Pretty Cheese, Frozen Fat and A Couple of Other Really Good Things

Sometimes in life you need something extra. Not diamonds-and-a-hundred-foot-yacht-extra; just some good stuff that makes an ordinary day a little better. Or that makes many days a little better. Here in no particular order are a few cool things I enjoy or have enjoyed recently. I think you need to know about them too. You’re welcome.

SPREAD & CO.

If you can stop staring at Rosemary Nolan’s cheese boards long enough to take a bite, you’ll find that everything on them is as delightful and delicious as it looks. Salty Prosciutto shaped into tiny rosettes. Artfully sliced fruit. Pink pickled cauliflower. (Yes it’s pink!) And of course cheese glorious cheese. These boards are absolute works of art. My girls and I ordered one the Friday before Thanksgiving vacation last year. Then we ordered another one the Friday AFTER Thanksgiving, you know...just to make sure it was as good as we thought the first time. (Two thumbs up.) My 9-year-old wants to serve one at her birthday party at Jump Street. I think it’s safe to say a board from Spread & Co. will be a multi-annual tradition at our house! They come in different sizes, they can be delivered and they will make any coffee table, buffet or picnic look top notch. Rosemary also does made-from-scratch jams, pickles, mustard and crackers as well as gift boxes, brie and custom installations for parties and events. Not only does she make your cheese board look like it should be framed and hanging over the mantle, she is as sweet as can be. You should definitely get on board. (Spread & Co., Austin, Texas)

BRAGG ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR ALL NATURAL DRINKS

Often found on my nightstand: my favorite Limeade BRAGG Apple Cider Vinegar Drink.

The benefits of apple cider vinegar are many: it’s said to regulate blood sugar levels, improve your skin, reduce blood pressure, boost gut health and enhance weight loss, just to name a few. But I liken drinking it to swallowing liquid fire with some bleach and a mini pocket knife, all at once. It BURNS and it HURTS. (Opinions expressed in this blog are mine and solely mine but I'm right about this because ask anyone and they will say the same thing. No offense to the makers of ACV. We know you're doing a good thing). So when I was grocery shopping and happened upon these drinks by BRAGG, aka the gods of apple cider vinegar, I was curious. Could they take the sting out of drinking ACV? I got the limeade and loved it! Then my mom tried it and she loved it. Then I started telling people on social media and they told me they tried it and loved it. My friend Katie doesn't love it but I just tell her that leaves more for me to enjoy. (I'm drinking one as I write this post, in fact. Can't stop, won't stop). I have also tried other flavors including apple cinnamon, grape and pomegranate. They are all good but the limeade is hands down my favorite. It’s delicious and refreshing every time, plus it has zero everything: calories, fat, sodium, carbs and sugar. Zilch. Nada. Also it's gluten-free. If you’re like me and you’re looking to get on the ACV bandwagon but you just can’t get it down the hatch, you should definitely give these a try. And bonus: I swear it’s helping to flatten my tummy! Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar All Natural Drinks are available at H-E-B, Whole Foods, Sprouts and I'm sure at other stores too, those are just the places where I get mine.

COOLSCULPTING

Speaking of a flatter tummy, you’ve probably heard about CoolSculpting on tv or the radio. I tried it last spring/summer and I’m here to tell you it’s kind of like magic. (Better yet, it's FDA-cleared magic that doesn't involve any cutting, anesthesia or time off from work). Life events, comfort food and some lazy behavior took a toll on my mid-section. I eventually started working out again but certain pesky spots were not budging. I had my CoolSculpting treatments done by licensed Medical Aesthetician and Master Skin Care Specialist Laurel Corrinne at her immaculately clean, up-to-date, darling studio. (The interior is all white; so pristine and crisp. And she plays French music. I like to pretend I live there). The device has attachments of different sizes so pretty much any area can be treated: inner thighs, arms, the back, under the chin. Laurel suggested we focus on my abdomen (I call it Tammy the Tummy) and flanks (named Hank & Frank), those stubborn spots that kept hanging on no matter what changes I made to my diet and exercise routine. Laurel is a perfectionist with sharp pointy little fingers. (I say that in the most loving of ways, and it will make sense in a minute). Once the area of treatment has been determined and marked, you lay down on the table and she carefully places the CoolSculpting machine on the designated Tammy, Hank or Frank before covering you up with a big fluffy blanket. CoolSculpting freezes and loosens the fat through numbing and suction for 30-45 minutes per area. I have a high pain tolerance so I felt fine with very minimal discomfort. In fact I would often fall asleep during my sessions. When time is up, Laurel removes the device and massages the area for two minutes. I use the term massage loosely; this is where those sharp pointy fingers come in. Laurel poked and prodded and jabbed until I thought I would die from a tickle attack! I was LOL-ing like crazy! But she has to move that frozen fat around (especially the stubborn cells that are hanging on for dear life) so it will let go and eventually move on out. After two treatments a few months apart, Tammy, Hank and Frank were much smaller, flatter and slimmer. (The body photos above show me on the left before my first treatment in May and on the right in October when all was said and done.) You don’t really lose weight, but you do lose the pesky areas that don’t seem to respond to anything else. At least I did. There's no down time, clothes fit better and I feel better. That’s why I have forgiven Laurel for the poking, prodding and jabbing. And I think she has forgiven me for nearly kicking her in the face because I’m so ticklish. CoolSculpting is available at Laurel Corrinne Studio, 1107 S 8th St., Austin, Texas 78704 or call (512) 799-1729 for an appointment.

HYDROPEPTIDE COLLAGEL+ LINE LIFTING HYDROGEL EYE MASKS

My best Tim Tebow impersonation.  Seriously though, these eye masks are a game changer. — My best Tim Tebow impersonation. Seriously though, these eye masks are a game changer.

Tired eyes, puffy eyes, fine lines. How do you deal with them? (Asking for a friend.) I’ll tell you how: Polypeptide Collagel Masks by HydroPeptide. These slick little pads are placed under the eyes on clean, dry skin for 15-20 minutes. (I left them on for 30. More is more, right?) They hydrate, boost collagen and pump skin renewing antioxidants straight into one of the most delicate areas on your face. I think it’s important to take good care of your skin and I have used numerous skin products from drug-store brands to expensive department store stuff. But I have to say I have never seen a product do so much good for my skin—especially around the eyes!!—after just one use! When I took them off, my skin was visibly smoother and it felt amazing. They are game changers and quite magical and they will be a staple in my beauty regime forevermore. HydroPeptide Polypeptide Collagel+ Line Lifting HydroGel Mask for Eye available at Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 1611 W 5th St. #155, Austin, Texas 78703. Call (512) 362-5777 for an appointment.