Speaker 1: 0:01

THIS Hi, I'm Alexa and I'm Rory, and together we are.

Speaker 2: 0:05

The.

Speaker 1: 0:05

Romies, we are married To each other. Right, we are a touring musical duo.

Speaker 2: 0:12

And our music has taken us to all kinds of places all around the world and keeps us always on the go.

Speaker 1: 0:17

So we hope you enjoy our stories and adventures while running around working to keep all your plates spinning.

Speaker 2: 0:24

And we hope, to facilitate your busy lifestyle and feed your inner travel bug.

Speaker 1: 0:32

Hey y'all, back in March we did an episode with Brooke Shuneman about packing light. She teaches a course on that, and today we're going to do a follow-up episode with Alexa, of course, because her class mainly pertains to, you know, those of the fair sex women, and so I'm going to bow out for a little bit today, but I also want to let you know that we're going to be talking about a bundle of brands today, and this bundle of brands we will be doing a giveaway on, so you will have the opportunity to win this bundle of brands that go right in line with your active lifestyle and your on-the-go lifestyle and traveling light. Stick around and stay tuned. Some really cool things coming up. Before you guys jump in, we're going to do some trivia questions here World travel trivia.

Speaker 1: 1:29

So here's the first question what country does gorgonzola cheese come from? What country does gorgonzola cheese come from? Okay, that's question number one for our world travel trivia. Here's question number two from our world travel trivia In which country would you find the Great Sphinx? Hmm, that's a really tough one. In which country would you find the Great Sphinx Moving forward?

Speaker 1: 1:59

Which of these is not a wonder of the modern world? So which of these I'm going to list is not a wonder of the modern world. So, which of these I'm going to list is not a wonder of the modern world? The Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal? Not a wonder of the modern world? Is it the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal? Yes, all right. Here's our third question, or whichever one, this is which American city is known as the Big Easy? Which American city is known as the Big Easy? And our final world travel trivia question for today is what is the name of the clay cooking pot with a conical lid often seen in Moroccan cafes and restaurants? Again, what is the name of the clay cooking pot with a conical lid often seen in Moroccan cafes and restaurants? Now, this is a little more difficult, so some of you more foodie types might get this one correct.

Speaker 2: 3:05

You can be looking for the answers to these coming up from Brooke later on at the end of our time together, so stay tuned. Here's Brooke and Alexa.

Speaker 2: 3:28

Brooke Shoneman back on our episode, because in March we did an episode featuring her really fun course that helps you pack light, and we talked about mindsets for packing light, and now Brooke has a brand new course that has launched since our previous episode Baggage Freedom Express.

Speaker 2: 3:44

So we're going to be talking about that. But we're also going to talk about Brooke's process, how I applied it and kind of the different ways that it impacted trips that I have taken since our podcast with her back in March. And then we're really going to focus on my two-month trip that Rory and I took to Europe this past summer. Normally we're in Europe for a month, and this year we did two months away, and so packing light was even more important for all of the things that we were going to be doing, and so I was just really excited to not only apply Brooke's method but also to share it with you guys and kind of do this recap episode. So this is going to be chock full of lots of information and inspiration for you to pack light and check out Brooke's online course that you can take. So, brooke, we are so glad to have you Welcome.

Speaker 3: 4:37

Thank you for having me back, Alexa. I've been anxiously awaiting this update episode, so I want to talk more about your progress since we talked last in March.

Speaker 2: 4:47

Now I will say, as far as progress, I was not the ideal student. I left out one crucial point of my lessons. The reason I bring that up is, even in my imperfection I still learned a lot. I still took away a lot of information away from the class and I also look forward to continuing and getting those things posted and staying in the community. You have a whole membership option where folks can be part of a community and ongoing resources and it's just super cool what all you have to offer. Let's dive into what you actually offer first and then we'll talk about kind of how I have played that out and live that out and how I've applied that. Does that sound cool?

Speaker 3: 5:28

That sounds great, okay, okay. So my goal, my mission, is to really help women to ditch the excess baggage. I want women to not feel that overwhelming stress that comes from getting ready for a trip. I want them to simplify the process and I want them to feel more trip, joy and freedom when they actually leave their front door. No more stressing, no more worrying about heavy luggage, no more not being in the moment because you're so exhausted from just trying to get out the front door and leave on the trip to begin with.

Speaker 3: 6:03

So my class that I run now is called Baggage Freedom Express. In a five-day class, I actually run you through the process of learning how to pack for a one-week trip in a personal item-sized bag and do it in a way so that you still feel prepared Actually, mary Poppins prepared is what I call it so that you can unlock more trip, joy and freedom. And I say that Mary Poppins prepared is what I call it, so that you can unlock more trip, joy and freedom. And I say that Mary Poppins prepared part because a lot of my past students have actually said they feel more prepared while packing half this much stuff after taking the class. So it's called Baggage Freedom Express, and that's how I help women so great, so this now is an online live class.

Speaker 3: 6:47

Yes, so it's a five-day course online. We're not in person, but we're doing it virtually together and there's a couple of live sessions. But even if you can't make it to the live sessions, the recording is there and you can complete it, like later in the day or the next day, like it's flexible in that way as well. But by having that time frame set out, it's more motivational, it's more motivation for people to actually finish and do the work and that's the most important part is doing the work. So that's why I'm running it live, yeah.

