THE WELLNESS CONCIERGE®: Travel-Health & Wellness Products

Are You Road-Ready? Read This Week's Column
HEALTHY TRAVEL & LIVING PRODUCTS*

Exercise & Fitness • Stress-Relief • Jet Lag • Hygiene, Air Quality • Travel Comfort & Ergonomics
Healthy Eating • Sleep & Relaxation • DVT (Blood Clots) • Motion Sickness • SARS
Health & Wellness Remedies • Medical Kits • Seasonal Items • Miscellaneous

Year-Round & Holiday Gift Ideas for Travelers

EXERCISE & FITNESS

Circling for Fun: Want to have some fun and work your triceps, pecs, and upper body?

Throw on these Pilates Body Circles (pictured left) from gaiam.com. Slide them on, keep your arms out and straight, and twirl. You can work various muscles by altering the hand positions. At a pound each (diameter is 12 inches), these foam and metal circles are a packable addition to your road-fitness workout. $30 plus S&H, includes video; 877-989-6321◄
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Get More From Your Workout: Whether you work out alone or with a trainer, in your hotel room or a gym, you can maximize your exercise routine with Solotrainer’s Fitness Training Cards.

The 50 plastic, illustrated index-size cards offer detailed instructions for exercises that are color coded by muscle group. You can choose from four pre-programmed routines and there are separate programs for men and women and three fitness levels. Ten cards detail home and travel workouts you can do with common objects. More info: 516-433-0737◄

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"FAN" YOURSELF FIT

If you've despaired of finding a truly useful portable workout guide, take heart. Benefit Health Media's compact Training Fan is the answer to a traveler's prayers—and the end to any excuses you've been using for avoiding road workouts.

The Training Fan's functional and unique design, which allows you to easily view single and multiple pages, reflects creator Andrea Barash's experience as a writer, graphic designer, and personal trainer.

The 96-"page" fan (a little over 8 inches long, 1½ inches wide, and an inch deep) segments exercises into color-coded muscle groups and includes 64 strength exercises, 20 stretches, and three workouts. There's a basic start-up section, warm-up and cool down moves, and detailed training tips.

Clear photos illustrate movements, making it easier to correctly execute the exercises. Graphic icons flag exercises that require no or minimal equipment or machines (weight-resistance and heavier gym equipment).

Training logs, blank pages for notes, motivational quotes, and short primers on each muscle group are found on the reverse side of the water-resistant, tear-proof pages. More info: toll-free 866-550-6666; www.trainingfan.com; $24.95. Bulk orders can be customized for corporate or individual gift-giving.◄

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PACKABLE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

SimpleFitnessSolutions.com is a treasure trove of luggage-lite exercise equipment including the Stretch-Out Strap, which features multiple-position grips for deep and gradual stretching. The site includes detailed and helpful product selection FAQs and an extensive fitness articles library◄

INFLATABLE POSTURE BALL

You can do several hundred exercises (to stretch, strengthen weak back, stomach muscles and other areas) on the Posture Ball—a sturdy, but light, inflatable polyvinyl ball (about three pounds deflated) that does double-duty as posture-enhancing seating. When you’re properly seated, it can help relieve pressure on the spine and aid circulation. If you suffer from chronic lower back pain (or are achy and stiff after flying) or frequently work in your room, it’s a healthful alternative to traditional seating and a fun way to work out. From: www.postureball.com, 480-443-9611; $35 to $50◄

A 'SMART' JUMP ROPE

How am I doing? If knowing how many calories you’re burning helps you commit to exercising, consider Tanita’s HealthyJump. The battery-operated, adjustable 10-foot "smart" jump rope (close-up, left) counts calories as well as the number of jumps (up to 9,999!). QuickMedical, 888 345-4858, 425 831-5963. Aside from the fun factor, jumping rope burns fat and is a great cardio workout you can do anywhere.◄

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HAVE MAT, CD, WILL STRETCH: You don’t have to be a dancer or model to benefit from Pilates' strengthening and stretching exercises. Despite its current popularity, however, it isn’t easy to find qualified and certified instructors. (Just because someone calls a class "Pilates" doesn’t mean it—or the instructor—is the real thing!).

