Staying healthy while on the road for hours on end is a big challenge many truckers often face. When you’re constantly out driving, it can be hard to find the time to meal-prep healthy meals for yourself. Not to mention, the temptations of fast food and restaurants everywhere along the way. With all the time spent trucking, eating healthy and staying physically active can easily be brushed to the side. However, there are many quick, easy recipes you can follow, to improve your overall health.

One helpful tip when making a salad is to prepare ahead of time, but leave the dressing in a separate container to avoid sogginess. Lily has the perfect shaker for this. It has a container built in on top of the cup to put your dressing in, and the size is perfect to fit into the truck’s cup holder! We know eating healthy on the road all the time can be a huge challenge. It is best to start off small and maybe incorporate one to two healthy meals in your day rather than eating out those times. While using the Lily to-go shaker, you can easily store it in your bag for a healthy snack/meal!

 For this salad recipe, use your dressing of choice, and simply pour into the container which locks in to the top on top of the shaker. Divide the ingredients below among the shaker, layering in the following order: red onion, egg, mushroom, bacon, spinach. Twist on the top to seal your salad and refrigerate until you’re ready to go!

• 2 cups baby spinach leaves
• ½ cup  chopped red onion
• ½ cup chopped mushrooms
• 4 bacon slices chopped
• 2  eggs ( hard-boiled, chopped)

One thing you can also use the Lily shaker for is smoothies! You can quickly blend in fruits, protein powder, yogurt, or anything you want to make a smoothie to go. You can even use the top container for extra fruit toppings to keep them dry, and avoid them getting soggy in the smoothie all day, and top them off into the smoothie when you’re ready. The recipe below is for a nutritious,strawberry banana smoothie. These are great because they have a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, yet they are so quick and easy to make. Simply blend all the ingredients below into a blender, put it in the shaker, and you’re ready to go!

• 1 frozen banana, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups frozen strawberries, raspberries, or cherries
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or to taste

Truck drivers around the world are facing potentially serious risks in harming their body. Truck driving involves so much time in a chair, that you may feel a lack of motivation to exercise, or you may not even know where to begin. Follow these tips and tricks and get ready for a new beginning!

One way to improve your health is to incorporate exercise snacking in your work day. Exercise snacking is “fun-sized” portions of exercise that fit into a day, opposed to going to the gym and working out for a straight hour or two, exercise snacking is short bursts of exercise that can be done multiple times throughout the day. This would be great for truckers because it can simply be done at a rest stop in two to three minutes. Some exercises you could incorporate include push-ups, sit ups, squats, lunges, sprints, or you could even go the extra mile and install a TRX system outside of your truck to perform more body weight exercises. No matter how you exercise, it is most important to just get your body moving. You would be surprised how these mini exercises not only improve your physical, but mental health as well. Exercising releases serotonin in the brain, resulting in your mood improving, and feeling better about yourself. It also is a good way to stay motivated while on the road. Over time you will see how these small daily changes truly improve your mental and physical health.

One overlooked aspect of trucking that may take a toll on your body overtime is bad posture. Having bad posture along with long hours spent in the driver’s seat can cause lower back pain and sciatica. These conditions can become so severe that they can risk drivers careers or force truckers to rely on potentially addictive painkillers to get by. Some solutions to this common issue is to keep your seat up high, forcing your pelvis in the correct position and avoiding slouching. If you want to go the extra mile, you could invest in a seat with lumbar support. This will help support your lower back, which is a huge problem many truck drivers face. You will also want to keep an internal note to stretch every so often. It may also be helpful to write it down on a sticky note and leave it somewhere you will see it, or set an alarm on your phone for every two hours to remind yourself to stretch. You should also do a full body stretch every time you are able to pull over at a rest stop. Stretching will remind your body to stay in the proper position, while also keeping your back muscles active. Pictured below are some simple but effective stretches you can include in your daily trucking life!

Performing these stretches overtime, along with the rest of the tips mentioned, will overall improve your mental and physical health. Giving your body the care, and exercise that it needs will also give you more energy. You will begin to feel less fatigued, and more motivated to take on your day. It is also proven that starting your day with a form of exercise can uplift your energy and put a positive outlook on the rest of your day. Starting your day out productive can at least put you in the right direction no matter what the rest of your day may entail. It is all about mentality, and doing your best to make small changes everyday that eventually will lead you into a routine where you do not even think about it! It will become a habit. And a healthy one at that!