Speaker 2: 7:21

Now, you and I talked a lot about we did a Instagram live and we talked about the importance of doing the work and I still have work to do in my course, but the work that I did really has paid off and I think it's really important the way that you offered the class back when we started in March. I did it. I took longer than the five days. I took my time with it, I kind of drew it out and I did not only the course with, like, the week-long trip that you offer, but you know that you have us do in the class. I did that for an actual, real trip that I was taking to California and, just on a side note, what was really great about that is that is a convention that I go to and I end up getting a lot of samples because it's a convention and it's where I connect with a lot of the brands that we introduce to folks on our podcast, and so it's important that I take things home, and so what was great is I was able to go with like all of my normal luggage that would normally take up a full carry-on suitcase. I took in a little backpack and then I checked because I Southwest to check bags, fly free. I took two empty suitcases to the convention and I was able to come home with the samples and the business cards and all of those things that I collected from the convention. I had more space for the actual reason I was going, as opposed to all my normal stuff that I would have taken otherwise.

Speaker 2: 8:58

So the course was for like that type for me, that type of trip where it was going to be a week-long trip, but I also took a weekend trip or two since your course, since our previous episode. And then I also took my trip to Europe for two months, and I did all of that with two pieces of luggage my ukulele case, because I'm not going to throw my ukulele into a suitcase or anything like that, so it needed its own case. So my ukulele case and a rolling backpack. The rolling backpack was a 42 liter backpack which was smaller than a normal carry-on, which is normally what I would take, and that was my luggage. And so, thanks to you, brooke, I was able to do that. Do you have anything else that you want to add about your course or anything like that, before we dive more specifically into Europe?

Speaker 3: 9:47

Yeah, just one thing, because you said you took the course and then you utilize the trainings for many different types of trips, and that's the goal. My course is foundational. I use, you know, I teach, you know. Plan a trip for one week and we'll pack for it together in this course or in the live class right. But when you do this work, you're actually doing a lot of the work for any type of trip that you take in the future. So it's going to help you for all types of trips. So don't get hung up. If you're not planning a one-week trip, like in the near future, this class will still help, yeah.

Speaker 2: 10:21

Absolutely, because of the way you have it set up, it helps you prepare for anything for sure.

Speaker 3: 10:27

All right, so before, alexa, before we dive into talking more about how you packed for your two month trip, maybe it would be good if you shared how you used to pack prior to taking my course, like what would have? What would it have looked like before?

Speaker 2: 10:42

I would say before. I would say now some people might have thought that I sort of packed light previously, because I would still go to Europe for a month with just my carry-on suitcase and an instrument or two or three or whatever instruments I was taking for that specific tour. And so I'd have a carry-on for a month and I think a lot of people might look at that and go, oh, that's, she's packing light, I mean, and she's a girl, and she just only has that. What's different is this time I took a smaller wheeled backpack, which are very difficult to find. One of these days, y'all, I'm going to be designing the perfect bag, because it is not out there. That is my destiny, I'm telling you. I found a wheeled backpack. It actually broke on me the very first week, but it held together enough through the whole trip and I was able to get my money back, thank the Lord.

Speaker 3: 11:40

Good, that's horrific that that happened so quickly, sorry, good.

Speaker 2: 11:44

That's horrific that that happened so quickly. Sorry, but I would say because you know, even with that, I'm still packing a lot, I'm still getting a lot in there. But I would say, like, the difference is my carry on suitcase, which I would check because of toiletries and just ease and etc. Well, I would also have a carry-on backpack. So previously I would also have a backpack. So my carry-ons for the plane would be my ukulele, and'd have that and I'd have then my carry-on. So I would always check the carry-on. So that's what I would do kind of before. Okay, how did you?

Speaker 3: 12:31

feel, though, when you were traveling like that before? How did you feel when you were traveling with all that stuff in that way?

Speaker 2: 12:39

Sometimes I felt really good because, like I said, I wasn't taking a big suitcase, I was taking a carry-on size suitcase, right, um? And I still could carry everything. Like, if you know, rory has all his luggage and stuff and so he doesn't want me saying, hey, Rory, carry my stuff. So I still had to be able to carry my own stuff. Carry are I always get a wheeled one. I never travel without wheeled luggage. Like, why would you do that? So I could always wheel the suitcase, put my backpack on there, because the backpack would be the heaviest thing. All the, all the heavy would get on my backpack. My dad would always get.

Speaker 2: 13:21

I've had, I had hip surgery like two and a half years ago and my dad was like, it's because you carry too much luggage and it's too heavy. So part of me felt a little burdensome and part of me felt like, hey, I'm doing pretty good. I've traveled for so many years so I know like, if I don't, I have learned what I need and what I don't need. I've learned what I could get away with and what I can't live without. So what was really cool and what was different this time is in our previous episode you talked about how to like the different mindsets you need to have.

Speaker 2: 13:56

And so, y'all, if you haven't listened to that previous episode, we'll put a link in the show notes for that. But one of the things is okay just because I've been traveling forever and I think I know everything that I should have with me, I'm going to have an open mind that I can change and I can learn, because Rory would always think that I pack too much. I open the suitcase and everything is everywhere, so I can see everything and I can access everything. And I had it packed to the hilt, right, I mean, it was in there, I got it stuffed.

Speaker 2: 14:27

You had the space, you used it, and I used every inch and then some, and so, yeah, so my luggage definitely has to, you know, travel with me and go the distance With the course. I was like, okay, I am going to have a mindset that I could think differently about this. Like, okay, I am going to have a mindset that I could think differently about this. I'm not going to assume that, because I'm an expert traveler and I know all these things, that I can't learn something right. So changing my mindset and being open to the fact that there was probably some changes was number one. I would think, from a physical, practical standpoint, probably the biggest difference came down to toiletries. I usually I have felt like I paired those down. Pretty much my makeup routine is super simple, always, even for stage, like I just cake on more, but I don't really change things up as far as makeup. Maybe I should, but I don't, and because I travel so frequently, it just became easy. Let me just digress here.

