10 Travel Essentials You Need For Your Next Trip

 Do you have a trip planned that involves a flight or a train ride? Check out some of the best products for traveling by plane or train. These travel items are essential for your next trip.

There are so many travel accessories and gear available for purchase, but how do you decide which ones are worth buying? After many years of traveling by plane, train, and car, I have some travel products that I bring with me on every trip. These are the must-have travel items that I pack every single time.

These are travel items that make my trip easier and more comfortable. Some of the travel products even save me money. There are also products that keep me safe. From travel products that make it easier to carry everything to ones that help me pass the time to ones that help me sleep on long trips. Discover my favorite travel essentials that I pack in my travel bags.

Travel Essentials You Need For Your Next Trip

1. Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand

Most people use their phone to entertain themselves while traveling. From watching movies to watching their favorite shows, they are holding their phone for long periods of time. A phone stand comes in handy for traveling.

The Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand is ultra-thin and light, making it perfect for tossing into a travel bag. The grip uses MagSafe technology to stick to the back of your phone. The stand has a 350° adjustable hinge that flips out to hold your phone at basically any angle. It works on any MagSafe® phone or case. For those who don't have MagSafe on their phone, the Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand includes an adapter for Androids.

Purchase Ohsnap Phone Grip Stand 

2. illo Travel Pillow

Think back to your last long trip on a plane and the struggle with trying to sleep. That bulky, uncomfortable neck pillow you lug around just made things worse. No matter the position you used the neck pillow, you were unable to sleep. You may have even left the flight with a sore neck.

Illo is the anywhere, anytime sleep companion. This unique wearable pillow blocks out light, softens ambient noise, and creates a cozy, cocooned sleep bubble that’s perfect for nights, naps, and especially flights. 

This wearable pillow combines the best of a sleep mask and a travel pillow to elevate your sleep anywhere life takes you. This lightweight pillow can be used at home, on a long flight, a road trip, or anywhere in between. You will fall in love with the cooling mulberry silk and breathable Modal fabric. The contoured design snuggles your head, helping you find the perfect position for comfort. This pillow may look strange, but trust me, it is ultra-comfortable. Check out my full review of the illo Pillow.

Purchase illo Travel Pillow

3. Gonex Compression Packing Cubes

 Packing cubes are the perfect suitcase organizer. Packing cubes can help you separate your clothes by type of outfit, and they give you quick access to items without having to unpack your whole suitcase. They are also great for separating the dirty clothes from the clean clothes.

If you are looking for the ultimate space-saver, Gonex compression packing cubes are the best for traveling. Compression packing bags have 2 zippers, so you can compress the air out of the bag just like those space-saving bags. Check out how I was able to pack for a 5-day trip with a carry-on suitcase with these compression packing cubes. 

Purchase Gonex Compression Packing Cubes

4. Huel Complete Meals

Face it, airport food is expensive and unhealthy. So packing some ready-to-eat meals in your travel bag is important. I am not talking snacks; I am talking complete meals that can be made in minutes.

 Huel complete plant-based meals are perfect for traveling. From meal powders that can be made in a shaker bottle to satisfying, hearty meals that only need hot water, these meals are made with healthy ingredients. They contain complete nutrition and can replace any meal. 

Huel Hot Instant Meals - When you want something hot, quick, and genuinely satisfying. These meals are made with grains, pasta or noodles, real veggies, and all 27 essential nutrients. They have up to 25 g of protein, plenty of carbs, and fiber. Just add hot water for a warm, hearty meal that’s ready in minutes. They are available in a variety of flavors and can be ordered by the pouch or in a cup.

 Huel Powder Meals - Huel offers 4 different types of powder meals. Each one contains a 100% nutritionally complete balance of protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, and fiber. The main difference between the meals is the grams of protein, carbohydrates, calories, and superfoods.

