My 15 Favorite Things To Get Me Through Quarantine
While I do run a baking business and work hard to make the Cinnamomma blog a reliable, credible source of all kitchen-related information, “confectioner” is not the only hat I wear on a daily basis. Most days, I’m playing several roles at once (momma, grandma, wife, friend, problem-solver, creative, referee, entertainer, chauffeur, cheerleader) and not always successfully; which is why I know that a little lipgloss and some pliant workout pants can be the difference between happy balance and mental chaos. It’s the little things, right? So, here are 15 of my favorite things—some for the kitchen and some just for you—that have made life in quarantine and life in general that much easier.
*This post is not sponsored by any of the brands named. I am simply sharing what I really love.
A good water bottle
Water is my answer to almost everything. In terms of hydration, hygiene, and healing, it’s unmatched by comparison. Have a headache? Drink more water. Want healthier skin? Drink more water. Cut your finger? Rinse it underwater. Feeling sick? Water will help flush out the bad and replenish the good. Water is essential to our livelihood, and having a bottle that keeps it ice cold all day, in the heat of the summer, has been a total game-changer. I’m always surprised by how much more water I guzzle down throughout the day just because my water bottle is easy to haul around. I’ve used a few different vacuum insulated bottles that range in price, including a Tal bottle from Walmart. This one is a high-quality bottle with a low price tag, but unfortunately, it doesn’t fit in the cup holder in my car. I’ve also used a Hydro Flask and a Stanley Tumbler. Both are amazing, but the Stanley Tumbler takes the cake for me.
Drinks - To keep the Diet Coke demons at bay and myself in better health, I like to dress up my water by adding fresh lime or lemon wedges. Occasionally, I will mix together an Acai drink packet with a couple of Mio energy shots. I am also a huge proponent of celery juice. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Sunscreen
Living in Arizona, sunscreen application has become as habitual to me as brushing my teeth. Not only that, but we have found so much joy in hiking, walking, exercising, swimming, and playing outside as a family these past few months. (Who knew all it would take for my teenagers to want to go on a walk with me was a government-enforced stay at home order). My daughters—one of whom has suffered from extremely sensitive skin since she was born—are constantly introducing me to sunscreens that are non-toxic, reef-friendly, ok to use on babies, and better for our bodies. Babo Botanicals and Supergoop products have been favorites of mine, boasting clean chemical formulas as well as mineral ones. Babo Botanical sunscreen is also vegan and can be found on Amazon at a more reasonable price point.
Perfume and/or Essential Oils
Though I wouldn’t necessarily call perfume aromatherapy, there is something to be said for the power of scent. One that always lifts my spirits is the Tocca Mini Eau De Parfum in Collette, from Anthropologie. This entire range is beautiful and the bottles last longer than expected. A pricier option that I enjoy is the Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Eau de Toilette perfume.
Essential Oils - For many years, I have been a champion of essential oils and a believer in their benefit. One of my most well-loved and frequently-used products during quarantine has been my essential oil diffuser. Inhaling essential oil aromas can stimulate areas of the limbic system—a part of the brain that contributes to behaviors, emotions, and long-term memory. The limbic system is also heavily involved in forming memories, and it contributes to several unconscious physiological functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. If nothing else, a little peppermint or lavender always helps our home feel a bit more calm and clean. I’ve also gone through several bottles of On-Guard during this pandemic, which is an oil that I would highly recommend. Young Living and DoTerra carry their own lines of diffusers and accessories, but I have also had great success with diffusers that I found on Amazon.
Lip Gloss
I don’t know if it’s a “growing up in the eighties” thing or if it’s just me, but I cannot go out with a bare lip. My kids find it completely hilarious and friends of mine can certainly attest that no matter what I am doing, I never feel complete without a layer of gloss. A few of my tried and true brands are Sarah Happ, Glossier, Fenti Beauty, Patrick Ta, MAC, Pat McGrath, and on the cheaper end, Revlon and Milani from Target.
Yoga/Exercise Pants
I get quite a bit of mileage out of my exercise leggings, whether I’m actually exercising, traveling, or just running errands. When shopping for yoga pants, I look for durability, breathability, stretch, shape-retention, and I prefer a water-wicking fabric. Lululemon and Fabletics are my go-to’s. Amazon also has some comparable options, but make sure to read the customer reviews before purchasing.
