Sunday, February 20, 2011

Craving Home

I've been pretty homesick lately. Here are a few of the things that I crave, want, need and hate living without.

Mail Order 
I love getting things in the mail. Especially packages filled with clothes from J.Crew, stationery from Minted, frivolous lovelies from Kate Spade, lovely smelling geranium cleaning products from Mrs. Meyer's, kitchen gadgets and makeup from Macy's, and the list goes on and on. Best of all, when in America, these things come with manageable US price tags instead of prohibitively outrageous Swiss ones! 

Whole Foods
photo from wholefoods.com
It's such a treat to walk into Whole Foods and buy super fresh produce that doesn't go bad within 12 hours. I love the Panko Bread Crumbs in a little can. Organic stuff that is affordable! Essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, local meats. I do miss Whole Foods, even if they are corporate. 

My Kitchen Appliances
photo from kitchenmixersreview.com
It's tough to bake a cake or make cookies without my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer that J and I got from my mom at my bridal shower. Other coveted items? Food processor and crock pot. I am not going to re-buy these things here. Mostly because I can't re-buy these things here. Do you know that a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer is more than $600 in Switzerland?  See for yourself. Ouch!

Top Loading Washers
photo from maytag.com
I know that front loading washers are more efficient, but I don't like them. After having a front loader for the past six months I firmly believe that top loaders get clothes cleaner (faster) and make fewer holes in them. 

Chipotle
This is probably my favorite food on the planet, and it's definitely my most missed food now that I'm in Switzerland. I am crazy for Chipotle's crispy barbacoa tacos with green tomatillo salsa, cheese, sour cream and lots of lettuce. And I always get a side of those delectable black beans, rice tossed with lime juice and finely chopped cilantro and roasted vegetables. Heaven in a little basket.

It's true that the grass is always greener! Living abroad really helps me to appreciate home like never before. I think that this time around will do it for me and when I return, I'll be happy and content to settle in and put down roots once and for all. Until then, I have learned a lot about Mexican cooking. Be on the lookout for a post about that soon!