It’s been a long while since I’ve done one of these posts. Yes, I have done a lot of complaining, and honestly, I plan to continue complaining here in the future, but that doesn’t mean I need to complain AT ALL TIMES. Plus, there are many many blessings in my life, including of course my wonderful family. But there are also material things that bring me joy.
Fabric Resistance Bands: Yes, I know I know, I have recommended these before. But they are SO GOOD. Carla has been exercising with me lately (both super cute and VERY DEEPLY ANNOYING), and she brought up my old non-fabric resistance bands for us to use. Why can I not think of the word that should go where “non-fabric” is? Well. The mind is a mysterious junk heap in which sometimes you find Babysitter’s Club plot lines and Garth Brooks lyrics instead of the word you are looking for. I used them for several workouts, hating them all the while, before I remembered that I own FABRIC resistance bands! So now I am using the fabric ones again, and all is right with the world. They are just as resistant, but they are wider than the other ones AND made of a thicker material, so they don’t roll up into a tight wad that cuts into your leg flesh. Plus, they stay in place rather than traveling up and down your legs at their own whim.
Caramel Almond Clusters: While one of the keys to my current “success” at remaining on keto is that I am sticking to real foods that I like rather than trying to find keto versions of everything, I do occasionally crave candy. And these caramel almond clusters really address that particular craving. They do not taste exactly like a candy bar, mainly because of the odd taste of whatever sweetener is used to make them (I just looked; it is erythritol), but they are so close. The caramel is nice and chewy. The almonds are REAL almonds, and give an excellent crunch. And the chocolate is real unsweetened chocolate. Best of all, each one contains 2 net grams of carbs, which is an amount that I can work into most days of eating. (It seems like a lot of other keto sweets are 5 or 6 or more net grams of carbs per serving, which I almost never have at the end of a day.) They are about the circumference of an Oreo, so they aren’t huge. But I find them extremely satisfying from an “I Need a Treat” perspective.
Treadmill Desk: Elisabeth mentioned that she has a desk that attaches to her treadmill, and I immediately wanted one. My husband got me one for my birthday and I LOVE IT. He chose this version because it has a nice, textured surface. My laptop seems very secure on it, and I don’t really worry at all about it falling. I have used it several times and the time flies – I will be writing emails or doing revisions to my manuscript and all of sudden ninety minutes will have flown by. So far, I walk at about 2 to 2.5 miles per hour – it takes a little while to get used to typing while your body is moving. My only complaint is that the keyboard is not at an ideal position in relation to my hands, so I do have a teeny bit of wrist strain. But I suspect I will get used to that. And I feel so much less sedentary when I can stroll along while doing my normal work.
Hot New Thrillers: I have read two truly excellent thrillers this year (so far). The Night She Disappered by Lisa Jewell and The Burning Girls by C. J. Tudor. Both were extremely well written with engaging plots and relatable female characters. Plus, even though both were predictable in some ways, they were told so well and crafted to be so satisfying that I loved them both anyway. They are thrillers, so there is disturbing stuff in each of them. But if you like really good murdery books, I highly recommend both.
Decorative Tile: Lauren has been writing fascinating accounts of how she and her husband are finding cool pieces at estate sales and reselling them. During one of these accounts, she showed a photo of a decorative tile featuring a skier, by a Montana artist. I fell in immediate love and had to have it. My husband and daughter do not understand it, but I know you will. Someday I will find some proper way to display it (maybe on the gallery wall of my imagination?), but for now it’s sitting on a shelf in my office, where I can admire it often.
What are you loving lately?
I love this post! So much fun stuff in there. I think I have seen those Keto treats at Costco. My husband is not on Keto but he is always on the lookout for low-sugar items, so maybe I’ll pick up a box.
Lately my favourite Boom Chicka Pop light kettle corn has been UNAVAILABLE. There is a SHORTAGE of my favourite POPCORN, SUZANNE. I had to capitalize because you know. But I bought a bag each of Skinny Pop kettle corn and “sweet vanilla” and I plan to try one of them out tonight. I don’t know if it will equal Boom Chicka Pop, but we must do what we can in these trying times. Sacrifices, etc.
I will say I tried your Superstar mascara and it’s really great for the occasions I need a waterproof mascara! It’s so natural looking, I really like it. Thanks! xo
Ooo, I am going to try that keto treat. I also like the Atkins Endulge Caramel Nut Bar, which is kind of like a Snickers bar. A snack-size Snickers bar. But still: satisfying for what it is, and I’m on like my third box of them even though I have many, many open boxes of other keto treats in my keto-treat cupboard.
I have a treadmill desk and just realized I haven’t used it in…quite some time. Perhaps this will motivate me to move my laptop six feet to my left and four feet up, and go back to walk-typing!
I meant to include a link to the Caramel Nut Bar: https://www.target.com/p/atkins-endulge-chew-bars-caramel-nut-5ct/-/A-14959073
Laughing/Cringing about the “word” “Endulge.” WHYYYYYYY.