During these trying times, it is essential that we are staying fresh, clean, healthy, and while on the road. The idea of traveling across the nation can be daunting, especially when commodities such as truck stops, gyms, and other locations we commonly seek exercise and upkeep are closed. Whether that be getting a good workout in or washing your work uniform, which used to be simple tasks now poses a great challenge to commercial truck drivers. In order to combat these new difficulties as well as a worldwide virus during flu season, below you will find some recommendations on how to keep fresh, clean, and healthy while trucking on the road. Especially now as the winter months arrive, it is key that we all remain in the best health possible. Check out our tips and tricks below and let us know how you stay fresh while on the road!

Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer

What is better than killing two birds with one stone? Moisturizing hand sanitizer is an absolute essential in today’s world. Battling the current pandemic means taking as many precautions possible when it comes to maintaining your own personal health. Hand sanitizer is a wonderful way to keep yourself clean and safe by eliminating all bacteria on your hand following contact with other individuals and objects. At the same time, we find ourselves entering the winter months. With the winter season on the near horizon, dry skin and dry hands can often plague us. What better way to combat these two issues than with one solution. Easy to keep and store in your truck throughout the year, moisturizing hand sanitizer is a wonderful way to keep clean and feel great!

Outdoor Exercise

When you have the appropriate opportunity, make sure to get some outdoor exercise. It is absolutely essential to constantly be making sure you are awake and feeling great. While many gyms around the nation are still closed, an empty parking lot or local park is a wonderful way to get a quick run, jog, or cross-fit style workout in. Not only is working out great for the body, it is also great for the mind and you’ll surely find yourself more awake and aware while driving. Make sure to bundle up this time of year when exercising outdoors, but certainly take advantage of the cool weather to wake you up!

Watch What You Eat

As the winter months approach, there is often nothing more comforting than warming yourself up to a nice hearty meal. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with good, filling meals to keep you going, make sure you watch what you eat at the traditionally more inactive months approach. An unfortunate reality of the cold cold winter months is that many individuals tone down their exercise routines. Combat this with an even healthier diet!

Get Good Sleep

Sleep is absolutely essential to properly operate any motor vehicle, let alone a commercial sized truck. During these winter months, make sure you have the proper equipment in order to get a good night’s rest. Good sleep is essential to staying mentally sharp and physically in shape. If you find yourself having sleep issues, make sure you reach out to a medical professional and address the issue as quickly as possible. Good sleep is mandatory for any truck driver!

We hope these healthy tips will assist you throughout the winter months. Safe travels everybody!

By this point, it is no secret that eating on the road has been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. While states across the nation continue to slowly lift certain aspects of statewide restrictions, the need to keep our bodies fueled on the road has not changed whatsoever, yet the variety of open dining establishments continues to suffer. With that in mind, below are some great snack and meal ideas for operators looking to stay energized and sharp while trucking throughout the nation.

1.) Salads – Easy to pack in any Tupperware style container, salads of any kind provide a great meal for any driver on the road. Whether you want to spice it up with your meat of choice or want to keep it simple with lettuce and a little dressing, salads of any kind are easy to make, affordable, and easy to pack for any journey– whether you’re home every night or find yourself in a different part of the country each week. 

2.) Yogurt and Granola – Easily packed into coolers of any size, a quick and easy Yogurt, and Granola breakfast or snack is great for keeping you sharp and energized. Packing essential proteins and nutrients, yogurt snacks let you change up monotonous routines and have a little fun when packing your food for the day or week. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to the traditional yogurts, give Greek yogurt a try!

3.) Nuts – With plenty of varieties to choose from, nuts of all kinds provide quick and effective ways to get essential nutrients and proteins. Simple and easy to pack, consider buying a large pack of nut assortments the next time you grocery shop. When the time does not allow for an extended lunch break, a healthy dose of nuts can eliminate that hunger and provide you with the fuel needed to keep on moving forward. 

4.) Fruit – While a bit more challenging to keep and store, fruit provides an excellent way to eat healthy while on the road. Whether that be apples or oranges, fruit provides an excellent source of vitamins and sugars that are sure to keep you energized on the road. 

