After a lovely Thanksgiving week of carbs and more carbs, I am craving anything healthy-mostly fruits and vegetables.  My body seems so out of balance~~I’m sluggish and feeling a bit pudgy. Now with a broken toe that is slowing me down a bit, I feel the need to reset and nourish myself in a healthy way.

Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Right now, the garden is producing beautiful greens~ lettuce, kale and arugula. I am hoping for another abundant year of arugula because I could make and eat this simple salad every single day. The Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette recipe is from Stone Gable.

I literally keep a mason jar of this dressing in the refrigerator all the time. Over the summer, when the greens bolt due to the heat, I buy baby arugula from the grocery store. But I can honestly say that picking arugula fresh from the garden is so much better.

This salad has a few, simple ingredients. Arugula, shaved Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Plus the lemon dressing. That’s it. So tasty and clean. Truly one of my favorite recipes to make. My recent houseguests loved it too. Recipe is below.

Food Babe’s Pineapple Grapefruit Hair Shake

Vani Hari, better known as “The Food Babe”, has an amazing story about how eating different foods changed her life. As a result, she has made it a mission to challenge how big food giants do business. For example, she influenced Kraft Foods to remove the harmful dyes from their Mac ‘n Cheese. Her website is a plethora of information on food choices and is filled with fabulous recipes.

One of my go to recipes when I’m feeling the holiday bloat is this green shake from her website.

There are 6 simple ingredients:  Kale or spinach, celery, cucumber, grapefruit, frozen pineapple and water. I substitute frozen mango and pineapple, when I am unable to find plain, frozen pineapple.

I just ordered her cookbook and I will let you know if it is any good. Here is her website.

This shake is so refreshing and you can always add more of the frozen pineapple if you prefer it sweeter.

Healthy Chicken Soup

Another resource for good, healthy recipes is Ambitious Kitchen. This chicken soup looks so delicious and with the cold and flu season upon us, I hope to make this and freeze it for those days when I feel something coming on.

The best part of this delicious chicken soup is all of its wonderful the anti-inflammatory, cold-fighting ingredients.

• Ginger: Great for digestion and a powerful anti-inflammatory agent to use in recipes.
• Garlic: Truly the best when you’re sick. Garlic is full of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why we use 6 cloves of garlic in this soup. That’s right, you’re going to sick this cold’s ass.
• Turmeric: Super trendy and very good for you. Best when consumed with a black pepper to help for optimal absorption. This recipe calls for fresh turmeric (if you can find it).
• Chicken: We’re packin’ this recipe with protein too — and guess what? The chicken actually cooks in the soup broth, leaving it tender and making it easy for you!
• Fresh herbs: Rosemary & thyme add additional flavor in this recipe.
• Pearl (or Israeli) Couscous: Besides the veggies, the couscous is really the star because it helps to thicken the broth and keep the soup hearty. You’ll want to use pearl couscous (also labeled Israeli couscous in stores) in the recipe. It just provides the perfect texture for the soup. 

Doesn’t this look so yummy? I cannot wait to make it. You can find the recipe here.

Healthy Focus

The last of our houseguests left yesterday so I am ready to get back on a routine to eat healthier and clean out my system. Unless you are a person who eats completely clean and healthy 100% of the time, what do you do to reverse the holiday bloat?

I am returning to a limited exercise program as I have to keep all weight off my big toe, but not moving is not an option. Reducing my caloric intake to match my activity level will be necessary too.

Please share what you do to get your body back to recover after holiday eating. My vitamin regiment is back on track too as is my daily probiotic. I’m hoping that by being thoughtful in my eating and exercising this week and next, that the brain fog will lift and I will restore my energy.

Here is the recipe for Food Babe’s Pineapple Grapefruit Hari Shake:

Unfortunately, as I grow older, I spend more time on thinking about the concept of aging. The basic fact remains that each day we get a little bit older. Gravity takes over at some point and even though we feel 20 from the neck up, the rest of our bodies don’t follow suit. Yes, we are gaining years, but we can also age well.

