Fajita Chicken

Fajita chicken is a staple at my house. I use it in fajitas, tacos, on salads, as a protein main with other veggies such as green beans or squash and zucchini...  you could even top a potato with it and other 'fajita' toppings for a tasty meal higher in carbohydrates. It's pretty versatile. Quick and simple, just like I like it!

NOTE: If you have a George Foreman grill or similar you can simply season the meat and put it on the grill for a fast salad topper. It is lower in fat this way and not quite as tasty in my opinion but very fast and easy. I do not have a grill at the moment, of any type, so am working on fajita meat on the stove top. This one is just a seasoned meat rather than a marinade but I am working on a marinaded fajita chicken as well.

INGREDIENTS:
2 bell peppers (optional)
1 onion (I prefer sweet onions)
2 lbs chicken breasts
3 tbsp butter, divided

fajita seasoning, to taste (make sure to check the ingredients if you are purchasing a prepared seasoning mixture)

PROCEDURE:

1. Start out by heating a skillet on the stove top on medium heat.
2. While you wait for the skillet to heat up prep your veggies by slicing them into slivers about 1/2 inch in width. 
3. Slice your chicken breasts into strips 1.5-2 inches wide. Add fajita seasoning to the chicken according to your preference.
4. Once the pan is hot add in 2 tbsp of butter.
5. Toss in a small handful of the onions and let them sweat down in the pan with the butter for a few minutes. 
6. Once they have softened add in your chicken strips.
7. Cook the chicken over medium heat with the softened onions and browned butter. Make sure to flip the chicken after a few minutes to ensure that it is evenly cooked and completely.
8. Once chicken is cooked through remove it to a bowl or plate away from the heat and allow it to cool. 
9. Add the final tbsp of butter to the pan and allow it to melt down before adding in the rest of the vegetables.
10. Saute until the onions and peppers reach the desired tenderness. Some people prefer very fresh and crisp veggies and others prefer very soft veggies. I don't eat a lot of peppers and onions so I often leave this step out if I am just cooking for myself.
11. Once the veggies are done you are ready to plate however you wish! The chicken will be cool enough to dice or cube at this point if you would like to do so.

Chronically Ill and Flying... with Dogs, Part Four: Updated Lists!

I promised updated packing lists so here they are! Obviously these are personal to me so update them to fit your needs. I decided for this set I would group clothing items by style of attire... then I just have to choose how many days/outfits of each I will need for the trip. If using a printed list I would write out the number of each I need and check it off as it is put into my suitcase- not before. Otherwise I could have prepared it and STILL forgotten it at home. It has happened... brain fog is no joke man. :)

SUITCASE

CLOTHING

• PROFESSIONAL
• Slacks
• Nice Shirt
• Dress Socks
• DRESSY
• Dress
• Sweater
• Hosiery (If Appropriate)
• CASUAL
• Jeans
• T-Shirt or Casual Top
• Sweat Shirt (If Appropriate)
• Sweater
• ATHLETIC
• Running Pants
• T-Shirt
• Shorts Bra
• UNDERGARMENTS AND OTHER
• Bra
• Underwear
• Socks
• PJs

SHOES

• PROFESSIONAL
•  Flats
• DRESSY
• Heels or Wedges
• CASUAL
• Flats
• Sandals
• ATHLETIC
•  Athletic Shoes

ACCESSORIES

• PROFESSIONAL
• Jewelry and Accessories for Chosen Outfit
• DRESSY
• Clutch or Handbag
• Jewelry and Accessories for Chosen Outfit
• CASUAL
• Hat
• Jewelry and Accessories for Chosen Outfit If Necessary
• ATHLETIC
•  Phone Arm Band
• OTHER
• Swim Suit (If Appropriate)
• WINTER
• Warm Socks
• Coat
• Winter Hat
• Gloves
• Scarf

TOILETRIES

• HAIR
• Hair Ties and Headbands
• Brush and/or Comb
• Straightener/Curler/Etc, (If Currently Using)
• TEETH
• Floss
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• CLEANLINESS
• Soap
• Shampoo
  
