Author Archives: twobetties

Fair warning this will be long.

So … I’m 30 now.

Here’s what I’ve noticed: Immediately my ass got bigger and my stomach also seems to be protruding at an average rate of 1 mm a day. I’m also pretty sure new wrinkles formed overnight right near my eyes as a pleasant birthday surprise. Also, I officially made the transformation from a “Miss” to a “Ma’am”.

F. Me.

Most of that is not entirely true but some of it feels like it is.

All kidding aside, I was strangely and surprisingly VERY excited to turn 30. Despite my mother grabbing at my stomach telling me I look “fluffy” and that I should stop eating pasta (not gonna happen) or my husband calling me “old” but that he still enjoys my backside, I’m happy. And as Audrey Hepburn said: “The prettiest girls, are happy girls” whether or not there are a few extra wrinkles and fluff.

Now in the first year of what I think will be the most awesome decade EVER I found myself reflecting on my 20s. I can look back on that decade fondly and know that I made some great choices, even more mistakes and had some really great times.

This is the advice I would give to my 20-year-old self. Some of it is based on experience and some of it is based on what I wish I would have done. But hey, you live and learn then you screw up and learn some more. It’s how it goes.

1. Be healthy. Take advantage of your 20s and start good habits now. The longer you wait, the harder it gets. Skip fast food, stop drinking soda and for God’s sakes do NOT smoke cigarettes. Ever. Even socially. Period. And just so you know for most of us, your body literally changes come your late 20s. And for the annoying people this doesn’t apply to, move right along. My metabolism basically gave me a giant middle finger and added an inch to my waistline. It happens. It’s real. Get healthy now and it won’t be so devastating. Also, wear sunscreen and drink more water.

2. Date. A lot. How do you know what flavor ice cream you like unless you have others to compare it to? Some people can try one flavor and just get hooked and have it for the rest of their lives and that’s great. For many of us though, we need to try a variety. Get out there! Maybe try some flavors that speak Italian, some that are musicians, Yoga gurus, dirt bike riders or lawyers. (Wow I was really all over the place there wasn’t I?) But you gotta try em’ out. Also don’t confuse the word “date” with “sleep with” – so not the same thing.

3. Travel. Travel. Travel. Some of the best experiences of my life were away from home. If you can find a way to study abroad, do it. Get out of the country and experience a culture very different from your own. Also, try and go somewhere alone. Travel to a place where you know nobody and have to make friends. It’s scary and thrilling.

4. Be your own. Your 20s are the time for self-discovery. Let it happen and embrace it. Try new things and determine what you do or don’t like and feel comfortable with it. Also realize this may change and that’s OK.

5. Sever ties. Evaluate relationships and end those that are toxic. This was a HUGE lesson for me in my 20s. Nobody ever feels like a friend is someone you should ever have to “break-up” with. But … sometimes you do to get rid of the negativity. And that’s OK. You will feel better, lighter, happier.

6. Find something you love then try to make money doing it. I’m still working on the “making money” part of this equation but this is good advice, nonetheless.

7. Learn to say “no”. Revert back to your 2-year-old self and say no sometimes. You don’t always have to be the last one at the office and you don’t always have to go to every party or event. When used appropriately, it can earn you respect and save you lots of stress.

8. Family first. During high school, many of us want to be around our families as little as possible. What precious time wasted but I think it’s a very normal thing to do in our teens. Use your 20s to reconnect with your family and put them first because shit happens and time is something you just can’t get back.

9. Take yoga.  It sounds trite but seriously do it, even if it’s just at home. Yoga has literally saved my life. I suffered many many years with pain from a herniated disk in my neck and yoga is the ONLY thing that has been able to stop the pain. It’s a miracle workout. Sometimes I wonder if I would have even suffered the neck and back issues I did if I’d discovered yoga sooner. I’ll never know.

10. Move out. Live alone, if you can, at least once before you’re 30. Walk around naked, don’t make your bed and dance in the living room. Nobody’s watching and nobody cares. It’s freeing.

