Friday Thoughts: Speed Style
Shockingly, I’m checking in already again with another Friday Thoughts post, and I’m going to *try* to do it speedy speed style.
Nothing dramatic. Nothing serious. Nothing all that thought provoking to be honest, haha. Just a lot of quick random tidbits and thing I’ve wanted to share lately (YES, I’m finally telling you about those pants and shoes I promised).
As always, chime in on the comments with any feedback or recommendations of your own!
{Thank you to everyone who commented on the last Friday Thoughts post. I read each and every comment and try to respond to every one! Sure appreciate you guys.}
1) Headshots: after 12 years of blogging, I finally hired a professional photographer (the amazing Carrie Elton) to take some headshots and fun true-to-life photos of me and the family. Out of the hundreds she took, I wanted to share this one which I feel is probably the most flattering of the bunch and which will most likely become my new profile picture.
{I was trying to climb over the vinyl fence WHICH WE TELL OUR KIDS TO NEVER EVER CLIMB OVER BC IT COULD EASILY BREAK and also trying to avoid the electric/hotwire fence and Brian’s expression is clearly screaming: you aren’t going to make it – but also, he obviously wasn’t being much help either, haha}
2) Exercise Lately: regular exercise has been a beacon to my soul and mental health the last few months. I’m an at-home exerciser (shocker, I know). For the last few months, I’ve been doing an exercise combination that is working better than any other home exercise program I’ve ever done. I am loving it!
The Peloton app (I don’t have a fancy Peloton treadmill or bike; I just use my iPad with the Peloton monthly subscription and do a walk + run class a couple times a week) + The Sweat app (I’m currently doing the Lifting at Home program and try to get in two workouts a week on alternating days of Peloton). My favorite trainers on Peloton for walk + run classes are Matt Wilpers and Olivia Amato.
3) Hip Pain: I’m getting old. So is my hip. For the last many months, it has caused me some very significant pain (especially after I picked up a little light jogging with exercise). I can’t sleep on that side and sometimes wake up in the middle of the night (or after I’ve been sitting a long time) with excruciating pain that, if I’m being totally honest, usually brings tears to my eyes. After a conversation with a brother-in-law this summer, I decided maybe I should try yoga.
You guys, I hate yoga (I’m so sorry for everyone I’ve offended with that statement). I’ve tried doing it in the past when I went through a P90X phase, and I also tried a hot yoga class once that almost killed me within the first 10 minutes because clearly hot yoga is akin to opening the jaws of hell and taking a bath. I really thought I was going to die. Through all the yoga trial and error, I’ve just never felt the love for yoga that others do. It’s boring and I’m not flexible (this is ironic, I know; I’m the person who needs yoga the most) and I do a lot of side eyeing when I’m commanded to think of my legs being rooted into the earth with my heart center floating above me. I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry.
ANYWAY (remember when I promised this edition of Friday Thoughts would be brief, ahem), fast forward past all my yoga boredom, and I finally decided that trying 10-15 minutes of yoga every day might be worth it for my hip pain. I promise you I am not exaggerating, but you guys, 85% of my hip pain was gone within the first week. I kid you not. I still have some residual hip pain when I sit or sleep, but it is so significantly decreased, I feel like it is borderline miraculous.
All I’ve done is add a 10 minute yoga session after I work out. Some of the classes have been targeted for hips, others have just been restorative, and some have been yoga flow classes. I can’t say that I’ve necessarily fallen in love with yoga, but man, do I ever have a testimony of the benefits. I take back *almost* everything negative I’ve ever said about yoga. (I’m finding yoga workouts on YouTube + Peloton + Sweat apps).
4) Almonds: we are obsessed with these “bold” sriracha almonds {aff. link}. My 13-year old was introduced to them on a campout with cousins this summer, and he hasn’t stopped talking about them. I finally picked up a can at the store and they were gone in about 3 1/2 minutes. We can’t keep them in stock around here. I bought the 12-pack snack size {aff. link} for school lunches because the kids love them so much. The Sweet Thai Chili flavor {aff. link} is also very, very excellent.
5) Pickle Ball: speaking of being obsessed, pickle ball is life right now. I mentioned this on Instagram a few weeks ago, but we painted our own pickle ball court last year (in front of one of our cow pastures). The lines are regulation, our skills are not. Haha.
We aren’t anything special, but we play all the time as a family and now that Brian rigged up some super fancy stadium lights (ahem, old corral posts with LED lights zip tied to them), we play a lot in the evening (if anyone ever plays with us, I am quickly reminded that my best talent is providing snacks). Any other pickle ball fans out there?
6) Marbles and Jokers: my brother introduced us to this game in June. We’ve literally played it almost nightly since. So, so fun. It’s like the board game Sorry but with marbles, face cards, and a few twists. Can’t stop, won’t stop.
There are lots of variations/brands available online through Amazon and Etsy if you look around. The exact rules vary based on which brand you buy. I’ve played other variations, and I have to say, the version we have is my favorite. It’s handmade from this small company, and it’s beautiful AND fun. Unsponsored. Just love it.
7) Cardistry: my talented 14-year old practices card tricks and cardistry nonstop. He pretty much has a deck of cards in his hands at all times (except for family scripture study and dinner time, ha). It blows my mind sometimes. He has a compilation video of all of his tricks (he learns them mostly from YouTube videos that I approve first), but he isn’t feeling quite brave enough to share that yet, so I’ll just give you a glimpse of a picture that showcases one of his tricks.
In the land of New Quarantine Skills We’ve Picked Up, I’m over here still stuck on the talent of seeing how many chocolate chip cookies I can eat in a day while my kids have apparently decided to go for more ambitious skills, like cardistry and card tricks (and keeping kunekune pigs and miniature donkeys alive and well).
8) Silk Pillowcase: Brian gave me a silk pillowcase {aff. link} for Mother’s Day earlier this year, and you guys, I’m totally and wholeheartedly converted even though I was the one rolling my eyes months before at the silk pillowcase revolution. I know you’ll say it can’t be scientifically verified, but I swear I sleep better now using this thing – it keeps my head and neck cooler and somehow just soothes me to sleep. I swear it.
Sadly, it hasn’t diminished any wrinkles as promised, haha, and I can still fall asleep anywhere, anytime (see below), but I don’t know if I can go back to a regular pillowcase. I love how it feels and how I sleep. Also, I’m lazy and just wash and dry it (on gentle).
9) Pants I Love: Ok, so the pants I promised to tell you about last time…well, they’ve been a disappointment. Good thing I waited to wear them a few more times! So I’m not going to waste your time with those.
(In case you are curious, they are these pants that are inexpensive and based on the reviews promised to be amazing, but after wearing them a few times, they lost their shape, made me feel claustrophobic with the super thick fabric, and were generally uncomfortable and not flattering on this 42-year old bottom – sorry I just mentioned my bottom).
Good thing I have other pants I love. And they’re super fancy. 🙂
Let’s talk about joggers, ok? I love these super comfy joggers {aff. link} (I have the black camo ones), and for a total splurge, I bought these joggers last year when they were on sale (you can also get 20% off with a first time purchase). Nothing compares to them. Nothing. They are the best loungy pants ever (I wear them out and about, too). But. They are pricey, so I get that spending that much on joggers might make you choke. All I’m saying is, if you can get 20% off and a mini inheritance, DO IT.
Also, my name is Mel and I apparently really like wearing joggers. Every day. Can we still be friends? {Wearing them in the picture below}
10) The Shoes: I’m probably showing my style (or lack of) with these last couple paragraphs, but hey, life’s short, and this is me. These shoes/sandals, {aff. link} are amazing and so, so comfortable. I haven’t worn another shoe all summer except for when I exercise or when I go tromping around the pig pasture.
I promise I hardly ever wear them with socks (that was just at a cabin trip this summer when my fashion standards were at a wonderful all-time low), but I definitely wear them every single day. I’ve foregone wearing my favorite “real” Birkenstocks for these, I love them so much. I have them in silver and white (full disclosure: the white ones are super dirty and impossible to get clean).
Ok, I have about 17 1/2 more things I could share with you today, but I’ll let you get back to your real life. 🙂
Any new fun recommendations to share with me?? Tell me in the comments below!
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365 Comments on “Friday Thoughts: Speed Style”
Hi Mel –
I ordered the Vuori joggers in black and they are so comfy! Question – and you totally do not have to answer this but thought I would ask – what kind of (*whispers* undergarments) do you wear with these? I am all about comfy pants but sometimes the required undergarments make them “less” comfy if you catch my drift. Thanks!
I just love you girl. You are vulnerable about yourself and so stinkin funny! It takes a lot to elicit audible laughter out of me from something I’m reading, but girl you get me every time! Thanks for being you. 🙂
I, too, have been doing the 40-something hip pain thing. I have found that I love Pilates, particularly The Balanced Life with Robin Long (free on YouTube or a paid amazing subscription program). Pilates has some similarities with Yoga, but (in my opinion) focuses more on deliberate movement of the body and less on the heart/mind/soul stuff of Yoga. Don’t get me wrong–I think heart/mind/soul stuff for sure has a place, but not always in my exercise routine. Try pilates for your hip — you’ll love it.
I love it when you recommend stuff! Today I’m wearing my Vuori joggers for the first time. I may never take them off. They are life-changing. I also tried the Srirachi almonds with my 14-year-old and he loved them.
Hey Mel! I totally feel your hip pain! Like can’t sleep on your side b/c of hip pain, can’t do anything for that matter b/c of the hip pain! I figured mine out, it was my jogging shoes! I had to go with New Balance support/motion control shoes, not my flimsy Nikes I had. What a world of difference! Glad yours is better with yoga! I still can’t bring myself to do yoga:)
Hey Mel! This is Apryl Stott, illustrator for Grandpa Beck’s Games. I’m sending you a message on Instagram with a question, but am guessing you’re overrun with messages. So jotting this down here so you can see it if ya want… 😉
Thanks, Apryl – I’ll go look!
I also hate yoga, but the benefits are wonderful for my arthritis. So I pull up my big girl pants and try to do it regularly. It’s worth it to be able to walk.
Just want you to know LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog….and so happy you share all your treasure trove of thoughts with us all!
~can’t wait to try your new game…we love Labyrinth and Dragonwood that you mentioned before !
Also, I have just started yoga beginning of the COVID quarantine as well! This is my favorite video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9p5yhE6_fk
Thank you for the video recommendation, Christina!! I’ll definitely try it!