• Conditioner
• Baking Soda
• AC Vinegar
• Coconut Oil
• Razor and Extra Blade
• Shaving Cream
• Deodorant
• Perfume/Scent (If Used... I Do Not)
• OTHER
• Vitamins and Supplements
• Essential Oils
• Contacts
• Makeup
• Bug and Sun Protection Items (If Necessary)
• Contact Solution
• Cotton Swabs
• Mini First Aid Kit
• Nail Kit

DOG ITEMS

• Food (If Less Than 3 Days, Otherwise Purchase at Destination)
• Bowls
• Toys
• Sweater (If Appropriate)
• Life Jackets (If Appropriate)
• Pup Pen/Crate
• Potty Pads (2/Day Minimum)

 PET CARRIER

• Leashes
• Water Bowl (Foldable/Attachable)
• Pet Waste Bags

 CARRY ON

IDENTIFICATION AND PERSONAL (FRONT POCKET/QUICK ACCESS)

• Wallet
• Cell Phone
• Keys
• Passport
• Medical ID 
• Boarding Pass/Tickets/Itinerary/Etc.

NOT IN AN ORGANIZER BAG

• Hand Fan
• Travel Pillow and Blanket
• Water Bottles (Empty for TSA)
• Extra Set of Clothing

WORK/SCHOOL BAG

• Laptop and Cord
• Kindle (If Necessary)
• Textbook (If Necessary... In Checked Baggage That Is Ideal Due to Weight)
• SCHOOL/WORK BAG
• Calculator or Other Necessities
• Paper
• Pen, Pencil, Highlighter, Etc.

ELECTRONICS/CORDS BAG

• Batteries
• Mouse
• Charging Cords
• Flash Drive
• Hard Drive

EYE CARE AND MAKEUP BAG

• Extra Contacts
• Contact Case
• Glasses
• Makeup
• Basics for Me: Lip Stick, Mascara, Compact, Eye Color, Eye Pencil

HYGIENE BAG

• Comb/Small Brush
• Wet Wipes
• Tissues
• Microfiber Cloth 
• Feminine Hygiene Products

MEDICAL BAG

• 2 days of Meds
• Emergency Meds for Pain/Nausea/Headache
• Cold and Stomach Meds
• Pulse Oximeter
• Blood Pressure Cuff
• Inhaler
• Peak Flow Meter
• TENS Unit and Pads
• Thermometer
• First Aid Items (As Necessary)
• Heart Rate Monitor
• Ceralyte
• Thermotabs
• Collapsible Cup
• Neck Cooler
• Anything Else Currently Necessary

PET CARE BAG

• 3 Potty Pads
• Toy/Ball
• Leash Coupler
• 1 Day of Food
• Dry Medications
• Syringes for Liquid Medications
• Brush
• Toothbrush
• Waste Bags
• Records (on Flash Drive) and Pet Passports

LIQUIDS AND GELS BAG (CAN BE DISBURSED IF NOT TRAVELING BY AIR)

• Anti-Nausea Meds (Small Bottle- Less than 3 oz)
• Allergy Meds (Small Bottle- Less than 3 oz)
• Contact Solution (Small Bottle)
• Lotion (Small Pot or Tin- Mine Holds 1 oz)
• Chapstick
• Hand Soap (If Necessary, Small Pot or Tin- Mine Holds 1 oz)
• Toothpaste (Small Pot, Tin or Tube- Mine Holds 1.5 oz)
• Deodorant (Small Pot or Tin- Mine Holds 1 oz)
• Eyedrops
• PanAway (If Necessary)
• Salad Dressing (If Bringing a Salad- Less than 3 oz)
• Almond Butter Packets (If Desired)

 FOOD

• Do not bring liquids, slurries, gelatins, etc.
• Whole fruit is allowed
• Food for travel is allowed but double check with TSA's latest list before travel

To get through TSA faster:

