Marie Bostwick's Blog, page 16

A Breakup Letter…For My Phone

Dear readers: Today, I’m sharing a letter I wrote last week that seemed especially relevant considering my impending international travel. I saved it to post on the blog this week, at the very beginning of my trip, in hopes of reminding even myself that yes, you can put the phone away. 

 

Dear LG V30,

There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to say it; I’m breaking up with you. I just think we need to give each other some space, you know? It’s not that you haven’t been or done everything I asked. Because you have. Sometimes you’re actually too good, too compelling. In fact, you’re irresistible. And that’s the problem.

It’s not you, LG. It’s me.

It’s not that there’s someone else, although I suspect there could be. Don’t take this personally but I am pretty sure I could replace you with any number of other phones – iPhone, Samsung, Motorola, Kyocera (well, maybe not Kyocera) and I would be just as infatuated. Before you ask, this isn’t something that’s come over me suddenly. I haven’t wanted to admit it, even to myself, but the realization that our relationship has become unhealthy has been building slowly over time. Today I reached the tipping point.

This morning I went for a bike ride. I took it slow, since I just finished my third triathlon with my faithful and fabulous bike. It was a beautiful day; the sky was blue and the temperature was ideal. Normally, I’d have brought you along for the ride but my bike shorts don’t have pockets and it was too warm to wear a jacket. Leaving you behind made me feel a little uncomfortable, even guilty. But I wasn’t going to be gone long, only half an hour or so, and I promised myself I’d check you the instant I returned.

It was a good ride and unusually peaceful. As I pedaled, uninterrupted by your siren song of chirps and beeps and breaking news alerts, I could hear the call of birds, the wind in the trees, and the sound of my own breathing as I tackled the hills. Even more important, I could think, and focus, and enjoy the moment in the moment.

It was beautiful, LG. It woke me up to what I’ve been missing. The sad truth is, so many things in life are better when you’re not with me.

But two things really clinched the deal for me, LG. The first occurred about halfway through the ride. I spotted two other bikers on my route, a father and daughter. They were pulled over by the side of the trail, heads down, ignoring the beauty of the day, ignoring each other, staring at their screens. All I could think was, how sad.

A few minutes later, I pedaled toward a pond. In the distance, I spotted a woman about my age, sitting on a bench next to water and under the shade of a leafy Aspen tree. A mama duck was followed by a column of fluffy ducklings paddling in the water. It was a charming scene and a lovely spot, the perfect place to enjoy a book. With her head bent just so and the wide brim of a sun hat blocking sight of her hands, that’s what I thought the woman was doing. But as I got closer, I realized that she, too, was staring at a screen, checking Facebook. Once again, I thought how sad, how wrong. What a waste of a perfect moment.

But it could so easily have been me. Too often, it is.

It’s time to face the truth, LG. We can’t go on like this. I can’t go on like this. I need some space.

Look, I’m not cutting you off completely. We both know I can’t do that, even if I wanted to. This relationship isn’t all bad, LG.

You help me stay on top of my business and keep in touch with friends, those I’m close to as well as those I’ve only met online. Sometimes you show me funny memes and videos that make me laugh and brighten my day. Some of those breaking news reports actually are important. And those verses that pop up from the Bible app I downloaded always seem to come just when I need them.

The truth is, you bring some good and even important things into my life. But you can’t be my life, LG. I can’t let you keep invading the space that should be reserved for other things and other people. I just think we need to cut back. Way back.

I guess what I’m really trying to say, LG, is that this relationship has become too intense. But I still want to be friends.

To do that, I have to set some boundaries.

 

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Limit notifications

The first thing I’m doing is getting into each of the apps I’ve downloaded and checking out the notifications. I’m assessing each separate app and deciding which things I actually need or want to know about immediately. Do I really need to know about every like of everything I post as soon as it happens? Probably not. Can I wait to respond to new friend requests until I’m actually at my computer? Probably. Do I want to know when one of my friends posts an actual comment on my post? Possibly. I need to think that over.

The point is, I do have the ability to control the type and frequency of notifications that appear on my screen. From here on out, I’m taking back that control.

Table For One. Or At Least Minus You.

I love my dog. But I wouldn’t let her sit on the table while I’m having dinner and, from here on out, the same rule applies to you. When I’m dining out with other people, LG, you’ll be in my purse, not on the table. Better yet, I may even leave you home entirely.

When you’re on the table, the temptation to give my attention to you instead of the people I care about is just too great. Out of sight is also out of mind.

No More Pillow Talk

I know this sounds harsh, LG, but I’m kicking you out of the bedroom. Looking at you last thing at night makes it hard to settle down and sleep. I’d be so much better off with a book. And I’ve noticed that looking at you first thing in the morning never, ever, EVER gets my day off to a good start.

