Welcome to a new week of Robin Recommends! The holidays are just around the corner and the winter weather is here in the northeast! I’m back to share another roundup of favorite recipes, snacks, local spots, gift ideas, and more. Read on for more of my favorites! Note that most of these items are also shoppable on my Amazon storefront.

1. Hu Kitchen Crackers

I LOVE these Hu Kitchen crackers! All of their crackers are grain-free, and made without any sunflower oil, other unhealthy vegetable oils, tapioca, dairy, preservatives, or refined starches. This makes them a great option whether you’re gluten-free or not, and I love dipping them into hummus or adding cheese, like Monty’s, which I’ve also included in the roundup this week! They’re a great option for kids, and they have a bunch of different flavors, including everything, sea salt, and pizza! You can buy the crackers online from Thrive Market, Balducci’s, Fresh Market and Whole Foods, or find them on Instacart, Vitacost, and more. They are Mom- and kid-approved. My kids love snacking on them, or as part of a balanced lunch!

2. Monty’s Cultured Cashew Cream Cheese

Monty’s, founded by Lauren Monty, is a company that makes cultured vegan cashew cheese, cream cheese, butter, and more! They are made small-batch in a kitchen in NY and they take a less is more approach, with simple ingredients that are minimally processed. “Cultured” means that they use beneficial bacteria strains when making the cheese (which would naturally be found in most dairy cheeses) so that they’re extra beneficial for gut health. Their butter is a much healthier option than other plant-based butter on the market too. They also use eco-friendly packaging like glass jars that can be reused! Lauren is an expert on fermentation and creating vegan cheese that actually tastes good! Their products are available for delivery (nation-wide starting in January), and you can also find them at some stores including Clean Market, Clover Grocery, and Bonberi Market in NYC, as well as Mike’s Organic in Stamford, and more.

3. Rodan + Fields Lash Boost

I started taking dance lessons at seven years old, so I began wearing stage makeup, which included fake lashes, at the time. It didn’t take me long to fall in LOVE with the way long lashes make your eyes pop! Fast forward to adult life: I used to love wearing fake lashes for photo shoots and special occasions  Since my eyes are sensitive, I never tried lash extensions but WAS intrigued when my friend Ali Matthews told me about Lash Boost. So I tried it- I started with every other day then graduated to daily and YES, it really does work! I got to the point where my lashes were indeed hitting my glasses! So give this a try as treat for yourself OR surprise a friend with a small indulgence this holiday season. Reach out to Ali with any and all questions and to order: allisonstacie8@gmail.com, @namaslay8 & at https://allisonmatthews.myrandf.com/. Mention ROBIN for $20 off!

If you’re curious about other benefits, The Lash Boost can help improve your lashes if they’re brittle or thin, help you achieve longer, darker & younger looking lashes, boost softness, elasticity & shine, and fortify the lashes against further damage. They’re offering a few different bundles for holiday gifting including: Merry & Bright Eyes Gift Set (extra 20% off), which includes: Lash Boost & Brow Boost with a free cosmetic bag; and the Best of All Gift Set (extra 20% off), which includes: Lash Boost, Active Hydration Body Replenish & Active Hydration Serum.

4. Parchment Paper + Baking Cups

I love using parchment paper for all my baking needs (to line sheet trays, make removing banana bread from a loaf tin easier, etc.) Did you know you can also find very cute natural-looking parchment baking cups for cupcakes and muffins? You can also make your own by crinkling small squares of parchment paper for a very pretty, bakery-style look to your baked goods. I like using parchment paper instead of aluminum foil for lining pans because it’s a better non-stick option and there are some potential health risks with aluminum foil, because the aluminum can enter your food when you cook with it. That’s why I opt for parchment whenever I can! You can find a lot of different options for cute baking cups online.

That’s all for this edition! Check back next week for more of what I recommend, and make sure to read last week’s blog, if you missed it!