Genetics plays an important role too. However, there are many things we can do on our own to respect and enhance the aging process.

1) Get a Great Haircut

I am not a clothes horse, nor do I spend money on jewelry or shoes. But I do invest in a really good haircut. Daily we look in the mirror and if our hair looks good, then we feel good. I have been using the same hairstylist for over 25 years. And he never disappoints. It’s not inexpensive but a good cut can last me up to 8 weeks, and worth the 6 x a year expense.

Consult with an expert who can tell you the best style for your age, hair type and lifestyle. For example, I have a lot of hair but it is very fine. If I let it grow past my shoulders, it looks thin and wimpy. I will never have long hair. Unless you have gorgeous long gray hair like my friend Karin, you may want to reconsider your high school haircut if you are over 50.

Are you coloring your hair or letting it go gray? Either way, there are shampoos and conditioners that help you achieve your best locks ever. The shampoo I use is Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color and Oribe Conditioner for Magnificent volume. My stylist, Roscoe, hand paints on my color and this shampoo and conditioner protect it, as it lasts for a long time.

At this point in time, I don’t think going gray is right for me, due to my skin tone. Plus the added color gives my hair more volume and manageability.

2) Sleep and clear eyes

It is so important to get a good night’s sleep to feel refreshed in the morning. As we get older, this becomes harder to do. But having white scleras is a sign of vitality vs. the yellowed, blood shot eyes that often come after lack of sleep.

We all are familiar with Visine, but lately I am using Lumify. I am very impressed with how quickly it works. Within a minute after applying the drops, the redness is gone from your eye and it lasts up to 8 hours. These drops are a bit pricey so you don’t want to be spilling them down your face. Click here for this product.

During a recent visit to my eye doctor, he recommends using Lumify only on special occasions. Since I am experiencing dry eyes after our long hot, and very polluted summer air, he recommends using a lubricant eye drop that does not have preservatives. Most drops will have PF on the box if they are preservative-free. Here are the drops I am using, but again, make sure you check with your eye doctor before taking anything.

If you are having difficulty sleeping, consult your physician. Check out this article on ways to help improve your sleeping patterns. As we age, sleep is so critical to our physical and cognitive health.

I have written about meditative outlets like Calm and Headspace, which I listen to frequently. Their bedtime stories always lull me to sleep. If I awaken in the middle of the night, I just put in earplugs and continue to listen to a story or do a meditative exercise. Works every time.

3) Move and Exercise

I know, right? Don’t groan. Exercise is so critical to aging well. The ONLY known factor in staving off dementia is cardiovascular activity…yes, that’s getting more oxygen to your brain. Plus if you don’t use it, you lose it, right?

According to Younger Next Year you can become functionally younger if you follow a program of exercise, diet and maintaining emotional connections. I can honestly say, prior to COVID, I was exercising 5-6 days per week. During that horrible lockdown, my exercise routine suffered. As a result, I did not feel as good~both mentally and physically. Within the last 4 months, I am back to exercising 5 days a week and what a difference it makes!

So if you are NOT exercising at all, start small. Do 15 minutes per day the first week and increase it to 30 minutes the next. You don’t need to be an extreme athlete but get moving. Walk, bike, swim, use weights, take Pilates or yoga. Remember: Sitting is the new smoking.

4) Stop Sounding like an Old Person

It is very typical for those who are aging to sit around and complain about every ache and pain. Granted, many of us are having knee and hip replacements or cataract surgery, but if this is the main topic of every conversation, stop. Find something interesting to talk about that isn’t your latest ailment.

5) Don’t Complain about the Younger Generation

This is very hard to stop doing. Right? Those ungrateful millennials. But stop and take the time to learn more about who they are. What are they interested in? What do they care about? I am a bit of an anomaly because my children are much younger than most of my peers.

