Wind and Windows: 15 Things that Make me Happy/Can't live without...

I'm in a list making mood so here's to ripping off Domino/Elle Decor (with sincere thanks for making those lists in their magazines).

1.) Lucky, Domino, & Self Magazines. The first two are obvious-they show you how to dress (yourself or a room) in a very cool/chic way. The third is a slightly more pedestrian, boring magazine but Self has really helped me learn how to eat better and to get my ass in gear with exercise. Seriously, those Self yearly challenges are great motivators!

2.) New Balances-best shoe for running/walking ever. No bells and whistles that annoy. And I can always find them on sale (should I be worried about that or should I just enjoy the fact that I shop right when they are on sale).

3.) Band-Aid Advanced Healing Blister-for the girl who anytime she wears a new pair of shoes gets painful popped blisters on her heel, these are perfect. They stay perfectly in place on my heel and stays on until I'm ready to take it off.

4.) One-a-Day Women's MultiVitamin-I take it daily; I mostly get my good minerals from my food (I'm big on fruits and veggies) but I think this helps my health overall, especially since it has 45% of my daily calcium intake (in one pill). I definitely recommend taking with food as I have gotten a slight sick feeling if I've taken it without eating.

5.) Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream-Saves my hands in the winter and after hand washing dishes. I like the fragrance free one the best but I really should wear the Age Shield kind.

6.) Method Cleaning Products-Pretty affordable, non-toxic, fairly "green", doesn't test on animals, and helps me clean my bathroom faster than ever= I really like these products. And bless them for making a no fragrance cleaner because my migraines are triggered by heavy perfumed scents. I also enjoy Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena all purpose cleaner which is perfumed but is just a nice clean scent that doesn't make my head ache and also has the same qualities listed above. I'll never go back to soft scrub again!

7.) Karl Bissinger's Gummy Pandas-truth be told, I hate gummy. Okay I hate the kind of gummy that you find in a drugstore candy section. Trust me I'll eat it if I need a sugar rush (I'm not stuck up at all about candy) but they generally make my head hurt (I attribute it to all the vigorous chewing I have to do and the sugar...same reason I can't chew bubble gum ). These however are amazing...soft, small, and with wonderful flavor. Green Tea and Pomegranate are neck and neck for being my favorites. I also don't feel so awful if I eat a handful of them for a snack. No they are no substitute for eating something healthy like fruit but I don't feel like I just swallowed a big sugar blob. And no headache!

8.) How to Cook Everything - such a helpful tool for anyone who wants to cook/bake.

9.) Tazo Black "Awake" Tea - I've discovered I'm a person who needs caffeine to function. After several years of not having caffeine (besides that occasional coke or latte) I realized I'm just a really tired person overall. Not matter how well I eat, no matter how much water I drink, no matter how much I go to the gym and exercise, and no matter how long I sleep (which is a lot, at least 9-10 hours), I'm freaking tired every day. So caffeine is a necessary evil. I can't do coffee every morning (my stomach couldn't take it) and I had heard good things about black tea's health benefits so I tried it. It keeps me going and I don't feel so wired. With a little honey, it's even better in taste.

10.) Fresh Air with Terry Gross - my favorite radio show; interesting interviews and reviews and it's a nice way to wind down the day @ 8 p.m.

11.) Holy Land Pita & Hummus-you must go and get the pita and hummus @ Holy Land. They make it all fresh everyday so the pita just melts in your mouth, it's so soft. You can get the hummus elsewhere but the pita must be fresh otherwise why bother?? Also the kalamata olives and feta cheese are the best in the city (especially when making penne all'arrabiata ).

12.) Ikea Ludde Sheepskin Rug - perfect for making chairs even cozier. It helps during the deep Minnesota winter.

13.) Deere Colhoun Large Sienna Bag - such a great bag...I can haul all my crap in here and still feel in style. The color of my bag is wonderful deep plum and it looks even better now that it's all broken in. I also feel it won't go out of style and I like how simple it is...again not a lot of bells and whistles but still a great shape and feel.