Devotees and those with some prior experience will welcome the chance to continue their exercises via The Portable Pilates, a CD and spiral-bound book set created by Alycea Ungaro, a certified Pilates instructor. The 45-minute mat class (taught at the popular Pilates Center of New York—Tribeca Bodyworks, which Ungaro founded) includes "Original music and creative sound effects [that] provide the student with the necessary cues, tempo and dynamic of each exercise."◄

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YOGA

Yoga Cards: An Easy Way to Learn Yoga (Clark/McArthur/Clark) Described as the "ultimate portable workout deck," the 57 illustrated posture cards are coded to facilitate posture sets. Helpful features include instructions for getting into, holding, and releasing poses along with duration guidelines, pose benefits, and special programs for stress relief and pain release.◄

Cyndi Lee's popular OM: Yoga in a Box kit (one of a series) includes two CDs, 68 two-sided flashcards, a yoga belt, instructional booklet, incense and holder, and a tea candle. The all-in-one kit is packed in a surprisingly small box that can easily fit in a briefcase or handbag.◄

Fans of the wildly popular Rodney Yee include Oprah, my 9-year-old nephew, and yoga lovers who range in age from their teens to their '90s. If the contemporary classic All-Day Yoga Workout--A.M., Stress Relief, and P.M. Yoga for Beginners--can get me moving on days when I swear I can't, imagine what it can do for you!

Once you've mastered the basics, you can move on to Yee's more strenuous Power Yoga the Complete Workout.

Other favorites worth checking out include: Lilias Folan's Discover Yoga (CD), Kripalu's Boxed DVD Set, and Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics DVD.◄

Need guidance? The 33-minute Bed Top Yoga audiotape guides you through a series of simple stretches and yoga postures while Seated Yoga combines warm-up stretches, breathing, and postures. Yoga Enterprises, 888-YES-YOGA (888-937-9642); $11.95 each, also available as videotapes◄

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STRESS RELIEF

NATURAL REMEDY

Bach’s Rescue Remedy Stressed out? Anxious? Worried? Depressed? (OK, not you, but maybe somebody you travel with.) Devotees swear to the calming powers of this classic natural remedy. Place four drops of the liquid on the tongue or mix with water and drink. (Also available in a spray version.) ◄

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WEARABLE ID THAT SAVES YOUR SANITY—AND YOUR VALUABLES:

EasyTravelAir™ Security Pouch

Where did I put it? As if the airport security shuffle wasn't already challenging, now more and more travelers are faced with an equally stressful scenario of their own making. All those lines and checkpoints have left us glazed and dazed to the point of serious distraction and forgetfulness. The result? More road warriors are losing or misplacing important items—airline tickets, boarding passes, passports, laptops, wallets, briefcases, eyeglasses, and cell phones—as they repeatedly handle them while hurling themselves through the airport security gauntlet.

To the rescue comes healthcare executive and (very) frequent flyer Judy Jacobs. Her own all-too-painful experience with misplaced travel documents spawned the EasyTravelAir™ Security Pouch, an around-the-neck ID holder and organizer.

The black nylon pouch (slightly larger than a Walkman) has four compartments (three exterior and a zippered interior one that runs the length of the pouch) that can easily hold important paper paraphernalia as well as keys, coins, a small cell phone, passport, and credit cards (for us all-in-one- place folks).

It's especially useful for women who don't want to tote a handbag and whose clothes don't always have the pockets in which to stash such items.

Fashionistas may hold out for a Prada leather version, but the rest of us can enjoy hands-free comfort now with the more affordable $14.99 model. To order: www.EasyTravelAir.com; 800-282-1469.◄

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HYGIENE, AIR QUALITY

AIR PURIFIERS (Portable, Personal-Size)

• Magellan's Ultra-Mini Air Supply ◄

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JET LAG

NEW USE FOR A PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Relief in a Pill? Need to be alert and functioning on little sleep? Some travelers are popping the prescription drug modafinil (Provigil) to keep going despite sleepless nights, red-eye flights, and time-zone changes.