Speaker 2: 15:37

One of the things that you have us do, brooke, is not only to rethink our toiletries but to make them smaller. Right, you have us put them in smaller containers. And so I remember when I first started traveling, I would spend all of this time, you know, taking my shampoo and putting it in a travel size container and doing all that, and after a while I'm like this is a waste of my time, it's just taking too long. I'm just going to keep the same toiletry bag and throw it in every time I travel and then I just have this is my set toiletries and it's going to be the size it is, and most everything was under the three ounces or whatever you need for flights. Anyway, most hotels would have shampoo.

Speaker 2: 16:17

There were some things that I didn't take with me and other things. I was like there's no point in making a smaller version because I'm just going to have to reload it again in two days when I go on my next trip. So that was one thing that when I first started traveling, it felt like making smaller travel versions of things was a waste of time, and so that's one of the things that you have us do. But because of how you teach it and what you taught and why I have a new motivation and a new kind of like okay, I can change these toiletries, and I think one of the things, too, that I really realized is I don't need that much product, even for two months, and so it's learning that these even a travel size. When you go to the little travel size section at Walmart, for example, you don't need even as much as a travel size will give you for a trip?

Speaker 3: 17:22

Definitely not, definitely not. And until you actually think about it, you're just gonna keep doing the, you know the, just buying the, the standard travel size toiletry bottles and then struggling to fit it into your quart size bag and then checking a bag because you're just like, okay, forget it, I'm just bringing everything. Um, yeah, yeah, and I, I get there's the perspective from a lot of people. They're just like that's too much, it doesn't like. I'm not going to do that. You know, I like to look at it as like be anything that is dramatic or hard or, you know, and there's a purpose, because it makes my travel life so much easier.

Speaker 2: 18:12

So much, so much. So that was that was something that I noticed a big change Now the classroom where you take the course. I posted a final exam and are you? You're doing a final exam in the baggage Freedom Express.

Speaker 3: 18:28

Yeah, so they do a final share.

Speaker 2: 18:30

Okay, so like in that space you can see. If you're in the community, then you can see kind of what I did and what I packed. But even in the picture of what I packed for my two months in Europe, my court size bags, I had like two of them even still, because I had, I still had that many liquids and and so I had at least two quart-sized bags of just liquids, and that's even with reducing what I had.

Speaker 2: 18:59

So yeah, yeah so my toiletries even though, like I think, I think a lot of women might be like you know wow, you don't use much at all, but yet still I was able to reduce them even more, and yet it still also filled up two things and several other little cosmetic bags here and there that I threw in my bag.

Speaker 3: 19:23

Well, my question for you is when you came back, was there still stuff left in the original bottles that you left with?

Speaker 2: 19:31

So we're going to be talking about toothpaste in just a little bit. So one of the things y'all is that at the end of this episode, we we're going to be doing a giveaway this month, brooke, we have a bunch of brands that we're going to be talking about in just a little bit that are great for traveling light and great for on the go, and so one of these things we're going to be talking about is toothpaste, and so so y'all, just you're going to hear more about toothpaste in just a little bit. But I was out of toothpaste. I was completely out of my vitamin C serum for my face, completely out of my vitamin C serum for my face. My dry shampoo was finished and you know what? I would not have run out of toothpaste had I known about Dr Plotka's Mouth Watchers toothpaste prior to my trip. So let's talk toothpaste now. I have a really fun toothpaste that I've just discovered. It's been around a while, but it's new to me. It is Dr Plotka's Mouth Watchers toothpaste.

Speaker 1: 20:30

So I'm going to jump in here and say it's not mouth washers, it's mouth watchers.

Speaker 2: 20:35

So Dr Plotka's Mouth Watchers?

Speaker 1: 20:38

This toothpaste is a wonderful choice for all of you out there, including those of you who have allergy issues, because this will not cause any of your allergy issues to be issues.

Speaker 2: 20:48

Issues right. It's fluoride free. It's all natural. It is non-GMO. It's SLS and paragon free. It's cruelty free.

Speaker 1: 20:58

Well, it's leaping bunny, certified.

Speaker 2: 21:00

Right. So you know, it doesn't have glycerin sugar, artificial dyes, artificial flavors. It doesn't have preservatives or binders.

Speaker 1: 21:08

So it's good for the whole family.

Speaker 2: 21:11

Yeah, all of those things. And I love the taste of it. When I used it and tasted it, I'm like it. Just for me it was a totally different experience in toothpaste.

Speaker 1: 21:20

It's got a great taste and you know what I mean. So we travel a lot and let's say you have an overnight flight.

Speaker 1: 21:27

Let's say yeah, and so it's. You're always hoping the airline will give you a toothpaste and toothbrush option, so in the mornings, when you get to where you're going, you can like get the hair out of your mouth. You know what I'm saying, because if you try and check one, you've got to buy something specific at the store because you can't take your big tube of toothpaste with you at the store. Because you can't take your big tube of toothpaste with you and your toothbrush, you don't want to pack in something that's going to seem like it's going to make it unsanitary, whatever, blah, blah, blah, blah. Well, the doctor plot because mouth watchers. Toothpaste is tsa friendly, right?

