Babble Panel Member Jamie's Must-Have Favorite Things
Updated: 10 hours ago
As many of you know, Babble is waaaaaayyyyy more than just Brooke Babbling about her favorite recipes, products, books, fashion... A lot of what we're Babbling about on Instagram, in the Babble newsletter or here on our website comes from our Babble Panel.
What is the Babble Panel? It is a group of 17 midlife women who we consult with daily. They share all the best stuff, and then we Babble about it! It's like we're adding you to our group chat!
Throughout the year, we love featuring the list of Favorite Things from one of our panel members. These are things they Babble about to everyone - items they simply cannot live without, links they have saved and chat about constantly. Check out Jamie's amazing list below - you just might find your next favorite thing.
Babble Panel Member: Jamie
I'm Jamie, mom of 2 x 2-legged girls (teenagers - yowsa!) and 3 x 4-legged boys (2 x German short-hair (if you have one, you know we're insane & a black lab), married to a hubby that can't sit still, soccer coach of numerous strong and amazing girls who will rule the world one day, and obsessed, some may say, with my garden and flowers.
Here are a few of my favorite things:
Favorite Food: Appetizers!
If I could pick at appetizers all day long, that may just be my perfect world. Here's one of my go-to's:
Chip Dip!
Ingredients:
1 8oz block of cream cheese
4 oz diced green chilis
1 can chili (no beans)
Bag of tortilla chips
Directions:
Mix all (minus the chips) in a pot over medium heat, reduce to low until cream cheese melts and everything is blended. Enjoy!
Looking for more appetizer fun? Check out Babble's favorite Game Day Foods here!
Product I Literally Cannot Live Without
Natural Ice Chapstick - for real, nothing fancy!
💄Looking for more recommendations for your lips? Check out Babble's recent review of all things chap stick and lip balms here!
Best Advice I've Been Given
When my dad passed way at far too early of an age, my aunt said share. Share the fun memories. Although sometimes you don't want to share anything at all because it conjures up all the sad feelings, sharing the funny moments or even the funny nuances, habits, or things they'd always say is important. My dad: Every time anyone walked in the door, "Did you miss me?!" and when you or anyone left, "Glad you got the chance to see me!" Followed by him laughing at himself...e'ry time!
Favorite Wardrobe Piece
Ok - I have a few. And they're all comfy!
My top choice are these sweatpants from Amazon. So comfy and come in several colors. Kudos to co-Babble panelist Gretchen for her recommendation!
I also love a big ol' hoodie, especially this one from Nike.
And second to that...I love a good oversized cardigan sweater like this one from Pact.
Looking for more pants recommendations from Babble? Check out our full list of favs from Amazon here!
Favorite Movie & Podcast
I watched this on the plane home from Cali about a year ago. I think it's an independent movie because it's kind of quirky and then nails the meaning at the end.
I know it's been around but The Telepathy Tapes is my current blowing-my-mind podcast!
Favorite Book
Being Mortal by Atul Gawaande Great, insightful book for those of us with aging parents. And when you need to lighten your spirits, turn to this fun, relatable (at our age) book - with some girl power as a bonus: When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons (kind of a spin off of The Devil Wears Prada). I listened on audible which was great! It's also available for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Brooke Babbled about this book in the early days of Babble - check out her review here.
Favorite Life Hack
Vinegar and water to clean your glass shower door! And if you're going out of town, putting water in the bottom of your veggie/flower starts tray.
Best Gift Idea
Getting or giving a Vuori gift card for a coach! For a friend or close relative, planning a trip and making it happen!
👖In the early days of Babble, Brooke Babbled about her love of Vuori athleisure wear - check it out here!
🩷And if you're looking for something similar but a little more affordable, check out Babble's favorite Amazon pants here.
Favorite Go-To Meal
This is my go to to take to a friend or a way to help a friend. It's an Asian meal of sorts. Check it out.
Asian Noodles
Ingredients:
8 oz angel hair pasta (or whatever Asian noodle you prefer - lo mien, stir fry, etc.)
1/3 cup stir fry sauce
2 Tb honey
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb. chicken, cut into strips
1 Tb preferred cooking oil
1 medium red bell pepper, julienned
1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges/strips
1 Tb minced cilantro
1 tsp sesame oil
1 Tb sesame seeds
Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine stir fry sauce, honey and red pepper flakes. In large skillet, saute chicken in oil. Add pepper and onion. Stir in sauce mixture. Add cilantro and cook 1 minute. Drain pasta and toss with sesame oil. Mix all together and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Notes:
*You can add any combo of veggies (broccoli, yellow/orange peppers, water chestnuts, cauliflower, etc.) and/or protein of choice.
*You can substitute any Asian sauce or salad dressing for the stir fry sauce depending your mood.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
(8 servings, 2 wraps per person)
Ingredients:
16 larger butter leaf lettuce (or any type lettuce that is bigger and sturdy enough to hold filling)
1/2 cup Asian sweet chili sauce
1 lb. chicken minced (recipe calls for thighs for deeper flavor but can do chicken breast for healthier)
2 scallions
2 Tb soy sauce
1 tsp cornstarch
2 Tb peanut oil (preferred choice of oil)
3 medium shitake mushrooms (approx. 1 oz) stemmed and minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1/4 cup unsalted roasted cashews, chopped (could substitute peanuts)
Directions:
Arrange lettuce leaves on plates/serving dish. Pour chili sauce in bowl. Mix chicken, scallions, soy sauce, and corn starch in medium bowl and let marinate 10 minutes at room temp, stirring occasionally. Heat oil in skillet. Add mushrooms and stir fry about 15 seconds.
Add garlic and ginger, 10 seconds (watch the garlic, don't want it to burn). Add chicken and cook, stirring often until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Spoon chicken into lettuce cups or put into a serving bowl for everyone to make their own. Garnish with cashews & chili sauce.
Notes:
*So many variations you could add to these (carrot strips cooked with chicken or for garnish; cucumber strips, crunchy chow mien noodles, crunchy white rice noodles, cilantro, and/or sesame seeds for garnish, siracha if you want to add a little spice!).
*If you want to enjoy more ginger flavor, you could serve with an Asian sesame ginger salad dressing instead of the sweet chili sauce - options are endless!
Favorite Hobby: Gardening!
I love gardening! It helps quiet my mind on stressful days, too.
🌱🪴🍹Note: As one of the original members of the Babble Panel, Jamie has been contributing garden tips and tricks for years. Check out some of her amazing reviews and recommendations!
More Babble Contributions
Jamie has also recommended the following all-time Babble hits:
Easiest Espresso Martini
App: Splitwise
Favorite Vacation Destination
Anywhere there's a beach and sun! Isla Holbox, Mexico; Costa Rica; Hawaii any and all times!
And we will leave you with this...
Something I've Leared As A Parent
An amazing sports psychologist gave the best advice (and she said it much more eloquently and intelligently than this!):
After a game in the car ride home, especially if your child's team lost, do not launch into any advice, feedback, etc. Their brain has not come down from the emotional state, so they are not even ready to absorb information...especially from their parent. Give them space and they will open up when they are ready. And food after any competition can improve mood, even if just a slight bit (parents included!)
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