5.) Soup – Whether you like them cold or hot, soups of any kind provide excellent ways to convenient pack and store complete meals. Not only do they serve as an effective option for storage, but an excellent source of proteins and other nutrients as well. Whether it be a chicken noodle, Italian weddings, tomato or beef, and noodles, soups of all kinds make for great meals on the road.

The list could go on! If you’re craving sandwiches, don’t shy away from packing your favorite deli-style meal! Peanut butter and jelly will always be an American staple and leftovers are often some of the best go-to meals. Consider making multiple servings when cooking up your favorite meal next time! 

The trucking industry is bouncing back in a big way. After years of dealing with a shortage of drivers, the industry is now home to 3.5 million of them, and that number continues to grow. The demand for truck drivers has never been stronger, so if you’re looking for trucking jobs, you’re in luck!

More Opportunities Than Ever Before

Trucking has always been a major backbone of our country’s economy. Without trucker jobs, online shopping would grind to a halt and affect the lives of countless businesses and consumers. And since the number of people shopping online continues to grow, it’s safe to assume that the demand for truck drivers won’t be going away anytime soon.

There’s more good news, too! The industry is more diverse than it’s ever been before, as companies (like Lily Transportation!) are actively hiring women, veterans, and anyone interested in seeing what the truck driver lifestyle has to offer. 

As soon as you get your commercial driver’s license, a whole new world of opportunity will open to you. Whether you’re looking for trucking jobs that will let you see the whole country or just your local area, Lily Transportation has openings for you. We’ll work with you to find a role that finetunes your skills and helps you find your place behind the wheel of one of our beautiful trucks.

The Importance of Truck Drivers Is Never Going Away

One of the best things about trucking is that just about anyone can do it. The demand for truck drivers has remained strong for years, and even as the industry continues to evolve, that isn’t going to change. Just look at our country today as it deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. With so many people sheltering themselves at home, it’s our country’s truck drivers that have ensured everyone has access to the essential supplies they need.

Even when the pandemic is over, online shopping will remain a staple of our country’s economy (maybe more than ever), which means our way of life will continue to need dedicated and professional truck drivers. 

This is why Lily Transportation is always pursuing, recruiting, and hiring truck drivers. We’re blessed to have so many amazing truck drivers on our team and we’d love to help you become a part of the Lily Family. 

“Lily made me feel comfortable and gave me the opportunity to change careers. It’s a great company to work for and I just want to ask you (other drivers): “What are you waiting for?” Join us!”

— Yessica Licona–Amador, Driver

The demand for truck drivers isn’t going anywhere, so if you want to find truck driving jobs that will compensate you well and make sure you and yours are well taken care of,  reach out to one of our recruiters today at 800-248-LILY.

Just a few years ago, women made up less than 6% of the drivers working in the trucking industry. As of 2019, however, that number has risen to 10%—and it’s still going up. The female trucker lifestyle is continuing to grow and improve, and Lily Transportation could not be more excited about it.

Here at Lily Transportation, we’re always looking for new ways to improve and showcase the female trucker lifestyle. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of jobs in the trucking industry are available to women, or what a day in the life of a female trucker looks like, you’ve come to the right place. 

Supporting You and Yours

On average, jobs in the trucking industry pay around $45,000 annually. But at Lily Transportation, the salaries we provide to all of our truckers range from upwards of $50,000 to $95,000. We’re committed to supporting our Lily Family in every way we can, which is why we offer competitive salaries and a variety of additional benefits, including things like:

• Paid holiday and vacation times
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical and Dental Insurance
• Matching 401k
• Health and Wellness Programs
• 24-hour dispatch
• Quarterly and annual bonuses for safe driving

Whether you’re driving solo or with a partner, locally or cross-country, Lily Transportation will ensure that you have the constant support you need to be the best driver (and person) you can be.  

Part of the Lily Family

The female trucker lifestyle at Lily goes beyond competitive pay and benefits; it means joining a family that takes care of its own. No matter what your background is, Lily will work alongside you and make sure you’re set up to succeed in a role that will enrich your personal and professional lives.

“I encourage a lot of women to come and work for Lily Transportation. It’s worth your while. It’s an awesome, awesome place to work.”

