Review: Remedy+ The Bar

Hello friends!

I have not been posting regularly for a while, mainly because COVID has kept me from traveling or (ironically) having free time! Fortunately, I was able to do some backcountry camping late this summer and will be posting some updates on backpacking meals, underrated national parks, and any musings that come to mind.

For now, I wanted to share another review from the Remedy+ world. If you are into CBD, you might have seen my reviews on Remedy+ products before: The DROP, the SHOT, and the CAP. I have a referral code if you’re interested in adding some performance-boostin’, spicy-tastin’, brain-fog-clearin’ CBD into your routine. This is the highest-quality and most affordable CBD that I’ve come across in a while, so enjoy.

In addition to Remedy+’s CBD products, you can also buy The BAR, a hemp protein bar for relaxing, performing, and recovering. Remedy+ was kind enough to gift me a package of these bars, so here are some of my thoughts!

Quick FAQs About Remedy+ The Bar

Ingredients and nutritional information for ya!

How Much Protein Is In The Bar?

The soy protein nuggets and hemp protein give you 7g protein in every bar. I (a 5’8″ lady weighing around 140 pounds) need just under 50g a day, so The Bar is a great way to sneak in some extra protein after a workout, in the morning, or as dessert.

What Kind of Berries Are In the Bar?

Cranberries! I love cranberries in everything, which might explain why I’m such a big fan of these bars. In addition to cranberries, The Bar also contains raisins. I’m not a raisin person, but I didn’t even notice them!

Does It Contain CBD?

No! CBD and hemp protein come from the same plant, but are very different ingredients. CBD comes from the hemp plant, while hemp protein is derived from the seeds of said plant. Hemp protein is less refined than other types of protein, and is a great source of fiber and essential amino acids. CBD, on the other hand, interacts with the body in a way that reduces pain and stress. If you want mental clarity, try CBD products. If you want to up your physical performance, try hemp protein products.

(Learn more about the difference between CBD and hemp protein on Remedy+’s website.)

Is It Vegan?

While hemp protein is a favorite among plant-based eaters, The Bar itself is not vegan. It contains butter and honey.

My Review: Remedy+ The Bar

You know those two-bite brownies that are very delicious but also very addictive? These protein bars are a good way to wean yourself off these (or other chocolate) treats. (I ate…a lot…of those brownies over the past few months at home, so I’m happy that I found an alternative.)

If you put these unwrapped these protein bars and put them on a plate at a party, people would just think that they are some rich brownies. They would have no idea that they’ve got 7g hemp protein and only 190 calories.

I wouldn’t say that one protein is more delicious than the other, but I can tell you that the hemp protein within The BAR isn’t super noticeable. The flavors that stick out to me are rich chocolate and cranberries. Maybe you get a hint of “I’m eating a plant-based protein!” but it doesn’t stick around for long. The bars are literally the size of my palm, so they pack and punch but don’t weigh you down.

Overall, I would recommend these bars to anyone who is looking for a healthier alternative to chocolate snacks. I keep them on my kitchen table with other snacks, protein powders, and goodies that I get from my monthly Clean.Fit box.

Where To Buy The Bar

Walmart shoppers can just add The Bar to their next shopping list and skip any brownies or chocolate goodies that don’t have a solid amount of protein. You can buy The Bar on eBay if you prefer a more digital experience. They’re coming to Amazon soon, so keep your eyes peeled for these and other Remedy+ products.

Care for something with CBD instead? Shop through all of Remedy+’s CBD products here. (This is my referral code! At no cost to you, I’ll make a little money if you purchase through this link.)

Overall, I give these bars a 10/10. I really have no complaints: they’ve got a good amount of protein, they taste great, and they’re the perfect size for an on-the-go boost. Heck, bring them on your next camping trip! (I’ve got some other packing tips coming up in future blog posts – keep your eyes peeled for them.)

If you’ve tried them out, let me know what you think!

How CBD Oil Can Beat the Corona Blues (And Help You Focus at Work)

Disclosure: This post is sponsored, but all opinions are mine. It also contains an affiliate link. At no cost to you, making a purchase with the affiliate link will send a little commission my way.

The COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t have a clear end date. Businesses have closed their doors for a second time. States that rushed their reopening are becoming “the new New York.” Countries that seemed safe are going back into lockdown.

If shutdowns, self-isolation, and stay-at-home orders have got you feeling down, you’re not alone. Humans are social creatures! We want to go out, see friends, and get back to our “normal” lives.

Lately, I’ve been using CBD oil as a way to beat my Corona blues. I’m still working from home, so I’ve got to be on the top of my game when I “clock in” every morning. Remedy+ CBD products can help put the doom and gloom aside and stay focused morning, noon, and night.

Take a peek into the ways that I use CBD oil to fight stress during a very stressful time.

How Does CBD Help You Stay Focused?

CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to enhance the performance of the entire body and mind. The ECS has a hand in just about everything: appetite, pain, sleep, mood, and focus. It doesn’t take too long for CBD to kick in. You won’t feel “high,” but you might feel a little pep in your step. When I take CBD, I always feel that any “brain fog” disappears, and I can focus on what is happening in front of me.

I’ve also noticed that taking CBD oil at night has enhanced the quality of my sleep. Sleep is crucial for mental clarity. The longer you sleep, the longer you stay in REM sleep. When the body enters REM sleep, it processes all of the information learned throughout the day and makes way for a fresh, clear mind. The benefits of one CBD capsule can last until the following day.

Other Ways CBD and Remedy+ Can Beat the Corona Blues

CBD doesn’t have to be reserved for “chilling out.” Experts believe that it can reduce anxiety, but Remedy+ has crafted products especially for enhancing performance.

It Fits into Any Routine.

When Corona hit, my routine was wrecked. I wasn’t getting up before the sun and hitting the climbing gym. My work hours were all over the place. For the first time in a long time, I was staying up late and sleeping in. My lack of a routine was really weighing me down.

Recently, I’ve taken control back. My alarm goes off at 6 or 7, and my morning routine begins. I make coffee, pop The DROP under my tongue, and write in a gratitude journal. If I have enough time, I meditate. I plan to work between 9 and 5 (okay…more like 10 and 4). HIIT routines and yoga at home have replaced my typical fitness routine. I’m not working at the same coffee shops or going to the gym, but a routine has allowed me to get my work done, get a good amount of sleep, and feel okay throughout the day.

The DROP is one of my favorite parts of my morning routine. I swish it around my mouth for a minute and just breathe. In a world where we’re constantly barraged by social media notifications and very upsetting news headlines, it’s important to take a moment or two and just be mindful.

These products enhance any morning routine. Pop The DROP into your coffee, keep it by your bedside, or just take a minute to breathe. Create the routine that works best for you to combat the Corona blues.

You Can Enjoy the Stress-Relieving Benefits of Essential Oils.

Remedy+ doesn’t make products that only contain CBD. The essential oils and other ingredients in each product are crucial to enhancing performance and relieving stress.

Even if you don’t read the ingredients on the back, you’ll know what’s in these products immediately. When you open up The DROP, the smell of orange essential oil hits you immediately. When you shoot back The SHOT, you’ll taste cinnamon essential oil. Both of these essential oils were chosen to move stress and anxiety out of the way. The carrier oil, MCT oil, aids in recovery as you sleep or after a workout.

Although I’m staying home most of the day, I still feel like I don’t have a lot of free time outside of work. There’s no time to waste trying to distract myself with other tasks or scrolling through my phone at night. A quick SHOT or CAP allows me to maximize my time without the weight of stress.

Could There Be A Better Time to Treat Yourself?

We’ve all been through a lot this year. 2020 has been extremely stressful! Getting out of bed and completing any part of your morning routine is something to celebrate. So, go ahead. Treat yourself.

Who doesn’t love getting a package in the mail? Use your purchase as a chance to reward yourself for getting through these past few months. Maybe you can’t go to the mall or eat out at a restaurant. But you can still get gifts in the mail!

In fact, Remedy+ wants to treat you, too. They’re offering 40% off of their products with the code “save40.” That’s phenomenal. I’ve always been impressed by the Remedy+’s prices. It’s close to impossible to find high-quality CBD that costs $40 for a dropper or $5 for a shot. Taking 40% off the price makes these products even more affordable.

