My daughter is a vegetarian, my son likes meat and I’m an eat-everything-under-the-sun-etarian. Lol! It can be challenging finding meals to make that appeal to everyone, and that aren’t just pasta. When my daughter offered to make Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos for dinner, I welcomed the offer and they were delicious! This recipe is from Pinch of Yum and so good.
Do you have any amazing recipes that you’d like to share??? Let us know!
* Ingredients: * 1 cup flour * 1 cup milk * 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, salt, and pepper * 1 head cauliflower (4–5 cups florets) * 3/4 cup hot sauce (I used Frank’s brand) * shredded cabbage or slaw * chopped fresh cilantro * tortillas
Avocado Crema:
* 2 avocados * 1 clove garlic * 1/4 cup sour cream (yogurt would work, too) * 1/4 cup water * 1/2 teaspoon salt * squeeze of lemon or lime
Instructions:
1. Batter the cauliflower: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk flour, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip cauliflower pieces in the batter and let excess drip off. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake on an upper rack for 15-20 minutes until lightly crisped and browned. 2. Spice the cauliflower: Gently toss the baked cauliflower in a bowl with the hot sauce. Return to pan. Bake for another 5-10 minutes. 3. Avocado Crema: Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. 4. Slaw: Toss the slaw with some of the avocado crema until it’s nice and creamy. 5. Tacos: Fill each tortilla with slaw, cauliflower, a drizzle of avocado crema, and cilantro. Perfection!
On a beautiful summer evening last week, Bev and I got together to make Skinny Margaritas. These aren’t typical Skinny Margaritas from a mix though! I love this recipe because it’s simple and the ingredients are all natural – no artificial sweeteners, no high fructose corn syrup, and no artificial colors which give the drink a neon green hue – lol! There are only three ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and honey (or agave) simple syrup. The most complicated step is making simple syrup – which is actually very simple. I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a fan of overly sweet cocktails, so this one is perfect. You can make it as sweet or as sour as you like. We hope you give the recipe a try and enjoy yours on a beautiful summer evening!
****** Disclaimer: Bev and I do not think we’re still in middle school – the color coordinating outfits in the video were completely unplanned!
INGREDIENTS:
Honey Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup honey (or agave nectar)*
Pitcher Margaritas
16-oz. fresh lime juice (~2 cups)
16-oz. high-quality tequila (~2 cups)
8-oz. honey simple syrup (entire recipe from above) (~1 cup)
6 cups ice
Single-Serve Margarita
2-oz. fresh lime juice
2-oz. high-quality tequila
1-oz. honey simple syrup
optional: splash of orange juice
INSTRUCTIONS:
First prepare the honey simple syrup and add the water and honey to a small pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes (stirring periodically). Remove from heat and let cool.
For a pitcher of margaritas, fill a large pitcher with around 6 cups of ice. Then, place 16 fl. oz lime juice, 16 fl. oz. tequila, and 8 fl. oz. of honey simple syrup into a pitcher. Use a long wooden spoon to mix to combine. Serve over ice with fresh lime slices and a salty rim.
For a single-serve margarita, place a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker. Then, add 2 fl. oz. lime juice, 2 fl. oz. tequila, and 1 fl. oz. honey simple syrup. Place the top on and shake to combine. Serve over ice with limes and a salty rim.
TIPS & NOTES
Honey: option to swap the honey for agave nectar. Both are great choices for this skinny margarita.
For summer reading I’m recommending two great books; they’re both quick reads, but one is the perfect light beach read, while the other has a more serious and thoughtful tone. They really are quite different, and I enjoyed both for very different reasons.
The author Jennifer Weiner has a new book out. However, I’m not recommending that you read her newest book, as it’s only available in hardback and it’s difficult to get at the library! Instead, you should pick up her novel from last year – Big Summer. If you’ve ever read anything by the author, you know that her novels are funny and easy to read. But they also usually have some more serious underlying themes. Big Summer is witty and entertaining – about the life of an influencer, with a little bit of romance and a lot of mystery mixed in. At the same time the novel covers heavier topics such as self-worth, body positivity, toxic teenage friendships, and understanding how people change over time. It’s a nice way to escape! So definitely pack this for a summer trip – you won’t be able to put it down!
