Well-Being: It's The Little Things...

You know that saying "It's the little things"? Well, it really, really is. You know, things like when someone holds the door for you, the cup of coffee that tastes juuuust right, the cozy socks on a cold night, the why-did-this-take-so-long-to-design, upside-down ketchup bottle that never backs up?

Of course there are the other little things, too -- the ones that can totally get you down, especially when you're already on edge. The train you really needed to catch pulled away from the platform two seconds ago, the unreasonably heavy door on your apartment building that makes those heavy groceries feel like lead, the printer jam for the millionth time, for no good reason. (These are more like straws that break the camel's back, I'd say. And yes, I am now realizing that I have a thing about doors.)

But for today I want to focus on all those little things that make life better. The good things that come in small packages. (Side note: I remember my first grade teacher introducing this little adage to me, presumably referring to my diminutive size and trying to reassure me that being petite was a good thing!)

After all, I believe that in a lot of ways, being healthy and being happy is often just an assortment of little stuff that add up to a lot. Opting for whole grain rather than refined. Taking the stairs, not the escalator. Do enough of these things and over time, it amounts to a healthier life.

Anyways, with all that as preamble, here are five small but mighty items that i think offer a real mood boost or solve a problem, however small -- stuff that's perfect for gift-giving this time of year, for staying healthy during the holidays, or for just for adding a bit of warmth and sunlight to these cold, gray days.




*Tapi: Had this palm-sized little hydration helper (pictured, above) been around when I was a kid, it might have saved me from a lot of frustration. Brief backstory: Growing up, I shared a bathroom with my older brother. He was quite slobby. I was quite neat. He also drank directly from the faucet, and this drove.me.bonkers. I begged; I plead; I raged. And he continued to slurp straight the spigot, mouth on chrome. But with a quick squeeze, this Aussie-designed invention transforms most taps into a drinking fountain. Let go and the faucet runs as usual. Oh, how many sibling squabbles this might have saved me! ($5, at Dreamfarm.com.au)



*BabyJogger Stroller Hand Muff: At last, my hint was heeded, and I got my chapped and chilled mitts on this item, and while before I could only SPECULATE on what a winter-weather-winner it might be, now I can effuse that it's sort of changed my life. I know, it sounds hyperbolic, but warm hands = easier strolling, fewer lost gloves, and more time in the fresh air as opposed to being cooped-up indoors. Scientific act: more fresh air makes for a less-fussy toddler (and momma, too). ($40, at buybuybaby.com)



*Nuddle: It may bring to mind the mass-market goofiness of the Snuggie and the Slanket, but the Nuddle (pictured, above) is actually a plush little problem solver. It's a super-soft baby blanket with holes to accomodate those five-point straps on a stroller and a cozy foot pocket, so that the blanket doesn't slip off and tangle in the wheels. ($38, at nuddleblanket.com)



* Finger Spoons: How many times have I been caught without a spoon with which to eat my morning yogurt? And how many times have I resorted to my finger? Or, worse yet, attemped to chug it directly from the cup? Not very couth, and not very clean either. Solution: Toss a brightly colored Finger Spoon (pictured, above) or two into your travel bag or your desk drawer and never have to wipe yogurt off your face or finger. Super-fun for kids, too. ($7.75 at Spoonsisters.com)



* Digital Spoon Scale: Able to toggle between weight and volume, this scale-spoon hybrid (pictured, above) is an easy way to make baking more accurate and ensure that you stick to proper portions in your diet. After all, who really knows what an ounce of dark chocolate or a proper portion of mixed nuts looks like? ($34, at Spoonsisters.com)