When Camille and I set out on this major road trip, I had really only one stipulation: avoid fast food if at all possible. And though we ate some questionable meals at a atmospheric diner or two, not once did we hit up a fast food joint. For the entire seven weeks.

Here are a few things we did to make this possible:

Before our trip, I was on www.localharvest.org in order to compile a list of places that would be either 1) a farm where we could eat fresh pick’d local produce or 2) a natural restaurant or grocery store. The site has a  comprehensive interactive map of the whole US, which was excellent for us going cross-country. We didn’t actually get to most of the places I listed, but doing the legwork helped remind me along the way to make good eating a priority.

In order to save money and eat fresh, we tried to buy just one meal a day from a restaurant. Other meals and snacks would come from food on hand in the car. But sometimes, supplies ran low or were just plain unappealing. So tip two is find a grocery store. We recommend having a GPS if not solely for this purpose! A grocery store (or  Walmart Supercenter in a pinch) can provide  healthier snack choices than most on-the-road eat joints. I even toted a spray bottle of vinegar for quick and easy washing of produce

Hydrogenated oils are a big dietary no-no for me. Don’t be embarrassed to ask about ingredients. Ask! Occasionally, I have used the “food allergies” line when finding out whether or not something contained partially or fully hydrogenated oils. But now I do it so often that I don’t bother. The worst offenders are baked goods and donuts, but even pizza crust may contain it. ASK!

The best–and weirdest–home remedy I have acquired as a mommy helps cut a cough without medication. Simply rub Vicks VapoRub (generic works too) on the soles of your little one’s feet. I don’t know how it works. I don’t know why it works. But this remedy works.
Add this item to your travel first aid kit. My mom always rubbed us down and put a bandanna around our neck. Not sure why the cowboy look, but that always worked, too.