I’m slightly biased about the other novel I’m recommending. Afterlife is written by Julia Alvarez, a former professor at Middlebury College (my alma mater). This book is engrossing and easy to read, but the subject matter is not at all light. It’s eloquently written and interweaves three different stories in the main character Antonia’s life: her grieving as a widow after the loss of her husband, the challenges of mental illness within her own family, and the plight of illegal immigrant farm workers in VT (yes, this actually is a problem in Northern New England). These themes are all difficult to read about, but Alvarez’ writing draws you in. Her character Antonia often thinks in quotes from poems and prose, in the way that we may have lines and lyrics stuck in our own heads. But Antonia uses these as a way of thinking through difficult situations. This is just one example of Alvarez’ beautiful writing style. Take a look at both of these books this summer. Happy Reading!
In today’s post Bev (and Scout!) give you a really great ab workout, and Annette has a recipe for a delicious and seasonal summer salad. Take a look!
Working Out with Scout!
It’s Time for Peaches!
Photo credit: Jamie Oliver
When I was grocery shopping last week, I was really excited to see peaches from South Carolina for the first time this summer. In fact, I was so excited that I may have bought an “aggressive” amount of them (as my kids would say!) I’m very picky about peaches – I only buy them in season, and only ones from SC, GA, and NJ (Yes, Jersey peaches!) Sorry CT, but your peaches don’t make the cut!
After I brought all of those peaches home, I knew exactly what I was going to make. My friend refers to this as a “sexy salad”, and I was sure my dinner guests would love it (they did!) It is sexy indeed – the presentation is beautiful (it’s served on a platter instead of in a bowl) and it’s delicious! What makes this salad so great is its simplicity – it’s very easy to make and it only has a few ingredients (the dressing is just lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, and ground pepper). So you can really taste the different flavors: salty prosciutto and fresh mozzarella, sweet juicy peaches, zesty lemon juice, and spicy mint leaves with salad greens. Give it a try and enjoy those perfectly ripe peaches – they won’t be around forever!
Finally – this weekend is the unofficial start of summer! Normally we wouldn’t post again so soon, but we thought it would be fun to give you some things to check out, as we head into the long weekend. We’ve got a great playlist all about summer and sunshine (literally!) and a video to show you how to make a delicious cocktail. What are you up to this weekend???
Happy Hour with A & B
Because it’s May, we thought it would be fun to make a Kentucky Mule, in honor of the Kentucky Derby (and yes we’re a few weeks late!) The Kentucky Mule is a spin on the more well-known Moscow Mule. However, instead of vodka this Mule has bourbon – hence Kentucky! Once again we’ve chosen a drink with only a few ingredients and very simple to make.
We thoroughly enjoyed making and sampling these – they’re really yummy, slightly sweet and also fizzy thanks to the ginger beer. So give this mule a try!
Kentucky Mule
Ingredients
~2 ounces bourbon
~1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
~Ginger beer, to top
~Garnish: mint sprig/lime wedge
Steps
Add the bourbon and lime juice to a Moscow Mule mug or a highball glass.
2. Fill the mug or glass with ice and top with ginger beer.
Happy Monday from Two Chicks’ Picks! Today we give you our latest takes on skincare, Bev helps you get ready to hike and Annette shares her thoughts on haters and exercise. Read below and let us know what you think!
Our Latest Takes –
In the short time since we’ve started Two Chicks’ Picks, we’ve gotten multiple requests to write about skin care for women over fifty. Fortunately, we know several women who specialize in skin care, so it was easy to do our research! We spoke to these three, who gave us great suggestions on what we can do to keep our skin looking younger.
Jenny Crotty
Jenny Crotty, Beauty Counter Consultant beautycounter.com/jennycrotty explained that “our skin definitely gets drier after we age, loses elasticity and becomes rougher”. In addition to her great skincare advice, she recommended
1)Beauty Counter’s Countertime Collection (features a plant-derived Retinatural Complex to firm, brighten and plump the skin):
Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream (night cream)
Renewal Eye Cream
2) Beautycounter’s All-Bright C Serum (made with two ultra-stable forms of Vitamin C and immediately brightens skin while helping reduce the appearance of dark spots)
3)Beautycounter’s Overnight Resurfacing Peel (Made with glycolic acid and 14 other botanically-derived acids) “This is one of my favorite products and is great for treating fine lines, dark spots and dullness. The combination of resurfacing and soothing acids helps hydrate, replenish and protect skin. Use 3-4 times per week. Just apply to face and neck at night on clean skin and can be left on overnight.”
