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Happy 2018, and welcome to January! I love the beginning of the year because it seems so full of possibility– and I always find myself super curious and ready to explore my interests. This month I feel drawn to things that make me feel grounded, and things that help my day-to-day become more easy and simple. For 2018 I’m all about not sweating the small stuff, and giving myself as many tools as possible to succeed. Inspired by those goals, I’m really loving a few products that are helping me stay focused, and explore myself more deeply. Today I’m sharing some things that I’m totally obsessed with this month– I hope you love them as much as I do!
Rifle Paper Co. Wall Calendar
I’ve mentioned on the blog before that I love keeping it old school and organizing my editorial calendar with a paper calendar– it might seem weird in the tech age, but I still love writing things down physically! One of my favorite parts of the first week of January is always picking out the calendar that I plan to use for the rest of the year. This year I’m LOVING this pretty one by Rifle Paper Co! The designs for each month are so pretty, and I love that there is a little notes section to the side for extra details. I like to use that part for work events I’m attending during the month. It may seem like the tiniest of details, but I also love that they finish off the week even if it extends in to the next month– so nice to get a full picture!
23 And Me Health & Ancestry DNA Collection Kit
I’m SO obsessed with this! My in-laws gave Kyle and I these awesome DNA kits as a Christmas gift and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Since having kids, I’ve become so much more interested in exploring my heritage– and the truth of the matter is that past a certain generation in your family, it can be pretty hard to track! Plus, I feel like family histories hold so many secrets and things you might never have known– I’m so excited and intrigued to learn if there is any heritage in my bloodline that I wouldn’t have ever known about. I love also that there is a way to opt-in and be connected with people who share your DNA– it almost sounds like the beginning of a movie. Ha! It takes about 6-8 weeks to get the results, and I will definitely share what I hear so stay tuned!
Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce
This. Is. The. Best. Canned. Pasta. Sauce. Period. Seriously! We all know I love making my own Ridiculously Good Red Sauce– but when I don’t have 2-4 hours to spare spent simmering a pasta sauce, I turn to my go-to default: Rao’s! This sauce just knocks all the other canned pasta sauces out of the water. There are so many amazing flavors, but this simple marinara is so delicious. My kids love spaghetti (shocker), and it’s so easy to just boil some pasta and toss it with this when I’m in a pinch. You can also simmer frozen meatballs in it to add some extra flavor, or add capers and simmer fish in it for another yummy dish. I stock up on this stuff, and finally realized that I need to share my secret with all of you! LOL. If you don’t already know and love this sauce, you’re going to thank me.
Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Gummy Worms
These babies are a Mama’s best friend! It’s a huge priority of mine during the Winter months (read: SICK MONTHS) to make sure Marlowe is getting lots of immune support! We all know schools are cute little cesspools for germs and bacteria! She gets a multivitamin and a probiotic daily, and I recently discovered these awesome Omega-3 gummies to add to the mix! Omega-3’s are excellent for healthy brain function and immunity, and these little gummy worms are a tasty way for her to get those benefits! I give her 1 worm a day, and she begs me for more every single time. Mommy may or may not sneak in a one-for-you-one-for-me policy every so often. Don’t judge me. I especially love this brand for fish oils (I take their adult pill version) because they’re great about doing extensive testing for purity and are non GMO!
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Hi Eva-I also physically write down my intentions for the week/day on a huge calendar & date book that I carry in my purse.I would be lost w/o them.
As for Rao’s sauce,it is the best.I originally tried it@ Rao’s restaurant in the city on 116th St.many years ago.You really should go w/Kyle (need reservations).
Love reading your blog& still can relate even though my two sons are adults now,but also relating as a retired HS teacher.
Take care, enjoy life & be well.
My husband and I spit in our 23 and Me collection vials on Christmas Day. I’m looking forward to my results though both my parents and three of my siblings have already done it so there shouldn’t really be any surprises. We do have a family “competition” regarding who has the most Neanderthal DNA.
As for family connections: several years ago my sisters were contacted via 23andme by a woman who had been connected as a close relative. She was an adoptee and knew nothing about her birth parents. It turns out she’s my mom’s first cousin and we were able to connect her with four of her half sisters (confirmed via separate DNA test). A few years later her birth records were unsealed and she found her mom’s side of the family. Including a full sibling! She went from being an only child to one of 10, I believe. So cool!
I also have two little ones at home. The older one started preschool this year and I feel like we’ve been in a constant cycle of sickness ever since. Can you share which brands of multivitamins and probiotics Marlow takes?
I used 23andMe and it’s definitely worth every penny. The results are very detailed and I’m constantly getting new updates from them on other tests they do. They get your permission, do the additional tests, then send the results for no extra charge. It also allows you to contact relatives you may not have ever known you had. It’s very fascinating! ?
Eva, I love Rao’s! But you need to try Dell’Amore Original Premium Marinara Sauce. It is made in Vermont and usually in the organic/hippy section. So good!
Rao’s is THE BEST. To me, it is exactly what pasta sauce is supposed to taste like.
Eva I forgot where you said your necklace that you are wearing in this post is from! Could you refresh my memory??
Hi Eva — May I also recommend a fabulous jar sauce that is a little less pricey? Wegman’s brand of “Grandma’s Pomodoro Sauce” or, if you like a little spice, Grandpa has his version. This is my go t0 when I don’t have the time to simmer my grandma’s sauce recipe!
Love your website & instagram stories…. thanks 🙂
Carole
I just bought a giant jar of Rao’s at Costco yesterday! So definitely check there if you are looking.