— Renata Sczuroski

There are more jobs in the trucking industry for women than ever before. Companies like Lily Transportation actively pursue and recruit female truckers, and we’re taking great care to promote a culture that supports those drivers in the essential work they do. If you’re already one of our Lily Ladies, then check out our Facebook group! We’d love to see you there.

If you have any questions about the female trucker lifestyle or want to learn how to become one of Lily’s Ladies, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! We would love to talk to you.

The trucking and transportation industry has been a staple in the United States for generations. It’s a crucial part of our economy, equips us with the products we need, and keeps the gears of the country turning. And now, with the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affecting the way we live our lives, the importance of truck drivers and the work they do for us is perhaps more vital than it’s ever been before.

Here are five of the (many) reasons the importance of truck drivers and the trucking industry at large deserves an extra round of applause during this difficult time:

1) A Backbone of Our Economy

In 2018, the U.S. freight and trucking industry generated approximately 800 billion dollars in revenue. Truck drivers are almost single-handedly responsible for keeping countless businesses and services, the ones we often take for granted, alive and well. And like Trucking.com says, over 70% of all freight tonnage in the U.S., which equates to over 10 billion tons of cargo, is transported by truck drivers.

Without truckers, we wouldn’t have access to many of the products and services we rely on, and, as a result, our economy would run the risk of collapsing in on itself.

2) Employing Millions of Americans

Not only is the trucking industry responsible for a significant chunk of our country’s economy—all of the online retailers we rely on wouldn’t be able to exist without truckers, after all—but it’s also an essential career path for millions of hardworking Americans from all walks of life. 

According to a 2019 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the trucking industry now provides more than 3.5 million people with trucker jobs. And that doesn’t even take into account the millions of other trucking jobs the trucking industry generates!

3) Stocking the Shelves of Our Stores

The odds are very high that just about everything you see on the shelf at the grocery store spent some time on a truck and wouldn’t be within arm’s reach if it hadn’t been for America’s truck drivers. If you were to imagine our country without truckers, for example, then you’d be seeing a world where ATMs would be cashless, “gas stations would run out of fuel,” and “essentials like bottled water, powdered milk, and canned foods would be gone.” 

4) Keeping Businesses Afloat

“The American trucker sits at a vital intersection in society,” Trucking.com says. “They are the critical link between the valued goods we produce and the demands of our most pressing needs.” The importance of truck drivers is impossible to overstate, especially when it comes to keeping the businesses we rely on—both local and otherwise—active and afloat.

5) Providing the Country with the Goods it Needs

With so many brick-and-mortar stores currently closed on account of COVID-19, truck drivers are playing a crucial role in keeping our homes stocked with the supplies they need. Even when the rest of the world is hunkering down, “factories and meat-packing plants are still running at full operation,” and there are so many supplies (food, toilet paper, etc.) that need to get to stores and consumers. “That means drivers, as always, are needed on the road.”

Far too often, a trucker food list is made up out of whatever is closest and most accessible. This usually leads to a lot of fast food, candy bars, and chips. While these snacks are certainly tasty, they aren’t able to provide truckers with the kind of energy they need throughout the day. 

With that in mind, here are some of the healthy snacks for truck drivers that we recommend to our drivers here at Lily Transportation.

1) Fresh Fruits & Veggies

You can’t talk about healthy snacks for truck drivers without mentioning fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits of all kinds have tremendous health benefits, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. As always, though, you shouldn’t overdo it, as too much fresh (or dried) fruit can mess up your blood sugar.

Vegetables, meanwhile, are so good for you that you can eat as many of them as you like without worrying about crashing later. Not only do fresh veggies come with very few calories, but they’re also a simple snack to eat between meals.

Meal prep for truck drivers isn’t always easy, but with a plastic bag of fresh fruits and veggies, and maybe a little container of peanut butter on the side, you’ll have one of the best and most healthy snacks for truck drivers.

2) Assorted Trail Mixes                                          

Trail mix is another excellent addition to your trucker food list. If you’re buying a pre-packaged trail mix, make sure you look for a “nutrition label,” as some mixes are needlessly high in sugar or salt. 

