I was going to post about my birthday but now that seems a little, oh I don't know, belated and a bit narcissistic. So instead I thought I'd write about a few things I discovered over the past year.
Here are ten great things that I’ve discovered since my last birthday. I’m not receiving any sort of compensation for any of these items. They are just, in my opinion, things that made life easier or better or just more enjoyable. And seriously, who doesn’t love that?
1.
Lansinoh breast pads – After nursing three children I finally found a breast pad that did not leak, was comfortable to wear and didn’t leave my nipples looking like pickled raisins. Imagine Easter dinner at your in-laws, new born baby and freshly engorged breasts… then you sneeze and dual fire hoses erupt from your chest. You look down expecting to see the spreading tell-tale circles, but instead there is nothing. Relieved you run to the bathroom to check, but the miracle breast pads are holding steady like the Hoover dam. It was at that moment I fell in love with my Lansinoh breast pads. They have never let me down. They are just the closest thing to perfection you can put in your bra that costs less than $10.
2.
New Chapter Organic Women’s One a Day – I take these pills once a day and they make me feel good and the best part they are legal. I’ve never been healthier since starting this vitamin. I have made lots of life style and diet changes in the past year but I feel this vitamin has played a vital role in my over all health and well being. Added benefit they are probiotic which helps things stay in balance in the old digestive track... so if you have that common IBS issue these may be your magic get out of the bathroom card. Check 'em out.
3.
8th Continent Vanilla Soy Milk – I used to be a big milk drinker as a kid. I can’t think of a day that went by that I didn’t have a milk-stache. Now, I don’t even like the taste of cow milk now on my cereal. 8th Continent Vanilla Soy on my Kashi Go Lean with a few blueberries and walnuts tossed in is like having dessert for breakfast.
4.
SuDoKu – I’m addicted, obsessed and have worn through entire pencil erasers doing the fiendishly difficult puzzles in the New York Times.
5.
Altoids Ginger and Altoids Cinnamon Gum – A candy and gum I can finally keep in my purse that isn't mysteriously hiested by "notme" or "Idon't know" or stickyfingers the 3ft tall bandit that bears close resemblance to my offsring. I always find an empty gum or mint container just when I'd want a piece after a tuna sandwich on an onion bagel. These are virtually kid proof. Beyond fresh breath they provide some other health perks like settling an upset stomach and giving you a sense of phenomenal cosmic power that you can actually put a nuclear reactor in your mouth and chew it. Now, be warned that you may singe the eyebrows of the next person you converse with after having eaten one of these treats, but you will not be offensive. Well, you may be offensive but your breath won't be.
6.
I-Pod – I’m so hip now. Well, I like to think I am. Well, I was last week... month... year... okay forget it. I'm not hip but I’ve rediscovered music beyond Raffi and We Sing. Wow, I love the music but it’s a good thing I haven’t been listening to the radio with the infant, preschooler and 2nd grader. I can just imagine my 4 yo breaking out Gold-digger in front of company. It’s a great song for the elliptical, but not so great for family gatherings. I can’t imagine morning workouts with my I-pod. It is also very handy when mommy needs a time out from 8 year old back seat drivers and the hundredth time through the Wiggles greatest hits CD on the car radio.
7.
Oregon Decaf Chai and
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Decaf Soy Latte – Yes it was a dark day when I had to give up caffeine for health reasons but I didn’t have to give up my fav drinks when I discovered these two. Aaaaaah sweet relief.
8.
Bravado Nursing Bras – a must for the generously busted nursing mother. They are comfy, easy to wash, no hooks and you can sleep in them without feeling that you’ve been harnessed in a Victorian girdle.
9.
Sushi – Ok, where have I been? Oh, yes I remember. I’m stuck in the Midwest were the freshest seafood, is something being protruded at you from your child’s tongue. But, I finally had the opportunity to try some reputable real sushi and ahhhhh heaven in a rice and seaweed wrapper with a dab of wasabi. Now that I’m hooked I have to wait until I’m back within driving distance of ocean views before indulging my cravings.
10.
Toyota Sienna – I swore that I would never ever drive one. Nope, not me! I was destined to live in a cabin drive a jeep to and from my mountain abode to Telluride selling my art on the street. No sense succumbing to the brain numbing droneness of mom-minivan-suburbia life. Hi, I’m Mrs. Dulce and I’m eating my words. Here I am married to a white collar businessman, mother of 3 living in a suburb in the Midwest with a dog and as of this year driving a minivan. And I love it and it makes life much easier and I am really glad I have it. Seriously, though the Sienna is great. If you are having to succumb to the call of the suburban life and need to haul around chillypops and friends to soccer et. al then this is your ride. There are so many nifty little features that being cool seems just plain silly.
Well, here goes the dream of clean & dressed up.
Wait, the baby is escaping.