My son loves to explore the chemistry of cooking; my daughter is an expert on dog training and pet care; and my youngest is learning to speak Korean. They are amazing and quite honestly, keep me young. Stay connected with other generations, both older and younger. Those emotional connections are critical. You will be more interesting in the long run.

6) Find Your Style

We all can picture that aging woman in short-shorts…..groan. Find your style and make sure it flatters you and is age appropriate. Unless you have a 6 pack, showing your abs over 50 in a cropped shirt isn’t really necessary. And if you have a larger bottom, please make sure it is covered. No one wants to see your underwear (or thong)~~really at any age.

As we age, we often don’t fit into the current trendy styles. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot look put together. There are many resources to help women over 50. I follow Cindy Hattersley because she has a collected look for women in fashion, beautiful home decor and entertaining ideas. Check her out!

7) Whiten Your Teeth

As we age, all those years of red wine, coffee and overall use, tend to yellow our teeth. Here is an article from BestLife that outlines 20 Secrets for Whiter Teeth after 40. There are numerous products available over the counter. Here is one example you can find on Amazon. Consult with your dentist as to the best approach for obtaining your whitest teeth.

How nice to have white teeth and white scleras! I read somewhere that your white blouse should not be whiter than your teeth…think about that!

8) Learn How to Apply Makeup to Aging Skin

Still wearing blue eye shadow? There are so many skin care products for aging skin. And we all know that person whose makeup is so caked on it actually accentuates wrinkled skin. I am not an expert on this because I hardly wear any makeup, but I hope to learn how to emphasize my assets and hide my flaws. Click here to see Bobbi Brown’s Beauty Tips for Women over 50.

Also, drink LOTS of water~~which will help plump out any wrinkles.

9) Posture

Stand up. Often we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. But hunching over makes us look much older. Pull back your shoulders, align your head with your erect spine. Just by doing that you will look thinner and stronger. Give your organs some space and tighten your abdominals.

10) Smile!

A smile is so contagious and makes you look younger. How many times do you see an older person frowning? Create happy lines on your face vs. deep furrows of worry. Plus you never know if your smile will help make someone’s day. Show off your pearly whites from your teeth whitening! To see my post on the Importance of Smiling, click here.

Getting older doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom. You have a lifetime of experience and perhaps much more patience and understanding than you did 20-30 years ago. Be interesting. Learn something new. Stop complaining. Feel vibrant……because you ARE!

Happy Wednesday, my friends! Thank you for joining me today. Let’s agree to graciously grow old together!

This post was shared with Thursday’s Favorite Things by Katherines Corner

If you click on some of the links above and purchase products, I may get a small stipend at no cost to you. Thank you.

Let’s face it. We all get older. But don’t you find it interesting that there are people in their 70s that have more energy and joie de vivre than some people in their 40s? What is the secret to living life to its fullest and looking good in the meantime. I certainly don’t have all the answers but here are some ways I try to look and feel younger. Making an effort to improve your health, attitude, appearance and spiritual connections will enhance your life.

1) Posture and Shrinking

Working on your posture is W.O.R.K. However, if you do not, you will eventually be stooped over, look shorter and older.

There are several reasons why a person may lose some height as they age: osteoporosis, flattening of the feet, dehydration (which can cause our spinal discs to compress), stooped posture due to loss of core muscle strength.

The good news is that you can improve your posture and slow down shrinkage by exercising and eating right. Calcium and Vitamin D are key to building strong and healthy bones – but vitamin C and vitamin K also play an important role in bone health.  Strength exercises are a must, whether lifting weights, playing tennis, running or jogging, as they all contribute to bone health.

Bad habits that contribute to shrinking include slouching, a lack of physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine excessively, extreme dieting, taking steroids and poor nutrition.

Four years ago I had my first bone scan and I was surprised to find out that I have some bone density loss. Actually, it made me mad because at that time I was working out 6 days per week. So I consulted with my chiropractor, started using bone building supplements and changed my workout routine. The latest bone density scan test results show a big improvement~much to the surprise of my doctor. I am nearly back to normal bone density.