Speaker 2: 21:59

yeah it's a size that the tsa allows yes, and of course, with if you take brooks course, you won't even be checking a bag, so you're going to have all your toiletries with you anyway, and so this is a toothpaste you want with you. Not only is it delicious and wonderful and high quality and all of those good things, but, yes, it's going to fit in that carry-on. It's going to help you travel and pack light.

Speaker 1: 22:23

So the toothpaste is designed to widen your teeth. It also remineralizes your teeth, which lowers the risk of erosion and restores your teeth to their natural whiteness.

Speaker 2: 22:33

Also it cleans really well using propylene, which is a natural honeybee product, and so because of that it's got antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It reduces the risk of cavities, gum sensitivity and plaque buildup.

Speaker 1: 22:48

And check this out. It's got mineral-rich thermal spring water sourced from France, which is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, so that's good for soothing irritation.

Speaker 2: 22:59

Nice, so all the way from France. This is made in France. How fun is that. It also freshens your breath. I mentioned that I loved the taste. To me, this just has a whole different experience in your mouth, other than something like Crest. This just feels extra clean and fresh and delicious to me, and so it gives you just this nice, long-lasting freshness, and with a mint flavor.

Speaker 1: 23:22

It might have something to do with the organic mint that they use. Maybe, Speaking of what they use, 100% of the ingredients are sourced from natural origins. So no supernatural origins or unnatural origins, they are from natural origins. The tube is fully recyclable, which I think is really cool, and it's made from 44% post-consumer recycled materials already.

Speaker 2: 23:44

This is great to pair with y'all my favorite travel toothbrush. I love having a toothbrush that has a little cap on it right, because I'm throwing it in with my other toiletries. But in my experience those little plastic lids that are supposed to cover your toothbrush holes a. It's a separate additional piece of something to keep track of. In my experience they either fall off or they're way too difficult to clip on or clip off. I want something fast and easy. I just like things that are convenient. With the Dr Plotka's Mouth Watchers Travel Toothbrush, you just fold it in half and the bottom half makes a cover for your tooth bristles.

Speaker 1: 24:29

So it folds up into itself and actually folds into its own protective case.

Speaker 2: 24:34

And it leaves enough space for it to do its thing. It self-cleans within six hours. Because of the way that this toothbrush is designed, it's pretty awesome. One of the features I love about the travel toothbrush is that it folds in half and so when it is unfolded, it is a full size toothbrush. I'm not having to have like a super tiny toothbrush in my hand. I'm not getting toothpaste all over my hand while in foam, while I'm brushing my teeth. And you guys whoever wins the giveaway you're going to get one of these. You're going to get some of their toothbrushes. You're gonna get some of their toothpaste. Now, the bristles themselves have a lot of fun highlights, and so one of the things is that the toothbrush has silver infused bristles. That naturally eliminates buildup and debris in your mouth, and the other cool thing about it is that within six hours, the brush is is fresh, clean and ready for your next use. The brush naturally cleans itself.

Speaker 1: 25:30

So they call their toothbrushes flossing toothbrushes because they have long, tapered, ultra-thin, soft bristles that reach between the teeth, which is cool, because I don't like stuff stuck in my teeth and your teeth are food traps, so it's good for you to have something especially my toothbrush that will not. That's what I mean. Your teeth are food traps, something that will naturally clean your teeth out when you brush them, so they get into the gum line and deep into the grooves, all that sort of stuff, so they're great at getting where cavities form. To keep you from forming cavities.

Speaker 2: 26:00

Also, I have like not that y'all care to know this, but I have super low gums. Like my dentist is always kind of concerned about how low my gum line is, and so he's always having me use a sensitive toothpaste and all of that. And so the toothpaste is great for sensitive teeth. But these bristles are also great for sensitive teeth. They have polyester bristles, so they're extra gentle on your gums.

Speaker 1: 26:25

And they last up to one month longer than average nylon bristles. Okay, now you ladies can once again talk amongst yourselves.

Speaker 2: 26:32

Let me show you what I did. I know that those of you listening can't see this, but we will do a little social media excerpt of this part of it so you guys can see. But I want to show you what I did. Two years ago I took my guitar, my banjo lele, my mando guitar and my ukulele. But oh wow, some people insist that it's an ukulele yes, I heard that, and you're correct, it's a ukulele, I'm gonna call it a ukulele.

Speaker 2: 27:05

I know that I'm wrong and that's okay. Okay, so my ukulele. So last year I was like this was even before your course book. I was like, can't, can I get just by with just the ukulele. Rory plays keyboard so he brings some a little bit of fullness that way and I'm like, so can I that? And so last year was my first year to just do the ukulele and I was like it was so much easier and I got better at it because I was playing one instrument instead of your course.

Speaker 2: 27:39

I didn't use the normal case. This is, I think, what they call a soprano ukulele. Right, a soprano. I bought a case for a baritone ukulele. So you can see that even though this is still a ukulele case and even to an airline personnel, it's still a ukulele, it's just a bigger one, you. So this fits in here, but I have all of this additional space. Yeah, so I'm still protecting my instrument, but I have all this extra space that I would need because, even though I took the course, I still have things that I like to bring. So, um, now, one thing I don't normally ever bring, because I never seem to find a good solution is a workout mat. So we did this one podcast episode for Seguin Texas back in January of last year, so I'll put a link to that one and we did goat yoga and the goat then decided to poop and pee on my exercise mat that I had brought when we were doing the goat yoga, and so I was like, okay, that's disgusting.

