J'adore: this meal plan, fitness program and more!
A random shortlist of non-sponsored services and products I love and think you might, too — including the eye mask that lulls me to sleep at night.
File this under things you didn’t necessarily ask for, but when I LOVE something, I want to shout about it from the rooftops — be it a book, a podcast, or, in this week’s case, some subscription services and an eye mask I can’t go to sleep without.
Welcome to “J’adore,” a smidgen of declarations from moi about something I adore. (Like, for example, the fact that “adore” and “adore” mean the same thing in English and French. But no need to devote more than a sentence to that!)
It’s been a while since I published this column, but I’ve found myself recommending quite a few products, subscriptions, and more lately — all of which are completely unbiased, nonsponsored, objective endorsements. These are items and services I pay for and genuinely enjoy or that make my life better.
That said, many of them offer referral codes or discounts if you enroll via my special link or code; we may both be “rewarded” in some way, which may include a free fitness class, account credit, or more. I don’t know about you, but I love a deal and paying it forward, so without further ado…
The Fitness Program Keeping Me Fit: ClassPass
What’s the deal?
I’ve been a monthly member of this fitness subscription for many years — pre- and post-pandemic, through living in New York, SF, and Paris. I love it because it allows me to dip in and out of various fitness studios — from spin to yoga and barre in neighborhoods and time zones all over the world. You choose the number of “credits” you think you’ll use each month (studios give classes a range of credits depending on teacher, time, etc.) from, say, 2-18 per class, and then pick a plan accordingly. (For example, 80 credits = $159, 48 credits = $99, etc.)
Pros
You can look up to see which studios are offered before committing to a plan, and how many credits their classes are. Some studios like Soul Cycle eat up a lot of points per class (18 in some cases!) But I’ve done the math many times, and based on the studios I frequent and how often I work out each week, it still comes out to be more affordable than getting a pack with an individual studio or paying per class. You can also use credits for massages, nail salons, smoothies, and more. And if you’re short on credits one month, you can pay for additional credits to book a class in that current cycle, and, conversely, roll them over if you haven’t used them all. You can also pause for a month.
Cons
Studios tend to treat ClassPass bookers like second-class citizens. In addition to not offering all their classes or certain popular instructors to ClassPassers, at studios like SoulCycle, you can’t choose your bike placement when booking. (But you can often move at the studio.) It’s also often hard to book last minute (certainly no later than an hour before a class), and if you cancel less than 12 hours after the class you’ve registered for is set to start, ClassPass charges you a fee at the discretion of the studio.
Referral link - Get 20 bonus credits upon sign-up
The Meal Program Keeping Me Sated: Cook Unity
What’s the deal?
I honestly can’t believe I’m someone who gets prepared meals delivered each week, considering how much I enjoy cooking, but I also do not like eating the same thing two days in a row, let alone many days in a row, and there’s only so much math I can handle to quarter a recipe. I also don’t like wasting food. I fell into this chef-focused program about a year ago and really enjoy it. Basically, local chefs in whatever city you’re in offer pre-made, fresh meals that are delivered to your home on a certain day each week. The plan I have is 6 meals for about $60. Dishes include the likes of “Italian Beef Ragu with Zucchini Noodles,” “Turmeric and Tamarind Glazed Salmon,” and “Chicken and Rainbow Quinoa Salad,” and participating chefs range from well-known (John DeLucie and Pat LaFrieda) to others.
Pros
I find there’s a huge variety, and you can choose your menu based on several factors: allergies, calories, dietary restrictions, protein (chicken v. shrimp v. tofu v. salmon v. beef, etc.), seasonality, cuisine type, etc. Some are meant to be served cold; others warm (15 minutes in the oven or 3 minutes in the microwave). You can skip a week (or two) without penalty.
Cons
If you don’t confirm your menu choices by a certain day, they’ll pick for you (based on previous orders), but they often pick things you may not have liked or have eaten dozens of times. The algorithm, in this case, is not so smart.
Referral Code: saral03982 - get 50% off your first week
The Non-Hotel Booking Site I Trust: Home Exchange
What’s the deal?
I mostly used this service in Paris as an alternative to Airbnb and found it to be much friendlier, full of real people with real homes, aka what Airbnb used to be. Your $235 annual fee covers unlimited exchanges, cancellation, theft, and property damage coverage, plus 500 bonus guest points. (I’ll get to those in a second.)
Basically, you can choose to solely engage in even home exchanges: so you connect with a fellow member and literally swap homes at the same time or a later date you both agree on; or you earn or use “guest points” to “pay” for your booking. This is great if, for example, you’ll be away from your home but don’t need a place to stay at that time. Guests will stay at your home, and they’ll pay with “points” that you can then use to stay anywhere in the world at a time of your choosing.
Pros
Those 500 bonus guest points per year just for registering could potentially cover up to 5 nights’ stay somewhere, depending on where/how big a place you need. For example, the place I stay at in L.A. when I visit my sister is only 80 points a night — and it’s perfect for me! You can also earn points in other ways, like referring people (ahem, see code below!), uploading more photos, verifying your identity, etc.
Also, since there isn’t money exchanged (except for the occasional cleaning fee), and most people are opening up their actual homes (vs. places they’ve delineated for hosting), it tends to be a more forgiving and trustworthy community.
Cons
Sometimes it can be challenging to arrange an exchange for something that feels comparable (meaning “like for like” in terms of space, size, vibe, amenities, etc.) and on the dates you’re searching for. It’s far easier to use it as a way to explore destinations you’ve never been to if/when you have time to travel and want to let what’s available and appealing lead the way.
Also, unlike Airbnb, which can be found in even the most obscure places now, you don’t find as many options in small towns on HomeExchange, which can make it challenging to use the points you earn if you tend to go off the beaten path a lot. In addition, again, these are generally people’s lived-in homes, so unless you’ve arranged/paid for a cleaner, you could potentially end up in a situation where the photos do not live up to reality (or your standards) as I did in Paris last July. Be sure to check reviews and always conduct video calls before accepting or booking a reservation.
Referral Code: sara-a62b6 - earn 250 points
A Deal on Overthinking It!
While we’re here, did you know that if you share this newsletter, you can receive benefits, too?
How so, you ask?
1. When you use the referral link below or the “Share” button on any post, you’ll get credit for any new subscribers. Simply send the link in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends.
2. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe — free or paid — you’ll receive special benefits.
Get a 1-month comp for 3 referrals
Get a 3-month comp for 5 referrals
Get a 6-month comp for 25 referrals
Paid subscribers get access to the full post, which includes the eye mask I am obsessed with and is currently on sale for 20% off for PRIME WEEK, which ends today. You’ll thank me — promise!