Anita Lee
Anita Lee, owner of MeTime Skincare, https://www.metimeskincare.com/ explained how the aging process takes a toll on our skin: fluctuating hormones, drier skin, hyperpigmentation from sun exposure when we were younger, skin cells are weakened and skin is more reactive to products and environment. And she listed ingredients to look for in skincare products. Anita also says, “Decleor from Paris, Dr. Dennis Gross’s Skincare and Enviage Labs are my favorites…. bonus tip: get your eyebrows done by a professional. Great shaped brows can give the appearance of a facelift!”
Avery Horne
Avery Horne, consultant for Isagenix, chefaverywuest.isagenix.com says “…..we don’t have that youthful skin in our 50’s, so taking collagen helps with bringing that glow back. Collagen helps with your appearance of wrinkles and those fine lines. After we hit 30 we start producing less and less collagen in our body. I’m finding out that it has so many benefits – it nourishes your skin from the inside out. And it’s great for hair and nails.” In addition to her excellent skincare tips, Avery strongly recommends Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ – “I have very sensitive skin and this cream is the only one that my face doesn’t have a reaction to.”
Our three skin experts had several of the same suggestions, but each woman gave some unique advice. So take a look at what they shared!
– Annette & Bev
Our Latest Tips (Fitness and Health) –
Working out with Scout – Hiking Exercises
Our Latest Picks (What We’re Reading) –
Recently I read an article in Runner’s World (see link below) that really struck a chord with me. Don’t worry – I’m not sharing this article to try to turn all of our followers into runners!!! But it made me really think about our perceptions of age, attitudes, and abilities (my own and others’). The article describes four women who are different ages, different types of runners, and have different body types. Each has decided to embrace who they are and what they’re capable of, after years of negativity.
I’m not really much of a runner now – more of a person who goes on slow, short jogs😆But when I was younger, I ran much more than I do now, and I wasn’t that bad. However, during that time in my life a few different people said to me in a surprised tone, “you’re a runner? But you don’t have a runner’s build!” (Meaning – your hips are too wide to be a runner😕). And as someone who was trying my best to do something that was good for me and that I enjoyed, what was I supposed to do with those statements? I wish I could have risen above and ignored them, but clearly they stuck with me!
One runner in the article noted, “For the longest time, I had never run in shorts; I was too embarrassed… I have cellulite, my thighs touched, I was convinced everyone thought I didn’t belong.” But she did eventually start to wear running shorts and ended up feeling a sense of freedom she hadn’t anticipated. Have you ever worried so much about your appearance that you can’t actually enjoy what you’re doing? I know I have!
But the best quote in the article was from a young runner, whose body had gone through many changes as she matured. She advised –
“F*** that. Be proud of who you are, the legs that you stand on, the arms that swing to propel you forward, the heart that beats to your own drum, the lungs that fill and release to breathe in every moment, and the head on your shoulders that gives you the choice to decide what you allow in and what you don’t.”
So the most important message from this article is one that can be applied to so many things in life: don’t let your body type, age, gender or other peoples’ attitudes affect the choices you make – especially in staying active! If you like running, swimming, walking, gardening, hiking, cycling, kayaking, playing pickle ball, etc. – just keep it up (assuming there aren’t health reasons why you shouldn’t) no matter what others say!
We’re at a time in our lives when being active is especially important. So do what you love – and don’t let the haters get you down😊
Every Body Is a Runner’s Body: Four Women Explain How They Embrace Change and Shake Off Negativity to Run Freer, Happier, and Stronger Than Ever
Check out our latest takes and picks below – Learn how to make a yummy dip, see what Bev has to say about hiking, get a recommendation from Annette for a steamy series to stream, and check out a couple of fun playlists for working out!