Speaker 3: 29:13

Maybe it's good luck, I don't know. Yeah, maybe I don't know it's good luck and.

Speaker 2: 29:18

I don't know why I didn't just throw the mat away that day. It was actually two mats that they decided that they needed to decorate and, um, I ended up like we like washed them down, whatever. And then when I got home, I like scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. But then I decided, you know what, I'm really not gonna be rolling in something, that even though I've cleaned this, I'm not gonna be using that part of that mat. So what I did is I cut them and I cut the mat because they're thin enough. I just got like kitchen scissors and I cut the mat and I kept the non defiled part of the mat. Okay, and I had these and I'm like you know the cats like to scratch on them. You can see the little. So I'm like I'll just keep this for the cats. If else, right, like I'm I, I have moved on. I have my own other exercise mats. But it occurred to me I was doing a new workout plan and I'm like you know what, I just need this much mat for, like when I'm going to lay down and do like ab stuff I just need and I'm short, so that helps, but I just need kind of like my upper back to my bum is all the really need that, the space I need on a mat. So I took undefiled cut mat so I didn't need this is all it is. I didn't take a full yoga mat, like you can see, look right, yeah, okay, now this is still too big for a suitcase and it's still too big for a wheeled backpack, but you know what? It's not too big for a baritone ukulele case. So that is what I did, y'all. And so then I was able to take my exercise mat and it's protecting my instrument and I had space for it because I had something that was a little taller. And then I still like put snacks in here and like I had my workout band in here and I still had other things in the case, along with my actual ukulele accessories. So that's one thing that I did differently and I was able. I did my workouts like the whole trip for two months. It was great.

Speaker 2: 31:31

This is my little ukulele bag. Now for merch. Nobody buys cds anymore, right? And so have these. We sell our music on these USB cards. Ooh, y'all, we're going to put one of these in the giveaway. You're going to get our music in the giveaway. In the little basket, these fit really small in the ukulele bag. And then the other thing we're going to be talking about in just a little bit are these cell phone wallets, and we're going to make that available in the giveaway too. And this was small, this is merch. So for merchandise we shipped the t-shirts and the sweatshirts. We had that manufactured in Europe and shipped it. But then these small things, I had small merch and I put that in my bag and in my Eucalyptus case. So I was still, even with my, my merch, able to kind of get creative and do that.

Speaker 2: 32:20

One of the little bags that I had in my backpack, my wheeled backpack for this Europe trip, contained some on-the-go powders, because for us, traveling healthy is so important.

Speaker 2: 32:34

For us as singers, we have to stay healthy or we can't sing, and it's just super hard to enjoy a trip when you're not feeling well.

Speaker 2: 32:41

And so I have learned over the years that I've got to take vitamins, I've got to take things that are going to boost my health, boost my immunity, all of those wonderful things.

Speaker 2: 32:51

So I had a bag full of, like, powdered vitamins.

Speaker 2: 32:55

I had powdered greens and then some tea, because you know, tea is wonderful, of course.

Speaker 2: 33:01

So one of the one of the things that I had in my powdered section was some greens powder, and so in your giveaway bag, you're going to get some greens from Kayo Greens and you're going to get their energy blend, which is full of barley grass, wheat grass, chlorella, kelp. It's very green, right. It's just a nice green, because it's really hard sometimes to get vegetables, depending on where you're going, and to have things fresh, and so just having something green and fresh was super wonderful, so you're going to find that in the giveaway. The other thing that you're going to get in your giveaway and that I took with me was this brand new product that came out just this year, and that is the zero sugar emergency, and so I'm so excited because emergency is great at help boosting your immunity, but these have so much more and they don't have the added sugar, and so that is one thing that I have been on the lookout for with Emergency, because they are a wonderful brand and if you're wanting to avoid sugar, this is now a wonderful, wonderful option for you.

Speaker 1: 34:08

And even better than that not only are they zero sugar, but they have no artificial sweeteners.

Speaker 2: 34:14

Nice, and it's still like yummy right. No, sugar doesn't mean gaggy right, they're still like super yummy. So I had some of these with me on the trip.

Speaker 1: 34:24

So these are packaged in a much more friendly packaging for pouring into a water bottle, because the packaging is this big square thing that you have to turn just right to get the corner to go into the water bottle. These are like a big straw sort of a shape thing, right, not even big, it's only a few inches long, and so you just open it up and it fits right in the mouth of your water bottle. You pour it in. So no mess, no hassle. It's really great.

Speaker 2: 34:46

It is. It's super great. On the trip I took the powder, but it also does come the gummies. They have sour, licious fruit for the kids, but I'm sure if you're a kid at heart you can still have them. They've got orange, strawberry and raspberry all in one bottle for adults, so there's zero sugar gummies that are also available, so you can keep that in mind when shopping for your emergency. Now the other fun thing that they have that came out this year that was so, so, so, so fun is these emergency crystals and y'all. These are so great for on the go because no water is needed. It's like pop rocks in your mouth. If you remember that candy, these are like pop rocks but it's full of wonderful immune boosting vitamins it tastes really good it tastes so good and they're just super fun.

Speaker 2: 35:38

So there's vitamin C, zinc, manganese All those are for immune support. There's also a nice blend of B vitamins for your energy. So it's so much more than just vitamin C. And there are adult and kid sizes and flavors, and you can find that just about anywhere.

Speaker 1: 35:54

And they also come in that same cool packaging as the ones for your water bottles, so they're very easy to pour safely into your mouth and not pour it all over yourself, only into yourself.

