All posts filed under: Family

the art of walking

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Here is the thing, we all know we need some form of exercise in our life to stay healthy, especially when we are on the wrong side of 40. But since the “gym thing” or running a daily marathon is not my choice of exercise, I walk. I have always been a firm believer of walking and feel it is the best way of getting enough exercise without really hurting myself in the process. However, I also know that in order to get the most out of my walk, I must follow a few simple rules I created for myself. Walking everyday is ideal for me. I prefer a path with challenges along the way. Such as 50 or so steps to climb up, 500 yards total of some uphill and then downhill, a dirt road or sand paths to minimize unwarranted stress to my problematic knees and heels and finally a winding road or coarse to make the exercise more fun. The other thing I find helpful while walking, is changing the neighborhood everyday. I find that if I walk the neighborhood I …

exiting suburbia

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After having spent eight years in a newly developed suburb 15 minutes outside a make-believe downtown Sacramento, California, and then experiencing the halt in development as a result of the housing crisis, I  have come to the realization that no matter how hard I tried, I cannot live outside a metropolitan city on a long-term basis. For a while there I was confusing escaping to the suburbs for a couple of days to clear my head with wanting to actually live there permanently.  With that said, I will finally be handing over the keys to my property in suburbia this week and returning to my beloved city by the bay to once again become the city girl who I have always been.  It was an  eight year challenge and struggle to finally make this transition happen and believe me it couldn’t have come at a better time.  I must say I am anxious and a bit nervous, but I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life to happen. Sometimes you have to experience what isn’t right for you in order to truly appreciate …

shoe fashion for fall 2010

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I was looking through fall 2010 shoe trends and I came across photos of shoes they plan to sell this coming season. I don’t know about you but I am not sure what the message is or what the thought process is in regard to sho fashion. The thing is that bizarre clothing fashion trends come and go and then come back again and then go back and ok we can live with that, but shoes in my opinion are a different thing.  They can either harm you or put you in a hospital as a result of designer’s craze.  Do the designers realize how damaging these so-called trends are to any woman old enough and sometimes not old enough interested in owning a pair or two for the sake of being in fashion?  The other question I have is, when these types of shoes are marketed and sold in stores, does the fashion industry understand the impact these designs have on the women over 40, who craves to feel young and sensual but cannot physically handle the contraption …

cougar town

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I have heard alot about the show Cougar Town and for some strange reason kept missing it every week. So two nights ago I watched it and I just could not stop laughing. The show starring Courtney Cox is about women over 40 feeling the effects of middle age and getting older with a funny twist. I think what I liked the most about the show is that I actually was able to relate to most of it. It was funny, very realistic and the fact most of the characters didn’t look like models helped alot. I guess what I am trying to say is that, even when women over 40 cannot find humor in their own lives as they deal with family, work and all that jazz that goes hand in hand with being the woman over 40, it is great to step back for 30 minutes a week and watch Cougar Town and take on a few laughs. The show airs Wednesday nights on ABC at 9:30 p.m. in California, not sure about …

breakfast of champions for the over 40 years olds

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You know we read here and there and listen to news about what “we” need to eat in order to stay healthy and maintain our weight. Whatever that means. I mean this topic annoys me to no end. I want to understand how it is that people can maintain a healthy lifestyle while coping with life’s pressures, breathing in the pollution day in and day out and consuming processed foods? No, but seriously, aside from the b.s., it is difficult to do our part and as a result we sometimes tend to eat a quick muffin for breakfast, or chomp on frozen waffles while we drive the kids to school, maybe even just settle on a cup of coffee if we are watching our weight just to pretend we got something in our stomachs before tackling the day. Well, here is my take on this. I am a firm believer of eating a good breakfast and taking the time to do so in order to have the most positive day possible. I understand most women …

