Whether we are on the road traveling near and far or simply at home, we love finding great products that make a difference in our families’ or other people’s lives. They might make life easier for someone or just make them smile. Either way, it makes us happy. So, it only makes sense to share these products with you! We decided to put together our favorite fabulous finds from around the world and post them here on a weekly basis. We hope you find them as fabulous as we do.
We’re beginning the series with Dana’s recent finds…
In January, I kicked off the New Year in Belize. I started out in Punta Gorda in the Toledo District then headed over for a week on Ambergris Caye. Needless-to-say, I brought home several fabulous finds.
Back home in Omaha for the middle part of the month, I learned that so many great things are happening here, it is about to explode. In fact, so much so that Trip Advisor just rated it in the Top 10 of up and coming cities to visit.
I wrapped up the month in New York City at the New York Time Travel Show and TravMedia Market. The city is naturally a treasure trove of amazing finds!
While I discovered a multitude of products you’re guaranteed to love, I will keep this list to 5…
Belize Chocolate Company
Travel often brings me my greatest finds and my Belize trips have brought me two. The first is the wonderful products of the Belize Chocolate Company. We shopped in the store in San Pedro, Belize on Ambergris Caye, but you can also find them online. Every day we walked past the beautiful shop, but finally stopped in one day to pick up some gifts. We savored a cup of chocolate tea, made from the shells of the cacao, and a delicious chocolate chunk cookie.
Photo credit Belize Chocolate Company.
We spend a lot of time in the Toledo Distract of Belize in the south where the majority of the cacao is grown. So, when I saw these wonderful bags made from the bags used to transport the seed, I had to buy them. Honestly, I have carried it ever since I arrived home. We also bought many chocolate products as gifts, like the scrub, cocoa, and so much more. Be sure to check out their website.
Maya Bags
My second find is from Punta Gorda, Belize. I discovered Maya Bags on one of my trips a few years ago. Founded by a woman who lives part time in the area and part time in NYC, she saw a need for the women to work and found a way to make it happen. The shop is located next to the airport, but the actual weaving is done in the villages. Materials are delivered, the women weave, then the finished pieces are brought to the shop to be finished.
Photo credit Maya Bags.
The bags are incredible. I have bought one on every trip and use them often. The bags have been featured in many fashion magazines and are sold in Bergdorf’s and Anthropology. My newest piece has even been featured in Vogue! I love that I am buying a product that sends girls to school and empowers women to share a skill that has been passed down for generations in their community.
Pawz
Man, it has been a cold and wet winter. This means there are chemicals all over the sidewalks; very dangerous for my two fabulous pups, Max and Bear. Max is a little fluffy 25 pounder and Bear is 170 pounds of pure love. Their paws would be a mess without Pawz, a great little invention. We had tried every dog bootie and shoe on the market until there were no more to try. Then, I happened upon these.
They are so easy to get on and off and keep their feet free from all the snow, ice, salts and all else on the ground. We also use them in the summer when the temperature is over 85 and the sidewalks and streets can heat up to over 112 degrees. We order ours on Amazon. Max wears Small and Bear the XL. They come in a pack of 12 and between the winter and summer, we use 2 packs per dog a year. You can purchase using our affiliate link.
Zuri
Every time I am in the village in NYC I walk into Zuri. I admire the fabrics and prints, but then walk out. Never did I think I could pull off one of their pieces. Then, I ran into JetSetSarah at the TravMedia show in NYC. Not only did I want to be her BFF, but I wanted her Zuri piece so bad.
So, the very next day, I found my way to the village and bought my fist Zuri! I am in love with it! If you are not following Sarah and her adventures, you can find her on Instagram.
Cookbook of the Week
This week, I went back to basics and picked up a copy of a book I have always wanted, but never bought; Mark Bittman’s, How To Cook Everything. I have already used so many of the recipes in this book and let me say that I am not a recipe follower. I am a – read the cookbook, get inspired, go back to reread and be inspired again – cookbook lover.
It’s also great for the basics, like what temperature to use for baking my whole chicken rather than looking it up online. I think this book will find its home on my kitchen counter forever. I bought mine second hand and then ordered one for each of the twins on Amazon. You can get your copy using our affiliate link.
I am a home cook that does things my way. In my kitchen, I make breakfast, pack lunches, prepare snacks, and cook dinner. During the week, we eat real food that is homemade, organic, and local. On the weekends we do explore more of our local restaurants. I bake my own bread, juice fresh oranges every other day, and make my own kombucha and other weekly favorites.