Thanks for all the recommendations, and I can’t stop laughing at the cows doing yoga. That’s how I feel when I do yoga.
Love this! I actually love going to the gym but due to COVID my gym has major restrictions that I’m not willing to do while working out. But my point…. I’ve found a fabulous you tube workout channel. She has everything under the sun. Heather Robertson on your tube. I love that she doesn’t talk your ear off the whole time!
Pickleball! The bishop of our singles ward back in the day had a pickleball court, so we had a little pickleball league every summer. My partners always had to be VERY patient (I’m like…ths must uncoordinated soul), but it was SO MUCH FUN. I haven’t played in years, but we found out our rec center has times when they open the basketball courts for pickleball!
Haha, I know what you mean. My partners have to be pretty patient with me, too – but it’s so much fun! So excited your rec center has courts!!
Are the pants you recommended warm or do they stay pretty cool? So really, are they good for fall/winter or more summertime?
Hey Kelli – both the Amazon pants and the Vuori pants are about the same thickness. The Vuori pants are a super super soft knit blend while the Amazon pants are a slightly slicker material. Both are a little too warm for dead summer (although I still wore the Vuori ones all summer – the Amazon pants aren’t quite as breathable), but both would be fine for fall and winter.
OMG I LOVE LOVE my Vuori joggers!! I discovered the brand last year with a pair of comfy shorts that I live in all summer. Decided to try the joggers and wow! My husband has a pair too and loves them. How do they make them so soft?!
I just got a pair of American Eagle joggers (I am also a fan and try and wear them all the time, but in AZ it’s too hot right now.) and those are my 2nd favorite ones right under Vuori. Super soft and don’t squeeze my belly which is a bonus!
I’m so happy I’m not the only one to wax poetic about the joggers!! I’ll have to look into the AE joggers. I mean, because clearly I need another pair. Haha.
I can relate to the hip pain. Mine also affects my driving – can feel the pain down my leg. I also would say I hate Yoga (no patience), but after your post I am going to give it a try. I don’t want to give up Zumba….
If you hear of any good games for two adults (empty nesters) I would love to hear about them. Playing games pretty well ended when the kid went to college.
Hi Heather, a couple of my favorite two-person games are: Play Nine (can play with more than two, but it’s a fun two person game), Patchwork (we LOVE this one!), Ticket to Ride and CodeNames (the 2 person version)
Love all these Friday thoughts! We bought a yard game called Kubb recently and have loved it! It is good for lots of ages and can be played with few or many.
We LOVE that outside game! My uncle made us a set years ago and we still play it almost ever Sunday.
Hi Mel!
I am totally with you on the yoga front! I’ knew I didn’t have the personality or the patience for it but I tried it a few times since I thought it would be a good type of workout at my age, ( I’ve always done a lot of cardio and still do). Anyway, yoga is WAY too slow and boring for me. I don’s see the need to take 10 counts to get up from a downward dog when I can do it in ONE ! And I run on one speed, and that is fast !
Always good hearing from you!
Linda T,
Love hearing from you, too, Linda!
I started having hip bursitis when I started running again a few years ago. I saw an orthopedist and he said I arch my back too much because of my pregnancies. I went to physical therapy twice and it is gone! They did some magic things and gave me some exercises that strengthen my core and it has been great. So maybe your yoga is doing something similar!
I think physical therapy is a good helper, too!
Yoga Teacher here- You had me laughing girl! :oD I’m so glad your feeling better, though – keep it up! It just so happens that I was looking for a canned salsa recipe and one of my yoga students texted me the link to your site. I just finished bottling 27 jars of amazing SALSA GOODNESS (with the help of my sweet hubby AND your yummy recipe.) I made up a batch, spooned in a mouthful, and BAM! I just found my keep’n in my special recipe binder kind of love. THANK YOU! I hope your hip gets feeling better and better. <3
27 jars!! You’re amazing, Denise! Glad you found your way to that salsa recipe. And I promise I have the utmost respect for all you yogis and instructors out there! I’m the one that needs to embrace it. 🙂
Dear Mel,
When i grow up i want to be just like you!
And your recipes are all ill ever need!
Haha, set your sights a little higher, Sandee! 🙂 But seriously, thank you – you’re the sweetest!
I know exactly how you feel about yoga! My first class I laughed the whole time. Now I’m addicted…not to the whole yoga blah blah, but to how it makes my body feel. About a year ago, I was introduced to Kaiut Yoga, a therapeutic yoga. My body is one big mess, but this has really helped uncover some restrictions in my body, especially with my hips! I used to do the classes at the gym, but the last six months I do them via zoom. Let me know if you are interested and I can get you hooked up! They are only $5/class. Glad you’ve found something that works for you and makes you feel better!
These are my favorite posts. And I feel immense pride that I introduced you to the almonds and the Jokers & Marbles game. I’m patting myself on the back right now as I speak. It’s a little tricky with holding my phone and typing at the same time, but I do yoga so I can do the impossible.
Hahahahahaha. You’re hilarious.
I’m so glad that yoga helped your hip pain. I never tried yoga but can recommend an “as seen on t.v.” knee pillow, the Contour Legacy Leg Pillow. I felt kind of silly trying it but my hip pain is all but gone! It seems so strange not to be stopping to rub my hip all the time. I didn’t even notice the pain was gone for awhile really. But it is gone! For $19 I didn’t expect much but I’m so happy I tried this pillow. It’s a little awkward to get used to but totally worth it. I definitely suggest it for the remaining 15% of pain…
Thanks, Lori! I’ll definitely check that out!
My family loves blue diamond almonds. I get two cans every week, alternating flavors. My fave is the bbq habanero followed by wasabi soy.
Oooh, I’m going to keep an eye out for the habanero ones.
Yoga and Pilates saved my back after two pregnancies had me living on ibuprofen from lower back pain. Before I started yoga I could barely touch my ankles but now I can touch the floor so keep it up! Those donkeys are so adorable!!! I’m definitely putting those joggers on my Christmas list. After your last Friday thoughts I really wanted to encourage you to look up Douglas Murray on YouTube, I think you and your older kids would be interested in his insights.
Thanks for all the recommendations, Stephanie! I won’t give up on yoga. 🙂
MEL!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you see that those Bold sriracha almonds you love are on sale on Amazon today?!?!?!
They’re only $2.54 – RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Um, amazing!! They are $6 at our grocery store!
I love pickleball. It’s so much fun.
I agree! I never knew I’d love it so much.
I love your Friday posts and read them faithfully. You have such a way to always make me smile and sometimes laugh right out loud. Thanks for that. I have just recently started to play pickle ball and I love it. What a great pickle ball court you have. I am a little jealous. It looks great. What a fun sport for the whole family.
Thank you, Debbi! It’s been so fun to have a court (although greatly imperfect compared to an indoor court!) right outside our door.
I got the game. I got the nuts. I got the pillowcases. Christmas is almost done!
Haha. Love your guts, Beth.
Just thought I’d share my personal favorite yoga workout on YouTube. I love it because its 1. Not boring 2. Fast paced 3. An actual workout. Like I’m sweating when I’m done. Plus, since I am not flexible at all I feel AMAZING afterwards. Back pain from holding babies all day. gone. P.s. love your recipes. Like alot.
https://youtu.be/S9p5yhE6_fk
Thanks, Shannon! I’ll definitely check it out!
I’ve been lurking here forever, and love love love how your recipes have transformed my cooking 😀 Thank you!! Anyway, wanted to drop in a plug for a program called Restore Your Core, which has absolutely transformed how I approach yoga and all other types of exercise. https://laurenohayon.com/offerings/restore-your-core/
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Kaylin! I appreciate you telling me about that program! I’ll look into it for sure!
As a fellow runner and reluctant yogi with hip pain…I highly recommend Yoga with Adriene. Her post-run/walk 7 minute video is a total game changer! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhLbp8ibmEE
So many people recommending her channel. I feel like I’ve been living under a rock. Thank you!
I love your Friday post! Your pickle ball court looks awesome and would love to do something like that on our farm. It looks like you have a special surface. What did you use or do to make such a nice playing surface?
Keep up the good work and have a blessed weekend!
It’s actually just painted on our asphalt. So not special at all…but it’s been going strong for a year+ so that’s good news!
I was totally like you on the Yoga, it hurt and felt like the most intense exercise in and of its self when I would attempt it. I have knee, hip and lower back problems the closer I get to 40 and I am NOT about the inner chi etc. I am with you- The actual stretching is causing some major relief in my body. And I found @sarahbethyoga (all for free on you tube) that even has one for my terrible posture and my back, hips etc that is phenomenal! Try her out!
Thank you! She’s new to me so I’ll definitely check out her channel!
Hip pain can be a sign of diastis recti/pelvic floor trouble (dang kids!). MUTU is an exercise program with yoga plus kegels at the correct intervals to strengthen your core and pelvic floor if you suspect those might be the trouble. You can google the signs, I already feel weird enough with what I’ve written. It’s the same sort of exercises that I learned at physical therapy.
Thanks, Rebecca! Super helpful and not weird at all. I’ve wondered if my hip pain is a sign of something else, kind of like what you suggested.
Oh gosh, I went to a doctor about a year ago with hip pain similar to what you describe. She gave me some exercises to do that were basically yoga, but I didn’t stick with it long at all. Sounds like I need to try again because the hip pain is still there. Do you recommend any specific YouTube videos for hips?
Hey Emily, there have been some great recommendations in this thread! I have loved the yoga videos on the Peloton app but I’m excited to try some of the others recommended (TONS of recommendations for yoga by Adrienne on youtube)
You mentioned your hip pain, was that your piriformis? I have had major issues with that lately, and my physical therapist husband says it’s because I sit on my feet when I’m working at my computer. I love sitting on my feet! But I really tried to do a lot more stretching as well, and I’m with you, I Yoga has always seemed super boring, but I’m finding more and more as I get older that it’s that much more important! And I’ll tell you, I’m anxious to look up your jogger link, because I’m a big fan and wear them every day myself! I feel like it’s a step up from sweats and yoga pants, got the elastic waist band which helps my ever-changing waist line. I discovered Old Navy online that I like tall joggers. I feel like they would always keep up a little higher at the angle but I would Prefer, so that’s been a great tip for me. Fun to read all of these little tidbits, thanks for sharing!