Use code MOMKNOWSBESTHUEL to save 15% on all Huel products

5. LectroFan Alpha Sound Machine

 If you need help with sleep, you need to grab a sound machine. The LectroFan Alpha sound machine is a portable white noise machine that is ideal for creating a calm environment to induce sleep. Its small size makes it perfect for travel.

The sound includes seven non-looping sounds, like 2 ocean wave sounds, heartbeat, white noise, brown noise, and 2 fan sounds to support a soothing backdrop for restful sleep. The rechargeable device lasts for up to 40 hours on a single charge.

Purchase LectroFan Alpha Sound Machine

6. Nugo Nutrition Bars

Make sure to pack healthy snacks for your trips. You never know when hunger will strike. I like to pack delicious protein bars that are covered in dark chocolate. These healthy plant-based bars taste like a candy bar and prevent me from buying junk food at the airport.

NuGo Organic Bars are made with USDA Organic-certified ingredients. They contain no synthetic pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics. There are no artificial ingredients or sweeteners – just pure plant-based nutrition made the way nature intended. They are certified vegan and gluten-free, contain 10g of protein, and are coated in real Dark Chocolate.

 Grab this special 50% off for your first NuGo Dark variety pack order, plus free shipping with this link

7. Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds

Traveling can be noisy! So block out the noise with a great pair of wireless earbuds. The earbuds will be perfect for listening to music and watching your favorite movies.

The Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds have active noise cancellation and adapt to environments, blocking up to 40dB of noise while preserving audio clarity for focus in commutes, offices, or travel. Check out my full review of the Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds.

Purchase Edifier NeoBuds Planar Wireless Earbuds

8. FlipBelt Zipper Travel Belt

A travel belt is a must-have travel item for convenience and security. These belts have many pockets to hold important items like cash, tickets, credit cards, and more. Some even have pockets for your phone. The belt keeps your items close to you and hidden from thieves. No more having to dig around in your bag for important items.

The FlipBelt may be a running item, but it can also be used for traveling. The belt has many pockets, including a zipper pouch to safely carry small, vital items. Designed to pull on and lay flat on your hips without slipping, it is a light alternative to purses and crossbody bags. FlipBelt provides easy storage for folks on the go, no matter where their day takes them 

Purchase FlipBelt Zipper Travel Belt 

9. American Tourister Carry-On 

Airlines are rough with suitcases. I have seen many hard-sided suitcases get broken. I like to travel with a soft-sided suitcase. They are more durable and easier to pack.

My favorite affordable brand for soft-sided luggage is American Tourister. After having several hard-sided suitcases damaged by airlines, I decided to replace mine with soft-sided luggage. My soft suitcases hold up to the abuse from airlines. I have never had my checked soft-sided suitcase get damaged.

Purchase American Tourister Carry-On

10. The Foldie Travel Bag

The Foldie Travel Bag is the best bag for traveling. This bag helps me stay organized and holds a lot! This bag fits under the airplane seat, so it is the perfect carry-on bag.

The Foldie is the ultimate travel bag that combines functionality and convenience in one sleek package. Whether you're a frequent traveler or just looking for a compact way to carry your belongings, The Foldie is the perfect solution.

The bag's unique foldable design allows it to be easily stored when not in use and expands to provide ample storage space when you need it.

 One of the best things about The Foldie is how easy it is to use. Simply unfold the bag, pack your belongings, and you're ready to go. The bag has multiple compartments and pockets for organized packing and a sturdy handle for comfortable carrying.

Purchase The Foldie Bag

These are some of my favorite travel items

These are travel items that make my trip easier and more comfortable. Some of the travel products even save me money. There are also products that keep me safe. From travel products that make it easier to carry everything to ones that help me pass the time to ones that help me sleep on long trips.

Discovering New Healthy Products at Newtopia Now

 Last month, my family drove to Golden, Colorado, to take my 2 youngest sons to college. After we said our goodbyes to the boys, my husband and I drove to downtown Denver to check into another hotel. I was there to attend Newtopia Now.