• Wear shoes that are easy to remove
• Have laptop and liquids bag stowed in a way that is easily/quickly removable
• Remove outer layers before arriving at the checkpoint
• Store nothing in your pockets until after you go through the checkpoint

Notes:

• You can call the airline and have them arrange a wheelchair/assistance for you to the gate and upon arrival if you need assistance.
• Make sure to confirm with the airline any additional arrangements you make on your ticket before traveling- from pets to food options to assistance... its better safe than sorry!
• Traveling with pets means that you will need to undergo additional screening at TSA so prepare by giving budgeting extra time.
• Avoid scented lotions and perfumes on the day of travel as they can affect those around you AND have been known to give a false positive on the initial check they do when you are traveling with a pet/in a wheelchair or assistance device/when you are selected randomly. It doesn't take long to confirm that you are a safe traveler but it is never fun waiting for additional time at security so better safe than sorry.

DIY Deodorant Update

A while back I did a post about DIY deodorant. I wasn't a big fan of the scent and the consistency needed to be firmed up a bit in my opinion. The original recipe can be found here and is pretty awesome in and of itself so you should go check it out. My tweaks are below.
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 C Coconut Oil
1 Tbsp Beeswax Pellets
1/4 C Baking Soda
1/4 C Cornstarch 
10 Drops Purification Oil
10 Drops Sweet Orange Oil
5 Drops Lemon Oil

OTHER:
Empty Deodorant Tube

PROCEDURE:

1. Melt coconut oil and beeswax pellets slowly over very low heat in a small saucepan.
2. Remove from heat once completely melted.
3. Mix in cornstarch and baking soda until smooth.
4. Add any essential oils you so desire. 
• You can add the ones from the original recipe, the ones I am using or different ones altogether. If you do not have any oils feel free to leave them out, the deodorant will still work. 
5. Pour mixture into an empty deodorant tube or other twist up container. I prefer to let mine sit for a minute and begin to settle then give it a quick mix before I pour it but this isn't necessary.
6. Allow the tube to cool completely.

The tube can be a little difficult to get going but, out of all the variations of beeswax I have tried, this is the easiest while still remaining solid enough to use easily in a roll-on form.  
 

Review: Firecrust Neapolitan Pizzeria (Dallas, TX)

Sometimes I crave pizza. Shocking, I know. Not! Everyone likes pizza... why wouldn't you? There's the tang of the tomato sauce, tasty toppings ranging from crisp or sauteed veggies to savory meats and herbs, lots of cheesy goodness, and the garlic. I love garlic. Most of the time I end up just having to suck it up and deal with the consequences of eating a slice or two from the local pizzeria but the other day I went to Firecrust again and it was pretty amazing. I have been to Firecrust before, I got a fairly traditional pie with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, basil, tomato sauce, olive oil and mushrooms. It was pretty fabulous. The crust was thin and crisp, perfect for the lightness of the toppings. All the toppings were fresh, from the ball of mozzarella they tore a chunk off of for my pizza to the basil and roasted mushrooms. I was a happy camper... but still had some tummy upset later.

This time when I went I saw that they had gluten free pizza crusts now! Hurray! I was pretty excited to try out my same pie but on their new crust. It did cost $2 extra but $2 and no consequences later? Totally worth it. The procedure to make the gluten free pizza went beyond just grabbing a gluten free crust and assembly lining it to the end though. They pulled special utensils out for my pizza, made sure to get ingredients from beneath the counter so there was no cross contamination from the wheat flour pizzas, and even checked to see if their pepperoni was gluten free (it isn't *sad trombone*)... all without me even asking or saying a word about it. The manager put my pizza in the oven and chatted with me while I waited... she was very knowledgeable about why the gluten free pizza crusts took longer and made sure that the box she put my pizza in didn't even get the packets of cheese and peppers 'just in case'... and never once did they make me feel like I was putting them to extra effort in any way. The customer service was fantastic! I got my pizza and felt very confident that it wasn't cross-contaminated in the slightest. I just have a sensitivity but if I had Celiac I would feel comfortable eating something these guys had whipped up for me, they were that on point with what their procedure should be. They even have a gluten free flat bread now for their salads I was informed as I picked up my order. 