Interesting about the hip pan + sitting on your feet. I am going to be more mindful of that for sure! Also, joggers forever. 🙂
I love these posts so much. I haven’t tried the Sriracha almonds but the habanero bbq are super delicious. Also have you ever played the game Gold Fever? Sooo much fun for all ages and so easy to learn and it’s fast. Thanks for always being yourself and being so relatable.
I haven’t heard of that game! I’m super excited to check it out!
Im so glad you have great recommendations for your readers! I love your post and all your wonderful recipes:)) Im also happy that you have great family values, something we all need to see everyday. You are a great example for many to us all! also, I can’t find where the books are that you recommended this time…could you send me the list?
Hi Laura, what list of books are you looking for? Sorry, I’m a bit confused.
Pickleball>yoga
Ha. Truth.
Im so glad you have great recommendations for your readers! I love your post and all your wonderful recipes:)) Im also happy that you have great family values, something we all need to see everyday. You are a great example for many to us all!
Loved your entertaining Friday thoughts—always do! So, my question is— after creating your pickle ball court, do you have any “lessons learned” to share? How did you paint your lines? With tape and a paintbrush? We’re working on doing this and I’d love to hear your wisdom!! Thanks a mil, Mel!
Hey Brenley! Great questions. We got the regulation details from the main pickleball association website and the we masked off the lines with extra wide masking tape and then used spray paint specifically for asphalt/driveways (from home depot). We got a bit of overspray so next time or when we need to touch it up, we’d probably use some cardboard to slide along to catch the overspray.
I love your name! I had to comment because, very rarely do I see/hear of another Brenley but I never see it spelled this way. We named our daughter Brenley, she will be 16 in November. 🙂
Hey Mel, I’m a huge fan of your recipes and website, in general! I just read through all of your thoughts. I love the EVA birkenstocks too. I bought white and lost them on a river raft trip a couple of weeks ago. But I replaced them as soon as I could. Now, I can’t stand to wear anything else. I use a magic eraser to clean them! I also, have converted to yoga. I had plantaar faciitis for years and couldn’t get rid of it….some good stretches and a little yoga helped me stretch the ol’ hips so my foot could heal. Also, just canned your salsa last night! So good! You recipes never disappoint! Thanks so much, I use your recipes almost daily. Gotta run, going to make the chocolate zucchini muffins! 😉
Such a great idea to use a magic eraser to clean them. Should have thought of that!
Those are my favorite almonds, too! Try them roughly chopped and sprinkled over avocado toast with a little bit of feta or goat cheese. Yum!
Oh wow. YUM. It’s late on a Saturday night and I’m suddenly hungry.
Yoga with Adriene!! I’ll be honest and say I haven’t tried many other channels, but I don’t know how I could bother. She’s absolutely amazing and she has options galore for everyone. If you don’t love yoga after her, then it wasn’t meant to be.
Oh, and as a fellow wordy person, please don’t ever stop! We love all of it!
Agreed!!
Oooh, I use her yoga for upper back, and I rarely have the stress pain or pinched muscles and nerves that have been plaguing me for the last year or two if I do her yoga once or twice a week!
So many great recommendations for her. I’ll definitely start using her classes. I’m excited!
I love these Friday Thoughts posts. I’ve had persistent hip pain, too, and I’ve been amazed by how much of a difference stretching makes! Thanks for sharing such fun glimpses into your life.
I’m glad stretching has helped, Nancy! I’m hoping I can nip my hip pain in the bud once and for all but it might be a lifetime effort. That’s ok!
I’m glad yoga is working good for you! I’ve been doing yoga using the free Down Dog app for a year and I love it now. It took me some time. And I’m stronger and more flexible! Also, your backyard pickleball court is amazing. I like pickleball, but I’m a tennis girl through and through. Anyways, your blog has been saving me for dinners this week. Thanks Mel!
Thanks for the app recommendation, Melissa! My sister is a tennis girl, too, and she’s loving pickleball (but not as much as tennis – haha)
I only like doing Jillian Michaels yoga because I’m not a zen person and that is not zen yoga. So I hear ya. Hear. Ya.
Pickle ball — huge fan. Grew up in Washington and we played it for PE all the time. Haven’t played it in twenty years and miss it terribly.
I clearly was living under a rock because I didn’t know pickleball had been around so long!
We recently tried the salt & vinegar almonds from Blue Diamond. If you’re a salt & vinegar fan, these are fabulous! We liked them so much, they’re part of our Subscribe & Save on Amazon now.
We just tried those, too, and I LOVE them!
Mel-I love you more after reading this!
Ha, thanks, Jennifer! 🙂
Have you ever tried Wit & Wisdom Ab-solution jeans from Nordstrom? They have built in elastic inside the waist, so they don’t cut into your stomach, but are still higher rise. I was even able to wear them throughout a pregnancy, just using the rubber and trick, and they were still great after. After two years, the knees are stretched out, but I loved them and worse them so much it was still worth it.
‘Stocks n’ socks—it’s a thing, I hear!
I haven’t heard of those, Rachel – thanks for the recommendation!
Oh my heck I am so envious of your pickleball court (and lights!) I am 100% addicted to pickleball. I wish I could ignore all of my grown up duties and just play all day every day. I’m always happy to find other people who love it. Have you ever done any tournaments or anything?
Also, yoga. It has always bored me but I started doing it 15 minutes daily through the Down Dog app just to see if it helped my balance and the nearly debilitating back pain I’ve had for 2 years. After 2.5 months of daily yoga I am totally pain free. It seriously feels like a miracle and I am trilled that I don’t have to give up pickleball. I am so happy for you that you’ve found some relief from your hip pain. Getting older sucks sometimes, doesn’t it?
Also I feel like a Mel’s Kitchen Pickleball round robin tournament sounds like something you should put together for your loyal followers and fellow pickleball addicts 🙂
I’ll bring the Sriracha almonds and the Gatorade.
Ha! That would be fun! Although you would be seriously unimpressed with my/our skills. No tournaments for us. Just lots of fun family/friend playing. But I’ll still risk embarrassing myself if you bring those almonds. 🙂
We’ve loved the wasabi and soy sauce flavored almonds for a couple of years. Recently I went to buy some and they were sold out so I bought spicy dill pickle flavor instead and they were great, too!
WHAT?? I have got to find that flavor ASAP. I 100% know I will love them.
Update: just ordered six cans on amazon. I need an intervention.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Mel- Friday thoughts are some of my favorite posts. I love the going over the fence photo- it’s exactly something I would do. I REALLY need to get back to exercise, and you’ve motivated me to at least make it tomorrow. Problem is that my exercise of choice is hiking (movement+nature+alone time keeps me sane) but since the start of school last month I haven’t made it out but once since the only option is to get up at 5:30 and get back before 7 (fell asleep before dinner). Not a morning person. Having all 5 of us home 24/7 and helping my three boys navigate their zoom classes and assignments while preventing them from pushing each other’s buttons or disrupting their dad (who’s teaching classes in the next room) has been exhausting. I taught high school and that was far easier. But I desperately miss my alone time- last minutes alone at home were on March 12th. I actually ate ALL of the chocolate in the pantry until there wasn’t a morsel left in the house, which led to a chocolate emergency. What saved me was the Chocolate Sheet Cake since we still had cocoa. THANK YOU! It was delicious (I might’ve eaten half of it?!).
Now that I’ve blabbed and complained, I’ll leave you with one helpful hint I learned from my tech savvy hubby. Before ordering a new item you’re uncertain about (especially if it has lots of rave reviews)- go to fakespot.com, copy and paste the url from the item you’re thinking about buying, and see what “grade” the reviews get. The lower the grade, the more fake reviews. Sadly those pants you ended up not liking get a D. Something to use for the future!
Enjoy your weekend and thank you again for sharing some of your sunshine with the rest of us!
Loved your comment, Jennifer! Also, that was such a rookie mistake on my part because I’ve used fakespot a lot in the past, but for some reason didn’t on the pants (I usually use it for health-related items). Anyway, thanks for the reminder! And man, I hear you on the alone time and finding time to exercise. I woke up twice last week to try to exercise at 5 am so I could be on tap to help with go to meetings and stuff for my distance learning kids and by 3 p.m. I was a monster. SO TIRED. Good luck trying to fit in exercise and figure it out. You aren’t alone!
Thanks to you, I made it out hiking Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and have plans for Wednesday. Hoping it sticks as it makes such a world of difference! Thanks again, Mel!
I’m so proud of you! I was inspired by so many in this comment thread and have tried to wake up at 5 a.m. yesterday and today. I think if my body can get into the habit, I won’t be so tired. It makes a world of difference – I hear you! You’re awesome!
Marbles and Jokers — is it any different than Sorry? Because I like Sorry but don’t need another version of the same game. And any second-best recommendations? The link you provided is sold out!
Hey Denise! It’s the same premise as sorry but definitely not the same. I think it can exist on its own for sure and I would play it over sorry any day. Darn about the jokers and marbles game! My cousin has this version but I just looked and whew! It’s expensive
https://www.amazon.com/Jokers-Marbles-Game-Brown-Player/dp/B00MS1GK44/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=jokers+and+marbles&qid=1600575308&sr=8-3
I have an appt for a gum graft consultation next month. I’ll most likely need them around ALL my teeth, molars and anterior. Give me courage! Also, I’m curious, what kind of camera do you use for your food pics and general other stuff? A camera phone or something fancier? I’m in the market for an upgrade.
Oh Rebecca, I’m sorry! I hope your appointment goes better than expected. Keep me posted! I use a nikon dslr for my photos – I’ve had several models over the years and really like the d700!
Wingspan Mel. Wingspan. You’re welcome
🙂
My husband loves Blue Diamond’s Sriracha almonds too. They can be a bit pricey at the store, but thankfully we live about 15 minutes from the Blue Diamond factory in Sacramento where they have a gift shop that they sell their various products at wholesale. I was in the area last week and bought him 6 cans.
Oh so fun!! And super lucky! 🙂
Just added a few things to my Amazon wish list. Love these posts, Mel!
Thanks, Emily!
I love reading these! I love your recommendations always! And I am so happy you are at least starting to see the value of yoga. It has been a huge part of my last few years and last two pregnancies. I am currently meeting with a friend/sister that I minister to twice a week and I am learning even more how beneficial it can be. It is life-changing!! Everyone should at least try it for a couple weeks or forever! ❤️ I know I will never stop now. It helps me feel oh-so-much younger as I approach older.
