Favorite Things

There are a few things I am feeling especially appreciative of these days. Of course, the list is always changing, but here are a few things that make my life better or easier. Maybe there’s something here for you too!

Wrap-n-mat: this is our solution to packing school lunch, but it’s not just for kids. This reusable wrap closes with velcro, making it easy for little (helping) hands. When unfolded, it also functions as a placemat, handy when you’re eating off your desk or germy tables. And, of course, it’s good for the environment not to be using a disposable wrapper. Just wipe this down with a wet cloth and throw in the washer when it gets really nasty.

Yves Rocher Jardin du Monde creme de douche, in Grains de Café du Brésil scent. I fell in love with this shower gel (more like a cream) in France. The amazing coffee smell is just what need first thing in the morning. It’s a serious luxury item with a bargain price. I haven’t found it in the states, but it’s on sale at the French Yves Rocher site, which might make shipping costs tolerable. If someone knows of a US source, please post it in the comments! (note: there is a US Yves Rocher site, but for some reason they don’t have this particular scent. They do have similar items though, like the African Cocoa Bean shower cream.

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Cure. Every night Anna goes to sleep listening to her “special music”. This brilliant company has taken our favorite music and made it perfect for little ones to go to sleep to. They’ve got The Beatles, Metallica, Coldplay, Led Zeppelin, you get the idea. There are many, many versions. The upside is that you end up with music you like stuck in your head, instead of some inane kids music. And then later, when you’re in the car playing The Cure, your kid thinks it’s their music!

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking. Ok, I know I’ve gone on and on about this book, but I am truly blown away by it. I’ve now made many different recipes, and have even made up my own by following their guidelines but using whatever combination of flours I had available, and it still turned out great. I am a believer.

Dirty chai, from Starbucks. Ok, I know Starbucks is evil and “the man” and all that. I didn’t say I was perfect! I am, however, starting to make these at home because they can be really expensive. Basically, a dirty chai is just a chai with espresso thrown in. The espresso takes the sweetness down a couple notches and enables me to get my fix (a mama needs her caffeine!). For my homemade version, I use half Tazo Chai Concentrate and half Silk Unsweetened Soymilk with 2 shots of espresso.