I can go on and on but I think here is a good place to end.

Now I’m ready to embark on my 30s and come up with a whole new list of lessons learned and mistakes made.

Cheers!

Meal replacement bars, protein bars and granola bars sound like a good idea when you’re on the go,  right?

Wrong, so wrong.  In many cases they are candy in disguise, which I never really took a good look at until today.

Many of these bars boast being protein-packed and all-natural – both of which are great. BUT have you ever looked at the label on some of these things?

Holy hell!  15 grams of sugar – what?!

I would much rather eat a Snickers bar.

Granted a Snickers bar packs more sugar but they taste SO much better and if I’m going to consume about the same calories and that much sugar anyway, bring on the sinful stuff.

So while at Mother’s Market yesterday looking for something I could throw in my bag to snack on (along with almonds and some fruit) I was shocked at how crappy most of those bars are.

I was looking for something to replace dinner in this marathon meeting.

“Technically” there’s no food allowed so I needed something I could break off and sneak into my mouth because I just can’t go that long without eating and there’s no busting out a tupperware and chomping on chicken salad in these meetings.

Obviously nothing actually replaces a healthy meal but sometimes that’s just not feasible. 

So protein bars do have their place. Like the place I was in last night – a very, very long meeting with no break.

I found these little gems.

They don’t taste like Snickers but they’re much more guilt free and pack 20 grams of protein.

There is 0 grams of sugar. ZERO.

Instead, they use cacao for sweetness and each bar has about 230 calories, enough to get you through to the next meal.

Just thought I’d pass along this new find. Well … new to me anyway.

I’m sure  there are other good bars out there but Mother’s literally has a wall of protein bars. An entire wall. I didn’t read every label.

Happy snacking!

When training for my first half marathon I would tell my husband: “Slow and steady wins the race” as I tried to maintain a steady jog on somewhat lengthy runs.

To which he would reply: “Um… no it doesn’t. Fast. Fast wins races.”

He was right.

Slow and stead wins jack.

Slow and steady finishes in 6398th place.

But hey, I finished.

The OC Half Marathon was hard for me.  Much harder than Huntington Beach.

I was told the course was mostly flat with one, maybe two, significant hills. Liars! The whole damn thing was hills.

I mean,  I struggled but there is still nothing that can replace the high that comes with crossing that finish line, no matter how slowly. It’s the greatest feeling!

My friend Raven finished about 20 minutes before me at 2:20 and she only had one good leg. ONE. She’s an athlete for sure. She raced with a torn IT Band and torn cartilage in her knee. Hard core!  I mean the girl was literally hopping across the finish line and she was still way faster than me.  She’s amazing!

My husband finished in 2:06 and I was a proud wifey. That is a great first time and was so glad he did this with me!

And our crazy pants friend Bryan who is apparently part Kenyan finished his very first half marathon in 1:51 and didn’t even seem tired afterward.

Now I look forward to getting faster since I embarrassingly had to make all my friends wait a very long time at the finish line for me.

Did I mention us racers have the greatest friends? There’s nothing like seeing a cheering section right before the finish line (Thanks Angela, Chris, Jen, Grady, Garrett, Selena and Stephanie!) It meant a  lot to us to have you guys there!

So… race season is over for us but we’ll pick it back up in the fall and until then, Happy Running!

So just about a week before I’m going to force my body to run 13.1 miles I decide to give blood.

I was more than happy to do it because it not only helped a dear friend of mine but I also helped save lives.  Not to be dramatic but that last statement is 100 million percent accurate.

But for my own very selfish reasons, getting my red blood cells sucked out of me was a really terrible idea.

I learned on my outing that I am already low on iron, which I had NO idea about, and then I opt to dump a whole boatload of iron-rich cells out of my body a week  before a half marathon.

Now… it may seem like a week is enough time to recover. It’s not. Not in terms of endurance training, anyway. It takes a minimum of 45 days to replenish all the cells you lost for optimum performance.

Anyway, I’m not going to get in my head about it for the race and let’s be honest here “optimum performance” for me isn’t anything impressive by any means.