I take Strontium (one capsule) from Ortho Molecular Products every morning.

And I take 2 Bone Builder Forte from Metagenics at night.

Please check with your doctor before taking any supplements. You can find these on Amazon.

Admittedly, during the pandemic, my exercise program took a bit of a nose dive. Even though I tried keeping active, it’s not the same as working up a sweat and pushing yourself. Trust me, I groan nearly every time I need to go and workout. But if we don’t put in the time, we will never get the positive results.

2)Sitting is the New Smoking

Get up and move. I try to limit the time I spend at my computer writing this blog, and I am always trying to practice good sitting posture. When I walk, I squeeze my shoulders together and engage my gluts, while holding in my abdomen. This very hard task isn’t something I am yet to retain throughout my walk, but I keep trying!

I cannot say enough about Pilates as I take a one hour class twice a week. This gets me to move in ways I typically wouldn’t and it is part of my weekly exercise program. Pilates keeps your core very strong which also helps with your posture. And it’s a wonderful community of like-minded women, who are trying to age the best way we can.

3) Keep Hydrated

Dehydration negatively affects the body in several ways. It is the main cause of heat exhaustion. It also leads to a loss of strength and stamina. Chronic dehydration will lead to kidney problems. For some reason, I have not been drinking enough water. Please join me in trying to drink half your body weight in ounces every day. There is a quick way to tell if you are not drinking enough. Check your urine. It should be a light straw color. And being hydrated plumps out the wrinkles!

4) Care for your skin and hair

Dry skin and dull hair just makes you looks older. There are so many products available at all different price points. Invest in a good haircut. Keep yourself groomed. It only takes a few minutes to tidy yourself up if your are going out in public. You will feel better and as a result, look better too. Haircut by Roscoe at Pucci Salon.

5) Are you Happy?

We all look much better if we are smiling. Smiling is an instant face lift. Are you happy? If not, what can you do to add happiness to your life. Though life can certainly throw you curve balls, happiness can be a choice…..your choice.

My friend, Chloe recently sent me this quote from Pavana Reddy. “Your soul is attracted to people the same way flowers are attracted to the sun. Surround yourself only with those who want to see you grow”.

Quite honestly, dump those people in your life that are energy vampires. Life is too short to be robbed of your spiritual essence. Be happy. Keep smiling. To see my post about the Importance of Smiling, click here.

6) Limit your Media time

I no longer watch the news. It is the best thing I have done this year to promote positivity in my life. And I don’t care if I am not informed. So much of the news isn’t really news, but opinions and if something is monumental, I will hear about it. The benefits are enormous as I am no longer spending a few hours a day watching television and getting frustrated. Now, if I do watch television at the end of the day, it’s something happy before I head to bed.

Getting off of my smartphone is another goal of mine. There are some benefits with checking in a few times a day but if you find yourself spending hours watching other people’s lives, then it may be time to put the phone down and use that time for yourself. Studies show a correlation between social media and depression. For more information on this, click here.

7)Care for Others

If you focus your efforts on helping others, it’s amazing how good you will feel. Pick up the phone and call a friend. Help a neighbor or an animal. Get involved in your community. So many people need a helping hand and doing so will take your mind off your own problems and give you a sense of well being.

There are so many things we can do to increase our happiness and health. One of my top blog posts of all time, 10 Tips on Aging Well is full of even more information. See it here.

I am constantly trying to be a better, kinder, and more interesting person. My goal is to be active and as healthy as I can be until the day I die. Please share any tips you have on staying young at heart. We need to keep motivating each other!

Happy Tuesday, sweet friends!

If you enjoy this post, please share on Pinterest.

Happy Saturday, friends! I did spend most of the week up at our cabin and it is SO quiet. An amazing week of weather from rainy and cold to picture perfect fall days. It takes a few days to get the walls warmed up so it was fun to be wearing multiple layers. It’s time again for another Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

Two Fun Blog Posts this Week

What fun to be part of a round-up of Thanksgiving ideas and inspiration. There is so much information from some very talented gals. If you are not ready to think about Thanksgiving, make sure you book mark this post because turkey day will be here before we know it. You can see that post here.