-Annette & Bev
What we’re eating –
Rupa’s Zingy Bean Dip
We recently got together with our friend Rupa Sethu @salttheplate to learn how to cook a yummy (and simple!) Mexican dip. Don’t worry – we’ve all been vaccinated😀 And speaking of – this is the perfect appetizer to serve when reconnecting with friends this summer, now that things are getting back to normal!
Watch our video and see how Rupa uses fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices to make delicious low-sodium food. Much better flavors and much healthier!
We’re also including a link below with the recipe so you can try it yourself – Enjoy!
What’s the deal with……. hiking????? It’s a beautiful day out and you want to exercise, but don’t want to be indoors, so what can you do? How about a hike???
When I was kid, if it was a sunny day, my mother insisted that I go outside to play! No TV or video games (all we had was pong anyway – haha!) My friends and I would go around the neighborhood, and knock on each other’s doors (no one used a phone!) and round up a bunch of kids. We’d play whiffle ball, kick the can or just run through the woods in our backyard or in our neighbors’ hills. To this day, if it’s a beautiful Saturday or Sunday, I feel impelled to “play” outside and enjoy the fresh air. I try to remind my kids to do the same, which doesn’t always work, however!
The first actual real hike that I ever went on was in VT. I was in my 20’s and my brother let me tag along with him and his friend for the weekend up to Warren VT, where his friend grew up. We showed up at his friend’s house on this beautiful hill with the mountains and pine trees all around. His mom had African bongo drum music playing in the background and some green tea boiling on the stove. She and her daughter and some friends and family were meditating in the living room. It was all very foreign to me at the time, but she welcomed me with open arms, and soon I felt like one of the family! The next morning more friends and family showed up, and everyone was doing yoga on her amazing lawn, overlooking the Green Mountains. I felt every ounce of stress release from my bones (not that a 20 something year-old has a lot of stress – ha ha!). Afterwards, we all went for a hike to the top of Burnt Rock. The whole family – from his mom to his cousins, sisters, brothers, friends, girlfriends and even friends of friends – went on the hike. Going up was tough, but the view at the top was spectacular, with really cool rock formations. Going down was even tougher, as I recall, as it was steep and rocky, so you really had to watch your footing. We literally ran down the mountain (remember I was young and in my 20’s!) and at the bottom we all dived into a beautiful cool pond, clothes and all! It was such an amazing experience that I’ve never forgotten – the beauty, peace and tranquility of the outdoors. I have really come to understand the expression one of my friends always says -“the outdoors is my sanctuary”. Since that time in VT, I’ve gone on some hikes in VT at Haystack Mountain, Molly Stark and even some hikes in CT at Devils Den and Mianus River Park.
Because I’ve really only done day hikes, I thought it would be fun to talk to my friend, Lisa Case, who is a rockstar when it comes to hiking! Recently, I sat down with Lisa to talk about the amazing trip she is planning to the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range of California. Lisa is a very experienced hiker, and I imagine this hike is not for the faint of heart. Inspired by her daughter, Emma, who hiked for 6 months along the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, Lisa entered a lottery to get a coveted permit to hike the John Muir Trail. After a few tries, she finally got the permit and is set to go in August. It is a 210 mile hike which starts at Yosemite National Park and ends up at Mount Whitney, which is the highest peak in the continental United States. Lisa said it takes about 3 weeks, and that she’ll do about 12 miles a day (Some of it with her husband and some of it alone – wow!) The elevations can be as high as 14,000 feet! To prepare for such an adventure, you have to think ahead. You need to pack light, but be prepared: a tent, canteen kit, first aid kit, and food to start. Since you can’t conceivably bring 3 weeks of food with you, she told me that you need to mail food to different post offices along the way and then you hike out from your trail and pick them up! You can also have a friend or brother in law meet you at a certain point to hand off supplies as well. Apparently you are not completely alone on the trail and will see quite a few people along the way, which I thought was comforting. But to a true experienced hiker it’s actually considered a luxury to pitch your tent and be alone. I am looking forward to hearing about the trip when she returns, and seeing some amazing pics!