Speaker 2: 36:06

You simply rip, tip and pour into your mouth Rip tip.

Speaker 1: 36:11

And pour Stop drop and roll, rip tip and pour that's good.

Speaker 2: 36:14

But yeah, they're super tiny, they fit in that on-the-go go bag. They keep your packing light and keep you full of vitamins and you get fun along the way. I mentioned gummies a minute ago. Emergency also has their immune plus triple action gummies, and so this is their newest, most advanced formula, and it's usually found in the cold cough flu section at the store and, but don't let that fool you, because it does not taste like cough syrup.

Speaker 1: 36:41

They're really good.

Speaker 2: 36:42

So these are yummy, gummy and they have that like sugar texture on the outside. So they have like, if you like, gumdrops or gummies that have like that little sugar texture. These have that on the outside. Inside it has a Beta Via proprietary natural ingredient sourced from algae and that's clinically tested to strengthen your immune system. And again this immune plus triple action comes in gummies or powders. So again, the powders might be a little more travel friendly and whatever suits your taste and your mood, check it out. You'll be able to taste and experience all of these when you win our giveaway.

Speaker 1: 37:22

Yes, if you are the winner, you can experience and taste for yourself prior to your assured purchasing them yourself.

Speaker 2: 37:32

And for all of the brands. We are going to be including not only some of these highlights that the brands offer, but also the links to where to purchase them and all of those goodies.

Speaker 1: 37:44

In our show notes.

Speaker 2: 37:45

Y'all, brooke and I still have a lot more to talk about. But first we listed about five trivia questions at the top of this episode, but we're going to throw in an additional travel trivia question right here, right now. Go, rory.

Speaker 1: 37:59

And we're going to throw it in because nous pouvons parler le français quelques fois Un petit peu. So here is the question La Marseillaise is the national anthem of which country?

Speaker 2: 38:14

That's very good, Rory.

Speaker 1: 38:16

Did I give you enough hints there?

Speaker 2: 38:18

So if you couldn't guess it's not a trick question the answer is France.

Speaker 1: 38:23

Yes, the answer was in the question itself.

Speaker 2: 38:26

So we're finding that France is kind of a little bit of a theme in this episode, because not only is our toothpaste from Dr Plotka's Mouth Watchers made in France and has ingredients from France, but Paraketo is also made in France, and so now we get to tell you about Paraketo. You're also going to find some goodies from them in our giveaway bundle of brands.

Speaker 1: 38:53

Yes, our brand bundle giveaway.

Speaker 2: 38:56

What is really fun is it's not fun that I get bit by mosquitoes all the time. If I'm just breathing and I go outside, I usually get bit by mosquitoes.

Speaker 1: 39:07

Thankfully not on your lungs.

Speaker 2: 39:11

So what is great is we have now found Paraketo. We have now found Parakeeto and they provide very efficient on the go travel light pack light products.

Speaker 1: 39:23

Wearable products.

Speaker 2: 39:24

Wearable products. Yes, so you're not carrying things right of these essential oils that repel mosquitoes. Parakeeto is deep, free, itnatural, long-lasting and waterproof, so you can wear these things into the water.

Speaker 1: 39:42

So are you saying in Scotland when we did our water excursion in the river, we could have worn these and all been good?

Speaker 2: 39:48

Yes, Whew.

Speaker 1: 39:49

I like that.

Speaker 2: 39:51

They also have a topical insect repellent, so you'll get a spray as well that you can use. That they offer and that has vitamin E and almond oil. So there are a lot of natural goodies.

Speaker 1: 40:00

So what you're telling me is that in this bundle not only do they get a wearable, but they also get a topical.

Speaker 2: 40:05

Oh yeah, you're going to get a fun little bundle of goodies. Nice, it is worth entering.

Speaker 1: 40:10

So then you can go to Scotland and play in the river with your wearables on.

Speaker 2: 40:14

That's right. Roy's mentioned their wearables. They have everything from like flip-flop sandals. They also have like bracelets, and so you have like a wrist guard that you can put the insert inside of and that keeps the mosquitoes away, and they're great for all climate zones and they are refillable and they last up to 15 days on average, so they're very long-lasting. They're safe for all ages, for the entire family. They also make clips that are kind of like a keychain and that clip can go onto your keychain or onto your backpack and it just fastens on there to something you might be carrying and, if you're really fashion conscious, it looks like something you could attach to your earring.

Speaker 1: 40:57

You know, a little keychain ring. So I'm thinking you know you could like start a new trend of these wearable mosquito repellents, that sort of dangle I don't know from your ear.

Speaker 2: 41:06

I'm just thinking out loud there, let's maybe not do that, oh, yeah, do it, for sure, Be the first.

Speaker 2: 41:11

Oh, you would be the first, and some people are not a fan of a spray which. They have a spray which I think are great, but some people aren't a fan of a spray. They also have a roll-on option, so it's worth trying all the things, and even their spray is going to have a different texture than you're used to. Not only do they smell great, unlike some other mosquito sprays that you may have tried, but y'all this is so awesome. If you go to our show notes, there is a link available to you and you are going to get 40% off your purchase. They are making that available just to our listeners. Y'all 40%, and the prices are already very reasonable anyway, but you're going to get a huge discount and all of these benefits when you order. So, but you're going to get a huge discount and all of these benefits when you order. So make sure that you visit the show notes and grab some of this stuff, especially now, while the discount is available for you, and you are going to very much enjoy the convenience, the portability and the effectiveness that you can get from your products from Para Keto.

