Oh I need that..Stuff from the US...

Speaking of the Pink Peril, I was really sick (any way you want to define that work works here) while trapped in Italy due to the volcanic ash.  I was with my dad, who had a few Pepto tablets, but they were gone soon enough.  I went to 3 different pharmacies trying to get something even remotely similar to Pepto or Immodium or anything that would stop the mutiny and was told there's no Italian equivalent to any of them.  I even brought the box, in case it was a communication problem, but the pharmacist looked at the ingredients and said no.  The best they could give me was similar to alka seltzer.    Those poor Italians.  But at the time, I was really focused on poor me.

I guess I had to adapt a lot in my earlier incarnation in the UK.  I swear by Red Cross Nurse bathroom disinfectant spray -- but in the UK I couldn't live without Zoflora in the bathroom. Both come in lavender scent, BTW. So I think you can find something to fill your craving whatever it is. Also, bear in mind that products come and go anyway. There may be X shampoo that you loved in the US and when you go back in 2 years time, say, it's no longer available or else they've changed it so it doesn't work for you anyway.

Adding to my list of stuff - pumpkin pie spice....I have not seen this in the 3 grocery stores I have checked..hummm
I know I know I can look up the spices and make it myself but naaaa only if I was desperate ;-)

it's a little different, but I'm just as happy with the bottles of mixed spice here as I was with the pumpkin pie spice.  I am about to go make some french toast and I sprinkle a healthy portion of that on top each time--yummy.

It's generally cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove and allspice - most of which you probably already have in your cupboards!

It's generally cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove and allspice - most of which you probably already have in your cupboards!

lol chary! out of the spices you list I have 2 - cinnamon and ginger.

I have more garlic, onion, fajita, cumin, red pepper, Lawry's, and combined flavors ;-)
I only just bought ginger and gran massla<sp> and I am not even sure why I bought it.

I really should branch out and just make some to just put on my coffee.

I really should branch out and just make some to just put on my coffee.

Why not? I have started saving my empty spice jars and plan to mix up some stuff to save myself some trouble... like taco seasoning, cinnamon sugar mixture for cinnamon toast, etc. then just make some labels for them and put them up with the rest of my dried seasonings. It would save some time, I think, to just be able to grab one jar and season things, rather than a hint of this and a hint of that for ages until you get the right combination. Though, I have no idea what sorts of measurements to use for taco seasoning, so I guess I will have to figure that out as I go. 

spices and spice mixes are the one thing I do stock up on in the states. I'm a penzey's snob and while for 'normal' spices I'll get them from the indian shop (so much better value) or from the store, my spice mixes and chilli I import. I am sure I could find just as good an importer here, but honestly I can't be bothered, and if I get someone to send me something the likelihood of something else tastey getting put in the box is pretty high