The nurses at Hoag (who were awesome and hilarious, by the way) suggested I start pumping iron to help me along for the race. I’m talking supplements here, not weights. Although weights do a body good too.

Iron was never something I really considered taking as a dietary aide. I know it’s necessary for red blood cells and such but when I think of vitamins that I should be taking I think folic acid (pretty hair) vitamin B (to replenish what those lady pills take away), vitamin E (pretty skin) or acidophilus (good digestion). I try to get most the others from food, which is the best way anyway.

Well considering now I know I am on the lower end of the spectrum I’m going to take a supplement every day and here’s why:

1. Iron promotes red blood cell production, which is essential for carrying oxygen in our bodies

2. Having sufficient iron combats irritability and fatigue (no wonder I crave afternoon naps!)

3. It is essential for protein metabolism

If you don’t want to take a supplement make sure to chow down on food such like leafy greens and red meat, both rich in iron.

So we’ll see how Sunday goes. I’m mostly looking to finish another half marathon and have fun doing it and as the nurse said to me: “You won’t collapse you may just be really, really slow”.

Awesome.

I used to hate breakfast. Hate it.

Sometimes, I’d just eat ice cream for breakfast.  Or a cookie.  Shocker.

Other times I’d eat the worst breakfast of all …  nothing.

Those days are long behind me and breakfast is now one of my most favorite meals! I can never get through a day without eating breakfast.

Even if I wake up late, breakfast always comes first. I don’t care if it’s noon. It’s happening.

Breakfast sets the tone for the whole day. It gets your metabolism up and running and also helps prevent cravings later in the day. In my opinion, the bigger the breakfast the better.

French toast has always seemed a weekend breakfast to me but it doesn’t have to be! If you have eight minutes in the morning, you can have an indulgent breakfast.

Or seemingly indulgent, I should say.

Here is my latest concoction that I’m loving. I wouldn’t make this for breakfast every day but it feels like a nice treat without totally overdoing it.

It’s actually pretty healthy and has a great combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Not-so-French Toast:

• Two slices of Ezekiel sprouted wheat bread, cut into triangles
• Two eggs, beaten in a bowl with a dash of cinnamon and just a drop or three of vanilla.
• Dip the bread in the egg to coat it and put it in a skillet on medium heat. (I don’t use butter or anything to grease the pan to cut out additional fat but you can use a little if you want something more sinful. Just do me a favor and use real butter if you’re going to do it, not margarine.)
• Remove from skillet once both sides have browned.
• Top with fruit and drizzle with 1 tsp Organic Raw Agave nectar (I left butter off here too)

Total Calories: 415

Fat: 8.6g (saturated fat, 4 g)

Protein: 16.8g

Carbohydrates: 51g

Sugar: 5 g (from the Agave)

Bon appetit!

I am definitely not fancy pants although sometimes I wish I were and maybe someday I will be.

Recently I super-glued my shoes because I didn’t want to buy new ones. That really happened and guess what? They are good as new! I no longer trip over the floppy sole that used to catch on everything as I walked.

I also have a pair of jeans that the zipper  broke and instead of retiring them, I use a hair band through the button-hole to hold them together. This works well too, you just have to wear a long flowy top.

Now that I think about this, does this make me crafty? Mmm.. not so much.

This doesn’t mean I don’t like nice things because I do.  I dog-ear Nordstrom catalogues and drool after all the things I  imagine will one day fill my closet. And every once in a while one of those things actually makes it in to my closet. That is a good day for me on a completely superficial level.

Although this is not made for the closet, it is a new fancy pants obsession that I had to share.

M. Carlesimo candles.

Holy hell. These smell AMAZING!

Usually, these candles are $45 a piece. I mean, ridiculous – who spends $45 on ONE candle?

I don’t.  But I’ll totally spend $25 for two.