Fall here in Phoenix means firing up the oven again and spending more time in the kitchen. If you missed Tuesday’s post, truly, these are some of my favorite fall recipes that will not disappoint. For all these yummy recipes, click here.

Apples, Apples everywhere

Thank you to Valerie for researching the variety of our apple tree in the mountains. It’s a Winter Banana and has a pale yellow waxy skin and a pinkish red blush. This year, many of the apple trees in northern Arizona are full with fruit. I am not familiar with the USDA hardiness zone there and have never heard of a Winter Banana apple until now.

This apple has a slight fruity flavor, similar to a banana or pineapple. This week I experiment with this apple by making a pie and some apple butter. I have never made apple butter before, but it is SO easy. Just apples, a 1/4 cup of water, and cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and vanilla extract in the crockpot. Slow cook for 10 hours. Then I throw all the cooked down apples mixture into the blender (or you can use an immersion blender).

So easy and it makes the house smell so good. You can see the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen here.

During my walks with Sox every day, we would pass other types of apple trees. I’m curious as to what varieties will grow in the mountains, as we plan to add a few more trees in the spring.

Pretty Fall Mantel

Isn’t this the most intriguing fall mantel from Molly in Maine? I just love that vintage owl print so I looked online for something similar. I find this digital download from Etsy ($4.37) and sent it over to Costco to print on canvas. Curious to see how it turns out as I will be receiving it in 7 days.

I think it will make the perfect decor for a Halloween mantel on the back terrace. Has anyone uploaded a digital image to print on canvas? It’s my first time so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Cute Mini Pumpkin Planters

This is a project I will be giving my husband this week (well, not the flower arranging part). Won’t these look cute at each place setting for a fall dinner? Annie from Most Lovely Things has a very detailed tutorial on how to cut the mini pumpkins here.

New Shows

If you love beautiful homes and don’t mind a creepy story, then you must watch The Watcher. Based on a true story, the 7 episodes will leave you wondering which neighbor(s) is terrorizing the occupants. See it on Netflix.

So far there is only one season (6 episodes) of The Empress, but if you love history, gorgeous properties and fabulous costuming, you will enjoy this. It’s about the Bavarian princess turned Empress of Austria and set in the 19th century. Very visually appealing~on Netflix.

Mystery Plant

Since you are all so good at helping me solve mysteries, here is another one. I found this growing in the garden in a bed where only potatoes have been planted. At first I thought the plant may be a zucchini, but this is obviously not a zucchini. It is attached to a large vine-similar to watermelon, zucchini or squash. It’s getting rather large too. Any clue?

Good News this Week

I am one of those people who only go to the doctor when I am sick, which is just about never. Going for annual physicals is not my thing, but pressured a bit by well-meaning friends (thank you Janie and Lisa) I finally went in for a complete check up. Received all my test results this week and everything is perfectly normal. What is very exciting is that 4 years ago I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in one part of my body. Today, I am nearly back to normal, making big strides in developing strong bones.

So it can be done! My goal is that in 2 years when I have another bone density scan, that I am home free. Yippee!

The cooler weather we are having here in the morning in Phoenix is perfect for gardening, so I will be out fertilizing roses and planting both flower and vegetable seeds. Wishing you a productive Saturday and a fun weekend.

What a beautiful week here. The freezing temperatures seem to be gone and signs of Spring are popping up everywhere. If I could wish for one climate here, now would be the one. Cool mornings requiring a sweater and afternoons that are pleasant and sunny. Welcome to yet another Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

A week ago, there was one blossom on the peach tree. Now it is completely covered in pink buds and flowers! Mother Nature is something!

Pool House Remodel

Recently my friend Chas @chascrazycreations and her mom came to visit Phoenix and stayed in our pool house. I don’t know what it is about having house guests but for some reason my eyes finally focus and I “see” my home in a different light.

