If I ever had to choose my favorite spicing or flavor, I’m pretty sure I’d choose garlic. It’s beyond delicious, and the health benefits of garlic are endless: great for your heart, metablolisim, keeping your cholesterol down, and cancer prevention. If garlic is a staple in your cooking, than you know it can be tricky to prepare; chopping, mincing, and peeling can be a real pain. Since I use garlic in my kitchen almost everyday, I needed to find a way to make garlic prep a less time-intensive task. There are a LOT of options available, and through trial and error I’ve found that only a few products work well.

First up are these Silicone Garlic Peelers, which give us yet another reason to love the wonderfully versitile kitchen item that is silicone. It’s grippy (not sticky) texture is what enables it to peel garlic quickly and easily. Simply drop in 1-3 garlic cloves, roll the garlic peeler on a hard surface for a few seconds, and viola! Peeled garlic cloves in seconds.

Next, I present the OXO Garlic Press. Outside of the Pampered Chef and Rösle garlic presses (which are both quite expensive), the OXO is the only garlic press that really works well. Unlike many other brands, even large cloves won’t squish up and out from the sides. Now I can mince my garlic in an instant, and cleaning the press out isnt a hassle either. Thanks to the little reverse cap, you can “flush” out garlic skin and other junk that you couldnt mince. I love the fact it’s so heavy duty, and I know I wont ever have to replace it.

Keeping food fresh can be tricky. Various foods need different enviroments to stay fresh their longest. Though garlic doesnt need to be refridgerated, it does need a cool, dry, dark, and well ventilated place to reside in until you are ready to use it. This terracotta Garlic Keeper is exactly what you’re garlic needs to stay fresh on your countertop. With it’s raised garlic design, no one will wonder whats inside.

$6.95-13.50

It’s been about 5 months since Sean blogged about the Daily Affirmation Bowls, but I still think about them on dreary mornings when I’m getting out my regular bowl. I wonder if I’d notice a positive change in my day if my morning bowl of orange wedges were encircled with uplifting messages. Hey, sometimes all it takes is a quick compliment to totally turn your day around, so it’s possible that an Ego Boost Mug could improve your attitude and your day. Boldly declare your greatness with a smirk and a really cool, slightly oversized mug. Choose from Super Human, Smarty Pants and Mr. Wonderful (I’m sure Ms. Wonderful is just sold out). Ceramic is dishwasher and microwave safe.

$11.95

Easily add some vintage flair to your home decor with a retro inspired table lamp from Wrapables. Each Retro Pop Lamp has a trumpet-shaped resin base with printed poly/cotton drum shade, three-way rotary switch, and accepts 100 watt bulbs. I’d suggest updating their technology by getting an LED replacement bulb to save energy. Wrapables also sells this in a hanging lamp style for a little less.

$84.95 (table) & $59.95 (hanging)

If you are more of the bargain hunter and feel they just don’t make them like they used to, check out eBay for some real deals. There are a lots of people selling vintage and retro lamps on eBay everyday. The box to the right will update automatically with retro lamp eBay auctions that are just about to end. Don’t have an eBay account yet? Sign up for free.

Related: Retro Ceiling Fixtures.

Wet days and dog walks aren’t the best combination. Luckily these Super Absorbent Dog Towels can make the discomfort and mess of Soggy Doggy Syndrome disappear. They come in two sizes: the large is 27″ x 39″ and the small is 10″ x 30″.

At first sight we were confused as to just how the special hand pockets worked, but then we found this handy little image below and loved the idea. Having a special towel just for your dog is always a good idea, and the super absorbent material and hand pockets make this towel ideal for pets. Whether your pooch just got out of the bath or is done playing outside in the rain, this towel will get her dry while you get another chance to hug and pamper your special little one.

$24.95 – $34.95

Everyone needs a little reassurance every once and a while right? Right. What would you pay to be able to give someone a boost in self-esteem every morning? Wait, don’t answer yet. What if I told you that by giving them this daily boost you will have ultimately raised their self confidence level by two notches every week? Now how much would you pay?

Don’t answer that. Instead just give the gift of an ego-boost with every Complementary Cereal Bowl they use. These hand painted bowls say things like “You’re the Man! You’re Handsome! You’re Strong! You’re Charming!” along with my favorite “Chicks Dig You!” and are available in various colors. These bowls are lead free, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe (if you’re into that). Also available are Complementary Ice Cream Bowls that say things like “You’re Sweet! You’re Delicious! You’re Positively Yummy!” and are ceramic.

Now if you really want someone to feel good about themselves you’ll get them a set of Archetype Cereal Bowls. These cereal bowls announce everything from your divinity to your genius. Choose from Diva; Miracle Worker; Princess; Hero; Genius; and Goddess. All of these bowls and more are available from Wrapables.

Related: Ego Boost Mugs