I did want to do a favorite things blog this year so you don't think I've disappeared. The links provided are not affiliate links, I make no money by sharing the little things I've found throughout the year.
Teeccino. I have been decaffeinated for a couple years now (and not nearly as fun and happy as I used to be), earlier this year I had to drastically change my diet to eliminate all gluten, soy, corn, dairy, sugar, chocolate, and seed oils. I started hunting for coffee alternatives. Not that I ever drank coffee, but it was easier than trying to find tea alternatives. Enter Teeccino. So many flavors. Not all are GF though so you have to seek those out. So far, the dandelion caramel nut is my favorite. And they are good for you.
This essential oil stone. Okay, I may be new to this and you all might already be using these, but this thing is great. I don't like diffusing oils - it aggravates my sinuses and I don't feel good breathing in that oiled air. Enter the stone. It absorbs the oil but releases the fragrance. I can use it as an air freshener without any side effects. I have an old stinky carpet on my basement stairs (it'll be replaced eventually) where I've placed one of these and I fill it with a cinnamon oil. Really helps a lot. And let's not talk about my workout room where a cat resided before I moved in. Yeah, that carpet will leave eventually too. Until then, I use the stone.
Storytime Toys. Oh my goodness, these are so fun and cute. My five and two-and-a-half year-old grandsons are enthralled with these. We have the one shown, The Three Little Pigs, and also the Away in a Manger one, and Goldilocks is on her way to my house as I type. Storytime Toys are play sets with books. Read the story, build the play set, and then play. The boys are loving The Three Little Pigs. These are well made and interactive. They love building the houses and then helping the pigs escape the big bad wolf. They come boxed nicely and would make fabulous gifts. I haven't been this excited about toys for a long time.
As I mentioned above, I have had to give up corn. Including popcorn. You know, that bowl of yum I would sometimes have for dinner. I started researching popcorn alternatives and found Ashapops. Popped water lily seeds. One little bag is a 120-calorie serving. I get the plain ones, popped in coconut oil with a little salt on them. They help that snack craving. Gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, dairy-free. This bag checks all of those boxes for me. Hint: they are cheaper on Amazon.
This Canadian Breakfast tea (maple!) I found last year when we were on sabbatical in Victoria, BC. It is lovely. Smooth and mildly flavored. It keeps me sane since I can no longer chai (don't ask). Murchies ships to me and I order a couple times a year. It is so good. They have regular too, but I have been decaffeinated for over two years now (and am definitely not the fun and happy person I was before. Sigh.)
Yes, it's lettuce. But this lettuce is amazing. Honestly. It has so much crunchy goodness. It's available in almost every grocery store. It's greenhouse grown and no need to wash. I love this stuff. I buy it every week.
What are some of your favorite things in 2024?
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