nine favorites list of 2012

I always seem to hear about the best things by word of mouth from family and friends. I always think to myself "I'm so glad I heard about that." Well here is my word of mouth top nine favorite things I discovered this past year ( in no particular order ). I was planning on doing 10 but really only felt good about 9. I thought I would spare a lame 10th.

1. Mom's Spaghetti Sauce 

This sauce is actually what inspired me to write this list. I want to shout it from the rooftops don't buy any other sauce. It tastes completely home made from Italy (not that I would actually know) and has chunks of roasted garlic in it. And even better they sell it at Costco!

2. Ancient Harvest Quinoa Veggie Curls

Keeping with the theme this goes with our pasta sauce. We are about 75% Gluten Free in our home so I'm always trying out different Gluten Free pastas. This one is the best! They add different veggies, such as beets, to the pasta and it actually tastes great. They sell it at Fred Meyer and it is relatively inexpensive like a little over $2 a box. Isaac loves this pasta :)

3. Dr. Bronner's Face Soap 

I read about this in Whole Living magazine and it got voted one of the top natural facial cleansers. It is very mild, all natural, and only about $4.

4. Pinterest 

Ok so I discovered this in 2011 but Pinterest is like facebook once you get it changes your life and you think how did I ever function without it? I can credit Pinterest for helping me plan Isaac's birthday party, giving me countless recipes and inspiring to weekly meal plan with a cute printable meal planner PDF. It provides endless inspiration, brainless fun, and the motivation to DIY! I am fortunate enough to keep in in check. I check in every couple of days and for maybe 10 minutes. This is the only downside people say is it can consume all of your free time!

5. Trader Joe's Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

I have always used all natural dishwasher detergents and with each brand I bought they seemed to work less and less and I was spending more and more. Peter and I both thought that our dishwasher was horrible and we just needed to buy a new one. We were practically hand washing all of our dishes to then put them in the dishwasher. Well it isn't the best but I finally thought what if it is the detergent It is important to me that it is chemical free and all natural because it is going on all of your dishes, dishes that you eat off everyday and this food goes into your body. A friend told me to try the Trader Joe's brand. Turns out it works amazing and it is a great deal cheaper than all of the other "all natural" brands I believe it is a little over $2 a box! It's Phosphate-Free, Chlorine-Free, No dyes or fragrances and is Biodegradable. 

6. Epsom Salts

I've always been a big fan of baths. No matter how stressful of a day I've had a bath always makes it better. Well I recently discovered Epsom salts and they take a bath to a whole different relaxing level. Some of the health benefits include relaxing the nervous system, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating cold and congestion, and most importantly drawing toxins from the body. There are amazing scents and best of all Epsom Salts are inexpensive! Are you seeing a trend? 

7. Mom Groups

I could not of gotten through without my mom support groups. Evergreen Parent Baby gave me a wealth of information and allowed me to meet so many great friends. (I've since graduated) but from there spun a monthly "Book Group" with 10 other moms with very little reading involved and a Best Friend Emily. We are running partners and her husband and Peter and I hit off immediately. I also attend MOPS at Woodinville Alliance Church and that gives me 2 hours of uninterrupted conversations, great speakers, a spiritual boost, and great brunch. Isaac gets two hours of social time and gets to play with new toys. Woodinville Toddler Group is another weekly social event that both Isaac and I look forward to every week. I still learn a lot about development and love the family event nights and Isaac loves seeing his friends. Not to mention structured craft time (that I don't have to plan or clean up) and circle time what a bonus!

8. Amazon

Amazon has become my new best friend. It has everything under the sun for babies. I almost always get free shipping and has the lowest price without having to leave my home!

9. Aveeno Dry Shampoo

I have very oily hair and let's face it a shower is a privilege not to mention blow-drying your hair. This gives a few extra days without a wash and a blow dry, and it adds volume, which I desperately need with my flat straight hair. The Aveeno brand is sulfate-free which is why I chose this brand. 


Goal for 2013 discover a great "all natural" laundry detergent. The jury is still out on this one!