So how do you marry sturdy, sexy, and not made in a sweat shop? In a word, Fluevogs. Pictured here is my latest pair. They’re distinctive, definitely, and comfortable.

I like that it’s a Canadian company. The shoes aren’t made here, but in places like Spain and Peru. Here’s a video that is a testament to the quality:

The Making of a Fluevog Shoe

Except for one type of noodle: shirataki noodles. They’re made of a particular type of yam. It’s low-carb, gluten-free, and doesn’t need to be cooked – though its flavour improves if you rinse them and dry-roast them in a non-stick frying pan. They come in plain (loose and tied into cute little bows) and tofu (spaghetti, linguini, and angel hair widths) varieties. A noodle for all seasons, so to speak.

I use these noodles as a substitute to pasta with bolognese sauce, as soup noodles for a low-carb, home-made pho, and carbonara. They’re filling and best of all, practically no calories. They have become a staple of our household.

By sheer luck, I found the perfect container. The Thermos 2465 is that container. It keeps my tea hot forever, it seems, and my water cold. The flip-top lid can be operated with one hand, and the locking mechanism means that I can travel with this in my hand luggage with confidence.  (Just be sure to empty it before you go through security.) The mouthpiece is about 1″ in diameter, which provides a good beverage stream while preventing spillage. One thing I learned is to be sure that the blue gasket ring, inside the lid, is seated properly, or you will get a leak when you tip the bottle.

I work on the premise that if I really like something, the manufacturer discontinues it shortly after I discover it. So we have about a half-dozen of these at home, which I figure should last us for my lifetime.