My Best Amazon Purchases 2021

I am hopelessly addicted to Amazon. Do I wish Jeff Bezos spent more of his time and energy improving our planet instead of heading out into space? Absolutely yes. Am I skeptical of his business practices? 100%. But Amazon is just so convenient.  Especially given the pandemic and my desire to avoid crowds. So, as usual, I purchased lots of stuff from Amazon in 2021.

Amazon needs a frequent shopper program. If they had one, I surely would be at the highest level. I use Prime and definitely pay more but I like that my purchase generally arrives in two days. The problem is Amazon is just too darn easy and Amazon has everything, including this smart doormat.

In 2021 my purchases fell into a few categories:

• Fitness – We are lucky to have a room dedicated to workouts. You all know I am a Peloton fanatic, so the foundation of our workout room is the bike. We added several items to the gym to improve my daughter’s health
• Food – We are not foodies, but my daughter loves to bake (hence the need for all the workout equipment).
• Fundamentals – We also buy most of our fundamentals on Amazon, including cleaner (I use 7th Generation), which is now harder and harder to find.

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1. 1. Marble Jewelry Dish – Fashion Jackson recommended this jewelry dish, and it is perfect. It matches my marble countertops and holds all my little goodies. I love her blog. I want to be her when I grow up.
   2. 3rd Edition Apple AirPods – My dog munched my last AirPods, and slowly but surely, the rest of the family has lost theirs to similar fates. So Xmas will be AirPods for Everyone.
   3. Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman – Miss Gorman is amazing. Her new book is chock full of inspirational and thought-provoking poems.
   4. Gaiam Yoga Block – These blocks are necessary for the beginning yoga student or anyone who is seriously not flexible. We bought two sets so that my daughter and husband could do yoga together.
   5. Serta Sherpa/Fleece Heated Throw – My daughter struggles with regulating her temperature. We bought this to keep her warm. This heated throw is perfect for those extra cold nights.
   6. Portable Charger – What I love about this charger is you don’t need some other cord to charge. It has a built-in plug to charge anywhere.
   7. Instant Vortex 6 Quart Air Fryer – We didn’t jump on the Air Fryer bandwagon all of 2020. We finally gave in mid-2021, and now I wonder why we waited so long. Oh yeah! It is just another device to store. If you don’t yet have an Air Fryer or an InstaPot, consider getting a dual appliance like this InstaPot Duo.
   8. Brown Kraft Wrapping Paper – Consider switching to this brown recyclable wrapping paper for your gifts. It makes a perfect canvas for decorating for any holiday or celebration. Traditional wrapping paper is not recyclable.
   9. Acrylic Spice Rack Wall Mount – We had a shelf dedicated to our ever-growing spice collection (I blame Trader Joe’s) in our far too small pantry.  Now the spices are mounted on the wall freeing up space for more snacks. Unfortunately, we never have enough snacks, according to my teen kids.
   10. An Indegiounous People’s History of The U.S. – As Americans, it is essential to reckon with our history. Understanding the history of the Indegiounous people of the U.S. is critical in overturning our “colonizer” mindset and atoning for our ancestors. We all live on Native communities’ land. If you want to know what Indegiounous tribe lived on your land before, type in your zip code at Native-Land.ca. For example, most of San Diego is on Kumeyaay land.
   11. TIGI Colour Lustre Hair Oil – This hair oil adds some shine to dull-colored locks. The smell is more musk than flowery, which works well for anyone allergy-prone.
   12. Nano Towels – The claim is you can clean with just water and the Nano towel. They are similar to the Norwex cloths without the MLM nonsense. Honestly, I only use it with cleaner, so I cannot comment on its cleaning power with water alone. Try swapping your paper towels for Nano towels. The earth will thank you.
   13. Drive Auto Trunk Organizer & Storage – My son asked for a trunk organizer for Xmas. This momma was so proud. This one has two compartments and can be hooked into the sides of your car so it doesn’t slip around.
   14. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition – I only read on Kindle. Over time, my font size has gotten bigger and bigger despite wearing readers. This new Kindle offers more screen space for less page-turning. It also provides tons of storage so you can bring your library with you everywhere.
   15. Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Throw Blanket – I bought this blanket for my kids for Christmas last year, and I loved it so much that I went back and bought one for our bed. Genuinely fantastic quality for the price and available in so many fabulous colors.
   16. Handful Y-Back Sports Bra – These are my go-to sports bras. Years ago, I got accustomed to wearing a sports bra to sleep, and I never gave up the practice. The Handful Sports Bra is comfortable enough to wear for sleep but offers enough support for exercise.
   17. SaltStick Vitassium Electrolyte Supplement – This supplement has a cult following. It is popular amongst endurance athletes and people struggling with Dysautonomia like my daughter. Vitassium prevents the salt from upsetting your stomach. POTS patients take extra salt to help them retain fluids. The extra fluids help boost their blood supply.
   18. 2XU High Rise Compression Leggings – These are the best compression leggings on the market. My daughter has to wear compression leggings to help her blood not pool in her legs. She also wears compression leggings from Old Navy. The 2XU are expensive and work well for maximum compression. The Old Navy Compression leggings are fantastic for every day, and you can’t beat the price.
   19. Baker’s Joy Nonstick Cooking Spray – Take it from my baker daughter; this stuff is the best way to keep your cakes from sticking to the pan.
   20. Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbells – Dumbbells are no longer in short supply but still so expensive. I snagged these when I found them for my son and for when I can finally level up.
   21. Simple Modern 28oz Tumbler with Straw – I am obsessed with this cup. I have so many of them, and I give them to everyone I can think of. It fits the cup holder in cars and keeps drinks cold for hours.
   22. Touch iPad Keyboard Case – I have the Apple Smart Folio for my iPad, but when my son wanted something similar for his school iPad, I looked for something less expensive. This iPad Keyboard rotates, and the keyboard lights up. It is a fraction of the cost of the Apple keyboard, and the quality is good.
   23. Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier – The only flavor to get is the Lemon-lime. This electrolyte has a cult following like Vitassium. We buy in bulk. Hydration is key for POTS sufferers.
   24. Nimbus Extra Soft Toothbrush – My dentist recommended this toothbrush. Now my whole family swears by them.
   25. Indoor Plant Stand – My pandemic indulgence was buying plants. Plants and pancakes, but that is a story for another time. I have plants on stands all over my house. I like the simplicity of this stand. It lets the plant shine.
   26. Zacro Gel Bike Seat Cover – This is my 3rd bike seat cushion. The gel seat covers are the most comfortable, but they do not last as long. Still, I keep reordering the gel, and my bum thanks me.
   27. Microwave Multi Mat 9.5″ – Certainly, this is not the fanciest item on my list, but it is so practical. I use this mat in my microwave and then as an oven mitt to pick up any hot items. The non-skid service makes it great as a drying rack near your sink as well.
   28. AquaFit 1 Galloon Water Bottle – My cure for every ailment is always “drink more water.” It turns out I am right when it comes to POTS sufferers. More water means more blood volume and less fainting or dizziness. Getting enough water a day is hard for anyone, but my D.D. should drink 90 oz. Every. Single. Day. This gallon water bottle helps us visualize how well she is doing on water consumption for the day. It is also a good reminder for me to drink more water. I need to follow my advice: less tea, more water.

