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Aging, Environment, and Skin Care Our skin reflects our age, environment, and diet  from head to toe. Yet, when faced with a long list of beauty products—moisturizer, eye cream, serum, exfoliant, cleanser, night cream—it can feel overwhelming. How many products do we really need? The truth is, we can’t stop aging , and sometimes we can’t control environmental factors. But we can eat healthier  and strategically use anti-aging products to keep our skin vibrant and youthful. Key Anti-Aging Ingredients Collagen Collagen is a structural protein found in your connective tissues —including cartilage, bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin. It provides skin strength and elasticity , and when it degrades, wrinkles and sagging can appear. Nutritional sources:  bone broth, egg whites, chicken, fish, dairy, carrots, apricots. Retinol Retinol is a form of Vitamin A  that helps rejuvenate aging skin. It removes dead skin cells , increases hydration, and leaves your skin smooth and plump. Nutritional sources:  liver, meats, sweet potatoes, milk, cheese, broccoli. Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring, gooey substance in your skin, connective tissue, and eyes . In skincare products, it helps reduce wrinkles, redness, and dermatitis  while keeping skin hydrated. Nutritional sources:  bone broth, oranges, tofu, kale, red wine, starchy vegetables. Simplifying Skincare Instead of feeling overwhelmed by products, focus on the basics : cleanse, moisturize, and incorporate targeted anti-aging ingredients like collagen, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. Pair this with a skin-supporting diet  to help your body maintain its natural radiance from the inside out. Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated—it’s about nourishing, protecting, and embracing your skin at every age . Collagen. (2022, October 9). In Wikipedia . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen Retinol. (2022, October 4). In Wikipedia . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinol

How many times have you heard "Life got in the way" ? How about "That is way out of my comfort zone!"? Can I do this? Feeling Stuck Before 50 As I approached my fifties, I felt trapped in an “it is what it is”  mindset. Somehow, I had learned to let my age define me and what I was “supposed” to do. Looking back, I realize how much I had been stuck on a predefined path—one I didn’t consciously choose. After my mom’s funeral, leaving her house was surreal. The world felt closed, claustrophobic, and heavy . My life was changing whether I wanted it to or not. And in that moment, all I could think was: “Holy hell… now what?” Learning to Step Out of Comfort Grief and loss taught me that even after decades of experience, life still offers lessons. I realized I had all the tools and wisdom I needed ; I just had to step out of my comfort zone and take action. All the challenges I’ve faced became part of my personal “portfolio”—my life lessons. Sure, I might have failed some exams, but each one taught me something invaluable. Insights from Inspiring Women To explore this theme further, I interviewed two incredible women for the podcast—right from my basement, pajamas and all! Tracy Hicks Tracy is an imperfect wife, mother, daughter, aunt, and nana. She turned 50 recently and is embracing life fully. As an entrepreneur and Associate Market Builder with MONAT Global, Tracy shared her insights on how life changes guide us into fitting more comfortably in our own skin . Check out Tracy here Barb O'Dell Barb is a Transformational Life Coach and a lifelong personal growth enthusiast. She shared how life lessons can transform your personal journey , and how true greatness can arrive at any age—it's always up to you to claim it. Check out Barb here Final Thoughts Life after 50 doesn’t have to be about limitations. It’s about stepping into your power, embracing your experiences, and creating the life you want.  Sometimes, the lessons aren’t easy—but your growth, confidence, and self-worth are worth every challenge. Listen now  to this inspiring episode, and don’t forget to subscribe and share it with anyone who could use a boost in midlife empowerment!

Making Lasting Changes Takes Time Changing your lifestyle isn’t about overnight miracles. It takes planning, patience, and understanding that transformation is a process.  Everyone has a goal when starting a fitness program, so be gentle with yourself—progress is not always linear, but every step counts. Here are 10 tips to guide your journey: 1. Fill Your Plate with Whole Foods Whole foods provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals —essential for fueling your body. Prioritize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to give your body the nutrients it needs. 2. Know What You Eat Always ask yourself: Where did this food come from? What are the ingredients? What will it provide my body?  Awareness is key to creating sustainable nutrition habits. 3. Fuel Up Before Exercise Food is energy. Make sure to eat 1-2 hours before your workout  so your body can perform at its best. 4. Understand Discomfort vs. Pain During exercise, discomfort is normal , but pain is a warning signal. Listen to your body and avoid pushing past injury signals. 5. Avoid Overtraining Overtraining can cause chronic joint stiffness, fatigue, and burnout. Common causes include: Too many sets per body part Inadequate rest between heavy workouts Not eating enough Training beyond failure in every session 6. Time Your Pre-Workout Meal Eat your pre-workout meal 2-3 hours before resistance training  for optimal energy and performance. 7. Rest is Essential Always have 1-2 rest days  per week to let your body recover. Sometimes, less is more. 8. Build Habits Gradually It takes 21 days to form a habit.  Find workouts you enjoy, savor the foods you love, and stick with the routine to make it a lifestyle. 9. Check Your Mindset Evaluate your attitude, confidence, and readiness.  Goal setting isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Prepare yourself for excellence in both body and mind. 10. Own Your Journey A healthy lifestyle is personal and unique . You are in charge of your wellness, so own it, enjoy it, and celebrate your progress! Final Fry Thought 🍟 Transforming your lifestyle isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency, self-awareness, and enjoying the journey. Start small, stay committed, and remember: every healthy choice counts.

