I’m not a chef, but one of the ways I show people I love them is to cook for them and provide sustenance. So, for all the people who let me cook for them, thank you for allowing me to show you I love you!

Please note – I am NOT a food blogger, so these recipes are not technical, and don’t give many instructions. If you try these recipes, I’ll assume you have some knowledge of cooking. If anything is confusing, let me know in the comments and I’ll try to answer it for you!

Also note – the images are stock photos. I am also not a food photographer!

One more thing – scroll to the bottom to find my recipe for the perfect Old Fashioned!

BUFFALO CHICKEN BOWLS

Chicken Breasts (one package – about 2-3) You can also use chicken tenders and it will cook faster!
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Ranch Dressing Packet
1/2 Cup Buffalo Sauce – I like Sweet Baby Rays (you can use as much sauce as you want!)
2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
Cooked rice – I like Jasmine Rice or use cauliflower rice on my low carb days.
Diced cucumbers
Diced grape tomatoes
Diced avocado

Put the Chicken Breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker, top with the butter, ranch dressing packet and Buffalo Sauce. Cook on low for about 6 hours.

Pull the chicken out, shred it, and put it back in the slow cooker. Mix in the mayo to make it nice and creamy!

Serve in a bowl with rice. I like to mix the white rice with cauliflower rice to get a veggie serving in. Top with the cukes, toms and avocado. 

Drizzle with more Buffalo Sauce and Ranch Dressing (if you have it).

Enjoy!

ORIGINAL RECIPE

MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST

1 (3-4 pounds) chuck roast – I just get the cheapest roast they have – it will be tender!
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1 packet au jus gravy mix – you can find this where the gravy is – it’s just a little packet. 
1/4 cup butter
4-5 pepperoncini peppers (optional – but the acidity of these help tenderize even the cheapest piece of meat!)
 
Place roast in the slow cooker and sprinkle the top with the ranch dressing mix and the au jus mix.

Place peppers on top of the mixes and add the butter.

Cook over low heat for 8 hours. Serve with noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

ORIGINAL RECIPE

FRIED BRUSSEL SPROUT CAESAR SALAD

Olive Oil
Brussel Sprouts (4-5 per person)
Arugula
Pistachios
Parmesan Cheese
Caesar Salad Dressing (I use Ken’s Lite Caesar Dressing)
Thinly slice about 4-5 Brussels per person.

Fry Brussels in a pan with a splash or two of Olive Oil. Fry to desired tenderness. I like it browned well. 

Meanwhile, add the desired amount of arugula to a salad bowl.

Add a handful of pistachios for the last 30 seconds/1 minute of cooking the Brussels. Lightly cook the pistachios. 

Top the arugula with the Brussels/pistachio mixture.

Top with your desired amount of parm and Caesar dressing and toss. 

LENTIL BRUSCHETTA

The lentils turn this bruschetta into a meal!

3 large tomatoes
3 cloves garlic (or less if you don’t love garlic quite as much as I do )
3 Tablespoons Gourmet Garden Basil Herb Blend Stir-In Paste
6 oz feta cheese
1 Cup cooked green lntils
Salt & Pepper to taste

Cut tomatoes into small bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic and add to tomatoes.

Add Basil Herb Blend (or use fresh chopped basil if you would like)

Add Feta Cheese & cooked lentils

Mix well, and add salt & pepper to taste

Serve with pita chips, toasted baguette, or sourdough.

STREET CORN SALAD

I use this as a side dish for burgers, tacos, etc.

4 Cups Corn (best if it’s fresh cut off the cob!)
3 tsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup chopped red onion
1 Jalapeno, diced
1/3 cup Cotija Cheese
Salt to taste

Dressing

4 Tablespoon Mayo
2 Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 tsp Tajin

Mix dressing ingredients and store in the fridge until ready.

Add oil and butter to the pan (I like to use my cast iron)

When butter is melted, add corn and saute until corn browns and is roasted. Add garlic for the last minute of cooking.

Put corn in a bowl, and add jalapenos and red onion. Add the dressing to the corn mixture and stir. Add the cheese and stir gently.

Note: the original recipe calls for cilantro, but it’s not for me. But, if you are a weirdo, please feel free to add it if you would like!

ORIGINAL RECIPE

THE PERFECT OLD FASHIONED

Just kidding – you have to invite me over and I’ll make you the PERFECT Old Fashioned!

If you have been following along, you know I have been riding shotgun with my hooman on her 4-month road trip across the United States. My hooman is a recently divorced empty-nester on a road trip that will take her across the United States, visiting friends and family, and hopefully figure out her next best life. Even though I don’t have opposable thumbs, I’m hi-jacking this blog post because I wanted to take a minute to get a few things straight, for the record.