On to the flavors and textures. The toppings were as on point as they ever were, of course... creamy ricotta, flavorful mushrooms, tangy sauce... basically perfection on a pie. The crust wasn't the best I've ever had but it was far from the worst as well. The flavor was actually pretty good but I'm a big texture person. Flavor-wise, it was a little sweeter than traditional wheat flour crusts but very mild in flavor which was a plus as sometimes these crusts can taste quite nutty. I was told that they use tapioca starch as a main ingredient in the crusts so this could be reason for the more neutral but slightly sweet taste. The biggest issue I had with the crust was that it was a little too thick in my opinion which made it somewhat chewy in the center. This isn't an uncommon problem by any means and I've come to expect it from gluten free pizzas but if they would make the crust just a little thinner I think this issue would go away completely. It would also help solve the issue of needing to be cooked longer than their other pizzas which causes a little singe on the outside edge (it didn't taste burnt though!). It was a pretty good pizza all in all and was very filling. I would likely split this pizza if I went again as it is equivalent to a small pizza but, as with most gluten free 'breads', more calorie dense so you get filled up faster. As it was I ended up saving half to eat later in the day as a second meal. It was pretty tasty cold as well. 
Oh! And for you vegans and vegetarians out there... they have vegan cheese and plenty of non-meat only toppings to try on their pizzas! I have not tried that cheese as I don't eat soy and I assume that it is soy based (I didn't ask but many of them are) but they do have it. They even have a sauce-less 'white' pizza if you can't have tomatoes. Auto-immune protocol people this could work for you. I'm not sure about the ingredients in their crust though, I'd suggest calling to ask if you were interested in going to make sure. They are pretty accommodating to various eating styles and needs I'd say.
I recommend this restaurant for both my gluten eating and non-eating friends as the pizza, and the customer service, is top notch.

Review: LevelOne Collapsible Travel Silicone Camping Cup

I've become so accustomed to home and work being within minutes of each other that I am still getting used to being as over-prepared as I once was for medical issues that might arise. One of the things that I used to keep in my car was an extra water bottle and Gatorade powder. I don't usually drink Gatorade anymore like I have mentioned in a previous post but I still need to keep electrolyte drinks on hand for emergencies. To this end it seemed that I needed a collapsible cup or fold-able water bottle to mix up my electrolyte drink powder in that could fit in my med kit. I could of course just use my water bottle but I like to retain that as pure water due to the bite valve and straw mechanism being a little more difficult to get completely clean at times. I ended up deciding against a foldable water bottle as it would be more difficult to clean as well so I started searching for a cup that would fit my needs. 
The cup I ended up getting held 16 oz, was made of food grade silicone, and had a lid. It is called the LevelOne Collapsible Travel Silicone Camping Cup. The lid was a selling point because i wouldn't need a spoon or straw to mix up the drink, just cover the hole and agitate the cup until it is mixed. The fact that it held a full 2 cups of fluid was important as well since a lot of collapsible cups are much smaller... this means that the drink would end up being thick which is not something I can handle if feeling ill already typically (nausea is one of the first symptoms once my heart rate and blood pressure start doing gymnastics... followed by headache). I believe this is technically a camping cup which is why it has a spot to attach it via a chain or similar to the outside of a backpack. For my uses it will be in the medical bag I keep in my backpack but if you want to use it for camping this would be nice feature I can imagine.

The cup doesn't collapse down as far as I would like but it isn't very bulky and fits easily into my med kit. One thing I do not like about it is that, due to the fact that it is silicone, it isn't particularly well suited to hot liquids. I don't see myself needing to drink hot liquids from it but when I gave it a try at home it wasn't a pleasant experience. The cup itself doesn't suffer from the heat at all but it was too hot to hold so I would not use it for coffee or tea should you use it as a camping cup. I did like that it was very easy to clean and that I can toss it in the dishwasher should I want to. I don't foresee a need to do so as I can clean it in the sink in a few seconds and let it air dry but I like options.

