New Year goals include birthday indulgence

It’s time for resolutions and best choices, right? Yes, but… January is my birthday, so I get to keep being indulgent, full of rainbows and enjoy shiny things. Bear with me and treat yourself:

 

Sucker for Organization – Find things where you left them, plan ahead and look good doing it. It’s more fun with 1Thrive collections in Boho, Industrial, Minimalist, etc.  I went with the Taylor with hooks to get this all-in-one over the kitchen door. A special marker jazzes up to-do and by-day lists, a bulletin board saves love notes and coupons, a metal pocket catches big stuff and hooks and pails at the bottom could be for keys. You see this every time you leave the house so… confidence is high that you’ve corralled the info and items you need. Look for variations for your office in Sarah, Audrey, Harper, etc. at www.1thrive.com Love this: Printable calendars, goals lists and more here.

Cupcake  Polish – I don’t often polish my nails, but when I do… I choose a forgiving texture. Perhaps this Dallas-based product, which they call the world’s best holographic polish, is more geared toward school girls who draw unicorns on their notebooks. I don’t care. A girl has got to sparkle on her birthday. And every Wednesday, for that matter. These shine and shimmer the light and it makes you want cotton candy and roller skates. You may think I’d go for the most purple, Aurora Borealis, or Blue Tourmaline, but I’m practical, even in this. Oh Ship! is a classic silver that goes with… whatever I want it to.  www.cupcakepolish.com

“The Official Unicorn SPiT User’s Handbook” – I suppose I was only vaguely aware of this shiny, multifaceted bottle of stuff that goes all 3D on your craft projects. Upscale side-of-the-road wooden table finds, create a fairy wardrobe with wings, perk up your sneakers and craft just about anything from the contents within. Michelle Nicole’s story is very cool and I love that this all started when she worked with some challenged adults who enjoyed her projects. She worked to make them safe so one man could paint with his hands and arms. Get the book, get the paint/gel/stain/glaze and go to town. You can SPiT on that.

SkinTEA – Or www.theteaonskin.com charges women to be comfortable in their own skin. As I slather on creamy Pumpskin soap, with pumpkin powder for vitamins, sunflower oil, turmeric for glow and colloidal oats for exfoliation, I’m thinking this formula sounds like a recipe. Obviously it is… for skin health. A soft headband keeps product from hairlines. At least once a year, a woman ought to get treated to luxury like this line offers.

 

Karuna – Whole plant juice comes bottles offering prebiotic fiber and antioxidant. At home, please pour into a stemmed glass so you can savor the beauty and flavor of ashitaba, dark cherry and pomegranate with aronia berry and kiwi. Whole plant here sounds like the whole orchard. There’s a lot in there and you can feel the nourishment working your cells. Karviva Unwined, mentioned last week, is a Dry January wine alternative that will make you feel great as you drink it and also the next morning.  www.mykaruna.com

 

Searching for TWRL – Remember the Twrl Milk Tea I went on about last week? The Supreme Jasmine tea in a can made with tea from centuries-old trees? Twrl is an unusual product with a distinct name, and I mistyped it in the notice. Read up on all their flavors at www.twrlmilktea.com and remember to twrl the can.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie joining forces with other Capricorns this birthday season. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Tamale Holiday Makeover

 

                                    Here’s the Southeast Texas holiday food items checklist: Gumbo, tamales. That hits just about everybody. Add ons welcome. If you just have a few left after breaking open a dozen, here’s an idea for a stray tamale. Cut it up and layer it into your holiday omelet. It’s a spicy bite of joy to make breakfast, lunch or dinner more festive.

                                    I wish all you Culinary Thrill Seekers the happiest of New Year’s activities. Get some joy and share it. Here are some more finds to keep you learning, loving and experimenting:

 

 

Advent book

 

“An Encounter” –  These daily reflections take readers a few days past The Epiphany with readings and even alternative readings that may be a bit more challenging than some giveaway books. We need to be encouraged, and sometimes we need to be shaken. Maurice Nkem Emelu, is a priest asking us to get moving. The author asks, are we ready to follow God’s lead? This is written so you can read it every year at this season. Learn more at www.revemelu.com

                      

 

 

 

Al Basha Mediterranean Market - Out and about for the holidays? Garbanzo beans, stuffed grape leaves, meats and sweets are tempting at the new Al Basha Mediterranean Market. They boast baked goods as well. It’s next to the restaurant of the same name at 2576 Interstate 10 East Frontage Road in Beaumont. It’s fun to explore the cans and packages of different flavors. I’m can’t resist stuffed grape leaves.

 

 

 

Twrl - Jasmine will always be my top pick because that’s my daughter’s name. Supreme Jasmine sounds like a super hero character of sorts, but it’s a flavor from Twirl Milk Tea. Hijicha Roasted Green Tea and Original Black are also premium nitro-infused teas with milk in slim 7.5 ounce cans ranging in the 45-50 calorie range. On-the-go organic fair-trade brewed tea with way less sugar, nut- and soy-free milk and no additional flavorings or GMOs are in here. I don’t know many who have their tea with milk here. We are Southern iced sweet tea people. So, these strong flavors taste adventurous and exotic to me, like I’m on travels and could pack this on my hike to the mountains or the Great Wall. Makes couldn’t find what they wanted so they created it. My Supreme Jasmine is made with tea leaves from centuries-old trees and infused with the finest jasmine they could find for a supremely floral and complex aged experience. Enjoy cold and twirl the Twrl for optimal froth. Learn more at twrlmilktea.com

 

 

Monk Fruit Blend

I’m 100 percent sold on Better Body Foods Monk Fruit Blend Zero Calorie Sweetener with no aftertaste. I rarely use raw sugar… but when I do, I’m going to grab this bag. Antioxidants called mogrosides give monk fruit its sweet taste, so this is a good deal for those wanting a low-glycemic sweetener for baking and drinks. Mmmm. I’m thinking of a rim garnish for cocktails or a cinnamon toast topper. Go crazy.

 

Karviva – “Inspired by Malbec” sounds like something on a home décor sign or a T-shirt. It’s on a bottle of Karviva Unwined, an 80-calorie berry drink you can put in a stemmed glass, if you like. It’s alcohol free, but aronia, mulberry and schisandra berries will do their best to convince you they are “wined.” Karviva also offers Ace Sport drinks in the same style of bottle in flavors such as sunny orange. This line offers antioxidans, collagen and electrolytes. It’s not pretending to be wine but it sure tastes better than many sports drinks.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie awaiting the joyful abundance of 2022. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud,com