First, no one asked my opinion on this hair-brained scheme. I’ll never forget the day, Saturday, March 5, 2022. I woke up leisurely, as I always do, and I aggressively ate my boring breakfast of kibble. When I had finished, my hooman came at me with my harness. I hate that thing. So I stubbornly ran under the table. When she finally coerced me out from under the table with some cheese, she snapped that contraption on me and loaded me into her Bronco. She hooked me up to my doggy car seat which I must admit is pure luxury. Before I knew it, we were off. I thought we were headed to the Home Depot, where I am everyone’s favorite and all the workers give me treats. But we just kept going and going and going. I was very perplexed, so I just slept and kept my mom company by snoring loudly. She likes when I do that.

Initially, all this traveling made me out-of-sorts, I wouldn’t eat or drink. If you know me at all, that’s never a problem. I was distraught. What is wrong with this woman? Was she having some sort of mid-life crisis and was I going to pay the price for it? Only time would tell.

I eventually got used to the driving and became the best co-pilot out there. Although my hooman wishes I could navigate and find the best gas prices along the route, I still don’t have opposable thumbs and struggle to make her phone work for me. Besides, your homie doesn’t have time for that…only naps.

We have officially completed the first half of our Next Chapter Best Chapter Road trip. From my point of view, here are the good, the bad, and the ugly things that have happened to me – a Pug on a Road Trip.

The Good:

Meeting my long-lost furry relatives.

My preference is for humans, because they give treats and pets, but I did come to love the relatives I have met along the way:

My cousin Sir Vandiver Brandon of the Great Salt Lake. I like to call him Van, he’s more of a goofball than a fancypants as that name would imply. Van took me to his school where I was called chonky, but also sweet, so I let the body shaming comment go. It was my first time at a school, so I was happy to have Van show me the ropes. We also went on walks around the city, where he showed me his favorite pee spots and when our hoomans went out we guarded the house by sleeping soundly and not moving at all.

Lolly, the Belle of the Esplanade. My hooman loved to take Lolly and me on walks together on the Esplanade overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Lolly had lots of hooman friends she introduced me to, specifically the retiree bunch that gathered early in the mornings. They gave lots of free pets. I liked that. I am a bit concerned that Lolly may have a drug problem. My hooman left my doggy suitcase on the ground and Lolly ate all my pain meds. Our hoomans went straight into panic mode, but thankfully Lolly was a-ok. Just a bit sleepy and constipated after that binge. I’m wondering if we may need an intervention.

Aurora, aka Naughty Kitty. Naughty Kitty was not fond of me at first but did come to tolerate me by the end of our stay in Redondo Beach. Thankfully I am hard of hearing and did not hear all of her hissings at me when I walked by. She may have been reacting to my snorting, but let’s face it, cats are a hard bunch to read.

Hoomans still love me.

I have seen so many hoomans along the way and thankfully I am still the favorite. I’m not sure if it’s my svelt body, my squished face, or my floppy ears that steal the hearts of humans everywhere. My real mom, Zia even hosted a party in my honor in a mansion in La Jolla, CA. I’m pretty much an A-lister now. All the cool kids follow me.

Visiting new places.

I’ve been to so many new places including 10 new states, 3 National Parks, the Pacific Ocean, the Wasatch Mountains, and so many dog-friendly restaurants. I am a world traveler. And, we’ve got 61 days left of our trip!

My hooman is so gullible.

One of the things I have loved the most on this trip is how I have my hooman wrapped around my little toe bean. My favorite example is how I pretend I can’t walk up three flights of stairs at our Salt Lake City Airbnb, and so she carries me up the stairs in her arms.

Like a baby.

I’m no slouch, I know what I’m doing.

The Bad:

Nap, Interrupted.

My hooman keeps me so busy, that I’m not getting my usual level of napping in. So rude. I love when she is so busy working I get some long naps in the books.

Dazed and confused.

We are moving around so much, that I never know where I am going to be when I wake up! We have stayed in eight different places, from my hooman’s friend’s homes to hotels, to family homes and even a glamper!

Capsule wardrobe?

It seems like my hooman only packed 3 outfits. She wears the same things over and over again. She’s weird and lacks imagination.

Being influential against my will.

My hooman is trying to make me an influencer against my will. She’s constantly taking my picture and making videos of me. She loves posting these videos on TikTok, then laughing at me. There has got to be a law about this type of exploitation. If you are a lawyer, please hit me up. I could use some pro-bono work.

