Travel Tips for the Homebody: How to Pack Your Comforts and Stay Fed
By Maren — Home cook energy. Not chef energy. Let's make something good with what you've got. ·
Finding My Compass (and My Cooler)
If you’ve been following my TikTok for a while, you know my natural habitat is somewhere between my sourdough starter, Gary—who is currently bubbling away on the counter—and my grandmother’s heavy-duty cast iron skillet. I’m a middle school teacher in Minneapolis, and my life is defined by routines, bell schedules, and the smell of toasted flour.
So, when I talk about travel, I’m not exactly the 'backpacking through Southeast Asia with nothing but a dream' type. I’m the 'I need to know where the nearest grocery store is' type. But after a few years of trying to see the world, I’ve realized that travel doesn’t have to be a departure from who you are. You can bring your home-cook energy on the road, and honestly? It makes the whole experience a lot less stressful. Here’s how I manage to keep my sanity while out of my own kitchen.
The “Emergency Snack” Kit is Non-Negotiable
Listen, I know we all think we’ll just 'eat local,' but there is nothing worse than arriving in a new city at 9:00 PM, starving, only to find the only thing open is a vending machine with stale crackers.
My travel bag always has a dedicated 'food pouch.' I pack high-quality granola, a few packets of almond butter, and—don’t judge me—a small bag of high-quality sea salt. Why salt? Because if I end up buying a sad, bland hotel-room meal, a pinch of good salt can actually make it taste like food again. It’s a small, heavy thing to carry, but it’s a game-changer. Think of it as your portable flavor anchor. You aren’t being high-maintenance; you’re being prepared. Your future, hungry self will thank you.
Scout the Local Market First
My very first stop in any new city isn't the museum or the famous monument. It’s the local grocery store or farmers' market. This is where you really see how people live. I love walking through the aisles, looking at the different brands of flour, the local produce, and the snacks I’ve never seen before.
Not only is this a great way to save money on breakfast, but it’s how I find the best souvenirs. A jar of local honey or a weird spice blend I found in a market in Duluth or across the country is way better than a plastic keychain. Plus, if you’re staying in an Airbnb or a place with a kitchenette, grab some eggs and sourdough bread. Even if you’re just making toast in the morning, having that quiet moment to yourself before the day starts keeps you grounded. It’s that 'home cook energy'—making space to nurture yourself, even when you’re 500 miles from your own stove.
Packing Light (But Packing Right)
I’m not a minimalist. I’m a realist. My suitcase usually has one designated corner for 'comfort items.' For me, that’s a small, lightweight tea towel (because hotel napkins are useless) and my favorite insulated mug.
When you’re constantly on the move, you feel like you’re losing your edges. Having one or two things that feel like you—a specific brand of tea, a cozy pair of socks, or a mini-grater for fresh parmesan—makes a hotel room feel like a home. Don’t try to be a 'cool traveler' who doesn’t need anything. Be the traveler who knows exactly what they need to feel human.
Managing the 'Teacher Brain' on Vacation
As a teacher, my brain is usually running on 'planning mode.' Even when I’m off, I’m checking schedules and thinking about logistics. When I travel, I try to apply my cooking philosophy: Work with what you’ve got.
If the train is delayed, or the restaurant is closed, or it’s raining in Minneapolis and I’m stuck in a hotel lobby, I just pivot. I look at the ingredients in front of me—the time, the location, the situation—and I figure out how to make it good. Sometimes 'making it good' just means finding a park bench, sitting down with a pastry from a local bakery, and just breathing. You don't need a perfectly curated itinerary. You just need to be present.
The Cast Iron Mentality
I know I can’t exactly pack Gary the sourdough starter or my grandmother’s 12-inch skillet (though I’ve thought about it). But I can pack the mindset they represent. They represent slow, intentional, and reliable things. When you travel, try to slow down. Don’t eat every meal on the run. Take the time to sit at a café table. Watch the people. Order the thing you can’t pronounce.
Cooking is my love language, but when I’m traveling, the 'cooking' is replaced by 'observing.' It’s all about the same thing, really: paying attention to the details, respecting the process, and making sure that at the end of the day, you’ve fed your soul a little bit.
So, where are you headed next? Are you a 'pack the whole pantry' traveler, or do you prefer to just wing it and see what the local shops have? I’d love to hear your favorite travel snacks or market finds. Drop a comment below—let’s talk shop (and snacks!) before we all head out for our next adventure.