Although it’s FDA-approved only for narcolepsy, that hasn’t stopped sleep-starved consumers from ingesting it to offset sleepiness. (An FDA letter to the drug’s maker earlier this year re-iterated the agency’s position that it’s "not approved to treat such symptoms as sleepiness, tiredness, decreased activity, lack of energy and fatigue.")

Although it’s proven to be non-addictive in tests to date, its long-term safety remains a question mark. Users say it doesn’t deliver the jolt and jitters of traditional stimulants and amphetamines. Side effects include headaches and nausea but some researchers feel those are less problematic than those of caffeine.

The Washington Post’s Shankar Vedantam details the ongoing research, the drug’s wide appeal, and the controversy surrounding its use as a sleep replacement. Vedantam quotes Harvard Medical School neurologist Thomas Scammell who rightly questions the propriety of substituting a drug for much-needed sleep: "…To take a drug and try to counter this natural necessity of sleep is to defy nature. It's like if I can give you a pill to take away your appetite -- does it mean it's okay not to eat?"◄

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HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY
No-Jet Lag Tablets
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SLEEP & RELAXATION

NATURAL REMEDY: Quiet Nite Cream

Travelers and non-travelers alike tout the benefits of Quiet Nite's all-natural sleep products—a welcome respite from addictive prescription sleep aids.

Quiet Nite's CEO and creative director, Alana Dyanne, developed the proprietary Quiet Nite Crème formulation of botanical extracts, organic essential oils, and homeopathics that are blended into an all-natural seaweed gel base for quick absorption via a roll-on applicator.

Its unique method of topical application combines ancient principles of homeopathy, herbal therapy, holistic aromatherapy, and Chinese acupressure techniques. This induces deep relaxation and promotes restful sleep. Users rave about its positive effects. ◄

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IN-FLIGHT RELAXATION & STRESS REDUCTION: E-Z-FLIGHT CD

A lot of flyers are loathe to admit that travel (and especially flying) is an anxiety- and stress-inducing experience. Those that aren't in denial often take favorite music CDs or MP3 songs and plug in to tune out and relax.

Others (especially folks who don't regularly listen to music or who have a hard time quieting the nonstop "chatter" of their thoughts) require more help in directing their mind and body to relax and de-stress. To the rescue comes the E-Z-Flight Passenger In-Flight Experience CD, a guided imagery and visualization tool created by mental health counselor Ruth M. Cann. As a mental health professional and the wife of a commercial airline pilot, Cann truly knows how such stress and anxiety can adversely affect travelers. That's what prompted her to produce the CD that's specifically targeted to stressed-out road warriors.

A background of ocean sounds accompany the soothing music and commentary sections (which some of you may have heard on Delta's in-flight radio programming). Musical tastes are inherently personal, but I'm one of many who is always lulled by the sound of breaking waves, which is what my ears and brain focused on during my trial test of the CD.

TIP: The benefits of—and response to—relaxation tapes and CDs is highly subjective. Some folks swear by their favorites and wouldn't travel without them while many folks can't tolerate what is often dubbed as "new age-y" music and chat. Given the different types of folks who are snapping up such CDs, however, and the positive feedback, it's clear that many travelers are finding solace and calm in these products. My take: You never know what will work for you. So stay open and experiment to find one that works for you.◄

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HEALTHY EATING

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

PREVENT DVT/BLOOD CLOTS:

IN-FLIGHT STRETCHING, MOVEMENT AUDIOTAPE

If you need more motivation (or direction) than listening to music on your MP3 or CD player provides, consider yoga instructor Carol Dickman's Inflight Yoga. The 42-minute audiotape, developed years before the concern about DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and long flights became commonplace, includes flyer-friendly stretches, yoga postures and breathing and relaxation tips specifically designed to be done at your seat (without disturbing your seatmates). Yoga Enterprises, 2857 Paradise Road, Suite 306, Las Vegas Nevada, 89109; $11.95, plus $3.50 shipping. 888-YES-YOGA (888-937-9642)◄