The Ugly:

Oh bother, let’s be honest. If traveling the country, seeing exciting things, watching my hooman live out her dream is ugly, then I don’t want to be pretty. We are only halfway finished, I can’t wait to see where we go next!

Thanks for following our journey! Follow me on Instagram @mowglithemanpug and my hooman at @susanskimmel

Holy Guacamole! I’ve been on the road for FIFTY DAYS!!! For those of you who are new to this blog, I am a recently divorced empty-nester and on March 5, 2022, I loaded up my car and my dog and started a 4-month journey. I am touring the United States, visiting family and friends and seeing all the sights. I will be touring 5 of the 6 U.S. states I have never visited. And even more importantly, I am going on an adventure of self-discovery – my own little Eat, Pray, Love journey.

Here are a few updates to the statistics I am tracking:

• 4681 miles driven
• 103 hours in my Bronco
• 11 states I have traveled through (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah)
• $5.70 highest gas price I have paid on 3/18/22 in Banning, California
• 6 hikes – some were death marches (Chelsey)
• 5 Friends and family homes I have stayed in
• 4 National Parks visited (Petrified Forest, Sedona, Joshua Tree, Zion)
• 2 Airbnbs stayed in
• 2 new tattoos

If you have been following along, you know that on my 56th birthday, I created a 56 item Road Trip Bucket list to complete during my travels. I’ve been crossing off items as I go, 16 to be exact! Many of the items are specifically for when I begin visiting states I’ve never been to, which will be mid-May. Check out my list and the current status. NOTE: The one-night stand was a joke, but it’s been a hot minute, and crazily, many of you are in favor of that item being checked off! So, time will tell if that happens!

Here’s a list of my recent check-offs:

1. Go to Disneyland
2. Try surfing
3. Eat something I’ve never eaten – Nilgai cheeseburger
4. Listened to the entire #EnneaSummer2021 podcast series
5. Swim in the Pacific Ocean
6. Exercise at the beach
7. Receive a ticket or violation

Besides working my full-time job and my side hustles, I’ve also done a ton of fun things not on my Bucket List since my last blog post. (Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for real-time updates on my stories)

Highlights over the last 20 days:

• Spent two weeks in Redondo Beach with my brother and his sweet family doing all the things, but mostly just loving being a part of their daily family life!
• Amazing farmer’s markets with exotic products we don’t see in Georgia
• Macrame with my oldest niece
• Dog walking with my youngest niece
• Learning mad video skillz from my nephew
• Early morning chats with my brother over his gourmet coffee
• Daytime chats and walks with my sister-in-law
• Being the 3rd wheel on their weekly date night
• Heartfelt conversation over dinner with Doreen, my sorority sister, who I hadn’t seen since 1988
• Lunch and inspiring and hopeful conversation with Dawn, my childhood best friend, who I hadn’t seen since 1980
• Driving by my childhood home
• Lunch with my older brother and sister-in-law in Las Vegas
• Visited Zion National Park on my way to Salt Lake City
• Cocktails and crafts with Zoe
• Hauling Mowgli up 3 flights of stairs, 4 times a day
• Heather McMahan Farewell Tour in downtown SLC
• Hikes and walks with Zoe, Hutton, Van & Mowgli

I am spending time on this trip reflecting and doing hard inner work. It goes against my nature to look too deep into my emotions and my past. I am the queen of pushing through and shoving things down because that’s safe for me. It’s hard to do on your own, so next week I begin working with a spiritual mentor to help me with some of the things blocking me from living the life God intends for me. So stay tuned friends! It’s about to get REAL!

Now, on to the little series, I am calling:

What would 56-year-old Susan tell “then” Susan?
Chapter 3: What would 56-year-old Susan tell 23-year-old Susan?

(Read the last two posts for advice I would give 13-year-old and 18-year-old Susie.)

Let me set the stage for you: I have just graduated from the University of South Dakota with my MBA. I went straight to graduate school because I had a lot of fun in undergrad. A 3.2 GPA in business administration in 1988 would have landed me an assistant manager job at Foot Locker. That didn’t sound fun. I knew I could do better. I committed to kicking ass. So I did. Upon graduation, I interviewed at companies in South Dakota and Nebraska, but I was ready to get the heck out of dodge. So, I accepted a position that moved me to Detroit, MI. I happily hitched my hunter-green Chevy Citation to the back of a Ryder Truck and moved myself to The Motor City.

Throwback to Detroit, 1989-1990

I look back at this time of my life and I admire this Susan. She was a total badass. She was living her best life.

Here’s what I would tell that young lady:

I’m proud of you for taking that job and making that move. It was bold, courageous, and helped you grow into the woman you are now. You will look back on this time in your life and it will give you courage and boldness you will need to draw on in the future.