Or, even better, you can make your own trail mix to take on the road with you. Pick out some of your favorite nuts, add it to some granola, throw in a little dried fruit, and top it off with a few chocolate chips to add a bit of sweetness to the mix. This is an easy addition to your list of healthy snacks for truck drivers and can help promote healthy snacking habits without sacrificing taste.

3) Granola Bars

Granola bars, protein bars, and energy bars are an incredibly easy and popular snack for truck drivers. They’re compact, easy to stock up on, and can help you stay focused and energized. However, not all bars are created equal, and some of them can be packed with a surprising amount of sugary, fatty content.

Still, there are plenty of good options out there, and many of them can even be used as a meal substitute. This can save you time from stopping along the way for a meal that, more often than not, is greasy and less-than-ideal for truck driver health.

4) Protein Drinks & Smoothies

A protein drink or smoothie is another great thing to have on your list of healthy snacks for truck drivers. Not only do they come packed with vitamins and minerals, but the different flavors mean you can find one (or many!) that you like and stock up before hitting the road.

Instead of worrying about the hassle of meal prep for truck drivers, try making a smoothie before getting behind the wheel in the morning. Some frozen fruit mixed with a few greens (and maybe some protein powder) can replace a meal during the day, keep you energized, and help you maintain some good truck driver health habits.

The logistics and transportation industry is a pillar of our country’s economy. As long as people keep buying products online, there’s going to be demand for professional truck drivers. This is why Lily Transportation is so committed to promoting a positive and productive trucking culture for all of its employees.

A trucking career is full of exciting opportunities for people from all walks of life, and we’re always looking for new ways to grow our Lily Family with new and passionate professionals. If you’re looking for a career path that takes care of you with competitive pay, flexible schedules, and a unique trucking culture, then Lily Transportation is the place for you! 

We Hire the Right Drivers

As a larger and larger percentage of the truck driver population nears retirement, it’s become more important than ever for companies to hire (and retain!) the right kind of drivers. Here at Lily, our people are our greatest asset, and we go to great lengths to make sure that we not only hire the right drivers but also that we give those drivers an environment that prepares them to succeed.

When a professional truck driver becomes a part of our team, they’re becoming part of a family, which is why we embrace Safe Hiring practices to make sure that each new recruit is a good fit for us and that we’re a good fit for them. To that end, Lily is always looking to hire new and experienced drivers. 

Whether you’re a veteran looking for a new career after your service has ended, a woman ready for a new adventure, or a recent graduate looking to make their way in the world, Lily Transportation has a place for you!

We Emphasize Truck Driver Wellness

According to Trucking Info, “By implementing driver-oriented wellness programs, fleets are likely to see accident rates drop, which lowers operating costs and liability exposure. And driver satisfaction goes up, which cuts turnover and attracts new hires.”

Even though truck drivers don’t spend a lot of time in an office that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to create and support a positive trucking culture with them. At Lily, we do this by providing wellness programs and initiatives that help us stay connected with our team, regardless of where they are, in a meaningful way.

For example, we not only host Wellness Challenges—supported by our healthcare provider, Blue Cross/Blue Shield—but we also award our drivers with “Safety Points” for helping us promote safety on (and off) the road. We also utilize electronic “communication boards” at each domicile to encourage, appreciate, and inform our drivers with fun and relevant information.  From recognizing birthdays and milestones to sharing healthy eating or exercise tips, FMCSA reg updates, seasonal safety tips, and more.

We Take Care of Our Own

A positive trucking culture can’t exist without positive, productive, and passionate trucker drivers, which is why Lily is steadfast in our commitment to the people on our team. We offer all of our full-time drivers a variety of benefits including:

• Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical & Dental Insurance
• Paid Holiday & Vacation Time
• A Matching 401K
• Safety Bonuses
• A Health & Wellness Program
• Cell Phone Allowance
• 24 Hour Dispatch
• Carefully maintained equipment
• Competitive pay
• And so much more

Lily Transportation takes care of its family, and it’s our goal to retain this one-of-a-kind trucking culture that attracts, supports, and encourages professional truckers from all walks of life to get behind the wheel of a truck and experience the trucking lifestyle for themselves.

If you have any questions about the culture for truck drivers at Lily Transportation or want to speak with one of our recruiters, we’d love to hear from you!