I used to have it in the bag.

Literally.

Fruit, sandwiches, pretzels, trail mix, veggies, and maybe even some hummus.

All packed in a small cooler for a road-trip. This frugal and smart fitness coach knew how to travel with health in mind.

Somewhere along the way, I’ve lost my culinary road-trip mojo. My resolve seems to have petered out. Hop in a car and all bets are off!

Recently, we had to take an unplanned trip to Philadelphia. I quickly threw some apples, granola bars, and home-made juices in a cooler and we set off. I was strong. We were going to save money and eat healthy snacks. Maybe pick up a little something for lunch.

Rest Stop #1: Sure everyone can have Starbuck’s, and grab breakfast while you’re at it! A steamer, a few lattes, and some baked treats to go, and we were back in the car.

Rest Stop #2: Thirsty again? Sure! Go for it. Another little snack won’t hurt ya. Beef jerky and a Lunchable? Sounds good to me.

Who am I, anyway? I’ve never ever purchased a Lunchable! My kids had no idea where their mother had gone. They were baffled.

And giddy.

In my sugar and carb stupor, the remainder of the drive was a blur.

I could chalk up my behavior to the stress brought on by the need for the spontaneous trip, and yet I was quite aware of the truth that what we were consuming would only exasperate that stress, rather than calm it.

Oh, did I mentioned that we also drove HOME that very day?

Do the math. That makes double the rest-stop foods consumed.

The day after the binge brought no physiological surprises. We fully expected the lethargy, stomach-aches, and water-retention. My kids woke tired and grumpy. I woke needing a detox.

As I reflect back, I realize that sometimes, even with the best of intentions, Mama gets tired of planning.

And even though we ate our way to Philly and back, I must admit we had a nice time together. Munching and listening to an audio book.

I guess if Mom dropping the ball every once in a while makes for an entertaining memory for the kids, I can willingly choose this route again in the future. So often, I feel the pressure to view every circumstance as an opportunity to teach my kids a life lesson – for instance, “Be prepared, or you’ll waste a ton of money on food that will send you straight to the rest-room – more than once.”

It was kind of nice, for this time, I didn’t teach them a darn thing.

Unless one considers giving instructions on how to balance a hot drink and a bag of dried and cured chunks of meat on one’s lap a life skill.

If that’s a life lesson, I taught it in spades.