Following in the footsteps of some of my favorite bloggers (mostly Tales of Me and the Husband!), I thought I’d share a list of some of my favorite things. Each of these items I use daily, significantly make my life better, and make me really happy to use!
If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories (if you don’t you should, I post what I’m eating, nutrition and kitchen tips, safer personal care product info, some of my cute toddler – plus a lot more!) you know I love my basket. I use this basket almost daily, to carry around – our water bottles, snacks, a change of clothes for Finn, a couple toys and always a tube of sunscreen (this is my new favorite). We also use this basket for trips to the farmers market, I use it to carry things when I teach classes – honestly the uses are endless. (I have the market basket in large and it’s the perfect size)
You know those things in life that you use ALL OF THE TIME? The other day I realized how much easier this silly salad spinner has made my life! Pausing to take a minute to think about the things in life that genuinely make it better, is something I’ve really been trying to do. And well, this salad spinner, crazy as it sounds, is one of those things!
WHY I LOVE THIS: When I first lived on my own, I didn’t have a salad spinner. I dried all of my lettuce and greens with a dishcloth. This worked fine, but I could never really get them dry and it was an extra step that kept me from eating as many salads as I should have. Next, I had a hand-me-down salad spinner that had holes in the bottom. This was a step in the right direction, but not perfect. THEN I got this one. It was a game changer because I could actually SOAK my lettuce, kale, chard or spinach in the bowl with apple cider vinegar for about 20 minutes. (I soak my greens and lettuce before washing to clean them, and to kill any tiny bugs along for the ride) Then I simply pick up the mesh basket, dump the water, and spin to dry. Love it!
Urban Moonshine Digestive Bitters.
I always joke that these Urban Moonshine Digestive bitters make me friends whenever we eat with other people. If someone says they’re full, or even if they don’t, I encourage everyone I’m with to take a dropper-ful after the meal! I swear by bitters to help me digest a meal, especially if I’m feeling full or bloated. We all know that feeling of our food kind of just sitting and not digesting well, or the feeling of being too full. Without fail, these bitters work every darn time! Anything bitter signals your gallbladder to secrete bile, which aids in digestion of fat. That’s why these bitters, and bitter greens like radicchio, endive, dandelion greens, and great for digestion!
Challenge yourself to taste all 5 flavors in a day – sour, spicy, bitter, sweet and salty. These bitters are a great way to get the bitter flavor in!
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20.
I wear this all year long, but it is especially a favorite in the summer. I’m all about that natural, not a lot of makeup look. I like to wear a little, and in the summer the natural glow is what I’m after! I use this Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer, Volumizing Mascara, and the Hibiscus Color Pinch Cream Blusher and that’s my routine. If I have a little extra time I’ll use this Touch Up Concealer Pen, this Color Define Brow Pencil, and this Bare Shimmer Lip Gloss, but the three above are my simple summer go-tos.
This was originally recommended to us by our friends at our favorite butcher shop in Kittery, ME called MEat (Maine Meat). It’s a little spicy, a little sweet, and jam packed with flavor. I add it to eggs, my egg broth soup, on top of rice bowls and anything Asian inspired. It’s so darn good!