You will work hard. You will play harder! That is a good thing. Make sure you do that. You can sleep later.

Work is important, but not more important than relationships. Pay attention to the friends you make during this time and the relationships you are building. If they mean something to you, don’t let them go. You don’t want to look back 30 years and wish you had maintained those relationships.

You didn’t have to change your name from Susie to Susan because you thought it was more “business-like.” Who cares what people think of your name? There were many strong and amazing things you accomplished as Susie. Susie may seem like a little girl’s name, but for you, it was powerful.

What would you tell your 23-year-old self?

Highlights from the last 10 days of my Next Chapter Best Chapter Road Trip

If you have been following along, you know my first 3 weeks were a whirlwind of driving, visiting, hiking, working, touristing (I made that word up!). These last 10 days have been a much-needed time of rest and routine. I have spent the last 16 days at my older brother’s home, where he has graciously allowed my youngest daughter to live while she is in graduate school and working. He and his family do not live here full time, so it has just been me and Zia here. He has a beautiful home, in a beautiful city. We did some fun things like visiting Joshua Tree, Ocean Beach dog beach, the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, and the tide pools at Point Loma. We dressed up and went to a candlelight tribute to Taylor Swift by a string quartet. We have had great meals and enjoyed the amazing views San Diego offers. But what I have loved the most is spending time with my daughter on just “regular” days. It’s so fun to just “be” with your grown children when it’s not a holiday or event, and you get to see them in their normal day-to-day activities. We both worked full-time during my stay, and she has also gone to class. I have been able to experience her life alongside her. I met many of her closest friends, and it gave me comfort knowing that she has people looking out for her in this new life she is building across the country. I also had some quality alone time with myself. I am working on loving my own company, and so far, I haven’t annoyed myself too much yet!

Today, Mowgli and I will be leaving San Diego and heading up to visit with my younger brother, his wife, and their three kids. They also live in a beautiful home, in a beautiful city, with amazing views. I am looking forward to walking Mowgli with an ocean view every morning. But, again, what I am most excited about is getting to know my brother, sister-in-law, and their 3 kiddos on a deeper level. I left for college out of state when my brother was in second grade, and we have never lived in the same state since then. The times we have been together since then have been holidays and busy times where it’s hard to get to know people. So, I’m pumped to help with morning routines, be at their house when the kids get home from school, and hopefully just blend into their lives for the next 12 days. Yep – they are saints for letting me be a guest that long!

Now, on to the little series I am calling:

What would 56-year-old Susan tell “then” Susan?

Chapter 2: What would 56-year-old Susan tell 18-year-old Susie?

NOTE: If you didn’t read about 13-year-old Susie, you may want to jump back to the previous post.

NOTE AGAIN: I am not one to live in regret, and I do understand that every part of my previous life has led me to this part of my life. Let me be clear, I don’t wish for my past to be erased or changed. This is “therapy” for me as I look back on the pivotal moments of my life and try to learn from and lean into my past experiences as I move into my new chapter.

1984 – Let me set the stage for you.
Eighteen-year-old me could not wait to leave Nebraska. My whole high school career was based on that one objective – going to college in a different state. I did apply to the University of Nebraska, for college, but that was my backup, to the backup, to the backup school. It wasn’t that I thought I was too good for Nebraska, I just wanted new adventures. I wanted to meet new people, and do new things. I was raised by parents who left home and moved to new, faraway places. And that is how I was raised. It was expected that we would leave home and go far, far away…and don’t forget to take your lunch. See you at Christmas break.

With those things in mind, here are a few things 56-year-old me would tell 18-year-old Susie:

The next 5 years are going to be full of decision-making. You are good at making fast decisions and making them work. But, there is nothing wrong with taking time when thinking about big decisions. Not all decisions need to be made quickly.

Adventure is good. Running is not good. You will not be a new person just because you move to a new place.

Slow down. You don’t have to always be achieving or checking things off your to-do list.

What do you want? Think about that. Don’t think about what you think other people want. Don’t think about what you “should” do.

Boys are great. Girlfriends are better. Stay in touch with your friends, and don’t let life get in the way. You will have FOMO when you are 50 years old and see your college friends getting together and you aren’t part of that.

The Freshman 15 is legit. But it’s ok. You will lose it. Drink the beer, and eat the pizza. It’s all part of the experience.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

If you don’t already, follow me on Instagram and Facebook. I am posting daily on my stories of all my adventures! Here are a few highlights from the last 10 days!

Let’s first look at my current road trip statistics:

As you can see, these first 20 days have been a whirlwind.

