It’s that time of year again! The time of year where I share with you my favorite things from 2019/or that I’m using heading into 2020. While I know that I’m no Oprah, I also know you value my opinion and trust my advice, so believe me when I say that I’ve made sure to only include my absolute favorite, wouldn’t-trade-them-for-the-world items. Everything here would make the perfect gift for the athleisure-wearing, coffee-drinking, health conscious Mama.
Let’s dive in!
Let me share this favorite thing by telling a story about my life before the Ember mug made its debut. As a toddler Mom, I found myself reheating my morning coffee in the microwave, or drinking it cold an hour after I poured it… every. day. So when a friend told me about the Ember mug months ago, I had to grab it! It instantly allowed me to keep my coffee warm for indulgent sipping all morning, which, hey… When you’re not a morning person and your coffee is life, this thing is magic. The fact that they now carry it in a travel mug version, with programmable temperature control… GAME CHANGING! I now tote this with me to preschool drop-off, carry it along on my trip to Target and guess what? When I get home a couple hours later, it’s still steaming hot. I cannot recommend this more.
Since we’re on the topic of coffee, let me share my nerdyness for what it means to consume healthy coffee. 95% of coffees on the market, (yes, even if they’re sold at Whole Foods), are covered in mycotoxins and mold. It’s for this exact reason that for years, I would get massive brain fog and jitters from my cup of joe. When I was introduced to Bulletproof coffee years ago, I was hooked. I felt like it elevated my focus, especially when blended Bulletproof style with some grass-fed butter and MCT oil, and I instantly found myself researching coffee to learn what makes mycotoxin-free, shade grown organic beans superior to others. This year, I was introduced to a high school friend’s coffee company, Lifeboost, and I now look forward to my second cup of Highlander Grogg Lifeboost on Saturdays.
Of course, I can’t make coffee recommendations without also including my newest favorite in the Swisher family coffee cupboard, FourSigmatic. While it does contain 50% organic Arabica beans, it also contains some superfood mushrooms (many of which have been scientifically proven to increase memory and focus). They even make a Hot Cocoa!
3. Ninja Foodie
Calling all meal prepping friends! I recently discovered the Ninja Foodie All-in-One, and I am OBSESSED. I can now meal prep all of the things… burgers on its grill, chicken, eggs, veggies, and full meals on ONE DEVICE. This is a game changer for me in the world of meal prep, and I’m so stoked to be offering it to you! For a limited time, this beast is $30 off regular price, and it seriously eliminates the need for anything else in your kitchen. If you live in a small apartment and cook for 1, or cook for a large family, this bad boy is your gift from the healthy eating gods.
4. Adidas Shoes
Would this blog post be complete without my share of my favorite shoes of the year? I’m such a footwear fanatic! I’ve been getting questions on my Stories about where I get my shoes, so I thought I’d share with you this steal of a find. Can you beat $60 for a pair of cross-training, go-with-everything sleek black slip-on Adidas shoes? No, ma’am, you cannot. These things shipped to me in just a couple days, and I wear them nearly every day with black leggings. So comfy, so neutral, so sporty. Get you some.
5. Sorel Boots
When I’m not wearing the sporty kicks, I’m wearing these super warm and cozy boots that also go with everything. Gray, black, and brown all in one boot make these the perfect match to sweater-wearing this winter. I’ve never been an Ugg girl but I am becoming a Sorel girl. These are the real deal!
I also get questions almost daily about my favorite workout leggings and apparel. I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you that my company has recently jumped into fitness apparel, and so 90% of what I wear is from them! The leggings are high rise and fit so perfectly, making burpees seamless (without that awkward hip shimmy to keep your pants up), the sports bras are pure perfection, and the hoodies are so in style with their looser fits. Check out the matching sets if you’re into matching, or the branded apparel if you’re not!