getting ready for two weddings

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Maggy London Illusion Back Pleated Matte Jersey Dress (Nordstrom)$148.00 – This is my best black dress choice for an evening wedding in Sausalito, California this June. I prefer wearing black for most evening occasions, it is the fall back dress for me when I feel self conscious about anything physically or just plain self conscious. Be careful however, with a dress like this one, you want to make sure your curves and bulges are in the right location of your body otherwise your attempt will be disastrous. Alex Evenings Portrait Collar Mesh Dress (Nordstrom)For a more full figured and bustier than myself woman, I suggested going with the following choices. Eliza J Ruffle Print Wrap Dress (Nordstrom) $158.00 – This is the dress I decided on for a daytime outdoor wedding in Santa Barbara July 2010. Again this style works for my body type but may not do justice for the full figured woman over 40. Instead, for daytime or outdoor events, I suggest sticking to neutrals and whites with some sort of sheer wrap …

cheese and more cheese please

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Don’t you hate it when you go to a restaurant and order, mostly Italian food, and when asked if they can sprinkle Parmesan cheese, they always end the sentence with “tell me when” and all you can think is, leave the block of cheese with me and I will gladly return it when I am done with it. But instead, you just wave your hand a minute after the waiter shaves some cheese unto your plate, feeling embarrassed to ask for more. Well the point of this story is, of course, to tell you how much I love cheese. I think if I were asked to list my 5 top favorite foods, cheese would be number 1. Seriously. Yes I understand eating too much cheese has repercussions but if eaten moderately and carefully then it shouldn’t be a problem. Check out some of my favorite cheesy blogs and hang outs PaniniHappy.com – a place to get your cheesy panini fix Whole Foods Market – organic cheeses with great pairing suggestions Napa Cheese Stores – Artisan …

angelina’s Cafe

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I must have driven by Angelina’s Cafe on California Street and 22nd (in the Richmond District in San Francisco) about a hundred times and said to myself, wow what a cute place, I have to go there sometimes. Well, finally today, after years of contemplating and planning, I finally decided to eat breakfast there after my one hour walk. As I parked my car half a block from the corner where Angelina’s Cafe is situated, I got a great feeling in my stomach as I walked by the French bistro table and chairs lined along the outside of the cafe. When I entered through the door, I noticed the customers lined up along the deli counter, waiting to order their food. Some were holding on to their dog’s leashes. I instantly knew I would love this place since they allowed dogs to be in the store. (Just in case you are wondering, I feel dogs should be allowed everywhere) I ordered a sesame bagel with eggs, cheddar cheese and bacon and was asked if I …

no recipe here just good food

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I love “good” food like most individual with an artistic palette. I refer to palettes as artistic because if you think about it, those who lack creativity, lack a taste for good food (in my opinion). Good food to me is something that has to compliment my taste buds, it has to enhance my sense of smell from the array of spices used to create the dish, and finally it has to fulfill my innermost sensuality. Believe me if you think about it, you will understand what I mean. I am always in search of good food and when I find myself settling due to my financial state at the time I frequent the restaurant, or the party I am with doesn’t have an artistic palette, I leave the restaurant feeling unhappy and a bit grumpy. Keep in mind I am not implying that only expensive restaurants or those who claim to work with the best chefs in the world have the best meals. I am stating that even the simplest and most inexpensive places …

handbag and shoes for the woman over 40

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If there is anything I can say I am addicted to, even in midlife, is shoes and handbags. I can walk through department stores and browse through the selection of designer shoes and handbags, oh probably an entire day without feeling tired. I know I am not alone in this, but choosing the right shoes and handbags for a woman over 40 could sometimes be very challenging. There is a certain protocol when you reach a certain time in your life and the shoes and handbags you select should compliment your maturity rather than hinder it. A handbag should never be too big or too small and the handle should be designed so that when you carry it, it doesn’t seem like you are struggling. Sticking to pale colors in the summer is ideal and keeping with the blacks is appreciated in the winter months. Women over 40 should stay away from bright yellow or fuchsias and greens. If color is your thing, then stick to lavenders and power blues instead for spring and summer. …