock your dairy-loving friends.
Sweet Potato Mac N' "Cheese"
Feeling some cheesy FOMO? Get your macaroni and cheese fix with this deliciously dairy-free recipe inspired by Forks Over Knives. Enjoy all the creamy goodness with ingredients like cashews, turmeric, sweet potatoes, and gluten-free pasta. Yum!
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Sweet Potato Mac N' "Cheese"
Feeling some cheesy FOMO? Get your macaroni and cheese fix with this deliciously dairy-free recipe inspired by Forks Over Knives. Enjoy all the creamy goodness with ingredients like cashews, turmeric, sweet potatoes, and gluten-free pasta. Yum!
"Cheese" Potato Fries
The perfect side dish to go with your Impossible burger, these “cheese” potato fries will definitely take you to flavor-town. Whip up the sauce with cannellini beans, yeast, apple cider vinegar, and just add some seasonings to the potatoes for a healthy alternative to a classic meal.
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"Cheese" Potato Fries
The perfect side dish to go with your Impossible burger, these “cheese” potato fries will definitely take you to flavor-town. Whip up the sauce with cannellini beans, yeast, apple cider vinegar, and just add some seasonings to the potatoes for a healthy alternative to a classic meal.