I am grateful that the pace has settled down and I am finding my routine and my rhythm. If you know me, you know I operate best when I have a routine and know what to expect! I’ll be at my current location in San Diego for the next 10 days or so, and it’s given me an opportunity to get settled, focus on work, and some of my intentions for this trip.

When I came up with this hair-brained idea back in the fall, it originated out of a desire to complete my bucket list item of visiting all 50 states. But as my divorce was finalized, I knew I needed it to be more than that. I needed to figure out who I am now, in this phase of my life. In my previous phases of life, I was a student, an employee, a wife, a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, a single mom, a remarried woman with a very dysfunctional blended family, an unhappily married empty nester, and now a happy and single empty nester.

Part of figuring out who I am now, what I want out of my life, is reflecting on those past stages of my life. What caused me joy and led to a healthy relationship with myself and others? What caused me stress and pain and led to an unhealthy relationship with myself and others? 

I’m not one to live a life of regret. I 100% believe that every decision I made in my life was the best decision I could have made based on the information I had and the frame of mind I was in at the time. And, I love my life. Even the sadness, missteps, and tragedies. They have made me who I am today. However, I am grateful that as the years have gone on, I have become so much more self-aware and cognizant of why I react the way I do to situations and people. I am grateful I am growing as a person both in understanding myself and others around me. But I do feel like if I had a little more wisdom I may have made different decisions.

So, I’m starting a little series called,

What would 56-year-old Susan tell “then” Susan.

Maybe some of this will resonate with you as well!

Chapter 1: What would 56-year-old Susan tell 13-year-old Susie.

Before we do, I need to set the stage and tell you a little bit about 13-year-old me. My dad was a Marine Corps pilot and was killed in action in Vietnam in 1968 when I was 2 years old. Sadly, I don’t have any memories of him. My mom married my stepdad, who was a great guy when I was 4 years old. At this stage of my life, we lived in Walnut, CA (Southern CA) and had a beach house in San Clemente, CA where we would spend weekends and holidays. My mom worked full time and my stepdad owned his own business. I wore Vans and Chemin de Fer jeans. We had 5 kids in our family ranging in age from 15 to newborn. My stepdad was ready to sell his business and they decided to move us from Southern California back to the Midwest where both my mom and stepdad were raised. So, they purchased 4 acres and a 1904 farmhouse in rural Nebraska outside a town of about 3500. We were 5 miles from town, and our nearest neighbor was 1/4 mile away. We moved there from southern California. I was 13. And a girl. This did not go over well, people! I may or may have done some destructive and self-sabotaging things at this age.

So here are a few things I would tell 13-year-old Susie.

Other 8^th graders in Nebraska will NOT think you are cool because you are from California. They are not impressed with your Vans and Chemin de Fer jeans. You will cry a lot those first few weeks in Nebraska. Stay humble, be sweet, and I promise, you will make friends.

Speaking of what people think of you… STOP CARING ABOUT THAT. You worry way too much about what others think. What do YOU think of YOU? Love yourself. Love your strengths and talents and love your flaws and imperfections. It’s what makes you, YOU! The sooner you learn that the happier you will be with your life, and you will attract friends and people into your life who love you for all those reasons as well!

Stop being boy crazy. I know a lot of 13-year-old girls are boy crazy, but that look is not good on you.

Those self-destructive things you are going to do, think, say as you get older…they are only hurting YOU. No one else. So, don’t even go there Susie, you are worth so much more.

In 1982, Diet Coke will be invented. DO NOT START DRINKING IT! It will be your worst addiction.

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?

If you don’t already, follow me on Instagram and Facebook. I am posting daily on my stories of all my adventures! Here are a few highlights from the last 10 days!

Organization and Travel Items

Safety Items

Portable Air Compressor

I feel much more comfortable knowing I have this portable air compressor in my trunk as well. I’m doing most of the driving portions of my trip by myself and I want to make sure I have as many bases covered as possible when it comes to safety!

I purchased this one at Best Buy: Air Compressor

Clothes and Personal Items

On a complete whim, we are also part of the 2020 COVID Dog Craze. Enter George, our new Pug puppy, brother to Mowgli the ManPug and Buttercup the Yorkie Pup. We decided on a spur of the moment, when a dog became available on a Pug Facebook group, that George MUST BE OURS!

“Hey, I’m home all the time now, let’s get a new puppy!”

We have had George now for 50 days. And he is the best boy, and we have not had a single regret. BUT, if you are one of the few people who are contemplating bringing a new pet into your home, and are considering a COVID Puppy, it’s definitely a great idea to look at all sides, and do a thorough evaluation of whether or not you should invest time and energy into a new pet. I have taken the liberty of starting a COVID Puppy Pros and Cons list for you here:

Pros to getting a COVID Puppy:

Puppy Snores – Cute little snores in your home office that require you to mute your volume on audio and video calls. Definitely a pro!