THE LYMGYM LEG EXERCISER

An inflatable, in-flight leg exerciser. Approved by the Aviation Health Institute as an effective way to reduce the risk of DVT. Can help reduce leg swelling and discomfort from prolonged sitting while flying or driving.◄

SPECIAL COMPRESSION SOCKS

The medical debate over the value of wearing specially made compression socks continues. One study indicates that they do not aid in preventing DVT but makers cite other medical studies and recommendations that contend they do make a difference. However, there's also the comfort factor and many road warriors swear by them as a way of preventing tired, swollen feet—a plus even if they don't thwart DVT (Hey, you should be up and moving or flexing your feet in your seat anyway. And if you are predisposed to blood clots, you need to consult with a medical professional to determine what medications you may need to fly safely and other actions to take to lower your risk of developing DVT while traveling.)

FYI: Not all socks are created equal, so spend some time upfront checking out the levels of compression offered and other essential details. (For reference, a regular pair of socks might have a compression rate of around 8mmGH while top-of-the-line specially designed compression styles have a compression rate of in excess of 20mmHG at the ankle and reducing to the knee.)

There are a number of products from UK suppliers (VeinGuard.com, TravelSafeSocks.com, for example). You can also purchase various models from U.S. catalog suppliers such as Magellan's and Christine Columbus. You can also order from TravelSox, which takes phone, fax, and online orders.◄

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TRAVEL COMFORT

INFLATABLE SLEEP MAT

HAVE MAT, WILL REST If you travel enough, it's bound to happen: You're forced to hang out, or even camp out overnight, at an airport or other public facility with ergonomically challenging or no seating. You want to rest, nap, or maybe even sleep without having your body painfully reconfigured in the process.

Folded clothing and luggage weren't designed as portable beds or sleeping aids. Some airports won't even let you take to the floor. So what do you do? If you yearn for comfort and have room in your carry-on (or car), consider toting JourneyRest's Airmat (left).

The inflatable mat (42" by 22" by 2", opened flat) isn't a substitute for your favorite mattress but it's a more comfortable and body-friendly alternative than most public seating. The brainchild of business traveler Rick Lee, the high-grade PVC Airmat weighs in at 2.5 pounds, folds down to about 12" by 8" by 1" (a bit bigger than letter-size paper), and inflates in under a minute. Deflated, it easily fits into computer cases and carry-ons. Given the added comfort it provides, it's a good trade-off for its space/weight requirements. (Worried that it won't support your frame? A 6 4", 240-pound lab tester jumped on it repeatedly with no problems.) Available exclusively from JourneyRest: 1-866-5-JOURNEY; $29.95 plus S/H.◄

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IN-FLIGHT OR CAR FOOTREST

To reduce stress on your lower back, use a portable foot rest such as the folding Foot Rest, #IF477, from Magellan’s, left.

Rest your feet on it so that your knees are higher than your hips to reduce back strain and painful cramping. This is especially important for folks who are short and those with circulatory problems. ◄

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IN-FLIGHT STRETCHING, MOVEMENT AUDIOTAPE

If you need more motivation (or direction) than listening to music on your MP3 or CD player provides, consider yoga instructor Carol Dickman's Inflight Yoga. The 42-minute audiotape, developed years before the concern about DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and long flights became commonplace, includes flyer-friendly stretches, yoga postures and breathing and relaxation tips specifically designed to be done at your seat (without disturbing your seatmates). Yoga Enterprises, 2857 Paradise Road, Suite 306, Las Vegas Nevada, 89109; $11.95, plus $3.50 shipping. 888-YES-YOGA (888-937-9642)◄

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SPECIAL DVT-PREVENTION/COMPRESSION SOCKS

The medical debate over the value of wearing specially made compression socks continues. One study indicates that they do not aid in preventing DVT but makers cite other medical studies and recommendations that contend they do make a difference. However, there's also the comfort factor and many road warriors swear by them as a way of preventing tired, swollen feet—a plus even if they don't thwart DVT (Hey, you should be up and moving or flexing your feet in your seat anyway. And if you are predisposed to blood clots, you need to consult with a medical professional to determine what medications you may need to fly safely and other actions to take to lower your risk of developing DVT while traveling.)

