March was a strange month for us, and not in a good way. We were dealing with some mental health issues with our oldest son, another bout of the flu that took out our whole house, and a week at home for Spring Break. It was mostly chaos, just trying to stay afloat while squeezing in some work and self-care. March can honestly go F itself for all I care, but even so, there are always things that bring me little moments of joy, which I’ve included below. It’s only up from here, and I have high hopes for April. And with that, let’s dive into my March Little Things.

1. Lillie’s Q Sauces

I have quite literally been putting this Honey Gold BBQ sauce on everything these days. I say it all the time, but keeping your pantry stocked with flavor enhancers like these sauces and seasonings is a game-changer when it comes to healthy eating. You don’t have to make fancy recipes all the time; it can be as simple as cooking up some ground beef and topping it with BBQ sauce. This honey mustard sauce goes really well with chicken and pork. My other favorite sauce/dressing/marinade brand is SideDish.

2. The Rose Hill Series by Elsie Silver

Are these books literary masterpieces? Absolutely not. Could I not put these books down? Absolutely yes. The Rose Hill Series are contemporary romances set in a small mountain town in Canada. Each book is its own standalone single dad romance (yes, single. dad. romance. swoon!) focusing on a member of a group of friends. I loved them because all the characters were very three-dimensional; yes, some plot lines are a little outrageous (uh, pro wrestling definitely not my thing), but they’re written so well it doesn’t matter. Wild Eyes is my favorite, but I’ll withhold judgment until book 4 comes out. The bonus is that the “third act breakups” in these stories aren’t bad at all; in fact, if there has to be one, these are the best out there. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun escape.

3. SLAM (Strong Like A Mother) App

Now that I’m not running as much, my focus has shifted to regaining the muscle I lost during my half marathon training (almost 4 pounds of lean muscle according to my DEXA scan). The program I’ve been using for years and recommend to all my clients is the SLAM app, designed for at-home strength training for busy moms who may need modifications for their core. Every workout is modifiable, with options ranging from 30 minutes to an hour. Ashley, the trainer/founder, is releasing a new app just for women in perimenopause and menopause, called Menovation, later this year, and I can’t wait. I will definitely be switching to that one because I’m 38 and in the beginning stages of perimenopause.

4. Armchair Expert with Mary Claire Haver on Menopause

Speaking of menopause, I spend quite a bit of time on coaching calls talking about perimenopause and menopause. The state of medical research, the patriarchy, and many other reasons have left women feeling totally ignorant about the happenings within their own bodies, and it’s outrageous to me. Amazing doctors like Mary Claire Haver are trying to reverse that by spreading the word, and this podcast is a must-listen. I’m planning to use HRT (hormone replacement therapy) at the first indication that I might need them; they are actually life-sustaining longevity drugs, not the scary cancer-causing things that science led everyone to believe back in the early 2000s. If you’re a woman, then you need to educate yourself, because this is something that 100% of women go through. This podcast is a great place to start.

5. Dazzle Dry Nail Polish

I’ve talked about Dazzle Dry a number of times in the past, but it’s for a good reason. I’ve tried all the “non-toxic” gel options out there, and Dazzle Dry is by far my favorite. I love the feeling a good painted nail gives me—it’s such an easy confidence boost. Dazzle Dry lasts almost two weeks for me and only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish to apply and be completely dry. I’ve also noticed that my nails seem stronger, not weaker, when I take the polish off. I don’t know about you, but I do not have the time (or the money) to go to the salon every two weeks, plus that crap ruins my nails. Highly recommend Dazzle Dry.

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And that wraps up this month’s edition of “The Little Things”. I hope you found something useful, whether it’s a new book to add to your TBR or the perfect nail color to match your spring wardrobe. I’ll see you again next month!