Kindle Reads for 2021

For most of 2020, I found myself unable to concentrate enough to read. The pandemic, politics, and social justice issues had me feeling overwhelmed. When I finally sat down to relax, all I had the bandwidth for was playing mindless games on my phone or endlessly watching the news. So when 2021 came around, I told myself I would read more, and I did.

Did I read as much as I wanted to this year?  – not even close. But, I am focusing on the positive. I also read some great books this year, which is a win in mind.

My goal this year was to read one book a month. I know, not too ambitious but a big step up from the previous year. In compiling this list, I realized I almost made it. With a few weeks left in 2021, I am sure I can reach my goal. The last book in the Shatter Me series will be a quick read and doable after finishing Once There Were Wolves.

• Shatter Me & Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi – Book 1 and 2 in the series about a girl with a touch that can kill.
• The Devil May Dance by Jake Tapper – I love Jake Tapper. He is whip-smart and witty. He shows off his incredible research skills in this murder mystery. But, unfortunately, the famous characters are not all that interesting.
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – I thought this a bit formulaic, but I was wrong. A twist makes this worth the read.
• The Couple Next Door by Shari LaPena – Another book with a twist. The characters are far more engaging than in the Silent Patient.
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – I liked this book, but I fell victim to the hype. By the time I got around to reading, I expected a bit more—still an excellent book and worth the read.
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is my favorite book of 2021. The story of two Black sisters, one who chooses to live as a white woman and the other who embraces her blackness. As an adopted child, I identified strongly with the message of what makes us who we are.
• The House on Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – A sweet story of love and acceptance. I recommended it to my daughter.
• The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow – I am a sucker for any story about witches. I also love historical fiction, so this book pushed all my buttons. The story of three sisters in New Salem during the Suffrage movement is so detailed and nuanced you feel like you are there.
• Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy – I am currently reading this book, and I love wolves. I am drawn to this story but also afraid of it. When the first wolf died, I almost gave up. But the story of Inti and her hypersensitivity resonates with me. So I will keep going but cautiously.

I want to say in 2022, I will shop less at Amazon, but that is likely untrue. Since it seems Jeff Bezos is unwilling to improve our planet with his billions, I hope our government starts taxing him appropriately and using the money for social programs that help the average American. Then I won’t feel so guilty when my Alexa bings alerting me to a new package at my door.

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