Speaker 2: 42:17

Now I'm going to jump on this brooke because this is so one, the first assignment that you have us do is talk about our essentials, and I think I know you have some. I know you have some feedback on my bare essentials. So have you talked about that? But one of the things I would say if I could leave the house and I'm still, if y'all are watching the video, we have these wallets, I have it on the back of my cell phone and, if you're not going overseas, it holds an ID, a credit card, and then I've got my phone and my keys are attached. So if I have nothing else and I can get out the door with this, I can survive and I can go on a trip because of this wallet. It makes a world of difference.

Speaker 1: 43:03

She's talking about these RFID blocking wallets we have.

Speaker 2: 43:08

They're very, very cool, so you can get them. You go to the romyscom forward slash store and you can find them on our page. They have been a lifesaver for me, they're really small and portable.

Speaker 1: 43:20

They're about as thick as a refrigerator magnet. It's really cool.

Speaker 2: 43:24

They have a self-adhesive stick on the back of them that you attach to. I attach it not to my phone itself, to the phone case, and this has been such a game changer in not only packing light but just my everyday life. I can leave the house with just my phone and I have everything I need, and that is amazing. So this wallet can hold two to four cards. They are credit card sized wallets, so I usually have two to four cards in there and my cards don't fall out. I now have a strap on my phone and my phone is usually hanging upside down all the time. These cards just stay right in their wallet. Even though the wallet is facing upside down and the cards could easily fall out, they don't they can't easily fall out it's amazing.

Speaker 2: 44:20

The other fun thing is that I put one of these on my phone and it has lasted forever. They're super durable, they're super convenient and they make me extra careful because I do put my license in there. And it's so great when I'm going through security because I already have my phone in my hand and so all I have to do when I'm going through security in an airport. I don't have to pull out a wallet, I don't have to dig through my purse, it's right there on my phone. I just pull out my ID, show the guy, I go through security. So it's super convenient for travel.

Speaker 2: 44:52

It's also super convenient in the grocery store because I use wallet, I use electronic payment all a lot and tap to pay from my phone, and because it's an RFID blocking wallet, I can even with this on my phone. I have no issues when I pay with my wallet. When I do like Apple Pay, for example, it doesn't tap the card that's in the wallet because it's protected by RFID. It is only reading whatever card I'm pulling up in my digital wallet and then when I need an actual physical card, it's right there on my phone. I just pull out my physical card and use that, and so this wallet really has been a game changer for me. It keeps my life super efficient when I'm on the go.

Speaker 1: 45:36

Because not only are your digital payment forms on your phone, but also your physical payment forms are right there on your phone.

Speaker 2: 45:43

Yeah, your ID. When it's like the first of the year and I'm doing like more doctor visits and getting a new insurance plan, I'll put my insurance card in there. So just whatever kind of I need at the moment, it's just super great. I can't recommend it enough. So you can grab those on our website and, again, we will also have a link to that in the show notes. Let's talk about those essentials. Brooke, she's going to dive in here If y'all could see her face. Yeah, all right, let's talk about my essentials.

Speaker 3: 46:15

Well, okay, because all right. Well, one of the first exercises that I like my students to do is to identify their essentials, because I think it helps with mindset, it helps set the tone for everything else that we do in the class. And I'm talking. You basically just said, if I left the house with this phone, with this wallet on it and my keys, I could go on a trip. So why is it, alexa, that when I'm looking at your photo of your bare minimum essentials, there's like 10 other things? Okay, the 10 other things.

Speaker 2: 46:49

I don't have the picture in front of me, but for one thing I have to have the charger to go with the phone, and so that's in that pile of essentials I'll let that go right, so all right. That's one number two I'm not going to travel without like a chapstick bomb thing okay, that's where I need to call you out.

Speaker 3: 47:09

So now that's where we need to stop. We need to stop right there. Okay, go ahead. Can you get on a plane with your lip balm? Can you buy dinner with your lip balm? Can you book a hotel room with your lip balm? Does it keep your heart?

Speaker 2: 47:29

safe if you have lip balm. If I don't have lip balm, I will not be happy on the plane.

Speaker 3: 47:36

But you could get lip balm at the airport most likely.

Speaker 2: 47:41

Most likely. Yes, I could get lip balm. I could get my water. I could get because I have my clean canteen bottle on there or just like a refillable bottle. Those are things I would be buying. Anyway, those are the first items I would buy, but that's the thing.

Speaker 3: 47:58

You would buy that, but you could still get on the plane without it you could still leave your.

Speaker 2: 48:05

You could technically.

Speaker 3: 48:07

Don't tell me you can't you could and you can solve that problem very, very easily when you're already on your trip, okay, but you cannot solve leaving behind your passport, right, you cannot solve that. You know you can't solve leaving your money behind, so right, that's what I liked. Like you basically say in your final I won't die without the e-boost, the pencil liner, the breath strips, like there's other things that you list out like of the essentials, right, so that's the point where I say if you say that, then it's not in this part of the of the packing and and I know you're going to pack it in future steps.

Speaker 3: 48:49

But it's about mindset, right, it's about being open to understanding that it doesn't take that much to be okay, right, but there are a few things that you need and unfortunately it's probably not the lip balm. I know we're all going to pack it, but we can also buy it if we don't have it. Right, all going to pack it, but we can also buy it.