Boost Your Magnesium the Easy Way Magnesium is essential for our health, but sometimes oral supplements can upset the stomach or just feel inconvenient. The best way to increase your magnesium levels? Through the skin. Our body’s largest organ—the skin—is the perfect route for transdermal magnesium therapy . Products like magnesium oil, gel, lotion, and bath flakes are designed to bypass the gastrointestinal tract, delivering magnesium directly into your cells for rapid absorption. Personally, I love the convenience of the spray. Supplements always gave me an upset stomach, but topical magnesium is simple, effective, and feels amazing. Benefits of Topical Magnesium Using products from Ancient Minerals , magnesium therapy can: Restore cellular magnesium levels Act as a natural cellular protectant Facilitate safe and effective detoxification Relieve aches, pains, and muscle spasms Elevate mood and reduce stress Encourage healthy skin tissue Maintain proper muscle function Boost energy levels Support a healthy immune system Balance hormonal systems Calm overactive nerves Improve quality of sleep …and much more! Tip:  If you shave your legs, avoid spraying magnesium oil immediately afterward—it can sting on freshly shaved skin. Why Transdermal Works The magic of transdermal magnesium is in its direct cellular absorption.  By skipping the digestive tract, you avoid gastrointestinal side effects while giving your body the magnesium it craves for optimal muscle, nerve, and skin function. Final Fry Thought 🍟 Magnesium isn’t just a mineral—it’s a key player in your wellness. With topical magnesium, you can feel stronger, calmer, and more energized, all while pampering your skin.

People Are Not Flawed Products have flaws. They are made by humans and sometimes the design isn’t perfect. But people? People are not broken. We aren’t put together by others. We are made from our experiences, our learning, and the world around us.  Our feelings—joy, sadness, confusion, hurt—are all part of being human. They don’t make us flawed; they make us whole. Put Yourself Together You are physical, mental, and spiritual. Every moment, every emotion, every reaction builds the person you are at that point in time. Tomorrow might bring new experiences, and your feelings may change—but you will still be exactly as you should be. Make the self-connection. Acknowledge your experiences, your emotions, your growth. Remember: “It is not what happens to you but the way you react to it.” Everything counts. Everything adds up to who you are. Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes Relief, sadness, and longing come with loss. After my dad passed, I wrote: “Walking in someone else’s shoes will give you sore feet.” No two people truly experience the same thing the same way. Even when situations seem similar, feelings are unique. We may judge others—but often we cannot truly know their experience. Instead, try this: “Don’t walk in my shoes, but walk beside me in case I fall.” Empathy isn’t about understanding perfectly; it’s about being present. Final Fry Thought 🍟 You are not broken. You are not flawed. You are put together  by life, by experiences, and by your emotions. Walk with yourself, and walk with others—gently, patiently, and with understanding. .

