Mom Culture Picks: 5 Things We Love

Editor Jeannine Cintron shares what she’s obsessed with this month

What We’re Reading: Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

I’ve been reading Jodi Picoult for as long as I can remember. The Pact and My Sister’s Keeper were two of my favorite books back when I rode the subway into the city every day and gobbled up fiction like Halloween candy. She’s written more than two dozen novels by now, and while some are better than others, her latest, Wish You Were Here, is surely a standout amongst the past year’s bestsellers. Admittedly, I normally cannot stand coronavirus content of any kind after living the nightmare of the past two years. This book is an exception. The parts about the pandemic are very real and raw and allow readers the unique perspective of those working on the frontlines with no knowledge of what they were taking on at the time. However, COVID merely serves as a catalyst for an intriguing tale involving matters of the heart, a theme Picoult has mastered perfectly.

What We’re Listening To: Dress Down Day with Eric D'Alessandro and Leanna Kostalos

Pete Davidson might hold the current title for Most Famous Comedian from Staten Island, but he's certainly not the funniest. Unlike Davidson, Eric D'Alessandro has a knack for mocking his hometown without offending more than half the borough. But you don't have to be from Staten Island to find him hilarious and relatable. Any native New Yorker will appreciate his impressions, parodies, and jokes. And while Davidson has Kim K. (if that relationship makes it to our publication date), D'Alessandro has his funny fiancé, Leanna. She's no Kardashian, but she and D'Alessandro complement each other perfectly in their podcast Dress Down Day, which launched early last year.

What We’re Sleeping On: Bamboo Sheets

I know they sound fancy (i.e. expensive) but they’re actually pretty affordable—and worth every penny. The colder it gets outside, the warmer you want to be when you crawl into bed at night. But when the heat is turned up and you’re buried under thick layers of blankets and comforters, you’re bound to wake up in a pool of sweat. Bamboo sheets can help you prevent that by staying cool all night long. How? Don’t ask me. Magic, I think? I just know these are the best sheets I have ever owned. In addition to the cooling factor, they’re super soft, wrinkle resistant, and hypoallergenic for those with sensitive skin. Get them on Amazon for as low as $50 from a variety of brands and sellers.

What We’re Downloading: Lose It

I don't know about you, but I think I ate my weight in rainbow cookies last month. I started a new diet every Monday morning in December and gave up by noon. Unfortunately, I can’t use the holiday season excuse anymore, which means it’s time to get back on track. The Lose It app helps you easily track what you eat based on calorie intake. It’s like the Weight Watchers points system, but it’s free to download and not complicated at all. You can scan barcodes on food for a quicker way to track meals, and the assessment is based on your own eating habits, workouts, and preferences. And if, like me, you’re the type of person to purchase a 2-year gym membership but your foot hasn’t touched a treadmill since before the birth of your first child, you can choose a diet-focused weight loss plan. I know there are other apps and programs that personalize plans for users, but like I said, this one is free. There are in-app purchases, but you really don’t need them to do the whole new-year-new-you thing.

What We’re Streaming: Ali Wong's Hard Knock Wife

This isn't Netflix's newest comedy special but it's one that every mom in need of a good laugh should see. From thinking that stay-at-home-mom meant "chillaxing, watching Wendy Williams, and going out to brunch with your sassy girlfriends" to realizing it's really being "in solitary confinement all day with a human Tamagotchi who has no reset button," a very pregnant Wong walks—actually, waddles— the audience through every shocking moment of new parenthood. You’ll seriously laugh so hard you might split a C-section stitch. Just make sure to watch it long after the kids are in bed, with the volume very low. It's not for the faint of heart.