The Today Show has this segment called Steals and Deals. It’s once a week and you don’t have to watch the show you can just find it online at today.com. The segment sometimes changes days so you may have to check back frequently.  You can also follow Today on Facebook, which will alert you to any new deals. I’m telling you there has been some GOOD stuff.

Well, these candles were featured so I snatched them up.  They’re 100 percent soy and supposedly burn slow. I also love the letter seal detail. I find them so pretty I haven’t lit them yet. I just open the box, smell them and feel happy with my purchase.

So check out the Steals and Deals. Sometimes they have jewelry, clothes, shoes, skin care products or makeup. The savings is crazy and I’m a frequent fan!

Happy savings!

I’ve always loved pomegranate seeds but HATE pomegranates.

They’re awkward and the seeds go flying everywhere and stain everything. It’s a mess.

I’m messy enough on my own without having bright red juicy pods with impressive trajectory shooting all over my clothes, my couch or my carpet.

Enter Trader Joe’s.

Pre-rinsed and pristinely packaged pomegranate seeds have been my most FAVE springtime snack this season.

Tart and juicy they really do hit the spot and they’re good for you to boot.

Here are just some of the benefits of these tiny little seeds.

1. They’re packed with antioxidants: These are the things that help us stay looking young so we should be shoveling as much of these in to our mouths as possible.  While many of our face creams and such have antioxidants in them, it’s always wise to get a good dose internally.

2. A good source of vitamins: B-6, C, iron and folates are just some of the vitamins found in these little seeds.

3. Lower blood pressure: Some studies have shown the juice from these seeds can lower blood pressure, making for a very heart-healthy snack.

Happy snacking!

“Nobody knows how to drive in the rain”.

Everybody says it.

Sometimes when I say it there are a few expletives thrown in there for extra emphasis.

So if we all say it, who are the a-holes that keep making us shake our fists, honk our horns or flip the bird?

Today while at work I was on rain watch because when it rains in Orange County apparently every thing else  stops, well at least in terms of crime. I was supposed to be on crime watch but there was little crime to report before my dinner break.

I watched as there were more than a dozen accidents on the freeways in a matter of three hours.

Holy crap. I don’t even get it.

It’s as if water starts pouring down and we all turn in to first-time drivers who are completely unaware of our surroundings.

So… full disclosure… I have been in four accidents. Before you judge me let me say NONE  have been in the rain. I take this to mean I am an excellent driver in the rain so I am totally qualified to give advice on the matter.

I realize this is not sound logic.

So here are my tips for driving  in the rain:

1. Slow is not better. Making a lane change that takes 30 seconds to complete does not make you safer. It makes you annoying and in the way.

2. Brakes should be used with ease. Here is how it works: your car will automatically slow if you take your foot OFF the gas. There is no need to start pumping your breaks all over the place like a freak just because there’s water on the ground. In fact, this is a terrible idea. Brake like a normal human being.

3. Get off my butt. Tailgaters just annoy me period but even more so in the rain. All I need is for some D.B. to not stop in time and slide right up my bumper. For everyone’s safety, leave an extra couple car lengths between you and the car in front of you. I promise the 2.3 seconds you’ll make it to your exit faster are entirely not worth it.

4. Oh my God, go faster. I’m not saying speed I’m just saying 25 mph on the freeway is never a good idea. You become a sitting road hazard when you’re driving considerably slower than everyone else so pick up the pace!

5. If you hit a puddle and start to hydroplane for goodness sakes do NOT pull on your wheel and slam on your brakes. In the words of Nacho Libre, “Take it eeeeaassy”. Foot of the gas, hands relaxed. Let your car freak out for a split second and then regain control. That slam and yank move will only get you in trouble.  You and the other unsuspecting drivers who actually know how to drive when it’s wet out.

6. Pick a lane. I realize when things get all splishy-splashy out there sometimes those lane lines are hard to see but if I see one more person driving along straddling two lanes as if it’s the norm, I might hit them purposely just to snap them out of their stupidity. It’s unreal how many times I’ve seen this, seriously. Stay within the lines and if you’re really confused, all the cars in front of you are good indicators of where those lanes are.