Guest Video Call Participants – Holding my puppy up to the camera on my laptop so my co-workers can admire him is one of the best parts of my day!

Hourly Trips Outside for Fresh Air – A puppy must do his thing, and you don’t want that thing happening in your office! And let’s face it, you probably need to get outside and stop sitting at your desk all day!

Contributing to Employment in your Local Area – You are keeping FedEx employees busy and employed with all of your purchases from Chewy.com and PetSmart.com.

Increased Daily Steps – Keep your steps up with puppy walks around the neighborhood.

Improved Photography Skills – Because you just can’t stop taking pictures of all that cuteness!

Home Décor and Improvements – Free decorative teeth marks on your all your furniture. No cost to you!

Fun Stand Offs in the Middle of the Night with your Spouse – Who will succumb first to the puppy whining to go outside?  I must admit, my husband is much better at feigning sleep than I am. Who needs sleep anyway?

Extra Exercise for Older Dogs – A new youngster in the house keeps your older pets on their toes! We are hoping our Mowgli trims down a bit running away from the chaos our George creates!

No Need to Vacuum or Sweep your Kitchen Floor – Puppies (and all dogs) are basically 4 legged vacuums.

Great Arm Workouts – And on the flip side of previous pro, keep your arms tone by vacuuming up all the puppy hair.

Improved Agility and Balance – Who doesn’t love an obstacle course of dog toys all over the house keeping you agile and nimble?

Puppy Breath and Warm Furry Puppy Cuddles – Need I say more?

Cons to getting a COVID Puppy:

There aren’t any … prove me wrong. ~ Susan

What would you add to this list of PROS for a new puppy?

Comment below!

Then, recently I started to become more aware of my habits, and I started researching and learning more about waste and the effects on the earth and felt the weight of overwhelm. So many ways I am failing in this area, so many options and and how can one person make a difference? Well, one person cannot, but many people doing more, can. So, I have been taking baby steps on reducing my waste. Below are 5 easy changes I made in the last year to just begin to make a difference.

Tip 1: Reusable Straws – I know, I know! I’ve heard the jokes! It does not seem like you can make a difference by changing from single use straws to reusable straws, but really, every bit helps! This is so easy and a great place to start! I carry reusable straws in my purse. I use them at restaurants, dine in or takeout, and I use them at home! And honestly…they are so much better to drink from than plastic! I prefer stainless steel, because I love how it gets cold and seems to keep my beverage even colder. But you can also get plastic, silicone, and fun collapsible straws in cute containers you can attach to your key ring!

Tip 2: Reducing Paper Towel Usage – I LOVE paper towels! Prior to COVID-19 and the hoarding and subsequent shortage of paper towels, I used them daily and abundantly! Seriously … I was out of control. Silver lining to COVID-19 is my reduced paper towel usage. I found these 3 easy ways to reduce my use of paper towels:

1) Invest in nice kitchen towels and lots of them … because laundry! You would laugh at how few kitchen towels I had prior to the great paper towel shortage of 2020. Who needs towels when you can use a paper towel?

2) I purchased these European Dish Cloths to wipe down my counters that are easily washed in your dishwasher. I really love these and they keep my counters shiny clean!

3) Use cloth napkins rather than paper napkins for meal time. Bonus: It makes even leftover meatloaf or tacos seem fancy!

Tip 3: Shopping Bags and Reducing Plastic Waste – You may already use reusable grocery bags, but right now, many stores do not allow them due to COVID-19 and the potential spread of the virus. A great alternative is to request paper bags. I have been using paper shopping bags since March and was recently able to reuse the paper bags to wrap birthday presents! Bonus points for upcycling!

AND here is a novel idea … if you forget your bags and your shopping trip is small simply SKIP THE BAG altogether! I recently walked out of Target with a pair of pants, some paint brushes, and a can of soup IN MY HANDS! There is absolutely NO RULE saying you have to carry your products out of the store in a bag! Saving the planet one plastic bag at a time!

Let’s talk Ziploc bags. If you don’t love Ziploc bags, are you even human? Did you know you can get reusable silicone storage bags? They come in all sizes from snack size to gallon size. They are easy to clean and great on the environment!

I have also recently switched to refillable glass containers for my dish soap, hand soap and laundry detergent throughout my house. I refill it with liquid soap packaged in pouches that contain 60% less plastic than a comparably sized plastic bottle. I use Grove Collaborative, but there are many options available!

