GERMANY, THE FOURTH BEST PLACE TO LIVE

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I read a lot of blogs about life in Germany and one of the common threads among expats  here is that we can't get our favorite products. 

 For myself as well as others, no Crisco and no Nestle's chocolate chips mean no Tollhouse cookies and that, dear reader, is unpardonable in any country.

Nevertheless, Germany has just been ranked the world's fourth best place to live by the 2010 Quality of Life Index, compiled by travel magazine International Living. Most assuredly, it's ranking had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that you can't get  Nestle Tollhouse Cookie ingredients here easily.

Instead, Germany's ranking was based on such things as quality health insurance, high average wages, and quality infrastructure.  It also made note of the fact that sports and nature lovers are enthralled with the number of national parks and hiking trails. Affordable real estate, safety, environment, climate, cost of living, and plenty of theater, art, and clasical music concerts also made Germany irresistable for many people.  And just to add icing to the cake, the Christmas markets and fairy-tale towns appeal to all of the romantics among us.

But, can you get a good chocolate chip cookie in the land of beer and sausages?

While I'm still on the hunt for them, there are some excellent products that German markets offer.  While I'm still in the very experimental stages of product testing, here are my favorites..... so far (which, if included in the Quality of Living ranking, might have moved this fair country up a notch or two, in my humble opinion.)

Although not all German products, they can be  found in German markets.  

 In no particular ranking order ~~ drum roll please?

 1.  Persil Laundry Soap, unmatchable cleaning. If we ever move back to the states, I'm filling our moving container with a lifetime supply.

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2.  Berchesgardner Fresh Milch (milk), yum! (I like served cold from the glass bottles).

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3.  Belfrutta Diat Waldfruchte (Berry Jam), just bursting with flavor. Try it on buttered toast.

Image via Wikipedia

4. Emsal Boden-Pflege, granite and marble cleaner-- superb!  Our floors and countertops literally shine.

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5.  Dallmayr Biscuits, all varieties, but especially the ginger biscuits with a hot cuppa, : ).

Image by Caro Wallis via Flickr

6.  Dallmayr meats, proscuitto in particular, preferrably wrapped around juicy cantalope

wedges.

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7.  Hacker Pschorr Beer, hands down our most favorite, unbeatable on a hot day.

8. Alkmene Shampoo- Simply lovely

 

9. Faber Castell, primo Art supplies and pastels extraordinare! (More about this undertaking in a later post.)

Image by pigpogm via Flickr

10.  Cera-fix Glaskeromik-Reiniger, keeps our ceramic cooktop looking brand new.  (This product is perhaps my most favorite of all, to date.)  This stuff is amazing!!!!!




11.  Illy Dark Roast Whole Bean Expresso,  from Trieste Italy, but available worldwide.  Once you go Illy, you never go back....just sayin'

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These are 11 of our favorite products found here in Munich markets. But remember, the test trials are just in the beginning stages.  It's possible that some of these products can be located in stores in the states or Great Britain.

I know my mother-in-law uses Persil in Australia.                      

These are our favorites, what are yours?

                              GUTEN ILLY COFFEE