I will have to check out the joggers. I am in serious need of some new comfy pants before winter! Love these posts. And you!
I love your testimony of yoga, Jennifer! Definitely makes me want to stick with it!
Pilates. Just saying 🙂
Lots of great free workouts, yoga, pilates and stretching on the FitOn app. Love that too.
Also @docjenfit on instagram has great functional movement advice (she’s a PT)
Just trying to say there are really good options to help your hip or anything achy without having to suffer through something you don’t like. Lots of ways to get those functional movement benefits!
Thanks so much for chiming in with other recommendations. So helpful for me!
I just ordered the Vuori joggers- and I’m making your caramels for the first time this Saturday night. Hoping both turn out great . Thanks for the recommendations- it’s always nice to hear what real life people think of certain clothes .
I hope you like the joggers, Jess! But mostly, I really hope you love those caramels!!
Thank you for being so open and honest. As a 54 year old (unwilling) grandparent ( don’t ask, long story) I too have been feeling my age!! But I strive to continue to learn and try to do good things in this world, and I like to think that keeps me young 🙂
I have no doubt that keeps you young, Heather! Hang in there!
Hi Mel, wanted to share my yoga experiences with you. First I must tell you that I am going on 77 years old, have had right knee replaced, fell down cellar stairs and landed on my back on the concrete floor, managed to break right leg in 4 places just below my knee replacement. Had MRI on back and found 4 bulging disks, severe spinal stenosis and a floater? so I signed up for a Chair Yoga Class at our local YMCA. Chair Yoga is for people that can get down on the floor but can’t get back up. Everything is either done in the chair or standing while holding onto side or back of the chair, and Lots of Breathing exercises (belly breathing) I have to say the instructor makes all the difference in the world Normally don’t let ANYONE see me exercise until I saw some women coming to class in a wheel chair or walking with a cane, like me. Love your website and your wardrobe which is similar to mine except for the sandals that have the strap that goes between your toes. Haven’t tried any of your recipes that require turning an oven on due to our sweltering hot & humid summer ( I’m a spring & fall person) . You would think that living 200 yards from Lake Erie in PA would be cool but when the temp is in the 90’s so is the breeze. Looking forward to trying your oven recipes now that the weather is cooling down. Stay Healthy and Safe wherever you are. ps; love all the pics too, especially of you tramping through the Pig Pasture….lol
Oh Susan, I was just cringing inside for you at your health/injury challenges the last little while. My goodness! I’m proud of you for seeking out a yoga class that works for you. You’re amazing!
If you have the Peloton app, try Becs Gentry for hip stretches. She has a bunch of 5 minute classes that take all my hip pain away!
Thank you, I will!
Fun thoughts! Try washing your sandals with powdered Tide detergent, in some water and a drop of bleach. Scrub with an old toothbrush. See GoCleanCo on IG….she works miracles with shoes!
Thank you!
Mel, I used to have terrible hip pain. We bought us a purple hybrid 3” mattress and it was a game changer. Speaking of silk, have you tried a silk scarf for the winter time? There is a reason all those farmers wear one!! I’m going to have to try the pillowcase and that game sounds fun!
Love your blog!
Thanks, Hollie! Maybe we need a new mattress! And I have not tried a silk scarf but since I’m totally faking it at the farming game, I’m going to get one! Ha!
I’m with you on the yoga.
I just wanted to tell you that I think you’re hilarious and adorable! Life IS too short-be comfy.
I 10000% agree! 🙂 (with the be comfy part, not that I also think I’m hilarious…well, actually I do sometimes and then my family tells me I’m not as funny as I think I am)
Two responses:
Yoga: I hate it too but I have to do it or I can’t move! I do a 10-15 minute yoga workout either on the Nike Training app (free version) or “Yoga with Adriene” on youtube.
Sorry–posted before I finished my thoughts!
Pickleball: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I can’t believe how fun it is!
I think I’m entering the same camp of suffer through it so I can move!
Loved the fence photo! Too funny, especially the look on your husband’s face…
Try Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. Life-changing and very inspiring with all levels of practice. Her spirit shines.
So excited about so many people recommending her channel! I will check it out!
You are hilarious and delightful and real. I am 35 and I’m starting to have mental benefits from doing Pilates in the morning. Whaaaaaaat? Weird that is helps. Yes, hip pain has got to be the worst. I have back pain, and I’m determined to become a pilates lover. Not so much Yoga.
Love the low fashion standards. That’s how I am. Give me comfort above all else! Life is short.
I think I need to give pilates a try! I didn’t realize it would help with similar aches and pains. Amen to the life is short comment. I wore uncomfortable clothes in my 20’s and regret every minute. Ha.
Mel, I kid you not, I am dealing with the same exact hip pain! Everything you described is exactly what I’ve been experiencing. I’m not a big yoga girl either, but this voice inside my head keeps telling me I need to start doing yoga to help with my hip pain. Thank you for being inspired to share about that today.
I also love Birkenstock’s and tried their new flip flops that came out this year. Love them!
I don’t know if you’ll remember this because it was years ago, but I actually met you at the Boise Zoo one summer when you were there with your kids. We live in such close proximity that I often wish I could come hang out with you for a day. Love what you do and who you are!! You’re amazing!
I’m so happy we are on the same wavelength thinking/talking about hip pain, Sadie! Sounds like it’s maybe meant to be?? So many great recommendations in this comment thread, notably: yoga with Adrienne on youtube. I’m excited to check it out! Also excited to check out those birk flip flops. I totally remember that about the zoo! Mostly because I’ve only ever been there once and I remember talking to you! Thanks for bringing up that fun memory!
I love these so much! You are so down to earth and hilarious! Looked through your previous gift guides to find gift ideas for my twins bday coming up. Can’t wait for this year’s gift guides from you! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Marie!
Yoga! Hilarious but typical comments. I was recommended yoga by my spinal Dr for buldging discs. Pain was horrible!
Yoga=no more pain and now I’M A YOGA TEACHER lol
Glad you tried it again.
Find a good teacher whose style you like and it won’t be so bad
What?? That’s amazing! I can’t imagine being a yoga teacher – so, so happy your pain is gone and you are on this path!
I was a yoga hater too, so I started with Pilates. Now I love yoga more & you’ve given me a good reminder to keep going so that I can take care of my body, so thank you for that!
I was also a silk pillow disser, but have now repented & become a huge fan. I. LOVE. mine!! My hubby laughs that it travels with us (not just pillowcase, but pillow too, & I just say that a well-rested me is a much more fun person on vacation!!)
Love your joggers—I will definitely save up for those! & maybe try the amazon ones in the meantime #comfyclothesforlife
And yay for your cute kiddos!! I am so impressed that they have found such fun ways to improve themselves! Bravo!
My #coronaproject was chickens—we got six, one for each person in my family. We raised them from chicks & they are about a month away from laying now…& one of them has started crowing…♀️ I’m going to wait & see if there’s any chance she’s a crowing hen who still lays, but then we may be looking for a new home for her/him! any chance you’d want a sweet roo to add to your collection?!?
I laughed out loud because I also bring my pillow and pillowcase with me wherever we go. Not even embarrassed about it. haha. I think I need to try pilates after so many recommendations. I am SO excited about your chickens. Like, irrationally so. I’m guessing that cute crowing chicken is not going to turn into a hen. Haha. We rehome all of our roosters; I’m sorry I can’t take him off your hands!
Happy Friday to you Mel! Today I was scanning email quickly, saw your post, and thought I’d just read the intro and get to the rest of it later, but I didn’t stop there, I went ahead and read the whole thing because I just enjoy reading your posts! You make me laugh and I enjoy your spirit and honesty.
I just have to say I agree with you about yoga! (The part where you hate it). I have tried many times to “get it”, but I don’t. I understand the value of it but I feel totally uncoordinated to do it. I much prefer 30 minute total body workouts with moves with simple commands – squat, lunge, sit up, plank!! :-).
I really like joggers too, so thanks for the recommendations. I do not, will not, wear yoga pants! I will do actual yoga before I wear yoga pants!!
Have a great weekend!
You are so cute, Kristine. Thank you for your comment! I think I’m with you…I just am not coordinated enough and it frustrates me. Haha.
I have always loved your recipes but your Friday notes are so fun. I love them. You make me laugh but I also love finding out about new things! Great Friday gift!
Aw, thanks, Laura! Friday Thoughts posts are some of my favorite to get up and ready. I love connecting with all of you!
Oh man I totally do short yoga stints for low back and hip pain. My favorite has been Sarah Beth yoga on YouTube because it’s free haha and she is easy to follow/very professional videos. Highly recommend!
Another vote for Sarah Beth Yoga!
Thank you for the recommendation!
Pickleball is so fun! A park nearby just remodeled their tennis courts to add a few pickleball courts. I’m determined to spread my new love for the game to everyone around me! It is surprisingly fun.
Thank you for sharing your favorites with us. I appreciate you putting yourself out there and value your suggestions. You are an amazing lady!
I agree, it is surprisingly fun!! I’m kind of a pickleball ambassador too!
I also recently started using the Sweat app. I was tired of daily finding an at-home workout to do. Since I’m now homeschooling our kids, I needed one less task. The app tells me what to do, and then I just do it. I’m loving it. I’ve been doing all kinds of workouts for years, but the beginner round of BBG was a perfect place to start. (Especially since I saw what a friend was doing Week 1 of BBG 1.0 )
I totally agree, Vanessa! The sweat app takes all the guesswork out of what to do and when to do it.
I feel the same way about yoga (really, stretching in general) but now that I am in my 40s I feel so much better (i.e., less stiff) when I do it regularly. I’ve been working out at home for years with Lindsay Brin (www.momsintofitness.com). I subscribe to access all of her workouts (everything from HIIT to barre), but if you want to try her out she offers a weekly playlist for free. I use the Moms into Fitness app on my Fire stick. Thanks for your recommendations!
P.S. I’ve been using a silk pillowcase for years as well — curly-haired girl here — but only discovered joggers during quarantine. I don’t ever want to wear real pants again.
Thanks for the fitness recommendation, Laurie! Excited about that! And I agree, joggers are life.