Of course, I do have elderly parents to consider. And kids and grandkids. If someone I love needs me in the middle of the night I need to know about it. So I can’t just turn you off at bedtime. But I can banish you to the bathroom or some other spot that’s far enough away so I won’t hear notifications but close enough so I can hear the phone if a genuinely important call comes through in the night.

Admitting I Need Help

If I adhere to the boundaries I’ve outlined above, I really think I can get over my obsession with you.

But…

You’re just so fetching, LG. Let’s face it; you’re a temptress. Even if I try, it’s possible I won’t be able to resist your charms. But fortunately for me, and people like me, there’s an app for that. Several of them, as a matter of fact.

If the plans I’ve outlined simply aren’t enough, I’ll be downloading an app such as Social Fever or Quality Time to help track how much time I’m spending on my phone and, if necessary, limit or block my access to the apps that are robbing too much of my attention.

That’s it, LG. If you want to keep hanging out with me, those are my conditions and rules. I hope you’ll respect them. I hope I will too.

If we do, I think we can have something we don’t have now; a happy, healthy, productive relationship.

Sincerely,

Marie

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The post A Breakup Letter…For My Phone appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Triathlon Guide: What To Expect At A Triathlon

In the hours and days since completing my second sprint triathlon, I have been basking in my accomplishment and enjoying the rewards of all that hard work. (You can read about my first foray into triathlons here.)

Eating absolutely anything I wanted after the race was high on the list. Because, let’s face it, this is one of the primary benefits of running a tri. I’ve also spent time admiring my finisher’s medal. It’s big, and pink, and super-girly, exactly befitting of swag for the so-named “Girlfriends Triathlon”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at my pink swag! Thanks Girlfriends Triathlon & Fitness Festival!

 

I’ve spent quite a bit of time sharing dramatic stories and humorous anecdotes about the race with friends and family. The story of how I simply can NOT seem to swim in a straight line is a particular favorite. If the nice man in the yellow kayak wasn’t there to guide me back onto the course, I would have swum across the river instead of down it and ended up in a different state!

Wringing water out of my hair and silently thanking yellow-kayak-man

 

But the thing that people keep asking me is this, “So what is it really like? I mean, what happens when you compete in a triathlon?”

Very good question! And one I thought would be worth addressing today. Fair warning: there is a lot of information here, so buckle up for a long post! This was my second triathlon ever so, so combined with what I learned at my first triathlon, I have some good information to share here!

Here’s what to expect at a triathlon.

WhAT TO EXPECT AT A TRIATHLON: THE LEAD UP TO RACE DAY

Race Day is the Big Day, of course, but there’s a lot that goes on leading up to it. Obviously, there will be months of training beforehand, whether you are a veteran athlete or are learning to run a mile for the first time. But things really start to get real, and exciting, in the day or two prior to the race.

Some races allow you to pick up your race packet a few days before the event. I really recommend that. This will give you plenty of time to review the rules and procedures, everything from safety concerns and the location of parking lots and port-a-potties. Also, it’s one less thing to worry about on race day which is good because you’ll probably be nervous enough as it is.

Be sure to eat well, avoid alcohol, and get several good night’s sleep in the week before your race. It’s likely that you won’t get much sleep on the night before the race. But if you’ve slept well for a few nights before, you should be fine.

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THE MORNING OF THE BIG DAY

It’s here at last! Race day!

Chances are good that you’ll be so excited you’ll wake up before the sun all on your own. But just in case you doze off, set your alarm to go off at least 3 hours before your start time. That will give you time to eat breakfast, aiming to take in about 400 calories of food that’s easy to digest. A banana and a whole grain bar is perfect for me. Put on your race gear (I wear a triathlon suit that I can swim, bike and run in) and check at least twice to make sure you have absolutely everything you need.

It’s a good idea to arrive at the race venue about 90 minutes ahead of your start time. Unload your gear and check the tire pressure on your bike one last time. If you didn’t pick up your race packet ahead of time, go to registration when you arrive. Most races have a mandatory safety briefing. Be sure to attend so you understand all the rules and procedures. After all this work, it would be awful to be disqualified for breaking a rule you weren’t aware of!

Inside your packet, you’ll find three items with your competitor number printed on it. There will be two stickers; the small one is to put on your bike helmet, the larger is for your bike. The race bib is pinned to your back during the bike race, and your front during the run. I attach mine to an elastic race belt, so I can quickly turn it around. Your race bib will probably have tear off tabs for a post-race meal, beverage, or other goodies. Don’t lose them! You’re going to be very excited about that victory taco after you cross the finish line!

You will also be given a colored swim cap. That color will indicate which age group, or wave, you will swim with. You’ll also receive a strap with a timing chip inside. This will be strapped around one of your ankles to measure your time. Once you’ve put it on, be careful NOT to cross any of the timing mats at the various exits and entrances to the course until the race actually starts.