So, don’t feel guilty about treating yourself to The DROP, The SHOT, or The CAP. CBD does more than just mellow you out. It can help you combat the stress that comes with living through a global pandemic. You can still workout, do your job, and stay healthy.

CBD Review: Remedy+ The Shot, The Drop, and The Cap

Throughout my 5+ years as a writer, I’ve covered a lot of topics. Like, a lot. Some of these topics are right in my wheelhouse: yoga, mindfulness, Positive Psychology, etc. Others require more research: estate planning, real estate investing, pest control, etc. It takes up a lot of time. To switch things up, I recently decided to pivot away from blogging and focus more on long-form content for entrepreneurs and coaches.

That being said, there’s one topic that I keep coming back to: cannabis. I like writing about CBD and marijuana. I like writing for online dispensaries. But it’s not out of a Bob-Marley-flag-waving adoration for the devil’s lettuce. Cannabis is a plant that I’m familiar with, but there is so much behind this plant (and so much still to learn) that I’m not bored writing about it.

This brings me to the purpose of this blog post. I started writing for Remedy+ a few weeks ago, and was lucky enough to get some free product from them. I know many people have questions about CBD and different CBD products, so here is my honest attempt at answering these questions and providing a review of a brand I trust (and, honestly, really like.)

Quick CBD Facts and Fun

Before I dive into the products themselves, here’s a bit of information about CBD itself.

About Cannabis

CBD is found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis is categorized as either hemp or marijuana, depending on its THC levels. (Hemp contains less than .03% THC, whereas marijuana contains anywhere from .03-30% THC. Most strains contain between 9-25% THC.) THC is the stuff that gets you high.

CBD products generally don’t contain any THC. It can be isolated or extracted from the cannabis plant, and is then put in tinctures, oils, bath bombs, you name it.

Cannabis and the Body

CBD is non-intoxicating, but I’m typically hesitant to say that it’s non-psychoactive. You won’t get you high when consuming CBD, but you might experience some changes throughout the body. (Why else would people put it in cookies, anyway?) CBD interacts with endocannabinoid system, which was actually discovered in the 1980s while researching cannabis. (Neat!) The ECS plays a role in a few different bodily functions, including mood, pain, and appetite.

How does CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system? It’s hard to say for certain with very few studies and not a whole lot of funding going toward CBD research. Funding is scarce partially because cannabis is considered a Schedule I drug by the DEA, meaning it has “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” (There are many reasons why this makes me roll my eyes, but my rants on the War on Drugs are for another blog post.)

Don’t worry. CBD derived from hemp, rather than marijuana, is legal in all 50 states.

What Does CBD “Feel” Like?

Don’t sit around waiting for CBD-only products to “hit.” It’s not going to, and it doesn’t for me.

(Keep in mind that I’m an able-bodied person without any chronic illness or pain. I don’t take CBD for joint pain relief. I take up to 25mg at a time, although you could take double that amount without experiencing serious side effects.)

I don’t experience any radical changes from CBD, but I do feel as though my mind is more clear and I’m more alert. I haven’t used CBD to “treat” any brain fog or mental fatigue, but when I try, I’ll let you know how it goes. I use CBD as I would use a nootropic, so use that information how you will.

I like CBD. It’s not a miracle (for me.) But I feel nice after I take it in the morning or to wind down at night. If you’re interested in it, give it a go.

Remedy+ CBD Products

Okay, so let’s talk about one specific CBD brand. Remedy+ sets itself apart from other CBD brands because it focuses more on performance and recovery. Instead of helping you “chill out,” these products are meant to encourage focus, alertness, and energy. I appreciate this, especially because I’ve had a lot of trouble focusing during quarantine.

Remedy+ has three products, and I tried them all:

Let’s talk about them.

Review: Remedy+ The Drop

Remedy+ The Drop: $39.95 (as of June 2020)

The DROP is probably my favorite, and the one I’d recommend the most to first-time CBD users. All you have to do is take a little dropper and squeeze 18mg CBD under your tongue. Wait a minute, swish it around, and you’re good.

CBD tinctures and oils in this form are great because they’re really versatile. I’m drinking a coffee with The Drop right now. (It doesn’t mix super well, but there’s no real difference in taste.) It’s a great addition to your morning routine, whether that means enjoying it after a workout or while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew.

