How I Get My Daily Dose of Multivitamins and Minerals

Getting your daily dose of mutivitamins and minerals is important (per my primary physician).  I've honestly tried the whole horse pill route.  I have a collection of women's multivitamins and minerals bottles from GNC, BJ's, Up&Up (Target), etc.  And each bottle is basically new because I have a problem swallowing such large pills. I even purchased a pill splitter but that gets messy (the pills crumble) and the blades in the pill splitters are not travel friendly (TSA anyone?).

This past Monday, I explained my good intentions to my doctor but all she heard was, "excuses, excuses, excuses."  She told the following:  Flintstones Complete (the chewable multivitamins and minerals tablet for children) works just as well!!  The only caveat: since I'm iron deficient, I have to take additional iron supplements.  This was fine by me because I'm already taking additional iron supplements.

I went to Target and purchased Up&Up's Children's Multivitamin Dietary Supplement (the Target house brand version of Flintstones Complete).  A quick comparison of BJ's Women's Daily Multivitamins and Minerals and Up&Up Children's Multivitamin Dietary Supplement shows that while the vitamin/mineral breakdown is not exactly the same, it is indeed comparable for the most part.  (For those of you who need more calcium, you will need to take a calcium supplement.)

I now take a children's multivitamin dietary supplement tablet and a iron supplement tablet daily.  I'm feeling good about being more pro-active in maintaining my health...and I'm hoping that it translates directly into more energy!

For those of you who are like me and have a hard time swallowing large multivitamins and minerals pills, grab the children's chewable multivitamins tablets!!

Note:  I was tempted to buy the multivitamins gummy bears.  However, after a comparison of the labels, the multivitamins gummy bears fall short on what you need.  Skip it. 

I May Iron Like Crap, But I Steam Like A Pro!

I suck at ironing.  I iron wrinkles in rather than iron them out.  In addition, I have singed not only my clothes but also myself.  What's a gal to do with a closet full of wrinkled clothes?  Buy a garment steamer (on sale, of course).

I was able to snag Conair's Deluxe Compact Fabric Steamer for about $20 (from Kohl's) and I can now steam clothes like a pro!

This garment steamer is indeed compact compared to the "pro" versions that have built-in racks.  In lieu of a built-in rack, the Deluxe Compact Fabric Steamer comes with an over-the-door hook that will hold hangers and the hose head:

The hose wraps around the tank for easy (and compact) storage.  Two attachments are included: crease and lint.  I'm pretty sure that I will never use the former and may occasionally use the latter.

Unless you're going to consistently steam your entire wardrobe, don't shell out the big bucks for a pro version.  This compact version works quite well.  I steamed about 8 items and it took me about less than 15 minutes, probably even less than 10 minutes.  (I will keep you posted as to durability. I'm hoping that this is a quality garment steamer and won't conk out on me after several uses.)

There was a slight learning curve but if you keep the following in mind (aka "my mistakes"), you'll be a steaming like pro as well:

• Steam your clothes from the bottom up.  Heat rises up...and that means steam rises up.  Steaming yourself is not fun.
• Steam goes through fabric.  Hold your item taut from the bottom only.  If you hold it taut in other areas, you may accidently steam yourself.  Again, steaming yourself is not fun.
• It take longer than the stated 5 minutes for the steamer to be ready.  If you're in a rush, forget steaming.
• You clothes may be slightly damp after steaming so let them hang dry for 2-3 mintues.  Again, if you're in a rush, forget steaming.
• Do not put your freshly steamed clothes in a pile...especially if they're still a little damp.  They'll just get wrinkled again.  Make sure you hang them up.  If you have the hangers ready, it'll lessen the urge to pile the clothes up.

Food Therapy: Manzo @ Eataly

I love meat.  I love Italian food.  I had to try Manzo at Eataly, the new Italian supermarket/food court/wine bar/restaurants (and more).  To avoid disappointment, I went in with NO expectations.  As a result, I left with a fantastic experience!!  (Let me just say that (a) it's crazy crowded inside Eataly, (b) it ain't cheap to eat at Eataly and (c) it takes a few trips to get a feel for the layout of the place.) 

Since we didn't have reservations, we had about a 45-minute wait.  What did we do for 45 minutes?  We kept ourselves busy by tasting an antipasto tasting platter and downing some prosecco at the wine bar!!

• We ordered an antipasto platter of cured meats and cheese:

• It also came with honey, figs, and bread (wrapped in brown paper):

• Between the three of us (me, Sunshine and my dad), a bottle of prosecco was the better value than having everyone order by the glass:

We received the "You Table Is Ready"call just as we were finishing up our antipasto platter.  It turns out that we didn't get a table but three seats at the bar. And it was probably better than getting a table!  It's more relaxed and if you want the attention of your waiter, you have it...because he's right in front of you.  Think sushi bar experience (less the sushi) rather than bartender bar experience.

I wanted to order the Beef Tasting Menu (because how could you not want to with that name??), but we were all a bit full from the antipasto, so we ordered a la carte and shared every dish.

• We kicked off the meal with the Carpaccio Of Tenderloin: (Beef carpaccio has always been a favorite of mine.  I didn't really want to share this one...)

• It was then followed by a very addictive Agnolotti Del Plin with brown butter and pargmigiano: (My dad didn't really want to share this one...)

• I really enjoyed the Pappardelle with sausage and radicchio trevisano:  (Sunshine really didn't want to share this one...)

• I ordered the Fried Quail as my entree:  (I'm a huge fan of both fried food and quail, so how could I not??)

• And the boys ordered the Ribeye For Two as their entree:

Yes, I did share my quail...because I really wanted to taste the ribeye.  The ribeye was good but I'm still partial to the Grilled Ribeye For Two at Babbo (my waiter told me that the chef hails from Babbo) because I really appreciate a drizzle of balsamic vinegar over my ribeye.

I will make reservations next time for the Beef Tasting Menu.  This way there won't be a wait and I won't end up filling my tummy with antipasto.

Note: Eataly is located at 200 Fifth Ave (b/w 23rd and 24th St), NY, NY.