Okay, I must have missed the silk pillow craze but it sounds like I need one, too. Also love the sandals- thanks for sharing! Haven’t tried joggers yet- are they really that wonderful? The tapered leg makes me cringe about wearing them myself… but I love yoga pants and skinny jeans so I don’t know why I feel like they’d be horrid on me. Maybe I just need to branch out and try them anyway! Love that you’re getting pictures done. We’ve neglected that this year…maybe when the leaves are all out and changed. Possibly. I have no idea what pickle ball is but it sounds like fun! And I love that you’ve set up your own place to play on your own land. I have this little dream to get my own little “faux farm” someday and just love that you’re having those life experiences. Yay! Your kids sound so fun and focused on good activities, keeping busy. How do you help support them with so many activities? It feels a litle intimidating to be honest, but so worth the effort. Would love hear how you set yourself up for success. I’m so happy you’ve found some benefits with yoga! There was never a standardized test (GRE, RN, NP boards, etc., that I took where I didn’t make sure to do at least 15 minutes of yoga before I left my house. It made all the difference for me with concentration and focus. Keeps me limber for my weights and running. Yoga really is something that has a lot to offer, so keep it up! As always, love to hear from you and sending hugs your way! Happy Friday!
Yes, Amy, joggers are worth it, haha! Not sure they flatter my figure perfectly but they are comfy and I love them. I’m not sure I’m the best at supporting my kids – I say no a lot, especially if it involves them using a screen, but I do try to champion them in things that they have a true passion for.
Joggers, silk pillow cases and Peloton!! You are speaking my language (along with all the excellent food). I highly recommend spending your retirement and buying the peloton bike. It has been life changing for me. And as you know, they have lots of fabulous short yoga classes to keep those of us with older bones moving. I love your Friday thoughts! Thanks for sharing your life—it makes your recipes all the more delicious because they feel like they come from a friend.
Really? I wondered if the bike is worth it!
I love these posts! Pickleball is the funnest! And I am ordering those joggers!
Many years ago I had extreme hip pain. My then massage therapist “healed” me. Turns out the piriformis muscle was tight and pressing on the sciatic nerve, which causes intense pain. Maybe try massage.
As for exercise, my now massage therapist recommended a stretching series, linked below. It’s low impact and the workouts are about 20-25 minutes. I have been doing the workouts 6 days a week, for about 2 months and I am leaning out and just feeling better all around. I believe you can also find her on PBS.
https://www.amazon.com/Classical-Stretch-Complete-Season-ESSENTRICS/dp/B01GGM0GZO/ref=sr_1_9?crid=38RRAMEX33891&dchild=1&keywords=miranda+esmonde-white+classical+stretch+dvd&qid=1600450474&sprefix=miranda+esmon%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-9
I’m not sure if it is my piriformis but it sounds like it could be! Thanks for the stretching video! I feel like this comment thread is a gold mine of good recommendations!
I always enjoy your posts. I am retired and started playing pickle ball several months ago, fun! That hip pain must be somehow related to these crazy times, lack of “normal” movement, whatever that is! I know two other people, and myself, who just turned to yoga for some relief. (not a former yoga fan either) When I see how big, and old your kids are makes me appreciate how long I’ve been following you! A long time! Have a good day!
Love that you’ve been around since the kids were super little, Donna! I think you’re right about the hip pain – of course it would crop up during 2020!
I’ve had hip pain since my first pregnancy. After five kids I’m finally taking care of it. I’m going to a chiropractor, since it could be caused by a pinched nerve. I’m hopeful that the sessions will help. I don’t think I’ll ever do yoga but if it does take care of your hip pain, I might reconsider
Thanks for sharing!
I hope the chiropractor helps, Jocy! Hip pain is no fun!
Hi Mel, recently found you here. I have had several scans for osteoporosis and have a fairly severe case. I “don’t mind” the viniyisha yoga, which is gentle stretching. When I asked my doc if that was a good type of yoga, she said NO yoga was good to practice with my osteoporosis. So ladies, get scanned for osteoporosis, then ask your doctor about it.
My co-mom (my son in law’s mother) plays pickleball, something I had never heard of. She loves it … so at least I now know what it is. Well, odd things DO happen in Ohio!
If you change your lovely blog pic of your face to the climbing over the fence pic, I hope nobody calls you “butthead”!
Haha. 🙂 Thanks for the feedback on osteoperosis + yoga. I’m sorry it isn’t beneficial for you.
I just bought the nuts! I am excited to try them… and I clicked on each link so hopefully you can get a bonus from it. (Not quite sure how that works.) Anyway, I think I am going to give pillowcases to my Mom and sisters for their birthdays next year thanks to you. Great idea!
haha, you’re sweet, Katie. Thank you! I just bought one of those pillowcases for my sisters birthday next week. I think they make great gifts!
I used to like yoga many moons ago but have omitted from my routine for years. My body could probably use some too. But I do love pilates! It might be a good one to add into your exercise routine. We are obsessed with the Wasabi almonds but we will certainly try the Siracha. I like to make a mix with spicy almonds, trail mix and some chocolate. Yum!
Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Patricia – I’m excited to add pilates in to my routine since so many of you have recommended it!
You are the best 🙂
Aw, thanks, Patricia! XOXO
Pickleball! I played year-round tennis when I was younger and was fascinated by friends who were talking about pickleball, thinking it would be a great, gentler alternative to tennis lo these decades later. Well! My YWCA had a fledging league and one evening I stopped in while I was there to see what it was all about. A man unofficially known as the Pickleball Ambassador really put me through my paces. I was amazed at how rapid and physical the play was. Unfortunately, my schedule and other obligations did not allow joining at the one time the league was offered.
I just showed up in running shoes and, boy, did I have lower back/hip pain after that one session. I mention this because I realized a person REALLY needs to be wearing athletic shoes that allow for lateral motion, which running shoes do not. I have not researched this, but I assume a shoe appropriate for tennis would be good for pickleball!
Oh, by the way, I made the manicotti yesterday and it was very well-received. I may be rolling all sorts of things up in no-boil lasagna noodles. Ha! What a great idea!
Great thought on the pickleball and correct shoes! I need to figure that out! And glad you loved the manicotti! I agree…the flavor combos are endless!
Hi Mel, I feel the same about yoga! Have you tried Magic Eraser on those Birkenstock’s? Worked like a charm for me!
Someone else said that! Where have I been? Such a great tip. Thank you!
A friend invited me to play pickle ball a few weeks ago and it is my new favorite thing! We are planning a trip to Zion National park and Bryce Canyon next month and when I was looking at VRBO’s and found one with a pickle ball court I rented it immediately!
And those pants- the ones you don’t like- so good to know. I’ve had them in the save for later section of my amazon cart since last spring. I was going to order them but then decided to wait until fall because I was hoping to be able to buy a smaller size (ha! Yeah right! Didn’t happen) if I waited a few months to order them. Well now I’m glad I didn’t order them.
Haha, I would rent a VRBO based on a pickleball court, too. How fun! I hope my negative review doesn’t lead you astray from pants you would love, but they were definitely not for me!
I also love joggers and would wear them every day… but mostly I stick to house dresses. Not the frumpy ones, the cute ones. Nesting olive is my favorite. Plus, they have pockets!
I think I could get behind the house dress trend for sure!
Pickleball for the win! It is the #1 thing that’s helped me stay sane through 2020! Who knew a sport with such a weird name could be so much fun?! So jealous of your court and lights!
Right?? It’s been surprisingly fun and such a huge blessing.
I agree with your yoga feelings! I started just a simple stretching routine after each workout and I have loved that. Exercising has saved me too during this crazy! Glad your hip is doing better!
Exercise has become mandatory where once I didn’t put such a priority on it, 2020 has changed that!
I love these posts, Mel! Always great, interesting info and entertaining! Beautiful family.
Thanks, Lori!
I love your Friday posts!
Try yoga with Adriene (if you haven’t already). I used to hate yoga, but I like yoga with her because she isn’t super serious. I also love the daily Om yoga with Sadi Nardine…not sure if I spelled that right
I can’t wait to try the joggers and the game. I love that you Made a court in your yard and I love, love, love all posts about your pigs. I am trying to get my husband to get me one….but since we currently live in a neighborhood with an itty, bitty yard and an HOA, I’m guessing my pig dreams will have to be on hold for a bit. Have a great day Mel!!!
Thanks for the yoga recommendations, April! Haha, you know…those kunekune pigs supposedly make great house pets! 🙂
Hello, Mel,
This was just delightful to read! Thank you.
I continue to use a ton of your recipes, because they are easy, use ordinary ingredients, and are deliciously never-fail. (You replaced my CC cookbook.)
Please continue writing to us, and be well,
Nancy
Thanks for such a kind comment, Nancy!
I’m so glad you hated yoga, too, and for the exact same reasons I still hate it. I’m not flexible and I cringe at all the grounding vocabulary. But, I also know yoga could probably help me. You’ve inspired me to try it for 10 minutes a day. Thank you for your awesome and real posts.
Let’s do it together, Lindsay! After reading all the gentle calls to continue in the comment thread, it’s clear yoga will benefit us! 🙂
I love your Friday posts. You are a funny lady.
Ha. Thanks, John!
If you want to try something different with yoga, I absolutely love Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube.
I’ll add my love for Yoga with Adriene. My daughter and I started one of her “30 days of yoga” at the start of quarantine, and haven’t stopped (152 days and counting!). Honestly, I usually don’t feel like doing it beforehand, and I sometimes get bored and antsy during, but I’m ALWAYS glad I did it (ha, you could probably say the same for most exercise).
These posts are the BEST — thank you, Mel!
Thanks, Rosalyn! And Susan, this is amazing! She must be incredible to have you still going strong. Or maybe it’s just the power of yoga.
First of all, you’re hysterical. Second — if your magic loving kiddo hasn’t already, he would probably love the movie Magic Camp on Disney+. Also, those JOGGERS!! I have recently started cycling classes at the gym again (after not being able to use my neighbors fancy-pants Pelaton since coming back to college) and I live in them. Constantly. I hope boys don’t ask me on dates so I don’t have to change out of them. Thanks for the Friday thoughts!!
Yes! He just watched that movie last weekend and loved it! Haha, girl, WEAR THOSE JOGGERS ON A DATE. Better that those guys know your true (awesome!) colors from the beginning. They’ll love you. 🙂
Just want to say your recipes are amazing and you have a beautiful family. I’ve been a fan for years. Thank you for brightening our world with your recipes and humor! Your hip pain sounds exactly like mine, and I’m only 41…..started at the beginning of quarantine and sent me into a slight depression. In the beginning it was a shooting pain. Sleeping and sitting brought me to tears. I sometimes have heard a clicking in my hip, and that seems to be getting better. When I start to overdue it, it will hurt more and click again. I now drive with a pillow under me to keep my hips aligned correctly. My kids call it my granny pillow. I have loved running but cannot jog even a half a mile anymore. I try to stretch, but will definitely try the yoga suggestion!! Thank you!