In all fairness and since I really have no business giving driving tips considering my four crashes on dry land (which were totally NOT my fault, by the way), here are some real rules. Although, after reading through these I have to say some of mine are pretty close. Also, mine are more fun to read.

Safe travels!

Today marks the first day of Spring… yay!

Spring means fresh starts, bright colors and it also means summer is just a few short months away! I love me some summertime.

But here are a few of my favorite things about Spring or what I’m loving this season.

All things green! If you know me, you know I love, love, LOVE the color green. That said, I die for this Cole Haan purse.

Flowy, girly clothing. The weather is slowly starting to warm and it’s  time to pack up those bulky sweaters and start working in some lightweight clothing as we prep for summer.  I love all these looks. I especially love that Marc Jacobs lace tank!

Daylight savings time! Our days are longer and I love it. I can run outside after work now  if I want. I don’t really care to run at night.  For some reason it really freaks me out.  I love being able to come home while it’s still light outside – don’t you just feel like you can get so much more done in a day? It makes me feel energized!

Strawberries! My favorite fruit. Another thing I love about spring. The peak season for growing strawberries is April through June. Can’t wait to stock up!

Flowfies. Things start to get all a-bloom this time of year. Every year, I say I’m going to take one springtime hike because it just gets too darn hot in the summer. Let’s see if I actually make myself do it this year. I love me some tulips this time of year. Don’t they just scream spring?

What do you love about spring?

On a more serious note …

I read this really interesting article in my monthly Women’s Health.

Although us women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s may feel that we have control over our bodies and  are very knowledgeable about nutrition, we can still be at risk for eating disorders.

The phrase ” eating disorder” drummed of thoughts of teenage girls and after-school specials I used to have to watch in high school that warned of the dangers of wanting a “perfect body”.

But there are a slew of other conditions that us adults need to watch out for. According to WH, the number of women falling victim to these disorders is steadily rising.

The good news is if we educate ourselves about these disorders we may be able to catch ourselves or a friend who is traveling down a destructive path.

Here are the most common adult eating disorders we face today.

Orthorexia: “A fixation with healthy or righteous eating”. WH describes this condition as someone who eats only organic foods, nixes entire food groups from their diets or will not eat anything that isn’t “pure”. This actually sounds like it may be healthy but in extreme cases it can lead to severe malnutrition. This complex is prompted by a woman’s ” fear of bad health, a fixation of complete control or the desire to improve their own self-esteem.”

My take: I feel there is a fine line between eating a very disciplined diet and having a problem. My best guess on how to steer clear of this problem would be listen to your body and track your calories to ensure you’re eating enough.

Pregorexia: “Extreme dieting and exercising while pregnant to avoid gaining the 25 to 35 pounds of weight doctors usually recommend”. This disease obviously harms mom and baby.

My take: Although I haven’t had a baby (yet) I feel like I may be at risk for this disorder. I always have sworn to myself I will stay active and not overeat when I get preggo.  Although I don’t see myself ignoring doctors orders and I also don’t see myself ignoring any extreme cravings.  So … I’ll probably be OK and I promise to run my workouts by my doctor first. Bring on the potato chips and chocolate ice cream in moderation, of course.

Anorexia athletica: “An addiction to exercise”. Well, that’s stated simply enough. This type of person works out so much it interferes with normal life.

My take: I definitely have no problem with this one. I work out six days a week (sometimes less) for a normal amount of time. Thirty minutes, maybe an hour, five to six days a week and you should be fine.

Drunkorexia: “Restricting food intake in order to reserve those calories for alcohol and binge drinking”.

My take: What the?  This exists?? Yes it does. I hate drinking on an empty stomach so I won’t have to worry about this one but it can cause all sorts of problems such as alcohol poisoning, uninhibited sexual behavior (who needs alcohol for that? I kid, I kid) and liver and kidney problems. To me this sounded more like a problem a college student may have but, looks like I’m wrong.

If you’re interested, read the whole article. It’s pretty well-written.

Happy healthy!