Ok, this is, admittedly, an oddball post. I’m just here to share things that have made immediate improvements to my quality of life, and that is the only theme here today. Here to help you get your protein, and get your sleep. No mysterious subtext, just a few good life faves, for you, My Faves.

In the Fabled Land of Getting Enough Protein – which is a full-time job for midlife women – I offer these items:

• ProT Gold Liquid Collagen Shot – 17g of complete protein

I carry these little packets with me everywhere now. They’re especially helpful when I’m traveling or out running errands.

• Optimal Amino

Compare the ingredients to the very well marketed Perfect Aminos, and you’ll see they’re comparable in every way, except price. Aminos help with recovery, protein synthesis, and muscle retention; they’re not just for body builders anymore.

• Clean Simple Eats Clear Protein

Instead of a thick milkshake style protein powder, this one is light and fruity. I use a frother to blend it well, because it doesn’t shake up all that great without mechanical help. I’ve tried several brands, and this one is by far the best.

• Happy Viking Vegan Protein

This is so chock-full of superfoods it can’t be ignored. Plus it’s creamy, not chalky, like so many plant based protein powders. High marks for 10g of fiber, too.

In the category of Getting Your Body Ready and Able to Go to Sleep, I offer these items, which have made a huge difference for me (and the holidays are coming – these all make thoughtful gifts!):

• Accupressure Mat and Pillow

Ok, I know this looks like a medieval torture device, and it kinda is. If you are a deep tissue massage person, you will get it; if you’re not an over achiever in this department, you may not love it. The first 5 minutes, you’re questioning your life choices. And then…magic. Your muscles start to feel warm and you relax into the spikes. You will sleep better than ususal after using it, too. I recommended it to a friend who called it LIFE CHANGING.

• Massage Gun

For specific knots and sore spots that need concentrated, deep massage, this is the one. It’s serious, y’all. It’s not a “massager.”

• Weighted Blanket (for warm sleepers)

Lots of weighted blankets are not only heavy, they’re HOT. This one is for the rest of us who don’t want to sweat to death under our cozy layer. It comes in tons of cute colors, too.

• Cushion Lab Pillow

If your perfect pillow quest has left you with 27 pillows that are definitely not the Goldilocks one, search no more. I tell everyone who will listen about this pillow. Kiss morning headaches goodbye.

• Red Light Therapy Mask

This isn’t technically a sleep aid, but I wear mine while I lay on the spiky mat, and the whole experience puts me in a relaxed state and prepares me for sleep. It gives you all the skin repair goodness that our midlife faces need right before you hit the pillow (pictured above, ha), so you get double duty out of the whole shebang. If you’ve been red light curious, this one has great reviews at a great price point.

• Gaia Sleep Thru

This is my Holy Grail sleep supplement.

I will not go anywhere without it. I will not run out of it. I keep a small stockpile at all times.

• Little Saints Botanical Tequila (non-alcoholic)

Packed with relaxing mushrooms (not THAT kind) and herbs, the flavor profile really hits the same notes as mescal without jacking up your sleep.

I hope you love this round up as much as I do. And I hope you get your protein and your sleep! MWAH!

As always, I wrote this post, not AI (no offense, AI, in case you’re reading this and keeping a list of naughty and nice ones for the Apocolypse, and everything). All links are indeed affiliate links, but it costs you zero dollars extra to shop with me. Thanks for your support!