All in all I like this cup but it isn't something I would purchase multiple of or take camping as my only cup since I like to drink hot tea.

Chronically Ill and Flying... with Dogs, Part Three: Carry-On

When I pack my carry-on I have to make sure to be prepared for anything. Perhaps the pups and I will be stuck overnight (or all day... it's happened... the dogs ended up eating Qdoba because I wasn't prepared that day, it wasn't pretty) or maybe I'll end up highly symptomatic. I like to always be prepared for as much as possible.

I'll go bag by bag in this post to show you what goes into my carry on. I do not have the water bottles (empty until I am through TSA) for myself and the pups as I had already put them in the bag at the time of this photo... but they are the H2O4K9 bottle and my Camelbak Eddy.

Front right you see a couple dog toys and a small bag of dog food. I am trying to rearrange the dog's bag to fit the toys other than Izzy's ball as I think they will fit and make for less lose items in my bag so less chance of losing something when I open my bag. This is simply for if we end up over night or with a really long delay so that I can take them to a pet relief area and let them eat and relax a bit since flying can be stressful for all of us. The ball needs to come with me because if the airline were to lose my luggage and the ball was in there Isabel would freak out as that ball is basically her binky... she sleeps with it and pretty much has it with her 24/7.

Next back is my clear quart sized bag of liquids and gels. This has the following:

• Anti-nausea meds
• Allergy meds (for Roxy but I could take it in a pinch as it is Benadryl)
• Contact solution
• Lotion and coconut oil
• Chapstick
• Hand Soap (the stuff in the last airport didn't do well with skin... no bueno)
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Eyedrops
• Salad dressing for my salad :)
• Almond Butter packets

The pink polka dot bag is the pup's bag which has:

• Medications they may need and syringes to administer liquid meds
• Flash drive with medical records and pet custody agreement
• Pet passports for if we need to go to the vet while traveling (it has happened... Isabel got really really sick the last time we traveled to KY)
• Brush and Toothbrush
• Extra waste bags
• Leash coupler
• 3 potty pads
• 1 Dog toy

Isabel's orange ball doesn't fit in the bag so it goes in alone.

We'll skip over the rectangular bag for now as that is my Medical Kit and we'll get into that in detail later.

At the back of the left side you can see my Kindle, laptop, a notebook and a hand fan in case I get overheated (my temperature doesn't always regulate well and overheating can make me more symptomatic).

On to the right side of the photo!

First you will see my checkbook and passport. I forgot to place my wallet, keys and phone in the photo but all of these will go in the front pouch for quick retrieval. I always have to check in at the desk to pay for the pet fees and arrange/make sure they have a wheelchair for me if I am feeling poorly as I won't be able to stand for long periods which if a sure bet at larger airports. This is easily arranged when you book your ticket or you can just give the airline a call and let them know. You could also do so at the airport but you may have to wait longer.

Behind that is my hygiene bag:

This bag is fairly thin. It contains a toothbrush, tissues, microfiber cloth, wipes and feminine hygiene products (not pictured). Everything else that would be in this bag needs to be placed in the quart bag for TSA.

The bag behind the hygiene bag I have since combined into my medical bag so I will not be using it. It contained hydration items like Ceralyte, Thermotabs, and a collapsible cup to mix the Ceralyte in should I get symptomatic and need a quick boost. It isn't as good as an IV of course but it does help and is a great stopgap when traveling.

Next is 'Eye Care and Makeup'. Pretty simply it contains extra contact, my glasses, a contact case and my makeup. I keep my makeup pretty simple most of the time so this is most likely the only makeup I will bring with me (lip stick pencil, eye pencil, compact, eye color, and mascara) for the trip. This is the smallest bag of all the pouches I organize with.