What is Newtopia Now?

 Newtopia Now is the destination for new product innovation and a can't-miss discovery opportunity for retailers and industry leaders. It connects brands—whether launching for the first time or expanding their product line—with buyers, investors, and experts who provide feedback, explore opportunities, and help prepare products for the next stage of growth in the natural and organic marketplace. It’s where untethered experiences and conscious products grow—and where those in the know go to stay ahead. 

Learning about A New Era of Conscious Products

 As a health and wellness influencer, I get to attend events like Newtopia Now to connect with brands and learn about new products. These events are a way to network with the brands and meet new people who have a focus on living a healthy life. It is also a way to try new products, like healthy food, allergy-friendly food, and supplements.

 By trying these products, I can share them with you to help you make informed decisions. When I try new supplements, I can experience the benefits of the product. I love all the wealth of information that I get from attending these events. I admit, I also love the samples that I get from the events. The samples help me learn about the product without having to spend money. 

10 New Brands that I Discovered at Newtopia Now

 Every time I attend a health and wellness event, I like to share the top ten products that caught my eye. These are the products that made me say, "I need to try that product!"

When a product gets my attention, I make sure to talk to the brand to learn more and ask for a sample, so I can try the product out at home.

Below are the 10 products that you need to discover

1. Unbroken® Recovery Drink

The Unbroken booth caught my eye when I saw the bold, colorful tubes that the product was in. I love the convenience of tablet supplements and wanted to know more about the drink tablets. When I discovered the tablets were a recovery drink made from salmon, I was very intrigued. I love salmon. 

Unbroken is a recovery drink that is powered by salmon protein. The recovery supplement contains all 25 Amino Acids – including all 9 EAAs in free-form for ultimate muscle support. It also contains 11 important vitamins and minerals – packed with B12, zinc, and selenium.

I learned that Unbroken was made to fuel your body to support your performance and recovery. This drink would also help with joint health and muscle sorness. Since I am always tweaking my fitness performance, I wanted to see how Unbroken could benefit my workout. 

The company sent me home with a couple of tubes of product to put to the test. I have only used the product for a couple of days, so it is too soon to see results. I do have a conference call scheduled to learn more about the product. I can report that the drink has a nice, sweet fruit taste. 

Learn more about Unbroken Recovery

2. Humble Deodorant

While I have been using Humble Deodorant for a couple of years, I never knew the backstory of this company. Once I learned that this natural, clean-ingredient deodorant is made in New Mexico, I knew that I had to help you discover the Humble brand.

 I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 2 hours away from Taos, New Mexico, the town where Humble is made. This aluminum-free deodorant was created in a kitchen in Taos, New Mexico, in 2015, and now it is sold in over 10,000 retailers nationwide.

Humble is made with simple ingredients and no synthetic fragrance. It is a natural deodorant that comes in many natural scents. Humble's deodorant keeps me odor-free, even on hot days.

Learn more about Humble Brands

3. Fresco Flavors Freeze-Dried Herbs

When I discovered Fresco Flavors' freeze-dried herbs at Newtopia Now, I was amazed at their beauty. Their freeze-dried herbs are packaged in clear glass jars, and through the jar, I could see the herbs' vibrant color.

 I had to stop and talk with the representive from Fresco Flavors. I wanted to know more about their herbs. The person opened a couple of jars of their herbs for me to look at. The aroma from the jars smelled so good!

 The freeze-dried basil smelled like it was growing in my garden. When I looked at the jar of red chile peppers, the little rings of sliced peppers were so pretty. I wanted to taste all of the herbs that were on display. Thankfully, the brand sent me some of their freeze-dried herbs. 

Discover my review of Fresco Flavors freeze-dried herbs.

4. Bloom 5.5 Prickly Pear Skincare

Bloom 5.5 was smart to have samples of their skincare products in the press room. Their cute sample bag led me to their booth to learn more about their skincare products that are made with prickly pears.