The Drop contains MCT oil as a carrier oil. This doesn’t make a difference to me, but it does get Keto fans all riled up. In addition to the product’s broad-spectrum hemp oil, The Drop contains orange and cinnamon essential oils for an extra zing and unique flavor. (It smells so good when you put it in a coffee.)

(Broad-spectrum, as opposed to isolate, is a type of CBD that contains terpenes and other active ingredients within the hemp plant. You get more bang for your buck, in my opinion. Plus, extracting CBD is a lot more work than allowing some extra flavors to make their way into your CBD oil.)

I give this guy a 10/10. I always feel alert after using it, the taste is good, and the price is phenomenal. Seriously. There aren’t many CBD tinctures or oils that you can get for less than $40. If you’re hesitant about trying CBD, try this first.

Review: Remedy+ The Shot

Remedy+ The Shot, $89.95 for a case of 12

I’ve always been a passionate morning person. (Just ask any of the people who lived with me in Melbourne. As they got back from warehouse raves, I was making coffee.) Once 2 or 3 p.m. hits, I’m ready to call it a day. Unfortunately, my workload says otherwise, and I’m usually not done until 4 or 5.

So I need an afternoon boost. And that’s when I grab The Shot.

The Shot, like the Drop, is great throughout the day:

As a morning boost
As a hangover remedy
Before a workout
To replace that afternoon coffee that you don’t really need but you make it just so you have something to do other than work

In addition to broad-spectrum CBD, The Shot also has 30mg of caffeine. That’s equivalent to a few sips of that coffee that you don’t really need but you make it just so you have something to do other than work.

Like The Drop, The Shot also contains orange and cinnamon. I’m not crazy about the flavor, because I have a lot of memories of drinking Fireball that the cinnamon brings up. Plus, at 2oz, I can’t do the whole shot at once. Again, flashbacks.

That’s the only reason I’m giving The Shot a 7/10. It’s a nice boost, it’s easy to take with you to the gym or in your bag, but it’s not my favorite way to consume CBD.

Review: Remedy+ The Caps

Remedy+ The Cap: $79.95

Maybe I lost you at the mention of orange and cinnamon flavors. That’s okay. You don’t have to find another brand if you want CBD without extra flavors. The Cap doesn’t contain any additional flavors. It does, however, contain Beta Caryophyllene (a terpene that may help with pain management) and Curcuminoids. Curcuminoids, most notably found in turmeric, may also assist with pain management.

I’ve only taken one capsule at a time, at night. They don’t contain melatonin, and they don’t necessarily make you sleepy. But CBD is thought to help the body maintain homeostasis. When I take The Cap, my Sleep Cycle app records a night of high-quality sleep without many interruptions.

I give The Cap a 9/10. The capsules are cost-effective (30 softgels with 25mg CBD in each softgel,) flavorless, easy to swallow, and a nice way to wind down. Again, they don’t contain melatonin, so if you don’t like the texture of shots or droppers, you can try this throughout the day instead.

Final Thoughts

If you’re curious about CBD, I highly recommend checking out this brand first. Again, $50 for a CBD dropper is a pretty sweet deal. Remedy+ has a good range of CBD products designed to help you recover at night and get right back to work in the morning.

Let me know if you buy some and we’ll compare notes.

How to Create a Budget For One Month In Chile

Want to go backpacking in South America? Money is the primary obstacle for most travelers, so I wanted to offer some tips on budgeting for Chile and how to know that you’ve saved enough for a trip down to South America.

When I first planned my budget, I told myself that I wouldn’t spend more than USD50 each day in Chile and Argentina. When I told other travelers that, I was met with some eyebrow raises. Traveling through Chile was a lot more expensive than I thought.

(Luckily, I had recently taken on a few consistent freelance clients and was able to cover the extra expenses. You can read more about how I save for travel here.)

Use this guide to plan out your budget for Chile. Keep in mind that I traveled to Chile in February 2019, so things might change slightly depending on the season. February’s a pretty popular time to head down South, so you might find yourself saving more when it comes to accommodation and excursions.

