God forbid you're ever laid-up for an extended period of time, here's what I recently learned are the Top 10 must-haves:
1) Terrific friends and family who care and are there for you. (Sounds obvious, but you should count your blessings all the same.)
2) The latest issues of all the trashy gossip rags. Now that you're sick you don't need to hide them.
3) Netflix. Duh.
4) A hot water bottle. I'd forgotten how comforting these things are, especially when they've got the cute little hot water bottle sweater on them. The one I got from Church Street Apothecary is my new best friend. While you're there, you might as well pick up some Bach Rescue Remedy and New Tree Tranquility Chocolate, or any of the other gazillion wonderful things they've got in that place.
5) Gourmet prepared food delivered to your doorstep. If you're lucky, those folks in #1 might even get it for you! I enjoyed both Jessie et Laurent and Wally's Food Company. Both offer delicious, easy-to-reheat, easy-to-freeze items including soups, salads, sides, mains and desserts.
6) Amy's Kitchen Frozen Meals. Not just when you're sick, but any time you want an all-natural, healthful meal in under 5 minutes. Everything is made with fresh ingredients -- organic, no preservatives, additives or GMOs. I keep a stash in the freezer at work and pop them in the microwave at lunchtime. You can buy them in most markets in SF: I've bought them at Safeway and Whole Foods, but Real Foods tends to have the largest selection. In NY, they're harder to come by, so when I'm there I order from FreshDirect. My favorites are Pesto Tortellini, Cheese Ravioli, and Macaroni & Soy Cheeze (Try it. Seriously.)
7) Whole Foods' Dark Chocolate Raisins. Whole Foods specificially because theirs are made with molasses. My friend Yvonne brought them to me and as soon as I regained my appetite I was inhaling them. When I ran out, I bought some from Real Foods and they were not the same. The molasses is magic. Accept no substitutes!
8) Medicine. Yes, that kind. But did you also know that "medicine" is another word for ice cream? It's true. Ask my dad, who always brought it home whenever I was sick growing up. This time I tried Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream, the new Stephen Colbert-inspired flavor. Vanilla ice cream with caramel and chocolate-covered waffle cones. It was good, but even better with a few grains of kosher salt.
9) Nice delivery people, 'cause those #1s are going to be sending you lots of stuff. DHL has the nicest, followed closely by UPS.
10) Flowers. Not only do they cheer you up, but they make the place you're now spending every waking minute in look nice and smell pretty. If you're the one sending the flowers and you're in SF, Piñon Design and Michael Daigian do a wonderful job. If you're sending flowers across the country, FTD.com is a great option. The bouquet I received was well-packed: each gerbera daisy even had its own little protective sleeve. Most amazing was the fact that the beautiful arrangement lasted over a week.
If you've got other suggestions, please share them!
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