I purchased the puppy paws bag for the dog items but potty pads don't fit well in it (sad day) so it is now my "School" pouch. Since I am in grad school I will pretty much always have homework to complete while I am on my trip. It's a given, so I prepare for that fact as best as I can. This pouch contains the calculator my professor specified we have for the course, highlighters, and pens. Since it was so empty I ended up adding my cooling off items to this bag as well to better utilize space: the fan you see in the top photo, a neck cooler bandana (dehydrated to get through TSA), and a headband. The neck cooler in the photo is not dehydrated... I needed to use it yesterday so it is still airing out. I have since purchased another one just in case. Many times you will see me working on homework on my laptop while waiting on a layover or upcoming flight time. When I was teaching I would use that time to work on future lesson plans or grading. I like to have as little wasted time in an airport as possible since using that dead time wisely will mean more fun time once I arrive. Always a plus, am I right? If I won't have access to homework or don't have any then I will bring some cross-stitch work or a book of puzzles with me to keep busy.

Finally we get to the "Cords and Electronics" pouch. It has extra re-chargeable batteries for all of my medical gadgets as well as a USB charger for them, a wireless mouse, portable hard drive, flash drive and cords for all of my devices. It does not have the cord for my laptop as that one is too large for the pouch so my laptop cord just goes in the bag alone.

I used my workout clothes to represent a pair of lightweight clothes since my luggage has been lost before (coming from Korea... 26 hours on several planes not including the travel time to the airport or the hours early they want you to arrive for international flight and I didn't have luggage on the other end. It was sooo not OK). I typically will lay out a pair of lose pants, top, and undergarments then tightly roll them and place them in the bottom of my bag. I will need to iron (if they are ironing necessary clothes... this time they are not) but at least I will have clean clothing if we get stuck somewhere without luggage.

I dress in layers when traveling so that I can adjust to whatever temperature it is and however my body is acting at any particular moment. Honestly I dress in layers most of the time in general for the same reason. When I am traveling you will find me most typically in lose pants and top with a thick sweater or sweatshirt depending on the trip. And flats or athletic shoes... I never wear heels in an airport as it is sure to be a mistake for me. I bring/wear compression stockings... especially if I have had a hard week or am feeling tired or symptomatic. These can be a lifesaver. I also have a neck pillow attached to the outside of my backpack and, if I can fit it in, a small blanket in case I get cold on the plane (temperature regulation issues remember... I pack for being cold and hot). I was able to fit everything, including a travel blanket, into my Isopack if you were wondering.

OK, that Medical bag... this one is a big one and an important one. In it I have:

• 2 days of medications and supplements
• Emergency medications for severe nausea, headaches/migraines as well as my heart
• Inhaler
• All the hydration items I mentioned before
• Blood pressure cuff/monitor
• Peak flow meter
• Thermometer
• Heart rate monitor with chest strap
• Pulse oximeter
• TENS unit (small, non-RX unit for pain management) and extra pads
• A few small first aid items like Bandaids and Alcohol pads
• Cold and stomach medications (I can't take most cold medications so finding something when traveling could prove difficult)
• A couple other random odds and ends that change out depending on what's been going on medically with me lately.
• PanAway oil with a roll-on top (click here for YL oils ordering)

EDIT: The PanAway was moved to the liquids and gels bag... brain fog moment there. Oops!

This bag is one that stays in my backpack full time but I have to remove the liquid medications when traveling so it gets a little reorganized. If I'm not flying then you will find the liquid medications in here that are currently in my liquids and gels quart sized bag just like you would normally find most of the other items in the quart bag in either the eye care or hygiene bags when I am not traveling.

It seems like a lot... and it is, but I prefer bringing more than necessary but being prepared rather than the alternative. Something as simple as overheating which would be a nuisance to most can ruin my vacation as it will cause me to become more symptomatic. This would leave me exhausted and sick by the time I arrive which could take days to recover from. Your carry-on should fit who you are and what your needs for the trip are in my opinion. This bag will hopefully never be fully utilized but it allows me to have the best possible trip so it fit my needs.