For those of us who are a little timid (like me!) about spending 3 weeks away from civilization without a hot shower, iPhone and comfy bed, there are plenty of day hikes you can go on no matter where you live. One website a friend of mine recommends is https://www.alltrails.com/ There is a hike for everyone! With dogs, friends, advanced or beginner. Hiking is a great way to stay in shape, no matter what your age. It’s Covid-friendly, and lets you experience the true beauty of this amazing country we live in. Tell me about your favorite hikes and websites!
Coming up…some great exercises that you can do to prepare for that hike!
-Bev
Lisa and Mike Case at Fitzroy, El Calafate, Argentina
Bev and Scout (her hiking partner!)
What we’re watching-
Outlander (Netflix)
***Full disclosure: Outlander is most definitely for Mature Audiences Only! And I’m recommending it, although I have not actually finished the series yet!😆
I realize that I’m a little late to the Outlander party – but when several friends used the words “time travel” to describe the series, and begged me to watch it, I thought “no way!” But if you haven’t seen it yet, stick with me – it’s not time travel as in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure or even Star Trek. In fact, I would say that Outlander is less sci-fi and more historical fiction with a bit of mystical fantasy and romance thrown in.
So what makes someone who can’t stand the idea of time travel, not only decide to watch this show, but highly recommend it? My husband and I had recently finished watching a few of our much-loved series, and we were in desperate need of something new, so we thought we’d give it a try – and we’ve never looked back!
Outlander is most definitely an historical fiction romance. But it’s not a romance in the over-the-top Harlequin book style (ok, but there is some bodice ripping😬) The series begins with a married English couple, Claire and Frank, who have reunited after the end of World War II. They are experiencing some awkwardness and uncertainty in their relationship, having been apart for so long. While they are away on a trip to the Scottish highlands, Claire visits a site famous in local superstitious lore, and is taken back in time to the same location in the Highlands in the 1700s.
Not only is the story romantic, but the scenery of the Scottish landscape alone provides plenty of romance. But let’s get back to the characters….. almost immediately upon her arrival in the 1700s, Claire is taken in by the McKenzie clan (she also has a run in with her current husband’s ancestor, but that’s another topic). Claire turns out to be highly valued by the McKenzies, because of her medical skills (she was a nurse during WWII). Also upon her arrival she meets an extremely handsome young man, Jamie, who lives with the clan.
As one would expect, huge tension arises between Claire and Jamie. And as the series continues, this only increases. An inevitable relationship between the two gorgeous characters eventually begins, and the slow, seductive love scenes are swoon-worthy! (Apparently the series continues on with more time travel, to different countries and periods in time, but I haven’t gotten there yet.)
The build-up of tension, the growing relationship and the passionate love scenes are clearly told from a woman’s perspective, which is what makes Outlander so popular among my female friends. And that is almost entirely why I’m recommending it! So much of streaming now seems to give a man’s perspective – loud, fast, rough – and those are just the action scenes! In so many shows that are popular (Ray Donovan, Billions, Narcos, etc) there is almost never any type of subtlety or slowness in the “love” scenes, much less any romantic build-up between characters over time.
So watching Outlander can be even better than couples’ therapy! There’s something for everyone – a love story with beautiful scenery for romantics, lots of facts and old architecture for history buffs, and even plenty of violence and blood (it is eighteenth century Scotland after all!) But most important – love scenes that will improve any relationship😆 So it’s great to watch with your partner, but not your kids!
-Annette
What we’re listening to –
We love to make playlists ….. (And sometimes they are a bit over the top!) So for one of our first posts we thought it would be fun to share our favorite work-out songs: two different playlists = 2x the fun! Some of them are kinda’ cheesy, and there are a lot of throwbacks, but we promise they’re all energetic and motivational! We’re always looking for new tunes, so let us know if you have any!
So what is this blog all about? We are definitely over fifty, but does this mean we think we know everything about being super “fit, fab and fun”??? Ha – not at all!!!
We do have info and ideas that we can write about, but we also know SO many other people (ok, mostly women!) who are truly experts in so many things. We’d love to share their ideas with you. They have a wealth of information about being fit, finding fabulous music/food/books/trends and most important – having fun! So each of our posts will feature fun and interesting items to help you keep current.