Continue reading→

First-Time Trekker’s Guide: The O Trek At Torres Del Paine

Hey friends! Greetings from South America! I’ve been here for about a month and a half and I can’t wait to share some of my stories from Chile and Argentina. So let’s start off with info about the highlight of my trip: The O Trek at Torres Del Paine!

Continue reading→

What Vegetarians Should Know Before They Book a Flight

I ditched meat five years ago, and even though I’ve traveled throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia, my diet hasn’t gotten in my way. So when I took a 10-hour American Airlines flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles, I was surprised when I couldn’t get a veggie option for dinner or breakfast.

(To be fair, I didn’t look into the food options before I flew.)

Vegetarianism is a growing trend throughout the United States and the world, and airlines are responding by offering more options for long-distance travelers. Vegetarians, vegans, and people with other dietary restrictions can get a meal that suits their needs in the air, and a handful of airlines offer plant-based meals as their default option.

But if you want to guarantee that you’ll get a meal that fits your dietary restrictions, you might have to take a few extra steps before you board.

How To Get a Vegetarian Meal On Your Flight

Book Directly With the Airline

If you’re booking a flight directly through the airline, you’ll most likely be able to request your meal before you pay. If you book with a service like Expedia or Cheapoair, you’ll have to do some extra work to get a meal that fits your diet.

Request a Meal Ahead of Time

If you do not see a veggie option at booking, you should be able to request a specific meal on your flight. This is one of the reasons why Emirates is such a great airline for vegetarians. It accommodates many types of diets, with options including a Vegetarian Jail Meal, Vegan Meal, Raw Vegan Meal, and a Low-Cholesterol/Low-Fat Meal.

Every airline is different, but most will allow you to request a special meal where you manage your booking. Sometimes, you will have to call to make a request.

Once I did a little digging through the American Airline flight, I realized that I could have put in a request for a vegetarian meal at least 24 hours before my flight. Well, I’ll know that for next time. This is typically the policy for most airlines (although some may want the request 48 hours ahead.)

My advice is just to make a request immediately after you book so you don’t forget.

The Best Airlines for Vegetarians

Every airline offers a different vegetarian meal, so just because you book ahead of time, doesn’t mean you’ll get a satisfying meat-free meal…

Asian Airlines Are Your Best Friend

Luckily, if you’re flying within Asia, or especially with an airline that operates in India, you probably won’t have to worry about going out of your way to book a vegetarian meal ahead of time.

I took quite a few flights on my backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and Australia. When I flew with Air China from New York to Bangkok, I had no problems reserving a vegetarian option at booking. (You can also reserve a “bland” meal, which I thought was hilarious. When I flew to Los Angeles while recovering from food poisoning, I understood why “bland” might be an option.)

Since India has the highest rate of vegetarians in the country, vegetarian meals are often the default option. Vegetarian friends who fly Air India and Jet Airways frequently report that they had a good experience with their meal.

Sri Lankan Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines also offer satisfying in-flight meals for veggos and meat-eaters alike.

If your flight also goes through Australia or New Zealand, you should also be okay. Qantas and Jetstar are both frequently named some of the most veggie-friendly airlines in the world.

What’s the best airline for vegetarians? (Or so I’ve heard through the grapevine?) Emirates. But does that really surprise anyone?

There Are Some Airlines to Watch Out For…

When I asked my friends in the Female Digital Nomads Facebook group about their inflight meal experiences, I didn’t hear too many horror stories. However…

If you have dietary restrictions and you’re flying Delta…you might have to worry. (Again, does this really surprise anyone?) One traveler that I talked to mentioned that even when she pre-booked a meal, the flight ran out of meals and couldn’t accommodate vegetarians.

I recently booked a flight from New York to Santiago through Interjet, and even though the first flight to Mexico City is 14 hours, I could not find a way to request a vegetarian meal on the flight. (Every time I tried to search for on-board services, I was directed to information about their women-designated bathrooms. Okay…)

In General, You’re Better Off in Business Class

Interjet is a super-budget airline, but so is Jetstar. So don’t rely on the quality of the airline to translate to the quality (or availability) of vegetarian food options. But in general, the meals are better in business class and business passengers are more likely to find a vegetarian option. The Emirates website mentions that not all special requests can be fulfilled for economy passengers. (Typical.)