Tip 4: Reusable Cotton Rounds – I can go through cottonballs and cotton rounds like crazy. Between removing eye makeup and nail polish and applying toner, I can fill my little bathroom trash can pretty quickly with these little gems. Then, for Christmas, my super talented sister made a dozen reusable cotton rounds, actually squares, for me. And I fell in love. But, quickly needed more, so I didn’t have to wash them so quickly. If you haven’t realized yet, I am not a fan of doing laundry. I purchased some on Amazon. (Not as great as my sister’s version, but still good!)

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get mascara out of the white ones, so I prefer using black ones. And it’s smart to keep separate ones for make up and nail polish.

Tip 5: Composting – In landfills, food waste decomposition happens very slowly, and the food releases an abundance of methane gas throughout the process. Deprived of oxygen, the food barely breaks down. Organic matter in landfills doesn’t really decompose. It mummifies. So, what’s one way you can reduce food waste in landfills? Why not compost? I have a small compost bin in my kitchen that I put all organic matter in (egg shells, coffee grounds, vegetable & fruit waste. And, no, it does NOT smell! When the bin only contains organic matter, it won’t stink! Once it is full, I put it in my larger compost bin in my backyard, creating nice soil for my garden!

I recently came across the book, 101 Ways to go Zero Waste, by Kathryn Kellogg in my free library audiobook app. I loved it so much, I bought the paperback version. It has taught this gal that a little bit at a time CAN make a difference.

Whats next for me? I will be taking a look at my clothing and reducing waste by investing in a capsule wardrobe and investment pieces rather than cheap, inexpensive and trendy items that eventually end up in the landfill! I have also been looking at how to upcycle old clothing to be useful again. What do you do with your old clothes?

Share your ideas below on how you reduce your waste in your home!

Click on picture to order learn more or order the book. I am an Amazon Affiliate and earn a small fee when you purchase from this link!

Declining Eyesight – Thank you eyes for your steady decline the week I turned 40.  Thank you for petering out and allowing me to purchase cheaters, for which I am forever grateful. My mandatory cheaters serve so many purposes, not only allowing me to see menus in dark restaurants, my text messages (because I refuse to have font the size of Montana) and even this computer screen but, since I need you close by at all times, you also act as a wonderful hair accessory.

Grey hair – Hello hair, we’ve been together a long time. You have been long and short, curly and straight. We’ve been good partners throughout my 53 years. You have provided warmth on cold days, you look great in a pony on a hot Georgia summer day. You have been grabbed by the sticky chubby infant hands of my 4 kids and dressed up on formal dates. And, I get it…you are worn down. Thank you for turning grey and requiring me to color you every six weeks, Ok, it should really be 4 weeks, but who has time for that? One day my grey friend, you will be consistent enough for me to just let you go in all your grey glory. For now, I will thank you for the times you peek out, shimmering in my hair, reflecting the light like a crystal tiara, making me look like the queen I am.  

Thinning top lip – Oh top lip, how I miss you so much. Where did you go, I can’t seem to find you. My attempts at recreating you leave me looking like Bozo, so I must do without.  Although I miss you terribly, I am grateful that my lipstick lasts oh so much longer. And while we are chatting, lips, thank you for the little lines, and in some cases valleys, that lead away from you, and bring along that little line of lipstick, making me look like an aging Picasso painting, a work of art!  You’re the best!

Hot flashes – What can I say dear friend. Thank you for your sudden onset at any time of day or night. You don’t care where I am or who I am with, you just show up! I could be giving a presentation at work, having coffee with a girlfriend, or simply sleeping at night. Your sudden appearances in my daily life and devoted friendship help make me more spontaneous, learn perseverance and poise, all while wiping sweat off my upper lip and hoping I put on deodorant. AND the need to cool off with an ice cold glass of water is so helpful with reaching my goal of 100 oz of water a day. What a team player, the real MVP!

Dry skin – Thank you estrogen levels for dropping as I age and causing dry, wrinkled, itchy skin. Because of you, I now get to moisturize on a daily basis! Forcing me to pamper myself on the daily, because if I miss one day, I may claw my legs off in the middle of the night scratching. Or if I forget to slather my face with super thick Mary Kay Night Treatment cream before bed, my face feels like a shriveled up raisin when I wake up. So thank you for reminding me that self-care is not selfish.

Sleep, where are you? – While I once required a solid 8 hours of sleep, I no longer require as much of you as I once did. Never mind that I now have so much time to enjoy you … now that I don’t have babies waking me up in the middle of the night or the need to get up, fix breakfast and get a child on the bus at 7:00 am, you have gone on without me. I’m not sure why, because I really do love you and miss you and wish I could have more of you. But for now, my five to six, and on a good day seven hours of sleep do me well. Thank you for the extra time in my day to think about all the things that irritate me and how I can be thankful for them.

