10 Things

Today's #HAWMC prompt:

"List 10 things you cannot live without."

In the past I may have gone very literary / interpretive with this post, and waxed on about my husband, my family, my friends, etc... but... those aren't THINGS.  And while I agree that "the most important things in life aren't things," that wasn't the assignment.  So here we go.

10.  My running shoes.  Not even because of running.  But because without a few days a week (Namely, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), where I can't put on running shoes instead of dress shoes and cruise around, I think I would probably have died of some orthopedic injury.  One side effect of having worked at home for 5 years?  I absolutely LOATHE being uncomfortable, and having uncomfortable feet is probably the worst of it.  Pants is #2.  For my job, I'm constantly racing from meeting to meeting, sometimes in distances up to a mile round trip, and wearing uncomfortable "work clothes" is the pits.  Jeans and tennies people!  I am MORE productive this way!


9.  My bed.  I bought a fancy bed a few years ago -- a Sleep Number. I can't say enough good things about it.  A lot of people rag on sleep number beds, and I think that the haters just haven't taken the time to figure out their correct number!  I love that I can lower it a few clicks after a hard workout and cocoon in for the night, or I can make it firmer if I'm having some aches and pains.  Some nights, it feels like a time warp has occurred because I cant' believe how soundly I sleep.

8. My neti-pot.  To be accurate -- it is actually a Neil-med sinus irrigation system, which looks like a squirt bottle.  How did I survive allergy season before this?  For those who have never used any form of nasal irrigation before -- no, it doesn't feel like the "water up your nose" of your childhood.  No, it doesn't hurt.  Yes, it is a little bit gross.  But you are literally washing allergens and pollution from inside your head -- if you are an allergy / headache / sinus sufferer like me, it is a must-have.  I literally look forward to using it and find it to be very soothing.


7. My iPhone.  Lame.  I'm a gadget girl; a techno queen.  I am connected 24-7, 365.  I love it.  When I first got my iPhone, a former blackberry girl, I didn't get what the fuss was about.  the on-screen keyboard still isn't my favorite, but I love how fast, reliable, and streamlined it is.  And cute.  Can't forget cute.  This sort of technology in general makes life so much more... connected.  i can listen to my work voicemail on my iPhone, from anywhere I have a signal.  Let's just pause and absorb that . Somebody calls my desk (which I am never at), and leaves a voicemail on my land line, and through some modern miracle of telecommunications, I can pick that voicemail up through my iPhone anywhere in the world.  Amazing.  I can also view documents and presentations.  Pretty soon I will actually be able to download an app that allows me to view my work DESKTOP via iPhone.  God, technology is amazing.  The productivity / efficiency alone is mind boggling.

6. My home.  I'm not talking about "my" house or "Mike's house," or any house in particular, just the fact that we are fortunate enough to have a solid roof over our heads.  Hell, we have two roofs.  Anybody want a house?  Anybody?  Please?   But seriously, I am just so very grateful that we're settled, happy, and home.  I'm a homebody - although I love to travel, I'm always happiest at home.  Especially now that The Hubs is in it. 


5. My treadmill.  No comment necessary.  Except: note to self -- GET ON IT MORE OFTEN.

4. Greek yogurt.  This was a game-changer for me in terms of nutrition. It's just yogurt.  No crap added; no chemicals, no additives... comes in a variety of brands, usually in 0%, 2% and full fat variety.  Works in savory recipes (good base for dips or sauces), and sweet (smoothies).  It packs upwards of 13 grams of protein per 6 oz serving, and I guarantee you'll never go back to buying yoplait or whatever sugar-ladden junk you're used to.


3.  Cold cold water.  On a good day, I chug 120 oz of water.  Cold cold water.  It keeps things moving, in every way imaginable.  I think to think of it as cleaning out my body.

2. Vitamin D.  Unfortunately for this MN girl, I freak out if I go too long without seeing the sun.  This makes for some very long winter months if I'm not careful about it. I get gloomy.  Lethargic.  Depressed.  The Hubs would say "that's just winter in MN," but when, in mid February, I start crying just looking out the window, that's not normal.  Enter: Vitamin D!  Oh, how I love thee, let me count the ways.  You are my magic potion; my wonder drug.  And now you come in gummy form, which is even better.  Studies show that most Americans, especially those in colder climates, are Vitamin D deficient.  We're not getting enough sun in the first place, and when we do, we are lathering on the sunscreen due to skin cancer concerns.  I used to go to the tanning booth a few times in the winter, but after a skin cancer scare a few yeas ago, I swore off it for good.  Good for the skin; bad for the vitamin D levels.  So now I just inhale Vitamin D by the handful and all is right with my world (note: that was hyperbole.  you should talk to your doctor about how much D you should be taking - in fact, have your levels tested, and if you are deficient, they will prescribe you a weekly dose)

1. Touch.  Okay here goes the esoteric waxing.  A sense of touch is one of the most powerful things in the world.  I run on pretty high anxiety levels sometimes, but all it takes is for the Hubs to take my hand, or put his palm on my back, and my blood pressure drops and I am calm and peaceful.  I remember reading a story once about how babies in third world orphanages were withering away because nobody touched them.  Giving and getting hugs is one of the greatest gifts in the world and I'm so lucky my life is filled with them!

Off and running,
Jessica