You may not be interested in everything we post. But follow us anyway – we promise to keep you entertained and in the know!
What’s the deal with……electric bikes?! Or as they’re referred to by the in-crowd…e-bikes!
I must confess, when my older brother mentioned to me that he was looking to buy an electric bike, I chuckled and thought to myself, “no matter how old I am, I’m never going to give up and ride one of those wimpy e-bikes!” I would never be caught dead by my cycling friends sporting an upright bike that had electric gears to “help” you on a hill. It hardly seemed like a workout and seemed like cheating to me. Then one of my friends, Lisa Miller, told me about her fantastic trip through Italy using electric bikes. She explained that when “a good friend invited us (she and her husband) on a cycling trip to Italy, we thought Italy? Yes! Cycling not so much. With the e-bike option though, it became realistic for our group of six to go on the same rides without getting separated. Four of us rode e-bikes and the other two stuck to road bikes. It was so much fun to have the power when you wanted it for the MANY hills in Tuscany. The ‘boost’ is silent and easily controlled with a switch so you’re still getting all of the exercise of cycling. When I easily passed my friend on an incline, I had to smile as I called out ‘On your left!'”
“Hmmm “, I thought. “Sounds like an interesting concept and It certainly piqued my interest, but no – I could never cave in and use one. Too bulky, too heavy, and too embarrassing!” So when my 16-year-old son and I dropped my daughter off at college in VT, we stopped at my brother’s place in Wilmington, VT for the night on the way home. “Feel free to use the e-bikes,” my brother said. “Well, we would be in VT where no one would see me”, I thought. My son thought the same thing -“ haha… no one will see me riding a bike with my mom. Let’s do it! “
So we powered them up and rode the back roads through hill after hill to Mt. Snow. I had ridden this 10-mile route many times before on my road bike and it was hilly! Well, my son and I had a blast! I felt like a little kid. Big hill, no problem – just turn up the juice! I was giggling and loved it and my son and I could ride together with no problem, even though we had different riding skills. It was a hoot and I still got a workout if I wanted to. Of course, the spin instructor in me couldn’t resist barking out orders to my son to add resistance here, and back it off there. “Mom, I got it. This isn’t your spin class!” Haha, he was right! It was very easy to learn.
As I’ve gotten older and hopefully wiser I’m come to the realization that there are times when you should grind away on the hills huffing and puffing and there are other times when you should ease up. It’s okay to get a little help once in a while, either up that steep hill or in life. You should enjoy the beautiful flower on the side of the road, the view from the top of the mountain, and enjoy the company that you’re with. Just relax and power it up!
So in reference to e-bikes, as Ferris Bueller once said (if you’re my age you know who he is), “It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”Hahaha – for a mere $1800. Did I mention that?
Spring is finally here! Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and warm weather is around the corner. But most important, it’s time to start thinking about one of our favorite warm weather activities – drinks al fresco! And what better for “al fresco”, than a favorite Italian summer cocktail: Aperol Spritz!
It’s light, sparkling, colorful and perfect in warm weather. And it’s easy to make – no shaker or fancy cocktail tools needed! Bev and I thought it would be fun to take advantage of the warm weather (social distancing of course! ) and make our own. Of course we had a great time!
We got some advice on how to make the best Aperol Spritz from Amy Reichard, a former bartender and close friend of Bev’s, “Aperol Spritz is a drink that is not only colorful, but pairs with so much! My fav is in a big wine glass with lots of ice, super bubbly seltzer, a nice Prosecco and of course, Aperol, the Venetian gift to us all! The slice of orange finishes off a beautiful presentation as a hostess welcome cocktail.”
Aperol Spritz
INGREDIENTS (Per cocktail)
~Ice
~3 ounces (1 part) Aperol
~3 ounces (1 part) dry Prosecco
~1 ounce (a splash) club soda or unflavored sparkling water
~Orange slice, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Add ice to a wine glass until it is nearly full. Pour in the Aperol (I usually eyeball this and pour until I’ve filled about one-third of the glass).
Pour in an equal amount of Prosecco. Top your drink off with a splash of club soda and add a slice of orange. Enjoy!