Sweet Treat: Cinnamomma Triple Chocolate Cookies
It’s taken a long time to perfect my recipes for our gluten-free, vegan, triple chocolate and regular sugar cookies. So, why wouldn’t they be on my list of favorite sweet treats? They are indulgent without the upset stomach and a substitute without the sacrifice. They are even husband and non-gluten-free-children approved!
Exercise App
We’ve all had to get pretty inventive with our at-home workout routines, but one can only take so many jumping jacks in-place before boredom sets in. The app Alo Moves has kept me motivated and excited to get up, move, stretch, and breathe, featuring a wide array of yoga, fitness, and mindfulness classes. This is an app well-worth its monthly fee, but the Nike Training app is a free alternative.
New Kitchen Tools: Danish dough whisk
For many people, quarantine has provided ample opportunities to hone in those cooking skills and have some fun in the kitchen. My passion for discovery and experimentation has been rekindled as I’ve tested various bread starter recipes and used my new favorite kitchen utensil, my Danish dough whisk. This whisk is no infomercial gimmick. It is strong enough for thick no-knead bread, and gentle enough for more delicate batters.
Podcasts
Podcasts have become like a life-blood in recent months, offering resonant stories, perspectives, entertainment, education, inspiration, and a good laugh, which we could all use a little more of. Often my most productive moments happen when I pop in my AirPods, turn on a podcast, and get to work. I enjoy many self-help broadcasts, including The SelfWork Podcast from Dr. Margaret Rutherford, The Kwik Brain by Jim Kwik, The Parents Who Talk, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and On Purpose with Jay Shetty. My other favorite podcasts vary categorically, from The Moth, Criminal, and The Love/Hate Club, to Outlander Cast, She’s A Rec, and Outcasts.
Books
I read a quote recently that said “Life is just a series of obstacles preventing you from reading your book.” All of you literature-lovers will feel that one deep. There’s nothing quite like finding a book that you just can’t put down, and this has certainly been the case with the books I’ve been reading, Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holliday and The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. If not these, I would encourage you to find a favorite; take the time to sit down every once in a while and enjoy a good book!
Hair products
On top of fulfilling my regular responsibilities, playing “teacher” for my kids that are still in school has left me with much less time for hair care. That being said, may God bless the inventor of dry shampoo. A few sprays of my Rockaholic dry shampoo or Kristin Ess’s Reviving Dry Shampoo and a quick tussle of my locks is enough to elevate my look from “startling survivor” to something much more put-together. Big Sexy, Not Your Mother’s, and Bead Head are all favorite brands of mine for hair products.
Hand cream
It’s taken some real diligence to keep my hands moisturized after months of constant washing and sanitizing. Trader Joe’s Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream has become a staple in my purse, leaving my hands soothed and treated but not greasy. My skin has also been loving Trader Joe’s warm vanilla body butter.
A binge-worthy TV show
Trust me, I get it. The busier your schedule is, the harder it will be to carve out time for television. However, streaming services are bursting at the seams with high-caliber series, and a good show can be just the escape you need at the end of the day or in the middle of a pandemic. Outlander is my number one choice currently, followed closely by The Crown, and The Last Kingdom.
Movies
Movies have played a prominent role in our family culture over the years, and we have truly missed going to the theatre together. Cinema can make you cry, it can make you smile, it can give you hope, or at the very least, distract you from the daily grind. I’m a sucker for a great period piece, so some of my favorite films include Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Emma (the new or old release), Sense and Sensibility, and Young Victoria.
Running Shoes
A much-needed reprieve from isolation and confinement (or from being stuck at home with my entire family all day) has come by way of early morning walks/jogs. Long before COVID-19, I started my journey as a running shoe connoisseur, attempting to find the perfect fit that could endure months of training and sustain me through long races. From those marathon-running days to our current socially-distant ones, my favorite athletic shoe brands have remained Asics and Brooks.
Final Thoughts
As fun as it is to talk favorites, it is also important to remember that part of putting your best foot forward is committing to take care of yourself. If that means staying up a little later to watch your show, getting up a little earlier to watch the sunrise on a morning stroll, dabbing on some perfume, fixing up your hair, re-applying your lipgloss, slipping into your favorite pair of pants, or treating yourself to a cookie, then so be it. These 15 favorites have helped me feel more equipped to take on each day, no matter how many hats I’m wearing.
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