What Makes My Life Better

"This replaced my hair dryer and my round brush in one step."

What it does:

• Dries and volumizes at the same time, so one pass does the whole job
• Titanium barrel heats evenly, which cut my styling time roughly in half

I used to blow dry with one hand and fight a round brush with the other. With six kids I do not have that kind of time in the morning. This does both jobs at once and my hair holds the shape all day.

Why I like it: It gives me a salon-looking blowout on a school morning, which I did not think was possible.

"The one plant protein I have found that does not taste like chalk."

What it does:

• Plant-based and organic, so it sits easier on my stomach than whey does
• The chocolate actually tastes like chocolate, which sounds like a low bar until you have tried the others

Getting enough protein was the hardest habit to build on my way to losing eighty pounds. A shake I dread does not get drunk. This one I actually look forward to, so I keep up with it.

Why I like it: It is the one I have repurchased the whole way through my health journey.

"These make me look like I slept, which some days is a lie."

What it does:

• Takes the redness out and makes the whites of your eyes brighter
• Works in about a minute

A bottle lasts me a long time, and I only reach for them on days I need to look more awake than I feel.

Why I like it: Nothing else I have tried makes this much difference in this little time.

"I have used these on more days than any machine I own."

What you get:

• Five resistance levels, from extra light to extra heavy
• A carry pouch, so they travel

These do more than people expect, they take up no space, and you can use them while the kids are in the room.

Why I like it: Cheapest fitness thing I own and the one I would rebuy first.