Why Do Women Need to Feel Beautiful? Every day, we’re bombarded with images of women that set unrealistic standards for beauty. From magazines and billboards to social media feeds, we’re constantly told what sexy looks like. Professional models, filters, and Photoshop have created ideals so polished they’re nearly impossible to match—and yet we try. It’s no wonder many women question their bodies: “Am I enough?” “Do I measure up?” The beauty and cosmetic industries make it worse—$500 billion annually—and the average woman spends $150 a year chasing these standards. Feeling beautiful isn’t vanity—it’s self-preservation. It’s about reclaiming control over how we see ourselves in a world that’s constantly judging. Self-Confidence vs. Society’s Illusions Self-confidence is trusting in your own worth, abilities, and judgments. It’s valuing yourself regardless of imperfections or societal expectations. Dressing up, feeling sexy, or even stepping in front of a camera can remind us of the beauty we already possess. Boudoir Photography captures this inner confidence, offering visual proof that women are stunning, powerful, and desirable—just as they are. Beyond being mothers, sisters, daughters, or wives, women deserve to see themselves as more than their roles. Behind the Lens: Conversations with Boudoir Photographers I spoke with talented Boudoir photographers to get their insight into this empowering art form. Jennifer:  “It is not very often you can make a living doing what you adore.” She emphasizes sensitivity to women’s insecurities and helping clients embrace their self-worth. Marina:  “You’re ready. If you’re thinking about it, you are ready.” She highlighted that the nerves women feel before a session often turn into pride and confidence afterward. Some of the questions I asked: Why Boudoir? How long have you been in business? How do your clients change before and after the shoot? How does being on the other side of the camera impact your confidence? Does this confidence last? The answers confirmed one thing: Boudoir isn’t just photography—it’s therapy, empowerment, and self-love all wrapped in a session that’s fun, daring, and transformative. My first conversation was with the very talented Jennifer ( website ) She has terrific insight into women's sensitivity to looks and self-confidence. "It is not very often you can make a living doing what you adore." My following conversation was with the lovely and insightful Marina ( website) "You're ready. If you're thinking about it, you are ready." Final Fry Thought 🍟 Getting undressed in front of a camera isn’t about exhibitionism—it’s about claiming your power and confidence . Experiencing your body through a lens helps you embrace your unique beauty, reminds you of your strength, and celebrates the real you—beyond societal standards. So pour a glass of wine, slip into that lingerie, and let yourself see what others already know: you are beautiful, sexy, and unstoppable. This episode is one of my favorites. We will continue this conversation further, so grab more wine and get ready to explore more about self-confidence. Listen here

Whether you’re training for your next 5K or just enjoying a morning run, what you eat after your workout is just as important as the run itself. Timing, type, and balance of nutrients can make the difference between sore muscles and a stronger, energized body. Here’s the lowdown on fueling your recovery and keeping your energy up: ⏱ Timing Is Everything Eat within 15 minutes post-run  — sooner is even better. Your muscles are primed to absorb nutrients, and this is the golden window for recovery. The focus? Protein plus carbohydrates . 🍫 Quick Recovery Snack Ideas Chocolate milk – yes, it works! Carbs and protein in perfect balance. Yogurt – add fruit or granola for extra carbs. Rice pudding with banana – creamy, sweet, and energizing. Egg and cheese on an English muffin – protein with carbs. Peanut butter toast – simple, tasty, and effective. Eggs – protein-packed and versatile. 🌞 Carbs: Morning & Supper Carbs are your main fuel source. Eating plenty in the morning and at dinner  ensures your energy stores are full, especially if you’re training the next day. Avoid “hitting the wall” or burning out by keeping those glycogen levels topped up. 💪 Protein: Midday & Post-Workout Protein is essential for muscle recovery . After a run or late-night workout, focus on meals or snacks higher in protein. This helps rebuild muscle and repair tissue. 🥗 Foods High in Protein but Also Carbs Some foods give you the best of both worlds: Beans: 20g carbs / 7g protein Broccoli: 13g carbs / 4g protein Potatoes: 49g carbs / 5g protein Refried beans: 20g carbs / 7g protein Soybeans: 39g carbs / 16g protein 🍟 Final Fry Thought Fuel your body smartly after each run — carbs for energy, protein for recovery, and the right timing to maximize results. Your muscles will thank you, and your next run will feel that much easier.

I think I have always had a stock of lotions tucked away in a cabinet somewhere, but lately… it’s borderline obscene. Every time I open a drawer or peek into a shelf, I see rows upon rows of bottles — body lotions, face creams, specialty potions for every conceivable part of me. The thing is, it takes forever  to use up a single container. And yes, there’s a very real possibility that if I passed this collection on, one person couldn’t possibly make a dent before it expired. 🧴 Inherited Lotion, Anyone? Since inheriting a bunch of body, face, and specialty lotions, I’ve taken to a strict rule: use it until empty. Some of the lotions date back to the ’80s — yes, you read that right — and part of me wonders if they even still work. But here’s the thing: using a product until it’s gone has turned into a small celebration every time I toss an empty container. Victory feels weirdly sweet. There’s something satisfying about truly using what you have, appreciating it, and finally letting go. Each empty bottle is a tiny accomplishment, a reminder that consumption doesn’t have to be endless. 🤔 A Thought to Chew On It got me thinking: what do we own that might not be appreciated if passed along? How much of what we accumulate is really necessary, and how much is a collection of ‘just in case’ or ‘maybe someday’ items? Whether it’s lotion, clothing, books, or knick-knacks, there’s a certain joy in finally confronting the abundance and honoring what you have by using it — and letting go of the rest.