This will be the first trip I am bringing food other than snack sized bars and bags of nuts. According to the TSA regualations there shouldn't be an issue since my cool packs are not gel and I am bringing no liquid foods. I have planned to pack chopped chicken, chopped veggies (fresh and cooked), a salad (the dressing is in my liquids bag), fruit (the website specifies whole fruit so I'll be bringing grapes, a banana and possibly try my luck with a quartered apple) and some nuts and seeds. I have a Spork and Salt and Pepper Plus Spice Dispenser in the front pocket of my bag along with the nuts and seeds assortment. The last few times I have had to travel I ate what was available at the airport and my stomach was very unhappy with that choice. This was most likely due to the gluten and vegetable oil that is in just about everything that I was able to find in the wing of the airport my gate was in. So this time I'm going to bring my own food... I checked with the airline and they are ok with it so long as it follows TSA regulations. 

That's my, quite over packed, carry on. It is obviously less packed when I am not bringing the pups and you would likely not need all that I bring since most of it is to manage or get in front of symptoms. Most people also would be fine eating at the airport I imagine as well so that's quite a lot that would be able to disappear from your bag. It works for me right now though so I'll keep bringing it along... until it doesn't anymore, then I'll adjust what goes in my bag. What is in your carry on bag? What is the one thing you cannot forget?

6 Pack Bags Expedition 500 VS Isolator Fitness Isopack, Part Three: The Comparison

It was a difficult decision but I eventually settled on keeping the Isopack rather than the Expedition 500. Both bags seem very well made and quite useful. They also have many of the same features as they are meant to satisfy the same customer needs so it really all comes down to what you are needing in the particulars. For instance, if you are more concerned with branding then you may go with the Expedition as it is by a more well known/popular brand. If you are looking for a lot of space or need depth in the main compartment like I do then you will likely chose the Isobag as it's main compartment is deeper and a bit more roomy than the Expedition. If you are looking for a bag that comes with all the extras then you may want to go with the Expedition. Should you need to keep your meals cool for 12 hours or longer then you will likely go with the Isopack... its all about priorities. I made my choice because I loved the following about the Isopack:

• lighter bag
• meal area was open and held slightly more
• ice packs were not gel and had a longer chill time
• less compartmentalization of the pockets meant there was more storage space
• easily replaced containers OR I could use my own
• roomier main compartment that can store more

Things I liked better about the Expedition:

• SureLock containers
• included drawstring bag and supplement container (and in some cases shaker bottle)
• shorter bag (I'm short... enough said) 
• meal area did not collapse when empty
• very nice padding on the back and straps
• labels (I know I said I liked the lack of compartmentalization but the organizer fiend in me loves those labels nevertheless!)

I wanted to offer a quick comparison chart between the two bags as the last piece of this series. If you have any questions about the bags just let me know and I will do my best to answer them!

	Isobag	Expedition 500
Dimensions	14 in x 10 in x 21 in	12 in x 12 in x 20 in
Weight	5 lbs	9 lbs
Supplement Container	Not Included	Included
Drawstring Bag	Not Included	Included
Chest Strap	Included	Included
Meal Area	12x8x6 in., holds 4-38/28 oz or 6-16 oz/12 oz	removable rack, hold 5 SureLock containers
Meal Area Opens	two openings on the sides	one opening on the front
Meal Area Stability	partially collapses when empty	does not collapse when empty
Containers	2- 12 oz,2- 16 oz,2- 28 oz, 2- 38 oz	5 SureLock containers
Ice Packs	2 large Isobricks	2 small gel ice packs and one large gel ice pack
Chill Time	12-16 hours	8+ hours
Water Bottle Storage	2 mesh side pockets	2 zip closed pockets
Padded Back	Good	Best
Laptop Area	lined, will fit 17" laptop and tablet	lined, will fit 17" laptop and tablet
Storage Pockets	unlabeled, non-item specific	labeled, item specific
Main Compartment	largest, no divisions	large but divided by meal compartment