I’m so sorry about your hip pain, Sarah! Sounds so familiar to mine. I hope yoga helps like it has for me. There are so many recommendations in this thread!
I agree with your love for the Vuori pants! I have 2 pair, my husband has a pair, and we both agree they are the BEST! I typically don’t think joggers are that flattering on me, but these make me look good:). Plus they are oh so comfortable.
Haha, I totally agree with that, Danielle! Those joggers are amazing.
Another vote for Adriene for YouTube yoga! I have been loving instagram workouts from @bodybytrainor (free) if you’re ever looking to shake things up. She’s so creative and high energy!
I had weird tailbone pain for like a year – never did anything about it because it only hurt when I sat for more than 10 minutes which apparently I never do except once a week at church? It was fine in lounge-y couch positions, lol. But I was facing a long flight and has been completely miserable on one earlier that year. ANYway, I was desperately googling and found out it could be a rotation in my pelvis and found this site and fixed it in like 30 minutes. https://posturedirect.com/ It was crazy! It has very occasionally hurt again and I go back and do the stretches and exercises. Sooo if you don’t learn to love yoga you might be able to find just a couple key stretches!!
Thanks for the recommendations, Bet! Some others recommended posture direct, too. I have so many things to check out and I’m excited. Thank you!
I put those jeans in my shopping cart yesterday; I’m so glad that I didn’t check out before reading your post. I’m buying the joggers instead! Thanks for all the great things you share.
I hope you love the joggers, Jennifer!
Hi Mel. Excellent column, short and snappy and full of good stuff!
Glad to read that yoga is alleviating most of your hip pain. Have you ever looked into Tai Chi? When I worked in Toronto I would often see a group of elderly Chinese people doing it in the parkette beside my office building. They obviously benefited greatly from years of doing it. It’s great for all ages and fitness levels. Even Harvard Medical School endorses it: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi
Could be fun for the whole family, no special equipment or clothing required.
I’ve seen people practicing Tai Chi but never gotten involved myself. I think it could be a huge benefit. Thank you!
So, yoga. I SO feel it. “Picture a blank space” immediately is mentally filled with my to-do list. Child pose for relaxation? No. Child pose to consider getting the carpets cleaned.
But joggers? I’d like to more. I never really owned any, and then #coronapocalypse Now, I’m actively hunting. So thanks for the tips!
Haha, Cheryl. Your first paragraph made me laugh right out loud.
Haha, Cheryl. Your first paragraph made me laugh right out loud.
Mel, I’ve had hip pain for a long time and was just recently diagnosed with osteoporosis which I’ve obviously had for years. I didn’t think bone scans were all that important but I’ve changed my mind. I wish I had kept up with them. Make sure you keep up with those!!
So important, Kim. Thank you! I will!
I have been doing home workouts for years. I just go on YouTube and do the free ones. I am not much of a yoga person either but agree that Yoga with Adrienne is great. Other ones on You Tube – Kit Rich, (pilates, cardio, yoga), Sydney Cummings (athletic style, uses dumbbells a lot but plenty of no equipment workouts too and she posts a new workout everyday!), Yvette Bachmann (step workouts, kickboxing), Up to the BEat (fun walking dance style workouts). There are a lot more on You tube. Pop sugar fitness have their own channel as well and their Active app is currently free right now. You have access to tons of workouts without having to pay!
Thanks for all of the recommendations, Christine!
Hi Mel, I’m the Spencer in Oregon that loves strawberry rhubarb pie— thanks for the recipe, it has changed our lives. We don’t have a pickle ball court (wish we did), so we are starting a date night spike ball league— so if you’re ever in Oregon, let us know!
Hey Spencer! So great seeing your comment. Brian LOVES spike ball. (I like it; I’m also very very terrible at it) That would be so fun!
Hi! This is my first time commenting and wanted to tell you that not one time has one of your recipes disappointed. You’re always the first site I check when I am looking for something.
i am not disappointed in your lack of love of yoga; the diversity is what makes the world interesting. I am impressed that you keep trying; most people wouldnt! I am a lover and though I’d suggest Erin at Five Parks Yoga on youtube as well as yogadownload.com. They both have varying lengths and focus/ability.
Thank you for your blog.
Hi Beth! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!! And thanks for the yoga recommendations. So helpful!
I hear you on the yoga! I haven’t found any I like…however, you’ve encouraged me to keep looking :). I prefer Pilates over yoga. I walk, did some running over the summer, do Pilates, and I do karate, even though training time has been cut way back due to COVID. I like the fit-on app for workouts. We’ve been playing Mexican Train dominoes, Exploding Kittens, and Bananagrams, and plan to teach our kids to play Rook soon. Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy these Friday posts!
My kids learned rook this summer and they are obsessed! It’s been so fun to play it with them! I think I need to look into Pilates. So many recommendations for it! Karate sounds intense and amazing – thanks, Kristi!
Mel—I love the picture of you climbing over the fence! Our photographer caught a picture of me scolding my son as he was threatening his brother with a cactus. I also have resorted to elasticized pants. These look so much more classy than my Old Navy sweatpants!
Hahahaha, the cactus terrorization had me laughing out loud.
Mel—I love the picture of you climbing over the fence! Our photographer caught a picture of me scolding my son as he was threatening his brother with a cactus. I also have resorted to elasticized pants. These look so much more classy than my Old Navy sweatpants!
As a former yoga instructor – P90X & Hot Yoga are NOT yoga (in my opinion)…the one day we did hot yoga in teacher training I hated every.single.minute. of it. However I 100% agree with everyone’s recommendation of Yoga with Adriene on YouTube! She offers short sessions, long sessions, and sessions that target just about every specific need you could possibly imagine and she’s a delight and humorous and has a really cool dog 🙂
Thanks for that insight, Julie! Basically after all the recommendations for Adrienne on youtube, I’d be insane not to try it. I’m kind of excited (who would have thought??)
Also I second the Habanero BBQ almonds! My dad loves the wasabi soy sauce ones, but I prefer the habanero
Literally ordering the habanero BBQ ones right now.
Love this post, Mel! (I have been trying to comment unsuccessfully so if my comment shows up five times, please forgive me!) That pickle ball court is to die for! I have been wanting to ask you if you still run half marathons. I’m a long time reader of your blog and I remember those days! I’m *kind of* training for a half but I much prefer a 5k distance. Sometimes I read your training posts for inspiration! I’m a home exerciser, like you, and a few years ago I was having trouble with my back. My sister introduced me to Classical Stretch with Miranda Esmonde-White. She has a show on PBS, but I buy her DVD’s. It’s like yoga with movement. Check her out – Miranda is the best! I love seasons 11, 12, and 13. Her workouts are short and keep me pain free if I do them regularly. And her book, “Aging Backwards,” is a great read. Thanks for your wonderful blog. Most of what we eat comes from you! Your whole wheat chocolate chip cookies are on the menu today. And I’m ordering those pants with your aff. link immediately. Joggers rule the world! 🙂
Hey Jacqui! You have been around a long time if you remember the half marathon days! That was my one and only half marathon. I don’t really run much now unless it’s a walk + run situation. I’m getting old! Clearly. Good luck if you run one! And thanks for the stretching recommendation!
I love Five Parks Yoga on YouTube. I also have hip pain from running and her deep stretch and hip focused videos have yielded awesome results. Plus, she’s super mellow and low key which is another aspect I look for in yoga videos. No music, but soothing sounds of Costa Rica in the background.
Oh, I like the sound of that already. I’ll check out her channel!
Hip pain!!! Oh man I can totally relate. Mine started during my last pregnancy and has gotten worse over the last three years, I walk around with pain a pain patch almost daily. You have definitely convinced me to try a yoga.
I also love a good pair of joggers. I just ordered a splurge pair from Albion so I’ll let you know how they compare but I’ll definitely be getting the ones from Amazon.
Thanks for all of your delicious recipes. There are too many to name that we eat regularly.
When I made the white chocolate mousse cheesecake I had never used a spring form pan and I didn’t put it on a cookie sheet. The butter from the crust leaked out and burned in the oven so the cheesecake was it super smoky but you better believe I picked out the inside of the cake and still ate it.
Oh no! I’m so sorry about the cheesecake. Gah. That’s the worst especially with an intense dessert like that. Darn. I hope yoga helps your pain – man, I’m sorry you are dealing with that!!
I actually love yoga because I did dance all growing up, and have never been into cardio AT ALL. But I haven’t done it all this quarantine, so this post is a great reminder to do it again. I also haven’t ever played pickle ball, so I need to try that again….but my hand-eye coordination isn’t great Love these posts!!
My hand eye coordination isn’t great either but pickleball is still fun (on a VERY amateur level)
After having my first child I had hip pain exactly like you described. After trying everything, I finally went to a physical therapist. They told me the pain was due to weak glute muscles. We worked on strengthening them and tada the pain went away! Hope this helps!
That does help. Thank you!
I have been doing yoga pretty consistently for ten years now. And it took me a while to get into it because I also thought boring/weird. For me I have pain in hips and shoulders, and it helps a ton. If you want to try out some other YouTube channels my favorites are Yoga with Adrienne (great for beginners) because she makes funny puns and just is really laid back and approachable, Yoga with Kassandra (try the yin yoga), and Do Yoga With Me. I choose the classes by Fiji, but this is more intense yoga.
I love your recipes and always look forward to your posts, but I really find myself enjoying these. They’re a nice little break/chat with a friend who I’ve never met and has never met me.
Thanks, Sherry! I love doing the Friday Thoughts posts, too. Thanks for being here and reading them! And thank you for all the yoga recommendations! So great and I’ll be checking them out!
I love yoga with Adriene on YouTube. She keeps is slow and simple/basic but also shows modifications as you advance. She has a cute quirky sense of humor too which helps me feel less ridiculous. I love her videos for stress. It works wonders!
I’m so excited to check her channel out after all the recommendations. She sounds delightful.
I am dying with laughter over the photo of you hopping the fence. Thanks for making me smile today.
Ha. Thanks, Stephanie. 🙂
I get the best little tidbits from the Friday Thoughts posts. Love your humorous/semi-sarcastic writing style.
