Top Picks for Travel, Yoga, and Lifestyle Gear


​I'm a self-proclaimed modern minimalist. My life fits in two suitcases, and this has proven true even when I have moved from country to country the past 14 years. When I travel, it is with a 45 litre backpack or rolly suitcase. So, what does a minimalist-yogi-world traveler own and cherish without attachment? Read below for my recommendations. All products are available for purchase by clicking on the image.

Travel
Thai Silk Lavender Eye Pillows
Enjoy deep relaxation with this handmade eye pillow by Hanuman Yoga Retreat.
Made from 100% Thai silk and a cotton lining. Contains dried lavender, raw flaxseed, and Thai jasmine rice. Use as is, cold, or warm.

To use as a cooling eye pack, place the eye pillow in a plastic bag to avoid unwanted smells or moisture. Keep in the freezer for at least 45 minutes. It will not become frozen, nor is it meant to be frozen. To use as a warm compress, place the eye pillow on a paper towel. Heat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or until very warm (but not hot). Do not cook the contents. Use caution. Spot clean only.

AVAILABLE NOW in Chiang Mai at the following locations:
Chiang Mai Holistic: in Nimman
Heart N Soul Herbal Steam House, in Nimman
FreeBird Cafe: in Nimman

​Headlamps are awesome because they leave your hands free!  Using a flashlight would be regressing after marveling how convenient it was to take out my contacts while camping, or go to the bathroom, to name a few situations. PETZL also has some cool functions, such as different angles to beam up and down, as well as being able to have your very own disco party (the strobe light function). 

​If this book was required reading for every person on earth, the world would look a lot different, in a happy, peaceful way. Non-Violent Communication has taught me so much in how I speak to others and how I receive messages.  

​A good friend of mine gave me this Bambu spork as a birthday gift. Even when I am not traveling, I have this in my purse. I've had 3 course meals with this little guy. My world has opened up a bit more to include all kinds of take-out food and things that I can scoop or poke. 


Talking about constipation is a quick way to bond with other travelers. Traditional Tea's Smooth Moves is great tasting, natural, and works effectively. Enough said.

Coffee is very important to me. I develop anxiety if there's a chance that real coffee may not exist where I am staying. It happens more often than I'd like. That's why I bring my own bag of coffee from home and a Vietnamese coffee filter. It fits right over any standard coffee mug, and you just add hot water. A very mini 4 piece French press, if you will.  Also good for the workplace or home!

Sea to Summit's kitchen sink gets the most attention when I travel. I throw in my load of laundry, detergent, water and let it soak. I like that I don't need to clog up a sink.  It coils up in a disc when not in use; and it holds 5 or 10 litres.

​Klean Kanteen's 1 litre aluminum water bottle is awesome. It doesn't get stinky, and it's easy to clean when needed.  Lighter than carrying a glass mason jar, it's unbreakable, and won't leech toxins like plastic bottles. 
This is one of only two remedies I carry with me when I travel: Hedd Wyn's Wild Oil of Oregano. It's natural, and the small dosage means that this bottle lasts awhile. At the first sign of a cold or flu (sore throat, sniffles, aches), I take 5 drops of Hedd Wynn oregano oil, and my symptoms disappear within a few hours.

What else is in my backpack?

There are also some very practical, non-brand items that I find invaluable: 
*bungee cords for hanging laundry
*stuff sacks for separating clean vs. dirty laundry
*plastic bags (I carry about a dozen in various sizes and use it for trash, carrying snacks, and placing wet, leaky, sandy, or broken items.
*hand towel works great as a fluffy bath towel. It gives the right amount of absorbency, dries quickly, and is 1/4 the size of a regular bath towel. 
*travel office in a ziplock bag. I carry a mini stapler, a roll of electrical tape, permanent marker, ballpoint pens, and a highlighter pen.
*twist ties is what I use for minimal security on luggage that is zippered and when padlocks are not an option.
*keychain compass for those times when I feel a little lost.

Yoga, well-being, and mindfulness
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Yoga Beyond Belief was written by my yoga teacher, Ganga White. Ganga has been practicing yoga since the 70's and has seen its impact on the West over time. This book uncovers yoga beyond the asanas, and is a reminder of what yoga is and isn't.

​The Yoga Toolbox is an excellent resource for a home yoga practice, to study, or to use in sequencing a yoga class. These are laminated, color coded A4 sized yoga posture flashcards. 

When I first bought this Manduka travel yoga mat, I tried out all the different ways I could fold the mat and how compact it could be. The mat easily slips into a daypack. I've used this to practice yoga on the rooftop of hostels, at the train station in India, and various parks. 

​Although Spontaneous Healing was published in 1995, it is strikingly relevant to today's health issues and how society can better respond to treating ailments, pain, illnesses, and disease in a more mindful way. 
New Life Foundation in Chiang Rai, Thailand has been where I learned more about myself than my whole life beforehand. It's a special place where transformation happens, and where you can learn how to move through life with more ease. It is an international, mindful community based on the practices of Buddhism. Go there and you'll leave as a better person with a lifelong community.
Eugenia Last Astrology
Eugenia Last offers amazing guidance. There's free daily, weekly, and love horoscopes that you can check out on her website. After following a few other astrologists, I do find her readings are the most accurate for me. I hope it helps you! Be curious, be open, and be aware.
Just Some Breathing
Breathing practice is a wonderful, natural way to calm the mind and nervous system. The more you practice, the more you will remember to use this tool for relaxation, to ease pain, reduce anxiety, relieve stress, and calm emotions. Got a headache or an upset stomach? Try the three part breath. Feeling anger or sadness? Do the three part breath. Have a long plane ride or have trouble getting to sleep? Yep, three part breath. Here is a great video by Kripalu Yoga teacher Larissa Carlson to help build your breathing practice.
DISCLOSURE: Unless stated, I have personally purchased all of these items because it has benefitted my lifestyle. These are solely my opinions and based on my experiences with the products. Just like you may recommend a good movie to a friend, I am recommending these products to you as a friend, world traveler, yoga instructor, and budget lifestyler! I am not being paid to write these reviews, and I do receive a commission if a purchase is made from this page. I believe in supporting great people, businesses, products, services, and experiences.