Traveling with pets can be a ton of fun, but it can also be difficult and dangerous. My friend Amy drove all the way across the country with her cat Cobra. When they got within 30 miles of home, Amy took Cobra out for a breath of air and the cat bolted. This story has a happy ending-Amy found Cobra. But if Cobra had been in a pet carrier, their trip would have been much less stressful.

Pet carriers come in a bunch of styles. Some let you carry your cat or small dog close to your body, either in the front or on your back. Pet totes look like handbags; they’re perfect for taking a small animal when you run errands. If you like to walk more than your dog does, put him in pet stroller. When you go for a bicycle ride, put her in a trailer or in a special handlebar basket.

If you or you pooch or kitty care about fashion, you can choose a stylish pet carrier. It looks like a purse and, just like a purse, you can match the carrier to your mood or color of the day.

Pet travel carriers aren’t the only pet-friendly inventions that make traveling with cats easier. When you arrive at a new destination, you might want to let your cat get some exercise. Unlike dogs, most cats don’t take well to leash walking. It’s not safe to let your cat run free in a new and unfamiliar place, and your hotel isn’t going to like a cat running around the lobby. The solution? An outdoor cat enclosure. Whether you are home or away, an outdoor cat enclosure lets your kitty experience the out of doors without danger. She can watch the birds, swat at the bugs, and enjoy the feel of the grass.

Traveling with older dogs and cats can be a real challenge. Like people, senior animals may have mobility problems-climbing stairs, getting into the car, hopping onto the bed (oops!) may be hard for them. A pet ramp will make it easier for them to move around comfortably. High quality pet ramps allow pets to get where they need to go gently, slowly, and safely. Lifting a medium size or larger dog is not good for the animal or for the human back. Pet ramps make it safer for the whole family.

For places that animals can’t reach with a ramp, like the back seats of most cars, consider pet stairs. They come in different sizes and colors. Some fold up, making them perfect for travel. There’s even a ramp/stair combo on the market.
Even for a healthy young or middle aged dog, jumping from a high place, like the back of a pickup truck, isn’t good for the muscles and tendons. Ramps and steps can help prevent sudden or cumulative injury.

Next time I take my pets on a trip, I’m going to have pet carriers for them and any other equipment that will make our vacation safer and more fun for all of us.

The days of women staying at home with their kids, men going to a job where a healthy lunch was served in the company cafeteria are long gone. We are facing obesity in epidemic proportions and the advertisements promoting a new fat burning diet increase every day.

How can you make sense of all this information and is there a way to incorporate such a way of eating into your active lifestyle? That question plagues many health conscious people.

Learning the Basics
There are few things you need to know about a fat burning diet to make travel easier.
1.You can always find something to eat, no matter where you are even if it isnt your top choice.
2.If you are willing to ask questions, you can almost always get what you need.
3.Preparation can make a huge difference, especially on a longer trip.
4.Always bring along at least some things that will make it easier to stick with your plan.
5.Any fat burning diet you can stick to at home can be adapted to the road.

Fat Burning Diet on the Go
Since this might just be the most important aspect of day to day travel, lets start here. Even with the tightened regulations on airplanes there are some basic supplies you can carry with you no matter where you go.

For example, raw almonds are a perfect travel food. They’re also great parts of any fat burning diet. They provide you with protein, heart healthy fats and plenty of fiber, which keeps you feeling full. You should never go anywhere without a bag of these delicious nuts.

If possible, pack hard boiled eggs, cut vegetables and sliced nitrite/nitrate free cold cuts in a cooler. If you arent flying, take plenty of water as well, since it’s the healthiest thing you can ever drink! If you are flying, bring a water bottle and fill it after you pass security.

Planning Ahead
For some of us, vacation just isnt complete without a bit of dietary indulgence. That is fine, as long as you plan ahead. If you plan to stay at a resort, call or email in advance. Ask to see the menus used at the restaurants on site.

You may not be able to get steel cut organic oats with two organic whole eggs stirred in alongside organic coffee at the hotel. Oatmeal and poached eggs are a reasonable substitute when you are traveling. They still are in line with a good fat burning diet.

Cant get wild caught salmon? Thats ok too, have a grilled salmon fillet on a bed of mixed greens and sprinkle on some lemon juice and olive oil. With the increasing number of food allergies travelers take with them, chefs are used to accommodating guests as long as the requests are reasonable.

Pick the Best Foods You Can and Adapt
Recognize that if you are on a trip you wont be able to tailor your menu as carefully as you do at home. Know what you can eat, and stick with those choices as often as possible.

Pick up fruits and veggies from local markets; you can even get hard boiled eggs at most convenience stores today. Make up for less than ideal eating by upping your exercise regimen a bit if you think it is appropriate.

Leaving home and traveling doesnt have to mean a full scale abandonment of the eating patterns you know are right. Sure, you may not burn as much fat on the road as you do when you are in your own environment.

But as long as you stick to as many of the principles of your fat burning diet as possible when you are away from home, the damage will be minimal.