I live in New Mexico, where prickly pears are in abundance. These tasty fruits come from a cactus, and I make a beautiful pink drink with them. So, I had to know how Bloom 5.5 was using the prickly pear in their lotions, since the product was not pink. 

 Bloom 5.5 was founded on the belief that effective skincare should be simple, thoughtful, and made to support skin's natural balance. The heart of Bloom 5.5 formulas is cold-pressed Prickly Pear Seed Oil, a prized botanical known for its antioxidant-rich profile, lightweight feel, and ability to help skin look radiant, soft, and healthy. Each product is formulated to support the skin's ideal pH of 5.5, helping maintain a balanced, comfortable feel. 

Learn more about Bloom 5.5

5, Ourkraut

What led me to Ourkraut was their beautiful pink booth. I love the color pink, and I also love sauerkraut. I had to taste the pink fermented cabbage. One bite and I was hooked on this delicious product.

The first time, I stopped at the booth; the brand representive was busy talking to someone. So I came back later. The brand person must have remembered me by the pink shirt that I was wearing. She said, "You must like the product." I replied that it was delicious and I loved the pink color.

Once I learned that Ourkraut made its debut at Newtopia Now and how it was made with organic ingredients, I had to take another sample. Gaby gave me a whole jar of the delicious fermented purple cabbage in exchange for a mention on my website. That was a delicious deal!

Learn more about Ourkraut

6. Shubug DEET-FREE Insect Repellent 

My husband loves camping, and my younger boys love hiking. They need protection from mosquitoes. I dislike that they use a chemical insect spray, as it is not good for their health. So I am always on the lookout for a natural insect repellent that works.

When I discovered that Shubug was a DEET-free insect spray and that their formula used natural ingredients like coconut oil, lemongrass, rosemary, and geraniol, I had to put it to the test. I was happy that they gave me a sample. I love that their formula feels light on the skin and has a nice scent. The best part: it kept the mosquitoes away. 

Learn more about Shubug DEET-FREE Insect Repellent

7. Be Love Clean Energy and Hydration

I am all for clean energy drinks, and I am glad that I discovered Be Love. These colorful cans caught my attention on my first day at the show. So I decided to give them a try. I drank the Grape Awakening drink before I went running, and it gave me awesome energy without any hyperness. When I finished my workout, I drank the Citrus Zest hydration drink, and it was delicious. These drinks come in many delicious flavors, and of course, I tried them all.

Be LOVE™ was born from a simple idea: life feels better when we’re in balance. When we move and connect with intention. When we nourish our bodies and our relationships. When we choose love.

Their drinks are crafted to support that kind of living. Clean. Functional. Delicious. Made to help you hydrate and find your flow. No extremes. No empty promises. Just the good stuff that helps you show up as the real you.

Learn more about Be Love Clean Energy and Hydration

8. Women's Bean Project

My husband and I run the food pantry at our church. We have experienced not having enough money to buy food, as well as being unemployed. So we want to help others in our community through tough times. 

When I saw the fancy packages of bean soup mixes at the Women's Bean Project, I had to know more about them. When I discovered that these gift-giving bean soup mixes were made by women in their job training program, it led to a great conversation with the brand representative. 

Women's Bean Project provides job training and employment to women facing significant barriers to work, selling high-quality food products made by these women to support their mission. The products that the ladies make are perfect for gifts and can be bought on their website. 

Shop soups and chili mixes, baking mixes, spice blends, gourmet gift boxes, snacks, and more, all made by women gaining meaningful employment through Women's Bean Project in Denver, Colorado.

Learn about Women's Bean Project

9. Local Weather Sports Drink

The bright, colorful cans of these sports drinks caught my eye. I love that they are packaged in resealable aluminum cans. The drinks have a light, sweet, fruity taste, and of course I had to try every flavor. My favorite was the mango passion fruit.