Personally, I don’t think it is worth the extra money to bump my flight up to business or first class just so I can guarantee that my meal is going to be less mediocre. Airline food is airline food. And no matter who you book with, take some time to look into special requests and options that fit your diet.

Last-Resort Tips for Traveling Vegetarians

Vegetarians and people with other dietary restrictions usually need to order meals a few days ahead of time. If pre-booking slips your mind, you may feel out of luck. (Even when you pre-book, airlines may not be able to accommodate your meal.) So be prepared.

Have Cash on Hand

Even if the flight doesn’t serve complementary veggie meals, you will still be able to purchase a vegetarian snack as you fly. I have run into problems on flights that didn’t take credit card, so make sure you bring some form of relevant currency on board.

Grab Food in the Airport

If you’re especially nervous about the meals on board, buy some food in the airport after you’ve passed the security checkpoints. You probably won’t be able to keep the food cold for very long, but stashing a sandwich or packet of hummus in your bag may be your savior on a long flight. It might also be worth airport prices to treat yourself to a hearty meal right before boarding so you’re stuffed for the first part of the flight.

Additional Resources For Vegetarians

Feel free to browse through the photos on AirlineMeals.net if you want to see what people are eating. HappyCow also offers a list of meal options that many major airlines offer passengers. Or, you can steal my idea and reach out to Facebook groups of travelers for information on specific meals on specific airlines.

Share your stories! Which airlines provided inclusive and delicious meals? What tips do you have to share? Let me know!

Review: milepro Travel Packing Cubes

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, but opinions are all my own.

Packing cubes have always been one of those items that I know I should buy. Former roommates and travel partners can attest to the fact that I throw my underwear and socks in one compartment of my backpack…but that is as far as my “organization” abilities go. So I am super excited to get the chance to try out the Travel Packing Cubes from milepro.

I’m starting to plan my trek through Torres del Paine in Chile, so I decided to do a little “trial pack” with the clothes that I would need for the journey.

Here are my first impressions while using packing cubes. I’m kind of obsessed with them and genuinely wish I had purchased them sooner.

All the cubes fit perfectly in a carry-on suitcase!

Why You Should Try Packing Cubes

- Everything is organized! I gave each cube a purpose (underwear that I would need everyday, non-hiking clothes, etc.) and I could easily identify the contents of each pack before I opened it up. I love that the top of each cube has a mesh material that allows your stuff to breathe and shows you what is inside.
- They are versatile af (as the kids say.) Obviously, they fit well in a carry-on suitcase, but I also managed to pop them in my backpack with no problems.
- Storage is easy. Once I’ve unpacked, I can smush the cubes down and pop them in a laundry bag/shoe bag that comes with the four-pack. Free bag that I can store dirty hiking shoes in? Sick.
- Maintenance is no big deal. Just hand wash the cubes in the sink in cold water and hang them out to dry.
- No wrinkles! Okay, I’m not going to lie – wrinkles aren’t my biggest concern when packing for Torres Del Paine, but I’m glad to know I have an option that will keep my clothes nice for when I do go on trips where wrinkles may be an issue. I did think about a time in Sydney where I wanted to bring home a small poster as a souvenir and worried about it getting smushed…if I had the packing cubes, I could have brought the poster home safely and crease-free. Milepro also has packing folders available on Amazon if you are worried about garments and wrinkles and whatnot.
- They’re a great value. A one-time purchase for sanity and organization on the road forever? Worth it.
- You can fit more stuff in there than you might think. You can check out a full list what I put in my packing cubes below. I was pretty blown away by the fact that I could fit a fleece jacket, yoga mat, laptop, and a decent amount of clothes in the packing cubes without any struggle. There is quite a bit of wiggle room left, too. Again, these are super versatile.
- Packing cubes help you practice restraint. I just want to take the necessary items on my trip. When I was packing my “non-hiking clothes” I limited myself to one packing cube, which is only going to benefit me in the long run.

The milepro packing cubes come in a four pack with a laundry bag for storage. Each cube is a different size; I was able to organize my backpack based on the type of clothes I wanted to bring and when I would need them.

