These are a few of my favorite things...

     It is time to give a shout-out to some of my "old faithfuls"-- stuff I use every day and don't want to live without.  This list is just a quick jot, the first few things that came to mind.

1.  My Farberware Percolator

Life wouldn't be the same without it!  I love her looks, her gurgly sounds and her "perc"-y attitude.  She will hopefully last forever, sitting nearby on my stovetop.

2.  

This soap has been around since 1839, is hypoallergenic (a plus with my extraordinarily fussy skin), biodegradable, has no synthetic detergents,  has no animal by-products and  has never been tested on animals. Almost no packaging to waste. I think it is about $2 a bar.  My family uses it for showering and hair washing.  It lathers like crazy and rinses easily.  We have replaced soap, body wash, and shampoo with one bar.  

3. Spectrum Organics Coconut Oil

Versatile must be it's middle name! Safe enough to eat, this is my go-to beauty product.  I use it as a facial and body moisturizer, lip balm, massage oil, scalp conditioner AND I use this to make my own all-natural deodorant!  I can buy it at the grocery store for less than $10.  I love products that replace several others.  Less packaging is thrown out, especially since this comes in a reusable/recyclable glass jar.

4.

The Handy House Stainless Steel Drinking Straws with Cleaner

My newest find, These are reusable drinking straws.  They work great and the brush lets you get them clean, then run them through the dishwasher for good measure.  I have been searching for a reusable straw for the kids, but Matt was afraid to try the glass straws that I found.  These are perfect!  I heart them a lot!  Another disposable plastic product booted out of my life!

5.  My shredding scissors

When I had a big old shredder, I always let the shredding pile up, then inevitably when I started to shred the heap it would jam over and over again.  I have a "thing" for manual tools.  I love to use human power as much as possible.  These are small (much smaller carbon footprint) and don't jam or need to be replaced because I burned the motor out by constantly jamming it.  I shred things as I read the mail now, so no more heap!

6.  My reel mower

     

Why pay to workout when there is grass to be mown?  It is so quiet you can hear the birds sing while you push along.  No bags to empty, it self mulches which means no fertilizing.  No gas cans to fill, no oil except for the squirt of wd-40 I give it every fall.  Wonderful!

What are your "old-faithfuls"?