Local Weather is a functional sports drink made for those who move. This is proper hydration for your body as well as your mind. It contains electrolytes from coconut water and other sources, vitamins, minerals, and only 6g of real cane sugar per bottle. Made with clean ingredients and available in 4 delicious flavors.

Learn more about Local Weather Sports Drink

10. Bappies Skincare

I love when companies understand babies' delicate skin and make products that don't cause harm. Many years ago, I learned that most brands of baby skincare contained ingredients that were not safe for a baby's skin. I only discovered this after my baby would scream after I applied baby lotion to his skin. The lotion also caused his skin to have severe eczema. Once I started using natural skincare products, the eczema went away.

Bappies has a whole skincare line for babies, including laundry detergent. All of the products are made with pure and simple non-toxic ingredients. They are also made without parabens, silicones, phthalates, and fragrances. The products are made with herbs that nourish, hydrate, protect, and soothe your little one’s skin, keeping it soft and healthy.

Learn more about Bappies Skincare

So many brands that are perfect for a healthy lifestyle

The above are just a few of the amazing healthy brands that I discovered. I loved attending Newtopia Now for so many reasons. Being around people who are interested in living a healthy lifestyle and learning about new products is the main reason. 

 Then there is the wealth of health information that I learn about supplements and how they can benefit me. As I told my husband, these conferences are better than going to a doctor. Many of the supplements that I have learned about over the years have helped me in my healing journey.

Another benefit to attending the conferences is learning about allergy-friendly foods. Being able to taste them has helped me know which brands to buy and recommend to others. 

Then there are the connections that I make with the brands. I love helping them get the word out about their products. I get excited when I see their products on the shelves at my local grocery stores.

Wake Up Refreshed: Products For Better Sleep

 If you are one of the 6 in 10 adults who do not get the recommended 7–9 hours of quality sleep, you know the struggle of lack of sleep. Are you ready to start prioritizing rest and nighttime routines? I want to share a few products designed to help people wind down, relax, and wake up feeling refreshed, perfect for anyone looking to improve their nighttime routine.

 Sleep is important for wellness and health. Lack of sleep can do more than just make one feel tired. The immediate issues from lack of sleep can be extreme fatigue, irritability, and impaired memory, while long-term deprivation can lead to more serious risks.

 Long-term sleep issues can lead to one being at a higher risk for obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Not getting enough sleep can also weaken immunity, accelerate brain aging by 3-5 years, and disrupt hormone balance, driving food cravings and decreased cognitive function.

Wake Up Refreshed: Products For Better Sleep

If you struggle with insomnia or other sleep issues, I want to share some products that may help you get a good night's sleep.

Magnesium Supplements ~ Magnesium can support calm, balance, and relaxation. When consumed 20 minutes before bed, magnesium can help you fall asleep. 

Clean Program Total Magnesium Blend Supplement Powder is a delicious, blissful, berry-flavored magnesium drink that is perfect for your daily sleep routine. It is easy to mix and delicious to sip. It is also available on Amazon

Magnesium Balm ~ Sore muscles and dry skin can keep you awake. From itchy skin to painful muscles, your body seeks relief. Providing this relief to your body can help you sleep better.

Meet the Dr. Doug's Bestsellers Kit—a must-have bundle offering organic, toxin-free balms designed by a neurologist and approved by dermatologists. These balms are made to soothe the skin, provide pain relief, and the added magnesium can help you fall asleep. These balms have a nice lavender and peppermint scent.

Sound Machine ~ If you need help with sleep, you need to grab a sound machine. The LectroFan Alpha sound machine is a portable white noise machine that is ideal for creating a calm environment to induce sleep for all ages. This sleep sound machine is perfect for use at home and while traveling. 

The sound includes seven non-looping sounds, like 2 ocean wave sounds, heartbeat, white noise, brown noise, and 2 fan sounds to support a soothing backdrop for restful sleep. The rechargeable device lasts for up to 40 hours on a single charge.