What I Fit in Each milepro Travel Packing Cube

Sparing you a picture of my underwear in Cube 1. Here’s what I packed in the XL Cube!

Cube #1

Small Cube, 11″W x 6.75″H x 4″D

Seven pairs of underwear
Travel towel from Teselate
Three sports bras
Three travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

Cube #2

Medium Cube, 13.75W x 9.75H x 4″D

MacBook Air
Manduka travel yoga mat
JOBY tripod

(There was a lot of room left in this cube…I knew I would have to fit an extra pair of hiking pants and other gear somewhere so I didn’t want to stuff all of the cubes on my first pack. Plus, I’m going to rearrange my items when I set off on the O trek and leave a small bag with this cube at my hostel. I am certainly not bringing my laptop to Torres del Paine!)

Cube #3

Large Cube 13.75″W x 12.75″H x 4″D

Seven pairs of ~thicc~ socks
Two pairs of fleece leggings
Three lightweight shirts (two tees, one with long sleeves)
Underarmour hooded top
Packable Columbia rain jacket

Cube #4

X-Large Cube, 17.5″W x 12.75″H x 4″D

North Face fleece jacket
One pair of overalls
Three lightweight shirts
One pair of denim jeans
Laundry bag
Vibram toe shoes
Bikini

(There was also a decent amount of room left in this cube. I anticipate wearing the fleece jacket for the journey to the airport and for a lot of my journey throughout the O trek, so packing the fleece jacket was more of a placeholder for gear. This was also a cube that I might consider leaving in a hostel during the trek. Besides the jacket, I don’t plan on wearing these clothes on the trail.)

How much weight can the packing cubes hold?

I put Cube 3 and 4 in the big compartment of my Osprey 55 liter backpack and Cube 1 in the top compartment. Cube 3 and 4 filled up just half of the big compartment and altogether my pack weighed 15 pounds. (At the end of my Asia/Australia trip, my bag weighed 16 kilos, or 35 pounds. Popping the backpack on with only 15 pounds felt so much better than it did before!)

The cubes themselves are only a pound; even though they are quite lightweight, they’re still durable. I know they’ll last me for quite a while. milepro also offers a lifetime warranty, which is dope.

Obviously, I still have a few more items to pack, but I’m super excited to use packing cubes on this trip (and for future trips! I don’t think I’m going to go on another long trip without them.) I highly recommend them and I’m happy I got the chance to try them out with milepro.

Have You Used Packing Cubes Before? Tell Me Your Thoughts in the Comments!

Car Rental Options That Offer More Freedom for Travelers

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to readers, clicking and purchasing from affiliate links may result in a commission for the author.

In the past few months, I went on two epic (albeit quick) road trips in Australia and California. Obviously, my broke bum cannot afford to own a car, but I have a few secrets for renting cars and getting a great deal while still having the freedom to drive up the coast, make pit stops to see zebras, and camp among the kangaroos. (Or, you know…do what you want to do.)

Not all of the cheap car rental services that I’ll mention are available worldwide, but keep these suggestions in your back pocket for your next trip.

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Hotel Review: First Cabin NishiAzabu (My First Pod Hotel Review!)

(Photo via booking.com)

Greetings, friends! Now that I’m back home, I have a lot to write about! After my year in Australia, I made some stops in Bali, Tokyo, and California before heading back to Pennsylvania. In this post, I’ll focus on Tokyo and the capsule hotel where I slept during my trip.

This was my first stay in a capsule hotel, so I’ll try to answer as many questions as I had before I booked my trip. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend First Cabin NishiAzabu to any travelers heading to Tokyo!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, but does contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, booking a stay through the Booking.com links or widget on the sidebar gives me a lil’ bit of commission.

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How to Travel for “Free”: Your Guide to Free Accommodation, Transport, and Adventures

Hey friends! I’m checking in from a yoga retreat outside of Sydney. The past few weeks have been pretty cruisy (that’s Australian for chill.) In fact, they’ve been more than cruisy.

Since I left Melbourne, where I essentially had a free place to stay, I’ve:

Hit up a FREE music festival (Splendour in the Grass)
Taken a FREE car from Brisbane to Cairns
Settled into a yoga retreat where I get FREE accommodation, food, and yoga

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