FYI: Not all socks are created equal, so spend some time up-front checking out the levels of compression offered and other essential details. (For reference, a regular pair of socks might have a compression rate of around 8mmGH while top-of-the-line specially designed compression styles have a compression rate of in excess of 20mmHG at the ankle and reducing to the knee.)

There are a number of products from UK suppliers (VeinGuard.com, TravelSafeSocks.com, for example). You can also purchase various models from U.S. catalog suppliers such as Magellan's and Christine Columbus. You can also order from TravelSox, which takes phone, fax, and online orders.◄

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MOTION SICKNESS

CALM A QUEASY STOMACH WITH...

Ginger Capsules calm a queasy stomach and ease the nausea of motion or seasickness and morning sickness. Non-drowsy NoQweez softgels are especially convenient for travel.◄

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Try Some Ginger Snaps No, not the cookies. Opt for St. Claire's certified organic candies, available in a travel-sized tin or pocket pack. Aside from their anti-nausea properties, the ginger and molasses tablets are tasty and fat-, gluten-, casein-, GMO-, and dairy-free. They're also made without artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and animal by-products. ($1.00 to $3.49 at health food stores such as Wild Oats and Whole Foods; 877-684-5195; e-mail)◄

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SARS

PROTECTIVE FACE MASKS

As HealthScoutNews reports (and other medical professionals agree), many questions remain as to the effectiveness of the various face masks that are being touted as helping to prevent SARS. Those flimsy, ill-fitting, little tie-on surgical masks that seemed to be in all the newswire pix during the height of the SARS epidemic this spring were definitely not what health experts had in mind when they advocated wearing face masks to prevent catching or spreading airborne germs. They were thinking more heavy-duty, substantial, and better-fitting masks.

Magellan's offers an N95 Breathing Mask of the NIOSH type recommend for healthcare workers by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the World Health Organization. The model features an adjustable nose clip and a one-way exhalation valve for increased comfort.

Before you buy any mask, it's best to understand what wearing one can—and can't—do in terms of possible protection and disease prevention. AllergyBeGone offers some insight into the dos and don'ts of mask use and selection.◄

OTHER PRODUCTS:

As for all those other products you've seen advertised (air sanitizers, hand protectants, etc.), it's best to approach them with a grain of salt. If something's truly beneficial, you'll be reading about it at the CDC and World Health Organization's Web sites. Otherwise, be very skeptical. Even otherwise-reliable health info sources have been known to sell products whose claimed value is dubious at best.◄

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HEALTH & WELLNESS REMEDIES

STOCK UP ON GLOBAL FAVORITES

Running low on your prized international health and wellness remedies now that you aren't traveling to England, France, Italy, or the Far East? Check out Bigelow Chemists. The 165-year-old, European-style Manhattan-based apothecary scours the globe for the best personal care products. Its eclectic product assortment most likely includes your special throat lozenges, toothpaste and toothbrushes, body and lip balms, moisturizers, oils, and other personal care products, as well as homeopathic remedies and essential oils.

SORE-THROAT SOOTHERS & VOICE SAVERS

Savvy New Yorkers (and visitors) and product junkies have long shopped its West Village store, trolling for old favorites and new items. But it's luxe catalog and Web site make it easy for anyone to sample the likes of Strepsils Lozenges (a European bestseller); Penguin Mints (The caffeinated version offers a quick pick-up when you can't down a cup of java.); Vocal Zone Pastilles (A favorite of singers and speakers who want to keep their nose and throat clear.); Smith's Rosebud skin and lip salve; Marvis' flavorful toothpastes; and the wonderful Badger Balm product line. (414 Sixth Avenue; 800-793-5433)◄

HEADACHE RELIEF

Want non-medicated relief from migraines and less-severe headaches? Consider AcuBead headache acupressure strips. Some folks swear that applying the tiny strips to the ear and squeezing them off and on for about a half hour can bring relief. (Five in a package; available in drugstores or by mail; 877-321-BEAD; e-mail: info@acubead.com)◄