Creaky knees – You are my constant. Thank you for the reminders when I stand up, sit down, walk downstairs, walk upstairs, move my body in general, that I am old, er um, I mean experienced. I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, because it wasn’t like I spent my youth playing football or tumbling. Ok, so I may be carrying a few extra pounds, but for some reason, I think you would still be here for me even if I looked like the super model I was in my younger days (obviously I jest here). You will forever be the reminder of the strollers I have pushed around my hilly neighborhood, babies I have lugged up and down stairs, the endless walking at cheer competitions and the squatting down to wipe noses, put Band-Aids on little knees and give hugs. Thank you friend for working hard during those years.

Honorable mention goes to hair – lack of hair in some places and way too much hair in random, weird, hard to see and manage places. Thanks for keeping me on my toes.

Ok..yep. Definitely feel better. Thanks book that irritated me with your silly gratitude exercise.

Did I miss anything? Comment below with your gratefulness!

I’ve rarely played a game I didn’t like. Except The Comparison Game. Worst.Game.Ever. This game doesn’t discriminate. All ages and genders can play this stupid game. It isn’t reserved for only young teenage girls who compare themselves to super models and Instagram influencers.  This game can be played by 50-something women who are smart, confident and have life experiences that no one can compare.  Even if you have your shiz together you can fall prey to this game and all its traps and snares.

In today’s world, playing this game is as easy as sitting on my couch and opening my phone where, in high def pictures, I can see all of my friends on fabulous vacations, with their designer purses, and perfect children. (Can working people really take that many vacations? And, how did she have 3 children and still rock that two piece swimming suit?) Their houses look like they can be in architectural digest and they are always at a concert or GNO at some trendy local place. (How can people go out so much … I’d be exhausted!)  Here I am sitting on my couch in my Walmart pj’s with my dogs on my lap, who both need baths, drinking my sleepy time tea at 9:00 pm.

And, if I’m not careful, and very intentional, when I scan my Instagram or Facebook feeds, I can be left feeling … Less Than. Not enough. Sad. Depressed. Unworthy.  Anyone out there relate?

This is not a new discussion and this game has been around since the beginning of time. But, with the onset of social media, it’s become a big issue and a breaker of spirits and self-confidence. And as mid-lifers, empty nesters, 40, 50 and 60 year old women and men we are not immune to the lure of this game.

I am naturally inclined to compare, it’s part of my personality (once again, check out Enneagram 3s).  I’ve done it my whole life and very likely influenced my kids in a negative way through my own unhealthy need to compare. (That’s for a completely separate post entitled “All the way I’ve ruined my kids”. Stay tuned.)

I’m sure you’ve read these inspiring quotes before:

Don’t compare your everyday life to someone else’s highlight reel

Comparison is the thief of joy

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent

I love a great quote as much as the next person, but give me something tangible people!  Of course, deleting these apps, or limiting your time on social media is always an option.  I have gone on social media fasts before and they are great. You can certainly survive this crazy life without a Facebook account. But, even without social media, The Comparison Game is for real, people! It was around long before smart phones, the internet and social media. And, unless you are a hermit, you will likely face the truths of this game and how they can make you feel.  

Being grateful is a good antidote to comparison. I write down 5 things I’m grateful for each day. And, I can’t write down coffee everyday. It must be something new. This habit helps me throughout the day to look for things I am grateful for. Big or small, when you are looking, there are always things for which to be grateful. Especially coffee. I am always grateful for coffee.

But, having a lifetime of playing this game, the best advice I can give is to

RUN YOUR OWN RACE!

If you don’t have a race, GET ONE! Get off that couch and get one! Start a new business, train to run a 5K, write a book, start a podcast or a blog, volunteer for something you are passionate about, go back to school and get that degree. I’m still figuring out my new purpose as an empty nester, so right now, my race is figuring that out! 

At times in my life when I had a clear purpose and mission, I didn’t compare myself to others, because I was running full out for that race. I had confidence and passion, and when I have those things, I can feel happiness and joy for people around me, rather than envy and jealousy. When I am so busy doing my thing and being great at it, I don’t have time to worry about what others are doing. This is an inside job and you are never too old to work on you!

What do you do when you feel the pull to play The Comparison Game?  

Looking for something more? I highly recommend The Comparison Trap – a 28-Day Devotional by Sandra Stanley.  I was fortunate enough to attend the recording of the video study for this and it’s exceptional and can give you some concrete steps to take to know your worth.

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