Speaker 2: 49:09

If we don't have it Right, very, very easily. And I think too, because I'm going to buy it, I need space for it, like I know that that's something that I will have, so I'm going to need in my bag or whatever I take. Yes, you know, I'm going to need space for those things anyway, because they're an essential, for even even if I get on the plane, I'm keep the bottle. You know, I'm gonna ask the stewardess for the stewardess. Do we even say that we're not the flight attendant? I'm gonna ask if they have. You know, sometimes you can only get a can of water, but if they have a bottle of water, I would keep the bottle and I would still. That would still be something that I'm carrying around and so, yeah, so it's. It's not like you said, it's not going to buy me a hotel room and it's not going to buy me a flight and it's not going to drive my car, but I know that, like, especially as a singer, I I have to constantly be drinking water.

Speaker 3: 50:06

So yeah, of course, yeah, yeah, those are easily solved, and so that was the one thing, and I know you're going to try and pack it in future steps and I pack the lip balm, but it's not an essential if you break it down to the bare minimums. And it's all about mindset, it's about perspective, it's about being open to I don't actually need all the things like I'm not gonna die if I don't have my lip balm. You know it's gonna be okay. So it's yeah, it's just that. So that was like the one thing I wanted to talk about with that.

Speaker 3: 50:38

I wanted to kind of just yeah tell you about that a little bit more. And and another thing I like to ask my students at this point is are you gonna turn around if you're already almost to the airport? Are you going to turn around? Go all the way back home and get your lip balm?

Speaker 2: 50:53

That's a good test?

Speaker 3: 50:56

So probably not. You'll buy it at one of the little convenience stores at the airport, right, like that's it. Yeah, and it's just that perspective of wait I can solve for problems. I don't have to stress super hard about most of the things on my list and it's just you know reading that bring yourself from that like the worry.

Speaker 2: 51:15

It's the worry, it's the anxiety, yeah and even in, like I think it was, in a UK airport. Not all airports will carry, but like, I even purchased underwear at an airport one time. There was a store that had it and I was like, yay, you know, I need this for my trip. I was able to get a pair of underwear. But even that, you have strategies for right yeah for sure.

Speaker 3: 51:41

Yeah, a lot of it like is doing the work, taking action, but then also just realizing that most things are solvable. Yeah, on on the trip, most things are. So that kind of like that's. That's where I'm going with that.

Speaker 2: 51:58

Yes, and one thing too, I will point out that was really helpful on my cell phone. Now, I didn't need my car keys, um, on the Europe trip, so I was able to. Actually, you know, this would normally be your car key or your house key would be an essential um. We're getting to like places that have just a key code and you don't even need a key for the house sometimes. You know, um, so that can change as well. But I can, I can leave this, you know, especially if I'm with Rory, at least if one of us has a key, we don't both need a key.

Speaker 2: 52:37

But having this, having this on my cell phone, gave me this attachment, gave me hands free attachment, gave me hands-free. And I also have a key chain lip gloss, lip balm thing. So I have a little key chain lip balm that can go on my phone. That is usually there, and so, again, that's another way I could say if I just have my cell phone and it's attached to this, that holds my keys, that holds the phone itself, um, and holds this lip balm, then I just have this one thing and well yeah, well, there you go, and it also just kind of simplifies the process, right you don't have another thing, that's like roaming around free, it's, it's attached to your main thing, so yeah, yeah, so that a way I would cheat on your class.

Speaker 2: 53:29

Stop cheating, okay Y'all. There is still more to share in our conversation that I had with Brooke, so we are going to split this up. Brooke and I will get into even more nitty gritty in part two.

Speaker 1: 53:44

We are going to share more brands and the products.

Speaker 2: 53:47

Like GoPatch, and they have a discount in the show notes, so we can't wait for you to hear all about GoPatch.

Speaker 1: 53:55

In Part 2 that are going to be in our giveaway. But we want to give you a sneak peek preview, a teaser if you will, into one of the items that will be in the grand giveaway. Well, into one of the items that will be in the grand giveaway. It is going to be entry into Brooks Course Baggage, freedom Express. Oh yeah, and guys, you know, if you happen to win and you're a guy, of course you can gift the course entry to any of the lovely ladies in your life.

Speaker 2: 54:25

We have talked a good bit about this giveaway and given you guys some big detail on what you're going to find in your giveaway. So how do you enter? Well, I'm so glad you asked. We will pin an Instagram post so that you can follow that post and enter to win, and we will also have the information on our show notes. So just go to the show notes for this episode and click on the link and it will take you to where you can enter to win this awesome giveaway and try out all of these things that we've been talking about. Now, if you happen to not win the giveaway, don't let it be because you didn't enter or maybe you're hearing this episode.

Speaker 2: 55:06

After the entrance window closes, you can still enjoy these products. Visit all of the links in our show notes for where to buy them and or to learn more about them and grab your favorites. We have spent a lot of time talking about these because, no matter what time of year, we want you to feel prepared for on the go and to know how you can travel and feel well and light. We're going to wrap up this episode now so you can get to those show notes, get to entering the giveaway and grabbing these travel light go-to's for yourself and for your loved ones.

Speaker 1: 55:39

Great stocking stuffers in time for the holidays.

Speaker 2: 55:45

We hope we've inspired you this episode, so join us next time. Please subscribe to rate and share our podcast with your friends or you know whomever? And please like and follow us on Instagram, youtube and Facebook.

Speaker 1: 55:56

We are also on X and on all social platforms. We are at TheRomies, that's T-H-E-R-O-A-M-I-E-S, and our main hub is our website.

Speaker 2: 56:07

At wwwtheromyscom, that's right, that's. D-h-e-r-o-a-m-i-e-scom. We'll be there until next time. Yeah, thanks for listening. Bye.