When the children were younger, the pool house is a place they gathered with their friends. All the “toys” (Xbox, Wii) and two television screens were the big attraction in their teens to their 20s. But much of that equipment is outdated and it’s time to do a pool house refresh. The place looks tired.

Yesterday I met with a contractor and we hope to replace the flooring, lighting, and paint everything. I cannot wait to start and I will take you along on the journey. If you would like to see the original pool house build, you can find it here in Restoration Chronicles~Chapter 4. Though it feels we were under construction just yesterday, it is now 22 years later. Time for a face-lift!

The only part of the pool house that I will not be changing is the hand painted, stenciled floor in the bathroom. It still looks terrific nearly 2 years later. If you missed that post, you can see it here.

Hiking in Sedona

On Wednesday, I did my first hike of 2022, with my daughter and her dog.

There is no place like Sedona, Arizona. From the gorgeous red rocks buttes to the steep canyons and pine trees, it is one BEAUTIFUL place. Approximately 1.5 hour drive north of Phoenix, Sedona is a fabulous place to hike. With an early morning drive, we arrive at the Bell Trail No. 13 where it is 30 degrees. With only one other car in the parking lot, we set off and enjoyed the solitude of the great outdoors. A few hours and 7.4 miles later, we got back in the car (tired and happy) and drove home.

Thankfully, Congress set aside wild places where the land is allowed to retain its natural state, serving as a haven for humans to escape modern civilization and for nature to be itself. With so much land being developed, I am so grateful that someone had the foresight to turn this into a federally protected area.

Since my rib injuries in December, I have been taking it slow with cardio-vascular exercise, so I did have to ice my knee later that day. But what a great opportunity to spend time with my sweet daughter and her dog, Hemingway in such a gorgeous place. If you ever get a chance to visit Sedona, I can promise you will not regret it.

Have you Been to Target lately?

I confess that I do not enjoy shopping. However, a recent visit to Target nearly changed my mind. I did not realize that Target and Studio McGee are collaborating with an exclusive line called Threshold. I follow Studio McGee on Instagram @studiomcgee, however, until yesterday, was unaware of this partnership.

What a delight to finally see it! From the products to the merchandising to the affordable pricing, I am very impressed. And unlike Magnolia Farm, there is a lot of colorful items. The monochromatic look is fine, but it seems to bore me rather quickly. And Threshold is already featuring bright and cheerful items for the Spring and Easter.

Of course, I went to Target to buy plastic tubs and came back with all of this, and more. Wooden bunnies big and small, a wooden bunny cutting board, large candle with 5 wicks, cherry blossoms, Easter pillow and I really love the soft storage tubs in white and black.

My friend, Andrea from Design Morsels recommends this throw and I finally got one. This very soft, cable knit throw in blush will be perfect on the front porch bench.

If I didn’t have to be home for an appointment, I would have spent more time strolling through and seeing the over 4000 items in the Threshold line. If you do not have a Target store near you, check it out online here. I am not a Target affiliate~just impressed with the Threshold line and sharing my discovery!

Also, Studio McGee has a 2 season show on Netflix~ Dream Home Makeover. Has anyone seen it yet?

National Pizza Day

I’m not quite sure who creates these daily celebrations, but National Pizza day was this week. I cannot say enough about these pizzas we get direct from Italy from Talia di Napoli. They are a staple in the freezer (as you get 8 each order). But one pizza seems to serve 2-3 people at our home so making one can last for 2 meals. And they are less expensive than our local pizza joint.

In order to justify my pizza consumption, I try to always put a salad on top. In the garden now, there is an abundance of spicy, fresh arugula. Simple dressed with a lemon vinaigrette, pine nuts and shavings of Parmesan cheese, this healthy salad is just what I need to lower the guilt of pizza eating. Nothing fancy but the right amount of greens and ruffage.

There is so much more to share with you but it will have to wait until next Saturday. Have a fabulous weekend!