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ANTISEPTIC CREAM
Tisserand’s Antibacterial Natural Antiseptic Cream is a blend of healing essential oils (tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus) that’s a great-smelling alternative to OTC products. The powerful essential oils deliver antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal benefits. (It also doubles as an effective hand cream for those with very dry or chapped skin.) Look for it in health or natural food stores.◄
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FOR COLDS & STUFFY NOSE RELIEF
Olbas Inhaler If you’re suffering from nasal or bronchial congestion, a whiff or two of this blend of essential oils quickly improves breathing.◄
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SEASONAL PRODUCTS

SUMMER:
Wearable Protection If you’re sun-sensitive, burn quickly, or have a medical condition that requires you to stay out of the sun (but you can’t), consider specially designed clothing. Sun Precautions (800-882-7860) offers comfortable, lightweight sportswear and outdoor clothing, including hats, that blocks more than 97 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Its Solumbra line of men’s and women’s apparel has received FDA approval for its claims of 30+ SPF protection—wet or dry. Other companies with sun-protective clothing include L.L. Bean (cotton shirts in the Travel Collection) and Sunveil Sunwear.◄

Dye-maker Rit offers Sun Guard. Pop the laundry additive into the wash with the clothes you want to sunproof and you'll have apparel with an SPF of 30.◄

Swipe-On Sun Protection: Who can bother with those tubes and bottles of sunscreen? No wonder most of us don't use sun protection. Lighten your load and protect your skin with pre-moistened, single-use towelettes. Look for SunSwipe Sunscreen Towelettes. The swipes are re-usable, waterproof, and greaseless; available in SPF 30 and 45; and provide UVA and UVB protection. (800-478-6386)

SunBuddy offers five non-allergenic, PABA-free, waterproof products (including a Sunblock SPF 30 version with an insect repellant). You can get a two-packet sample for a $1 SH fee (Phone: 877-786-2831; Fax: 888-478-3674)◄

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MISCELLANEOUS

AIR PURIFIERS (Portable, Personal-Size)

• Magellan's Ultra-Mini Air Supply ◄

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WEARABLE ID THAT SAVES YOUR SANITY—AND YOUR VALUABLES:

The EasyTravelAir™ Security Pouch

Where did I put it? As if the airport security shuffle wasn't already challenging, now more and more travelers are faced with an equally stressful scenario of their own making. All those lines and checkpoints have left us glazed and dazed to the point of serious distraction and forgetfulness. The result? More road warriors are losing or misplacing important items—airline tickets, boarding passes, passports, laptops, wallets, briefcases, eyeglasses, and cell phones—as they repeatedly handle them while hurling themselves through the airport security gauntlet.

To the rescue comes healthcare executive and (very) frequent flyer Judy Jacobs. Her own all-too-painful experience with misplaced travel documents spawned the EasyTravelAir™ Security Pouch, an around-the-neck ID holder and organizer.

The black nylon pouch (slightly larger than a Walkman) has four compartments (three exterior and a zippered interior one that runs the length of the pouch) that can easily hold important paper paraphernalia as well as keys, coins, a small cell phone, passport, and credit cards (for us all-in-one- place folks).

It's especially useful for women who don't want to tote a handbag and whose clothes don't always have the pockets in which to stash such items.

Fashionistas may hold out for a Prada leather version, but the rest of us can enjoy hands-free comfort now with the more affordable $14.99 model. To order: www.EasyTravelAir.com; 800-282-1469.◄

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MEDICAL KITS

PRE-ASSEMBLED KITS

If you’ve neither the time nor the inclination to pack a kit, consider a prepackaged version from companies such as Magellan’s (800-962-4943), which offers a World Traveler version; Harris Intl. (800-577-0955); or Travel Medicine Inc. (800-872-8633). Many offer modules and specially designed kits for various categories (international, dental, etc.) that allow you to tailor your kit to your specific needs.