If you ever get the opportunity to design your dream kitchen, it’s worth making sure it checks all the boxes. After all, the kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s often the heart of the home, the hub of family life, and sometimes the unofficial office, homework space, and snack bar all rolled into one. Here’s what to consider: 🔧 1. Function First Top-tier appliances:  Invest in energy-efficient, high-quality brands that will last and make cooking a joy. Ample storage:  Easy-to-reach, easy-to-use, and easy-to-clean cabinetry makes life infinitely smoother. Expansive countertops:  Choose surfaces resistant to stains, cutting, and heat — bonus points for easy cleanup. Flooring that works for you:  Comfortable underfoot and simple to maintain. Lighting:  Natural sunlight during the day, bright, warm lighting at night. Think of your kitchen as a workshop — every element should make life easier and more enjoyable. 🏡 2. Mood Matters Once function is in place, it’s time to consider feel . Contemporary:  Sleek stainless steel, glass, and concrete for a polished, modern vibe. Country:  Warm, cozy, and inviting with natural wood, brick, woven baskets, and hand-painted ceramic tiles. After picking your mood, select furniture and finishes that complement it — chairs, tables, cabinetry, and countertops should all contribute to your chosen ambiance. ⚖️ 3. Harmony in Layout Even the most beautiful kitchen needs flow. Enter the work triangle : stove, sink, and refrigerator.This classic arrangement reduces walking distance while prepping meals and creates a natural traffic pattern, keeping everything efficient and enjoyable. Your kitchen may vary in shape and size, but these three elements — function, mood, and harmony — will always be the foundation of a space that works and feels right. 🍟 Final Fry Thought A dream kitchen isn’t just about looks — it’s about creating a space that feels good to be in. When you nail function, mood, and harmony, you get a kitchen that invites family, sparks joy, and maybe even inspires you to cook more than just takeout.

Broken by Jenney Lawson on Audible . As I started back into my gym routine, I decided to bring a friend — not a real, sweaty workout partner (those people scare me), but Jenny Lawson’s Broken (in the Best Possible Way)  on Audible. There I was, pedaling away on a stationary bike, sweating like a champ, while laughing at the absurd, raw, and painfully relatable moments of Jenny’s life. If anyone was watching, they probably thought I was losing it — grinning one minute, sniffling the next. But honestly? It was perfect. 🧠 Broken but Still Moving Autoimmune diseases, random body aches, and the whole grab bag of mental and emotional crap that comes with life — I’ve got my share. Add anxiety, depression, or the occasional WTF is wrong with me?  spiral, and you’ve got a full workout before you even hit the gym. Listening to Broken  felt like hearing from a friend who gets it — one who doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff but still manages to make you laugh so hard you forget for a moment that you’re struggling. Jenny Lawson — aka The Bloggess  — has this wild, wonderful ability to make weirdness feel like home. Every time I dive into one of her books, I’m either working out or traveling, because apparently, that’s the only way I can sit still long enough to listen. Reading requires staying in one place and being calm… and yeah, that’s not my skill set. ☀️ “Dogs Won’t Go Blind Staring at the Eclipse?” That’s the kind of random brilliance that makes her books magic. Her brain wanders — mine does too. Maybe yours does. And somewhere in the chaos, we find comfort. The humor, the heartbreak, the awkward moments — it’s all there. And somehow, in her mess, I see my own. Only hers is better edited and way funnier. 💬 If You Need a Friend If you live with anxiety, depression, chronic illness, or just feel like life sometimes throws too much at once, Broken  is the kind of book that wraps you in a hug and says, “You’re not alone, you magnificent disaster.” We crave understanding — not pity. And this book gives that in spades. You’ll feel seen. You’ll feel understood. And you’ll probably laugh out loud in public. So yeah — buy the book, listen to the audiobook, or do both. It’s therapy with bonus snort-laughs. 🌧️ I Feel It in My Bones As I left the gym, sweaty and smiling, the sky was gray, thick with the promise of rain that hadn’t come yet. And I felt that — deep in my bones. That’s how healing feels sometimes. You can sense it coming before it arrives. You move your body. You laugh at someone else’s chaos. And you remember — being broken doesn’t mean you’re done. It just means you’re still becoming. 🍟 Final Fry Thought Maybe self-improvement isn’t about perfection or progress charts. Maybe it’s just about pedaling, laughing, crying, and being real — all at once. So if you need a little reminder that your weird, messy, beautiful self is doing just fine… cue up Broken  and start moving.

