"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert -- Curiosity forced me to crack open this New York Times' bestselling memoir that chronicles the life of Elizabeth Gilbert who, at the age of 31, was a successful journalist living in a massive house in Connecticut with her eager-to-reproduce husband. For some, this would be the ideal existence, but for Gilbert, this life led her to a near nervous breakdown in her suburban bathroom, during which she heard an inner voice admit she no longer wanted to be married. That inner voice -- and her desire to connect with her true self -- gave Gilbert the courage to leave her husband and travel to Italy, India and Indonesia in search of God, self-acceptance and mind blowing pizza. In the book, Gilbert is heartbroken yet hopeful, and her discovery of the divine is easy to digest without being too cheesy. Thanks to the tight writing and a well-woven story spanning three continents, I devoured this book in a 48-hour period. -- Molly Snyder Edler
Season One of "Heroes" on DVD -- We needed a new show and had never seen "Heroes." Five episodes into season one, I'm impressed and liking it a lot. Sure this might be old news, but in this strike-riddled TV year, I'm fairly certain there are others also in need of a new show. My advice: buy Season One of "Heroes," grab a frosty beverage and enjoy some funky suspense and mystery. --Jeff Sherman
"The Remains" -- Steve Van Zandt turned me onto this eponymous album, which was released back in 1966. Little Steven plays the band on his "Underground Garage" program and when the E Street Band played Fenway Park a few years back, the group opened with a slamming version of the song "Diddy Wah Diddy" as an homage to The Remains, which hailed from Boston. I was inspired to check the band out, listened to the 10 songs from the 1966 debut album (all clocking in at about three minutes) and wondered "How come I hadn't discovered them before?" Well, it might have had something to do with the fact that the group broke up before the debut album hit stores. The album was reissued in September, packaged with 10 outtakes. Sample some of the tracks on iTunes and you'll hear how four Boston University students created music that could hold its own with the Beatles, Stones, The Who and everything that came after. Aspiring garage rockers everywhere should listen to these songs. The music industry will be better for it. --Drew Olson
Cedar Creek Winery Syrah and Vidal -- It's hard to think of Wisconsin as a viticultural hotbed, but these wines vinified by Cedar Creek (now owned by Wollersheim) are satisfying examples of their varietals. The syrah is vinified from grapes grown in Washington state and it is a dark purple wine with hints of blackberry and plum and has a whopping 15 percent alcohol content. The white Vidal, made from 100 percent Vidal Blanc grown in New York state is a semi-dry, pear-y white with 10 percent alcohol making it pleasing both as a dessert wine and as a complement to fish. --Bobby Tanzilo
The NHL Network -- Big Ten Network and NFL Network be damned! Hats off to Time Warner Cable for Channel 120, the NHL Network. Sure, the NHL generates ratings lower than "Iron Chef: Bangladesh" or Valerie Bertinelli in the Lifetime Network exclusive "Where the Hell is My Baby?" but for those of us who love puck, it's a Godsend. From coverage of the World Junior Championships to the 1964 Stanley Cup Finals to "Gump Worsley's 10 Greatest Saves" (all of which were off his face by the way), the NHL Network gives us all a reason to foil up, take the top plate out and pop the tab on a seven-percenter. --Kevin Brandt
Restoration Hardware's Brainiac Headlight -- Need an easy way to light up those tough to reach spots? Better yet, need a night light that really works when you read in bed? Pick up one of these headlights for $11.99. It's dorky, but you'll use it more than you think. --J.S. Dale and Thomas popcorn -- A well-meaning soul sent a sampler tin of this designer snack to work as a holiday gift. I was hooked from the first handful of peanut butter and white chocolate drizzlecorn. I know the stuff can't be healthy, but the flavors are both intriguing and delicious. Once you start, you won't be able to stop. --D.O.
