stranded: halloween candy edition

I haven't done a "Stranded With" post since June ... oops! But I actually remembered today's post in time to get something posted, so here you go!

Today's topic, in honor of the month, is Halloween candy. Because of my rather restrictive diet, I can't eat much candy anymore, but I'm going to say that in this scenario, I would magically no longer need to avoid gluten!

1. Twix
Twix has been my favorite candy for as long as I can remember. That crispy shortbread cookie and gooey caramel wrapped in milk chocolate ... well, the thought of it is making my mouth water! A gigantic supply of Twix would definitely make any deserted island stay a lot happier.

2. M&M's
Here's the thing—I don't crave M&M's. I don't even like them that much. But once I start eating them, I. Cannot. Stop. Especially when I'm driving. I should never have M&M's when I travel, but they always seem to find their way into my cart when I'm shopping for a trip. So, if I ever became stranded, chances are good I actually would have some M&M's on me!

3. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
It would be a sad day indeed if I ever had to stop eating peanut butter. Peanut Butter Cups—especially frozen ones—are so good! Plus, peanut butter has protein, so Peanut Butter Cups could maybe pass for a meal on a deserted island ...

Speaking of Peanut Butter Cups...
I've had to change my diet drastically over the past few years as I fight Hashimoto's and reclaim my health. I still eat M&M's sometimes (even though I shouldn't), and I haven't yet found a good replacement for Twix, but I found the best peanut butter cup recipe! I make it far too often, and the flavor is pretty close to the real thing.

What Halloween candy would you want to have on a deserted island? Let me know in the comments, or leave a link to your own post so I can visit your blog!

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stranded: netflix edition

Well, this month's edition of Shay & Erika's "Stranded With" totally snuck up on me. But seeing as I'm all about Netflix (and Hulu, and Amazon Prime), it didn't take me very long to pick my three shows for the Netflix edition :-)

1. Friends

I have a long history with Friends, which premiered when I was in junior high. (Don't do the math ...) When my mom caught me watching it, she banned it, and I basically stayed away from it until college, when I caught an episode here and there. Back when I had cable, I'd often watch an episode or two on Nick at Night before going to bed. I ended up buying the whole series a couple years ago ... but now that Friends is on Netflix, it's just too easy to binge! My sister is currently watching for the first time, and we often chat about what she's seeing. Today, she finally (FINALLY) got to one of my very favorite episodes: "The One Where Everybody Finds Out."

Anyway, if I was stranded on a deserted island, I'd definitely want to have my Friends with me!

2. LOST

I mean, of course! If I'm stranded on a deserted island, why not watch a show about people stranded on a deserted island? Besides, I would love to experience the series again--I haven't watched since it aired, and I'm sure there's a ton I've forgotten!

3. Friday Night Lights

Because becoming stranded might be the only thing that would actually get me to finish this series! (I've tried. Multiple times. And I've liked what I've seen. I think I'm stuck in the middle of season three, but it's been two years since I watched an episode.)

Now my honorable mentions--these almost made the cut:

• NCIS
• Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Hart of Dixie
• Psych
• Monarch of the Glen

What three Netflix shows would you want to have access to on a deserted island?

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stranded: book edition

It's time for the 2nd edition of Shay & Erika's "Stranded With!" Today's topic is books. What three books would I want if I found myself stranded on a deserted island?

1. The Bible

This was an easy one--surely if I was stranded on a deserted island, I'd want a Bible with me. But I had to think about which one of my Bibles I'd want. (Seriously, how blessed are we to live in a time and place where we can own multiple copies of God's Word?) I would take my NLT Note Maker's edition.

I've had this Bible for more than 10 years, so much of my spiritual journey is chronicled in it. I'd be able to look back at where I'd been, as well as continue to write about I learned, which, on a deserted island, would probably be a lot. (So we'd have pens, too, right?)

2. Meant to Be Mine

Surely I'd need something entertaining. I've read Becky Wade's Meant to Be Mine twice now, and I think I could read it many more times without becoming tired of it. While Lori Wick's Sophie's Heart will always hold a special place in my heart, I think Meant to Be Mine has taken its place as my all-time favorite book. It's such a great romance! (See my review.)

3. Family Medical Guide

At first, I thought that I wouldn't want this particular edition of the Better Homes & Gardens Family Medical Guide, seeing as it's copyright 1973, but when I mentioned it to a coworker, he said that much of the info, especially in the first aid section, would probably still be useful ... and the other stuff could be really entertaining.

This book belongs to my parents, and I used to pour over it as a child. For some unknown reason, this page was my favorite:

Maybe I subconsciously knew that I would have loads of digestive difficulties throughout my life!

Regardless, I know I would want a medical reference on the island, as I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have access to my friend (sometimes frenemy) Google.

So there's my list. If you had to choose three books to take to a deserted island, what would you take?

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stranded: medicine cabinet edition

I'm joining a new linkup today, and it's so fun! Every month, we'll be sharing three things we'd want if we were stranded on a deserted island. Today's topic is Three Medicine Cabinet Items. Check out mine, and then click through and check out everyone else's necessities in the linkup!

1. Lavender Essential Oil

I'm not particularly "oily," though I do have several in my collection. I buy from Edens Garden because they have low prices and free shipping--and at least from what I can tell, the quality is good! Anyway, lavender eo is amazing on burns. And being on a deserted island, the chances of getting burned are very high!

2. Toothpaste

(Why yes, I am stockpiling this toothpaste! By far, the cheapest place I've found it is Thrive Market, but I don't plan to renew my subscription when my year membership ends, so I buy a tube or two each time I order!)

I'm sure many people would say toothbrush here, but toothpaste is more important to me than a toothbrush. (And I could probably fashion some sort of toothbrush from sticks or something.) I have sensitive teeth, so too long without my toothpaste, and I'd be hurting.

3. Deodorant

Because who wants to be stinky? (Doesn't this deodorant look like it came straight out of the 80's? I've been experimenting with more natural options recently, and this was recommended by someone in the For the Love launch team group. It works better than anything else I've tried! I get it from Vitacost--which is my go-to store for healthy/obscure food items and products.)

What three medicine cabinet items would you want on a deserted island?

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