I am loving a little shamrock plant that my son’s girlfriend brought me! Yesterday I put it outside in the sunshine and the pretty white flowers opened up and the breeze was gentle and perfect — that plant looked so happy that it made ME happy! I’ve never had a shamrock plant before!
Also, I bought myself some inexpensive new oven mitts and hot-pads at Target. They are nothing, truly, not a “treat” by any stretch. But I am enjoying NOT using my 20-year-old (!) crusty tattered ones anymore; I enjoyed throwing those in the trash! ha!
I always wonder if keto treats would work for me but then I worry about the weird artificial sweetener and/or stevia taste.
I am loving early spring flowers– the crocuses that are left, the vanguard daffodils and cherry blossoms. The hyacinth are coming up in my yard but haven’t bloomed yet. I am keeping a close eye on them.
Well, I am loving this post, for one! 🙂 And also the digital photo frame my son got me for Christmas. Partly because it was, at age 31, the first gift he ever bought me that I didn’t specifically ask for.
Before I opened it, he described at great length the research he did, and the thought process trying to find me a gift I would never buy myself but would still like. So I think of that every time I look at the frame, that it took a while but he’s finally discovered the fun of giving gifts. 🙂 But also, I love the frame!
At first I thought it was an extravagance and I might not really be into it. But I have it to the left of my PC and I glance over at the new pictures all the time and smile. I often talk to the photos (the grandkids pop up – “Hi babies!!”). It just totally brings me joy. <3
Your treadmill desk is impressive. I stand at my traditional desk when I write, but walking while writing might be wonderful– or I might trip and fall on my butt.
As for things I’m loving lately: my cookbook collection and all the recipes *hidden* in the books that I’ve forgotten about but intend to make again; AND daffodils, both out in the yard and forced ones inside.
Have you shared about your birthday cake? I may have missed it as me or someone in my house has been sick (3 out of 4 of us with a stomach bug) for the last 2 weeks. But hopefully you gave yourself a pass from the keto diet to enjoy your cake and hopefully it was wonderful? I had gestational diabetes during both of my pregnancies so leaned heavily on keto recipes and snacks to get me through pregnancy. I don’t think I can bare to go back to that eating habit again, though, as I will forever associate it with being pregnant which was not enjoyable for me (I had really complicated pregnancies, including a terrible blood clot during my first one!). But I know keto works well for so many!
I am loving that our forecast includes temps in the 40-50s here in Minnesota. It’s been terribly cold here. It’s currently 5 degrees, but below 0 with the windchill. It’s March 11th. Get it together, Mother Nature. But I am glad balmier temps are in the forecast.
I have regular resistance bands and I don’t love them for all the reasons you mentioned. I wonder if I should invest in some fabric ones? You have talked about them before and I considered buying some, but I also considered that I only do resistance band training once or twice a month and I’m not sure it would be worth the expense. Oh, decisions.
I’m loving the popcorn I bought at a rest area in Illinois when I was driving my husband to the airport. It is delicious and wonderful and was worth the drive.
I have a sweet tooth so the Keto treats might satisfy that. However, I’ve never found a “diet” candy that’s worth any of the calories or carbs. I think you’re wise to stick to foods you like but with a twist; it is much more sustainable long-term.
Hey- will ya lookie there! I’m glad you enjoy the tile and thanks for the links! There are some plate display holders (either standing or for the wall) that would work for the tile and get it vertical for you- if you so choose!
I’m really loving… naps. Naps are good to me right now. Otherwise I’m a total grouch… turns out puppies are so annoying, like omg THIS is why I haven’t had a puppy in 20 years. Good thing she’s cute.
That’s so great you got a treadmill desk; I have been loving mine and had no idea that triggered you to get one. Enjoy. (Plus you walk a lot faster than I do – I go at about 1 mile/hour which is pitifully slow…but it’s better than nothing?!)
I had a Keto Granola bar today and it was delicious and then had a piece of bread with peanut butter and jam which has about 1 billion carbs.
And that tile is beautiful!
Favourite lately: individual Nori (which I know was a fail for you – sorry!!), nutritional yeast, making soup every Sunday (for Monday + Tuesday), velvet hangers…and thrifted clothes.
Have a great weekend!
I am absolutely delighted about all these things you love. I have to wonder though…is the tabletop portion of that desk not adjustable?
Oh, that is SO COOL that you have a treadmill desk now. What a fun birthday present! Walking at 2-2.5 speed while working seems very fast to me, haha. But I am a ridiculously slow walker.
New favorite things: finally having a work laptop (not a clunky desktop) and being able to work with three screens. Life-changing! Easter candy, ha. And a new makeup bag!
Oh, chocolate almond clusters. Delicious. And I love that you got a desk for your treadmill. I’d love the option to walk and work at the same time (I need to get the treadmill first though LOL)
One of my favorite things right now: that I found a bra that fits me like a glove. It’s always such a battle to find one.
YES. Bras are the worst!