Cooling Pillowcase ~ When your body is hot, it can be difficult to sleep. A simple thing like a cooling pillowcase can make a difference in the quality of your sleep. The Luxear Arc-Chill Cooling Pillowcase can help you experience instant, refreshing coolness.

These premium cooling pillowcases are crafted with upgraded Japanese Arc-Chill cooling satin fabric. The innovative cooling fabric actively absorbs body heat upon contact, delivering an immediate perceived temperature drop of up to 5℃. The long-lasting cool comfort will give a deep, peaceful sleep night after night.

Ashwagandha ~ Do you lie awake at night thinking about things that you need to do? Your body is tired, but your mind won't turn off. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that can help you relax and sleep while also helping with energy and focus the next day. Ashwagandha is full of natural withanolides that work to reduce tension and help you relax.

NutriRise Ashwagandha is made with certified organic ashwagandha root powder, which has an optimal concentration for maximum benefits. This supplement includes organic black pepper extract to improve absorption up to 2000%. In a study, participants who took 300 mg of ashwagandha fell asleep faster and experienced fewer awakenings when compared to the placebo group.

Bedtime Snack ~ Sometimes a bedtime snack can help you sleep better, as it can be hard to sleep with a growling stomach. The best bedtime snack is a small one that has carbohydrates and protein. 

MIGHTYLICIOUS Cookies are the perfect bedtime snack for those who avoid gluten and dairy. They contain carbs and protein. They are individually wrapped, making it easy to portion control. These cookies are made with clean ingredients and pair well with warm dairy-free milk. The product lineup includes seven varieties of gluten-free cookies. MIGHTYLICIOUS cookies are flavor-packed, gluten-free cookies made for everyone.

Drinking Warm Tea ~ Enjoying a cup of warm tea before bed may help your body relax and be ready for sleep. Make sure the tea that you brew is caffeine-free. The simple ritual of making tea and sipping it slowly can help calm your body.

Adagio Teas has a variety of herbal teas, and they have a unique one that’s only available once in a blue moon. Bella Luna Blue is only available on days of a blue moon. Bella Luna Blue blends the zesty freshness of lemongrass and the flavor of blueberries with the exotic Butterfly Pea Flower.  When brewed, this mystifying herbal tea turns indigo blue. This tea is available only on days of a blue moon. The next one is May 31st, 2026.

A Balanced Diet ~ A balanced diet directly impacts sleep quality, with high-fiber, low-saturated-fat, and antioxidant-rich foods promoting better rest. Improving your diet with nutritious foods may help you sleep better.

Huel can help you take the work out of preparing healthy meals with its product line of nutritionally balanced, complete meals. Huel is human fuel and is a convenient, nutritionally complete, plant-based meal replacement solution. Huel meals provide 27 essential vitamins & minerals, plus a 100% nutritionally complete balance of protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, and fiber. Check out my full review of Huel. 

Use code MOMKNOWSBESTHUEL to save $20  on all Huel products through July 15. After that, my code takes off 15% on any size order

Decaf Coffee ~ That afternoon cup of coffee may be disrupting your sleep. If you like to enjoy coffee after 3 PM, make the switch to decaf coffee with health benefits.

 Purity Calm coffee is a specialty-grade organic coffee is decaffeinated with a chemical-free natural water process that removes 99.9% of caffeine while retaining its high antioxidant properties. Purity is also lab tested for mold, mycotoxins, and other contaminants. You will also love that Purity has customized roasting protocols that prioritize the retention of healthful compounds (chlorogenic acids [CGA]). Purity also has a wide variety of health-crafted coffees that contain caffeine.

Use code MOMKNOWSBEST at checkout and save 20% at Purity Coffee

~ First-time customers - save 30% from April 20 -22, 2026

 So take a look at these products designed to help people wind down, relax, and wake up feeling refreshed, perfect for anyone looking to improve their nighttime routine. Incorporate them into your sleep routine and start experiencing a better night of sleep.