Thanks, Melissa! 🙂
Oh no Mel! Those pull on Levis are my favorite!!! They never inch down and are so stretchy!! Oh well I still love you and all of your recipes and recommendations.. Buying the birks now!!
I’m actually so happy to hear from someone that loves them! I’m sure it was just me and my body. I’m glad you love them!
I for one love your Friday posts! Question about pickle ball—I played it for the first time a few weeks ago and fell in love so now I totally want my own court! I feel like it’s the perfect 40-something-year-old sport haha. Where is your net from?
I agree! Such a great sport from us middle agers. We just got a pickleball net from Amazon. It’s not available anymore but it was just a low end one that’s held up quite well!
Try the Habanero BBQ Blue Diamond almonds. They’re amazing!
Can’t wait!
Have you tried Yoga with Adriene? She has lots of free YouTube videos at all different levels and lengths. She’s even started a Yoga PE break for virtual learners (which my kids are doing).
Thanks for the pants recommendations! I’m embracing wearing comfortable pants. I work from home, so why not be comfortable? It’s better than living in pajama pants which is what I actually want to do.
That’s awesome about the yoga PE break. Love that!
I love reading these! I also love the recipes of course but these are a fun switch up! Also, I’ve been wondering about those vuori joggers and almost pulled the trigger so so many times!! I just need to go for it!! You’ve inspired me’
They’re totally worth it!
Someone already mentioned her, but Yoga With Adriene on YouTube is amazing! I felt the same way about yoga and then had back issues and a spinal fusion whenever I have any issues, I do some yoga and wonder why I don’t do it more often!
Thanks, Shannon!
Hey girl hey, when you ever want something new… (i’ve used Sweat too and got so bored ) try the FitOn app. It’s completely free and amazing. I’ve used it for over a year consistently and they have pilates, yoga, hiit, strength training, you name it! Or just downlaod it for the yoga work outs only
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of the FitOn app. Excited to check it out! A couple others have recommended it, too!
My husband and I have recently gotten into pickleball. He’s much better than me since he played tennis through high school, but we have a fun time with it. Your casual couples pickleball league sounds like my kind of gig!
I’m glad yoga is helping your hip! Yoga helps me like nothing else can. I have so much more energy and just feel better. My go to for yoga is Dr. Bri (youtube channel is FemFusion Fitness), but that’s also because I have issues with diastasis recti and mild prolapse and all her workouts are core and pelvic floor friendly. She’s amazing.
I’m not as good as Brian, either, but I love that it is still a fun couples sport! And thanks for the yoga recommendation, so appreciate it!
Brian’s face in that picture is SO priceless Mel. I love it!! Lol! I’m sorry you’ve joined in on the hip pain train…it sucks. Especially when it cramps our sleep! I was always a strictly side sleeper and have had to learn to sleep on my back. I hate it. And I too have a love hate relationship with yoga. I started about 4 years ago because of some IT band problems, and now I go for my hips. The class I go to combines yoga with fascia release. So we get to massage out on rollers AND do yoga! I’m sure you wouldn’t say no to that one am I right? It’s heaven. Best of luck and keep it up! Consider it your daily vitamin. Good for the soul too, but then again so is chocolate.
That’s what I’m afraid of – having to learn to sleep on my back. Nooooo!
Mel, have I told you lately how much I love you? I haven’t told you? Oh, my bad. I seriously love you Mel! Ok, now that we’re all warm and fuzzy… I’m still over here rolling on the floor laughing about the hot yoga comment. (So funny I had to copy and share with my BFF.) I guess I can relate. I hate, Hate, HATE being hot and I’m not overly excited about yoga either, though I’ve never tried hot yoga the way you described it I’m sure would be my exact feelings. You crack me up! Thanks for the best laugh yet. Thanks for the insight on the Peleton app though. Didn’t know they had that without the expensive machines. I’ll have to look into some of those.
Not a fan of joggers but that’s just personal preference. Haven’t tried pickle ball though it seems to be all the rage here. Love the spicy almonds!
Ok. Thanks again for the laugh. I really do love you! I’m on your site all the time trying to figure out what’s for dinner, and what’s for dessert, and how does she do that bread dough again? You’re the best!
Haha, you’re so funny, Jamie! Thanks for your comment. Gave me a huge smile.
I love your recipes, but, truthfully, these’s posts are my favorite!!
Thanks, Sarah!
Oh my goodness, if I could sit and chat with any blogger, it’d be YOU! I love love love your Friday thoughts and you *maybe* convinced me to try yoga again. Like you, I’ve never enjoyed it. BUT, I’m so glad it is helping you with your hip pain. Anyway… Thanks for being you!
I think I would love to have a big ol’ chat with so many of you guys, Kathryn!! Right at my kitchen counter. Thank you!
Love these posts!! Does anyone actually say that they don’t? We love the habanero BBQ almonds. Added bonus, you can get a 14 oz bag of them at Walmart for $7. They have a few other flavors in that size as well. I love the realness of these posts with butt shots and sandals with socks. Pretty sure we could be best friends for life!! Thanks for being a source of positive with all the negative out there right now.
I’ll look for those almonds at walmart! Thank you for your kindness, Keri!
Athleta joggers have been the game changer for me. I discovered them this past winter and I may never ever go back to jeans! I put them all the jeans on the top shelf of my closet possibly never to be worn again. They are also pricey but have many different styles, weights and colors. I’ve even been known to wear them with booties out to dinner at a fairly nice restaurant in the before times.
I have a pair of Athleta pants I love so I can believe the joggers are pretty awesome!
I highly recommend the workout program called Mommy Fit with Andrea! You pay $15/month and get a workout for every day through a fitness coaching app. You can message Andrea with any questions you have about fitness or about the program. The workouts are fun and different every day. She has example videos for each move. Every move can be done at home and the only equipment you need is dumbbells. I’ve been loving it!
Thank you, Melissa!
I’ve been wearing sandals with socks for about 15 years in the fall and spring. You Go, Girl!
haha, YES, PJ! Love this!
Have you ever played Star Fluxx? We love this game at home, and play it often. The Marbles game looks similar to a game my teenagers play online… but it is so expensive! That might have to be a special Christmas Gift!
I haven’t played Star Fluxx – I’ll look into it!
You crack me up – thank you!
Ha. Thanks, Susanne.
I was so excited to see you posted a Friday thought today! I have hip pain and yoga had helped so much with it. Glad to hear it helped you too! Now I’m off to order a silk pillow case. If it’s Mel endorsed it has to be good
Hope you love it, Lindsey!
Mel, I friggin love you. Your new headshot, your fashion blog. I had to pipe up and tell you. Also, yoga. I went back to school at the age of 40 and one of the classes I had to take was a PE class. Yoga was close and fit my schedule so I took it. I COULD NOT DEAL with the hokiness of it all and would laugh every time the yogi said ‘namaste’. But here I am, same as you, 43 with fresh hip pain- and the only thing that’s worked is yoga. The hip pain in me recognizes the hip pain in you . Thanks for being so amazing!
You’re so cute – thank you, Leeanne! It looks like you and I have both had a dose of yoga humility. Haha.
Thanks so much for the Friday morning entertainment! Love it all! And I just have to ask, do you have any tips for painting your own pickle ball court? We are getting ready to do that on a cement pad. You guys made a sweet court! Well done! Did you just put tape down and paint within it or what tricks did you use to make it? Please share! Thanks!
Hey Brenley! We just grabbed the measurements off the official pickleball site and then used wide masking tape to mask the lines and painted it with asphalt/cement spray paint we picked up at home depot.
Pilates! I have some major hip problems, and Pilates is the key. Most of the exercises are exactly what the physical therapist was having me do. I use @thebalancedlife membership and she has a bunch of week long free challenges you can find online too. I would definitely check it out for hip pain.
I am a Balanced Life member too. It has been transformative and I feel stronger than I have in years! I highly prefer Pilates over yoga.
Thank you Britney and Tamara! I will definitely check into it!
Well, thanks a bunch. I’ve now added sandals to my Amazon wish list, and put the pillowcase on Subscribe and Save – just for the savings. Does anyone buy a new pillowcase every month???
Love the new profile pic, lol.
Haha, nothing wrong with subscribing and saving to a pillowcase! 🙂
I too thought I could never be a yoga person and now love it. Try the Downdog app! The free version is awesome! (I bought and renew every black Friday when it’s cheap, and the paid for version does have great perks too.) P.S. I am not flexible either, but yoga is more for mental health in my opinion!
Also we just discovered pickleball because covid, and it is THE BEST. Such a fun, social, learnable sport!
Thanks, Shauntel! Lots of recommendations for the down dog app (and although yoga hasn’t done wonders for my mental health YET, pickleball definitely has helped!) 🙂
I totally get not liking yoga. I keep hearing all the benefits but I always just want to hurry through it. I just started doing some Tai Chi YouTube videos, though, and I’m hooked. The flowing movement is so much better for my brain than holding poses.
I think I could get behind Tai Chi!
Hi Mel, Love your recipes and blog. You should check out Ellen Barrett at mindfulmovement.com. She has great exercise routines that are easy and very effective. You can try it for a week for free to see if you want to subscribe and then it is only $5.95 a month and you can cancel any time. I think you will really like her routines. Have a great day.
Thank you for the recommendation, Patti!
Have you used “Yoga with Adriene” on youtube? I like that you can choose your focus for the yoga session and you can find lots of options for short practices.
I just did one of her videos this morning after so many recommendations for her in this thread. I liked it! Just a quick 7-minute post-run yoga stretch.
I had to jump in here to give Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube a shoutout. She’s got a user-friendly flow, a fun sense of humor, and short classes (lots in the 10-15 minute range). She’s great if you’re new to yoga.
I’m intrigued by the peloton app sans bike. I may have to check that out!
Happy Friday!
I haven’t had a single issue using my regular ol’ treadmill (and I think you can use a non-Peloton bike) with the app on my iPad. It’s been amazing!
You didn’t mention going to a chiropractor. Please go. Your spine or SI Joint being out of alignment can be a major cause of lower back and hip pain.
Yes! That’s what I am doing! After five kids it was time to take care of my hip pain!!! I just barely started and it does help.
Hey Lisa – I’m not going to lie…chiropractors kind of scare me! But I should probably look into it.
