Mom was legendary for her crafting. Who else goes to yard sales ASKING
for broken jewelry? She made a brooch bouquet for my daughter’s wedding and was
decades ahead of myriad artsy trends. I found a cache of her broken jewels and
errant beads and corralled them into a suncatcher project. I made suncatchers
for her friends and family and I love how they’ve sent photos of them gleaming
in their own spaces. Take a look around your stash and get crafty.
Going Natural – Are you a
little OCD about grocery shopping? From the way items go into your cart, to
bagging to getting them from the car to the kitchen? A Lotus Trolley Bag could
make you the envy of the market. First, be proud for supporting The Earth.
That’s actually a note inside a box of Lotus Sustainable reusable mesh produce
bags are a pleasure to touch and use. www.lotus-sustainables.com has a look on
something even more committed. These bags with extended handles cradle inside
your shopping cart for serious organization. Pockets for egg cartons, keeping
your cold items separate? Looking super cute at the store? Saving some of the
1,500 plastic bags a typical family is estimated to use each year? You know you
want to. I’ve just seen the trolley bags, but I can tell you, the produce bags
are a hit.
Roll’eat – It’s a little Marie Kondo and a lot stylish. Roll’eat’s Snack’n’Go duo could be a sandwich and crackers or a wrap and fruit. It’s a two-area soft sack with two pockets, lining and closures to keep you from using so many plastic bags. The reusable pouch is more approachable than others I have tried. It’s easy to clean and puts me in mind of Japanese fabric wrappings. We’re all doing our part to help the Earth and we can do a lot in one lunch time. Their sight, here, has details, in case you need convincing. I, however, need a snack.
A Cold Move – Steep your way to
iced tea heaven – a mainstay of southern living – with Adagio’s cold-brew tea
pitcher. The super-cool stainless steel
infuser lets you steep overnight. It’s slim and sassy in your fridge door. In
the morning, I fill two travel mugs with ice and Adagio’s winning teas, such as
Ceylon Sonata Iced Tea. I’m good to in the car and still sippin’ at lunch.
Sometimes we just need a lil’ something pretty to remind us to stay hydrated in
the Texas heat. www.adagio.com has just come
into my life with teas and tea accessories that have made me appreciate a
classic, yet ever-evolving beverage.
Hot Out There – I’m just taking in how much of my life I’ve lived dehydrated. The signs were there and I hot and cranky. Water helps but Hydralyte is sold in powder and tablets said to rehydrate faster than water. Orange, strawberry lemonade and lemonade are varieties with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Young people can also benefit from these mixes that taste good to me. All those years I spent as a kid in the back seat with grandma on family trips could have been so much more comfortable with the goods from www.hydralyte.com
NECTR – Order a cactus cooler from
www.nectrbrand.com and your not getting
a sassy drink. You’re getting a stand-out, wholly gripping thick drink holder
that will keep that sassy drink cold and stylish. You know those tall slim cans
that hold coffee, sparkling water and stronger things? This ridge food-grade
silicone holder is for all of that. Pick from other colors, but the cactus
cooler green reminds me of Arizona’s iconic suarage cactus and you just want to
“grab hold” and make some cold memories.
Travel with
Spices – I mentioned Alco
Eats Funny Nuts. Let’s talk about their spices. “If you have a kitchen, you are
a chef.” Easy as that. Easy Indie Bowl spices for spicy chicken and butter
chicken and their Achari Chicken Masala spices transport me as soon as I open
the bottles. I’ve had them on everything from popcorn and eggs to grits and can
assure you they go great with actual chicken/lentil dishes. Visit www.alcoeats.com to spice up for a mini international vacation.
Darragh Doiron
is a Port Arthur area foodie letting her little light shine. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com