7. FitVine Wine (Case of Mini Bottles)
You guys. I discovered years ago that, much like the coffee I was drinking, wine made my head hurt, gave me brain fog, and sometimes even made me nauseous due to such high sugar. When I was introduced to FitVine, everything changed. FitVine is known as a dry farm wine, meaning that there are no sugars or sulfites added to the wine. It tastes SO GOOD, and doesn’t leave you with all of those unwanted wine side effects, AND it’s lower in calories and carbs. You can find the big bottles here on this site as well, or at your local health grocer like Whole Foods or Fresh Thyme, but my personal recommendation is the case of mini bottles so that you can enjoy your wine in moderation. You’ll love this stuff!
8. Devotional to Kick off Your 2020: A Leader’s Heart
While this book isn’t new, it’s new to me and I’m absolutely loving it. I wake up every morning and when my feet hit the floor, I grab my devotional off of my nightstand and read my page for the day, share gratitude, and then get dressed and go. This devotional has my heart. As a John Maxwell fan and a reader of over 2 dozen of his books, this one is speaking to where I am in my life journey right now: leading my daughter and my family, my Team, and my own self. If you’re in a similar place, this could find it’s place on your nightstand, too.
This will be my fifth year using the Day Designer planner. Trust me when I say, I’ve used them all. I like to be able to incorporate my family’s plans, my work goals and to-do’s, and my activities in one place. Push journals and themed planners give me anxiety. This one is pretty, it’s organized, and it allows me to plan out my month and my weeks/days clearly. If you’re looking for a great planner to help you tackle 2020, this one won’t let you down!
It goes without saying that I’m a woman who has experienced it ALL when it comes to hormone imbalance, and as a woman who also trains like an athlete, this book by Stacy Sims has introduced me to the cutting edge science that is now telling women to eat and train around their menstrual cycles. I’ve read it cover to cover twice, and reference it at least weekly. If you’re someone who struggles with PCOS, infertility, PMS migraines, irregular cycles, or your body isn’t cooperating when it comes to eating healthy and exercising, check out this book. It could be the difference maker! (And I should mention, I’m leading a group of 15 women through this book and regimen beginning 1/6/20. Email me for more details!)
These are so cute, and perfect for the holiday season! Stores are running out, so if this one doesn’t have your size, check Hibbett’s Sports and Nordstrom (where I got mine). They fit true to size, and truth be told, I plan to wear them to workout AND to my family Christmas with a red tunic sweater. I love dressing leggings up and down. And I hate real pants.
12. Gluten-Free Kodiak Pancake Mix
This is the best pancake mix on the market, and I don’t even care if you’re self-proclaimed gluten-free or not. While Kodiak brand is better than most in their non-GF products, the ingredients in this particular one take the cake and are SO much better for you! We buy the 6-pack and keep stock in our pantry. Our toddler’s favorite way to make them is with unsweetened coconut milk, Enjoy Life chocolate chips, and a couple tablespoons of pumpkin puree. Enjoy!
I’ve owned 8 portable chargers in the last 5 years, and this one is by far the best. It holds a charge for hours, boots up my phone quickly, and fits easily in my pocket!
14. PopBabies Portable Travel Blender
If you work a job that requires you to eat lunch on the go, or if you travel frequently, consider blending your Shakeology in this puppy! My favorite things about it: it includes an ice cube tray, so you can have ice for your smoothie waiting for you in your hotel room; it charges while blending; and you can drink from the blender cup itself while on-the-go. It’s also internationally compatible.
15. Beachbars
Words cannot describe how much I love my Beachbars. I keep them in my purse, my pantry, my car, and have even hooked my parents, brother, and in-laws, along with hundreds of other customers, on these yummy healthy snacks. Truth be told, most bars you find in stores are high in sugar, fluctuate your blood sugar, and don’t have a good protein to sugar to fiber ratio. These do! Have them autoshipped so you stay out of the bar aisle at the grocery and can stay fueled all the time! My favorite flavor is our new Chocolate Almond Crunch. My hubby loves the Cherry Chocolate Almond.
And there you have it, my friends! My top 15 things for 2019, made convenient for you with links to everything. I hope you’ve found something for yourself, or for someone you love on this list! Keep me posted on what you think, and I wish you a happy new year!
xoxo,
Jenny
*Note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn commission by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. There is no cost difference to the consumer and in fact in some cases, discounts have been applied/provided on my behalf.*