Have you ever heard of RomWod? It is a subscription, but they have a new “yoga”/stretching video that you can do daily and follow along. It doesn’t cost very much ($14 a month I think). They have long versions – 20-30 minutes some days and short versions usually no longer than 15 minutes. I really like it. You can try it for a month for free too!
Thanks, Jessica – I hadn’t heard of that!
Your feelings about yoga made me laugh. I’m glad it has helped with your pain though. And thanks for all your other recommendations. Just wanted to say I think you are awesome!
Thanks, Jennifer! 🙂
Mel, great thoughts! Also… Kancan jeans are like yoga pants in jean form and you can find them
Almost anywhere and in lots of styles! Keep up the great work, thanks for all of the yummy recipes! I hope that you eventually made it over the fence okay
Thanks for the pants recommendation, Shae!
I love the Peloton app! I do the spin classes (with a non-peloton bike) and I really love the ease (of getting started, not of the classes) and motivation. Matt is one of my favorite bike instructors (I’ll try a run with him!) and Christine D’Ercole and Ally Love are my other two favorites. I like their yoga classes, too! I will have to try the sweat app!
Thanks for recommendations on your favorite biking trainers. I just got a non-Peloton bike for pretty inexpensive so I can start doing the biking workouts too. I didn’t know Matt coached biking!
I’m super jealous of your pickleball court. We love to play but don’t really have any courts available here in rapid city. Definitely want to check out that game.
That’s a bummer! I hope they get some courts in your area soon -it seems to be a sports trend that is spreading really quickly!
i feel you, i’m 42 and had to give up running, biking, and pretty much most exercising I love due to chronic low back pain. it’s my mental therapy. and i TOTALLY agree with you, I HATE yoga. a good compromise is PIYO, and can be found on the Beachbody app. It’s lots of flexibility, but with strength moves and you’re always moving!
I’m so sorry for the low back pain you are experiencing, Karin. It’s SO frustrating when it impacts those activities that keep us mentally and physically strong! Good luck!
I am traditionally not a yoga fan either. But recently I’ve really enjoyed the free FitOn app and doing yoga with Vytas. He’s very calm without being mystical and explains things very clearly and simply.
Thanks, Laurie!
Happy Friday, Mel. Thank you for all you do for us!! I make so many of your recipes on a weekly basis that my family thinks we’re personal friends! I found yoga about 4 years ago and like you, have found that the stretching and flexibility I get from it are amazing. I prefer hot yoga because I feel it helps me find even more flexibility during the class but those classes have been hard to come by since the pandemic. I’ve recently found Piyo which is a nice mix of yoga and pilates. It’s a great toning workout that also incorporates stretching for flexibility. There is an instructor on YouTube named Michelle Briehler who is amazing. Check her out!
Love your Pickleball court. I purchased the paddles and balls a few years ago but have yet to try it. I’m inspired now to make it a priority – it looks like so much fun. Have a great weekend and thank you again for all of your amazing recipes and ideas on making life more fun and enjoyable. All the best to you and your beautiful family 🙂
Thanks, Cindy! I used to do PiYo with Chalene Johnson years ago when it first came out on DVD…I should look into it again!
Thanks Mel for your Friday thoughts. I just bought the pillowcase! Maybe it will solve my hot headed sleep problems. I clicked on the link for the game because we love Sorry around here and boo hoo, it is sold out. Ah well, I added my name to their email to get notification when they have it in stock again.
I hope the game becomes available soon, Karen!!
EXCELLENT photographer choice! We love Carrie Elton as well! And I’m wondering if hip pain is a result of bloggers bum and being in our mid forties? As a fellow blogger, I’ve been battling hip pain for the last year now. It flares up when I have long days sitting at my computer. I found some awesome physical therapists on YouTube that have taught me a few good stretches (search Bob and Brad). I think I’ll need to test out some yoga. ☺
Gah, you could be right with being over 40 and “bloggers bum” – a real possibility! Thanks for the youtube physical therapist recommendations!
My 13-year-old is obsessed with pickleball! He’s constantly badgering people (aka siblings) to play with him. A few years ago we bought a net on Amazon and set up a court on the driveway, and we’ve played for hours and hours. Our lines, when we bother, are chalk—your court looks so professional! (I won’t even show it to my son. It’ll just get him started.)
Haha, chalk lines are still legit! I think our 13-year olds would be friends! 🙂
I’ve had hip pain since I was 20 years old (I’m about your age now.) After seeing several doctors, getting several cortisone shots INTO MY HIP, very long needle, lots of discomfort, taking ALLL the medicines, and HOURS of ice on my hip, nothing was helping. At about age 28, I picked up yoga. After a month of yoga, I could honestly say I don’t have pain. I’ve been lax on my yoga for about a year and I’m back to the pain in my hips and you’ve reminded me that yoga is the cure.
Bonnie – this is amazing! And another reason why I’m going to stick with it. Thanks for adding your testimonial. That’s remarkable!
We call joggers “socially acceptable sweat pants” at our house. I was feeling kind of depressed this week (might have something to do with the apocalyptic smoke covering the town I live in). Anyway as I was whining, my nine year old said, “Why don’t you put on some socially acceptable sweat pants and do something cozy?” Haha. It worked. I felt better.
Oh my gosh, I laughed out loud at this, Mary. Hahahahaha. I think I’m going to start using socially acceptable sweat pants as my new therapy.
I had what I thought was hip pain. Then someone told me he thought it was my it band, and that I should use a roller. A roller makes a big difference!
Good insight, Laurie!
My name is Melanie, and I, too, love wearing joggers. On the daily. I have a problem. Like, soooooo many pairs of joggers. #cantstopwontstop.
You’re great. Your recipes are great. Your thoughts are great. Keep it up!
Haha. Solidarity to all the Melanies loving joggers! 🙂
I used to echo everything you said about yoga BUT also am dealing with my old and tired body so started doing yoga. I highly recommend Yoga with Adrienne (someone else also commented on her). Now I crave yoga and feel like it might safely help me ease into old age. My entire family is in the area and someday when I’m visiting I hope I bump into you at the store so I can thank you in person for all of the wonderful recipes and game recommendations over the years. I also have had a major mohs surgery on my face a few years before you- and experienced similar trauma- have 5 kids similar ages etc. But no pigs or donkeys, alas. You are a gem
I think you’re right, Jami – yoga (and now other recommendations in this thread like pilates!) might be just the thing to ease me into old age, too. I hope we bump into each other, too!
Yoga healed my lower back. Try some wasabi and soy sauce almonds. Yum
I bet we’d love that flavor! Glad your back is healed, Heather!
We just got jokers and marbles too after my parents introduced it to me awhile back! So fun! Our rules definitely varied from the rules we played with at my parent’s house. I’d love to know what rules you play with!
Hey Melanie, the main rule difference we play with that I’ve seen is different with other versions is that if you are playing partners, you can move your marbles or your partners marbles interchangeably at any time.
Wow that is a fantastic looking pickleball court! Like field of dreams for pickleball! The lighting really makes it–Brian did a great job with that.
I am really glad that the yoga has been helping you! Like you, I find a lot of meditation/spiritual parts of yoga a bit boring (I wish I could get into them, but I just can’t) but there is no doubt that the stretching and balance work can be incredibly helpful. That’s wonderful it has been so helpful (and I will keep this in mind if I ever have hip pain)
Thanks, James! I wish I could get into the meditation circuit, too. I’ll keep trying!
Bahaha. Love your new headshot. We always love your game recommendations, so I will be ordering. My 15 year old has been juggling lately but those card tricks look jaw dropping cool.
I need to know- How do you motivate yourself to workout? I always want to and need to but life seems to stop me.
Agree with yoga being a no go. I have had hip pain and the right shoes fitted at a running store plus daily sciatic nerve stretches help me a lot.
Thanks for letting us peek in your beautiful and busy life. Now I have to go learn more about pickle ball because I have no clue.
Juggling would be an awesome skill for my kids to learn. Thanks for recommending that! Working out is a never ending battle of motivation. I’ve just learned with myself that it’s more of a mental health benefit than a physical health one (or at least, I value the mental health benefits more) and so I know if I don’t exercise, I really struggle mentally. So it has become more of a priority to fit it in. Having said that, I don’t exercise every day. I shoot for 3-4 times a week!
Mel, I love yoga but have also discovered The Girl With the Pilates Mat, Rachel Lawrence, on YouTube since I have been doing workouts at home due to COVID. I never thought Pilates was for me but she is an awesome instructor, has workouts of different lengths and difficulty levels and I love them.
Thanks for the recommendation, Kathy!
I’m getting old too!! I’m trying to embrace it. So glad your hip pain decreased! I love yoga with Adrienne on YouTube! I have been following her for at least five years. My sister just moved to Meridian 2 weeks ago! So now my 2 favorite cooks are in the same state! I often think about your skin cancer post. I also have extremely fair skin but with ginger hair. I had a brown mark on my lip show up last year. I put it off and finally had it checked out last week. The doctor numbed my lip and sliced it off. Your bravery with your skin cancer gave me courage! I have yet to hear the results from pathology. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. My lip is healing and the brown mark doesn’t seem to be there anymore.
Thanks for all your posts! Happy fall!
Julianne (Lemon zucchini cookie recipe girl)
Thanks for always keeping it real! I also have and love those splurge joggers. Always love your friday thought posts!
Julianne, I’m sorry about your skin worries. Do you have the results from pathology yet?? Good luck! That can be scary!
I just got a silk pillowcase for myself because I heard it helps with hair frizz! Total game changer for me. I barely have to do anything in the morning because my hair is no longer a rats nest! 🙂
They’re amazing, aren’t they?
Wow! Very excited to see you posted today. A very nice surprise. I am making your chocolate/banana cake today . Hate yoga? Say it isn’t so Mel! I bet the more you practice , the better you will like it. Yoga has single handedly gotten me through menopause(without killing someone ) lol. We also love those almonds, my hubby loves the salt and vinegar flavor. Thanks for the recommendations on joggers, I have already ordered the splurge pants for myself. Just want to let you know how much you are appreciated. Your recipes never disappoint and I truly truly feel that you are an old and trusted friend. Love your pictures! Have a great weekend.
“Splurge Pants!” I love it. I think I need a Splurge Frappuccino while wearing Splurge Pants…
You made me laugh, Cyndi, about yoga and menopause. I promise I’m giving it my best shot and I don’t hate it nearly as much as I did before! Haha. Thank you for your kindness!