Before vacation

Day 6: 30 days of the Vitamix S30 — How it taught me the importance of a QUALITY pre-vacation checklist

The goal was to use this blender every day during the 30 days of the S30. I even packed it on my trip to Las Vegas.

But today, I didn’t use the S30.

Why?

It was Friday. I was leaving for vacation that night.

I spent the whole day checking stuff off my list. Yes, the disastrous, gibberish, overly long checklist (pictured).

Alas, feeding myself was NOT on the list.

So let me explain why I wish it were.

And, I’ll walk through the things you should ALWAYS have on your pre-vacation checklist.

Like a rabbit chasing a carrot

My destination was simple. Las Vegas, NV.

But first, I had a million things to do. And my pre-vacation checklist reflected it.

Can you see the stress on my face?

Good thing I had Lucy (AKA Captain Seal) for navigation.

We checked in on Bohdi, my sister’s cat.

I unboxed / photographed the S30.

Note: Unboxing the S30 was NOT planned. Rather, it was a last-minute project that I started just before leaving the house. Why did I do that to myself?

I digress.

Also on my list, I packed.

I went to the bank. Returned some birthday gifts.

I did everything.

Everything except feed myself.

Well, I had a couple Cliff Bars. But I wished would have used the S30. I promised myself as a part of the 30 days of the S30 I’d use it every day.

A pre-made protein smoothie would have been PERFECT during my hectic “day before vacation” scramble.

Bottom line: I didn’t use the S30 this day.

That’s probably the reason I went to In-N-Out burger immediately after landing in Las Vegas.

How to make a pre-vacation checklist that will make your vacation more relaxing

If you’re leaving for vacation today, it’s too late.

Yesterday was your day.

Yesterday was when you should have made your list. All the things that need to get done before you leave.

And by “ALL the things you need,” I actually mean “ONLY the things you need.”

As such,you should NOT start new projects. Or worse yet, do not add new things to your list.

In my case, if I had less non-critical items on my list, I would have had time to make a smoothie to go.

Instead, my checklist left zero room for error.

Had I made a reasonable to-do list before I left, I would have found myself:

• Less stressed.
• More energized.
• Less hungry all day (probably cause of prior two items).

Not to say rushing to In-N-Out after landing wasn’t fun.

But I’m pretty sure I could have waited until later in the trip.

Conclusion

Make a pre-vacation checklist. On it, carve out 5 minutes to make on-the-go snacks. Your travel companion will thank you.

Resources

Granola bars — I made these on a recent vacation to Tahoe.

When to eat NOYOKE

Vitamix S3o

Full list of Life is NOYOKE Resources