Kindness. It’s one of those words that gets tossed around like confetti — beautiful, well-meaning, but often forgotten when it comes to the person in the mirror. You determine kindness’s meaning. It’s how you  choose to show it. Kindness can be empathy, acceptance, kind gestures, or thoughtfulness. The possibilities are endless — and entirely yours. We usually think of kindness as something we give  to others. A smile. A helping hand. A “you’ve got this” text to a friend. But what about the one person who actually needs  your kindness in order to show it to anyone else — you ? 💭 What If We Treated Ourselves Like Someone Worth Caring About? Imagine if self-care were natural — like brushing your teeth or putting on pants before a Zoom call. If we truly knew how to nurture ourselves without guilt, the entire self-help section of the bookstore would probably vanish. In its place? A lounge filled with cozy sofas where we could actually relax  — guilt-free. But instead, we often treat self-kindness like an optional add-on. Something we’ll get to after we’ve been “good enough,” productive enough, or emotionally stable enough. Spoiler alert: that day never really comes. 🌧️ Kindness in the Messy Moments Being kind to yourself when everything’s sunshine and rainbows is easy. But being kind when you feel miserable?  That’s the real work. It means giving yourself a damn break when you’re down. It means learning from your misery without making it your entire identity. It means understanding that even in the middle of a meltdown, you still deserve softness. You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a mess.(Preferably with snacks.) 🌸 The Ripple Effect Here’s the secret: the more you practice self-kindness, the more it spills into everything else. You’ll have more patience for others. You’ll feel less resentful, less reactive. You’ll stop chasing validation because you’ll already feel seen — by you. That’s the kind of quiet confidence that makes you magnetic. 🍟 Final Fry Thought Kindness isn’t a grand gesture. It’s the small, everyday choice to not beat yourself up. So the next time you’re spiraling, stop. Breathe. Remind yourself that even the messy, moody, pajama-clad version of you deserves love. Be kind to yourself first — because when you do, kindness to others becomes effortless.

Her wheelchair didn’t fit easily between the table and the kitchen island. I finished helping her get ready for the day — the same routine we’d shared for months — brushing her hair, fixing her breakfast, and making sure the morning ran as smoothly as possible. That day, though, I was bursting with excitement. I had something to show her. The Mango. My new car.Bright. Bold. Orange. I couldn’t believe that I  — the woman who hated attention and proudly claimed the title of “introvert of the year” — now drove something that screamed “look at me.” (The paint color is actually called GoMango — I swear, I didn’t make that up.) Her reaction was simple, classic her: “It is certainly orange.” That was it. And it was already too late. She would never ride in my brand-spankin’-new car — the one that had eight miles on it when I bought it — the one I’d had for only a single day. The Drive That Changed Everything For months, I had been driving back and forth — five hours round trip — sometimes more. My Jeep Cherokee had become my grief carriage, my mobile therapy session, and my sanctuary all at once. When she went from using a cane to a wheelchair, that Jeep became our lifeline. The chair fit just right in the back, though my gut and arms were covered in bruises from lifting it. We’d go out for breakfast, laugh a little, pretend things were normal — but nothing about any of it was easy. When I showed up that day in The Mango , something inside me shifted. The drive down the same highway I’d been crying on for months felt… different. There was peace. And a strange, quiet sense of ease — buried deep under exhaustion and sadness — but still there. For the first time in a long time, I felt a spark  of myself again. I didn’t know it then, but that car — that bright orange beast — was the start of something healing. When Duty Meets Grief The last few months of her life were a blur of duty, heartbreak, and numbness. I did what needed to be done because that’s what you do when someone you love is slipping away. I cried only when I got home — unloading every tear, every frustration, and every ounce of helplessness on my husband. Then, I’d dry my face, gather my strength, and do it all over again. We bought The Mango  in the middle of that storm. It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t practical. But it was something for us  — a small, defiant act of joy in a world that felt like it was falling apart. It sat parked outside that day, right where I could see it from the dining room window — the same one I rearranged the furniture by, just so she could look out and see it too. Twenty-seven days later, I drove that orange car back home — alone. 🍊 What #TheMango Really Means Now, #TheMango  is more than just a car. It’s a symbol of the strength you don’t know you have — the power that’s been sitting quietly inside you, waiting for permission to shine. It’s the reminder that joy can exist alongside heartbreak. That even when you’re falling apart, there are still pieces of you that glow. And most of all — it’s proof that you can look fucking amazing in orange. 🍟 Final Fry Thought Grief changes you .But so does courage. So does love. So does showing up — again and again — even when your heart is heavy. The Mango  is my reminder that I survived. That I still can. And that happiness — even the loud, orange kind — will always find its way back. (The paint is called Gomango.) Mango Happiness Project #themango Join the Mango Happiness Project Group