A few of my favorite things….

You know what I need to do? Drink more water.  You know what I want to do? Drink more Diet Dr. Pepper.

Unfortunately, sometimes in life, we have to trick ourselves into doing the things that are good for us. While I’ve got a long list of habits I’m working on, today I’m focusing on water.  I’ve never been a great water drinker—until recently. It all started when someone told me that adding Crystal Light to water could help with kidney stones. And let me tell you, if you’ve ever had a kidney stone, you’d probably drink motor oil if someone told you it would prevent another one.  So I did a quick consult with the famous Dr. Google and discovered that Crystal Light contains citrate, which binds with calcium in urine and helps prevent the crystallization of stone-forming materials. Say no more, I was in.  So I started using flavor packets, and honestly, it changed my whole relationship with water. My current obsession? Wyler’s Banana. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it—it’s like banana Laffy Taffy, minus the sugar. Even my continuous glucose monitor is a fan. 

But then… I found the perfect water bottle.  (Yes, I’ve said this before. My husband will confirm that I have no fewer than 20 “perfect” bottles to prove it.)  But this time… I really mean it.  Introducing: The Owala.  You can sip like a straw or tip like a bottle, and for some reason, that combo sparks an unreasonable amount of joy for me. I love it so much, I have made sure everyone in the family has one.  My kids have one, my husband has one, my mom has one, and even my aunt caved under light (okay, strong) peer pressure and got a “baby” one. So far, it’s a hit across the board!

And of course, if you’re going to own the perfect water bottle(s), you need something to carry them in. Enter: Vera Bradley’s “Lighten Up” bag.  My friend Carrie forever will be the queen of carrying all the drinks, but I think I come in a close second. This bag is amazing—it’s cute, functional, and roomy enough for all my beverages. If you live near an outlet, run, don’t walk.

Last but not least, I have to share one more game-changer:  A roller bag that has totally transformed how I work on the go. It holds everything—laptop, extra monitor, iPad, keyboard, small first aid kit, kids’ fidgets, my desk supplies (yes, even the stapler), and more. If your job is even remotely mobile, this bag will change your life.

So there you have it—a few of my favorite things this week. May your water be flavored, your bag be organized, and your week be a little extra like me.