Once you’ve got your packet, you’ll head off to body marking. Volunteers will use Sharpie markers to write your age, event, and competitor number on your legs and/or arms. (Don’t worry, a little scrubbing with soap and water will remove them later.). Once you’ve got your body marks, it’s time to bring your gear to the transition area.

TRANSITION IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS

Transition is a roped off area with lots and lots of bike racks. Only athletes are allowed inside so blow a kiss to your spouse/cheerleaders/pit crew before you enter. It’s probably better that you’re on your own because now is the time you really need to focus. This is more of the logistical portion of what to expect at a triathlon and is so important!

You will be assigned a spot on a bike rack that corresponds with your race number. Hang your bike on the rack by the seat. The area immediately under that is where you’ll set up the rest of you gear. It’s a teeny weeny space on the bar, only about 18 inches. Use a small towel to lay out your gear. Resist the urge to spread beyond this. Nothing will earn the ire of your fellow racers more quickly than being a space hog. I carry my gear in plastic 5-gallon bucket and turn it over to serve as a seat when I’m changing shoes.

Lay out your equipment carefully for each event. You’ll need your colored cap and goggles for the swim. For the bike portion, you’ll need your helmet, bike shoes, and race bib turned to your back and, obviously, your bike and water bottle. I also include a spray bottle and wash cloth to clean off my feet. For the run, I have my running shoes and socks, sun visor, and a note to remind me to turn my bib to the front. I also have “race food”, either Gu or Shot Blocks to wolf down between events. You really do need to feed your body during the race.

Spend time double-checking your equipment and mentally going over your transition procedures. The clock will be running even while you’re in transition, so making sure your changes are quick and efficient can make a big difference in your overall finish time. Be sure to take some time to familiarize yourself with the various exits and entrances. They may be different for each portion of the race.

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READY, SET, GO SWIM!

Your first event will be the swim. Some events take place in pools but open water swims, held in a lake, river, or ocean, are more common. Though length of swims can vary, the distance for a sprint triathlon is usually half a mile. Olympic Triathlon swims are usually one mile. Many people wear wet suits for open swims but they’re only required if the water is very cold. Wetsuits can be pricey but sometimes they can be rented. I prefer to stick with events that don’t require one. If you have time, it’s a good idea to get into the water and swim a few warm up strokes.

For open swim events, you’ll enter the water with other swimmers in your age group. You’ll all be wearing the same colored cap. Some races start on the beach or bank, with competitors running into the water. More often, your group will be instructed to enter the water and line up behind a buoy or rope until the start announcement.

If this is your first triathlon or you’re not a very strong swimmer, it’s smart to stay at the back of the pack. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you’ll get kicked in the face! Buoys will mark the course. There will also be safety officials in kayaks or paddleboards nearby.

It’s nice to know that help is close if needed, but chances are you won’t need it. You’ve got this! Just swim at a good steady pace, similar to your training pace. Remember, you need to save energy for the bike and run. That’s some of the best advice I can give when sharing what to expect at a triathlon.

…AND NOW BIKE…

When your swim is finished, you’ll exit the water into the transition area. There will be mats for you to walk on to protect your feet. If you’re feeling energetic, you can jog in – remember that the clock is ticking – but transition is also a time to catch your breath. If you’re feeling winded, just walk. Put on your bike shoes, gloves, race bib, and helmet. Eat something quickly, unrack your bike, and WALK your bike to the start line. Volunteers will tell you where and when you can mount your bike.

The distance for biking a sprint triathlon is usually 12.5 miles. For an Olympic, it’s 25. Most biking will take place on roads that are closed to traffic. However, sometimes there may be limited car traffic so be sure to pay attention. In either instance, you will ride on the right side of the road unless you are passing. Different races may have different rules about passing and drafting, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules ahead of time. Again, it really would stink to be disqualified at this stage!

Ride at a good, steady pace but don’t go all out just yet. Remember, you still need to save your legs for the run! At the end of the ride, you’ll probably dismount your bike at or near the same place you mounted it. It’s important to follow the dismount instruction and walk your bike into transition to avoid disqualification.

Run To The Finish Line!

After returning to your transition space, you’ll re-rack your bike, remove your helmet and gloves, turn your race bib to the front, and change into your running shoes. It’s a good idea to have some water and eat something before the run. Some people like to bring a water bottle on the run, but there will likely be water stops along the course.

Getting to this final leg of the tri is exciting! Run and done! (Sprint triathletes will run 5K, or 3.1 miles. Olympic distance is 10K, or 6.2 miles.) But don’t let that excitement steer you too far away from your strategy. Pushing too hard in the first mile might mean you hit a wall in the last mile. Stick to a good steady pace. Enjoy the scenery, the presence of your fellow athletes, and the moment.

When it comes to water, my motto is this: if someone offers it, take it. Volunteers will be standing by the course holding cups of water or sports drink. Tell them which you prefer as you approach. Some people run as they drink but I prefer to walk. Otherwise, the water ends up on me instead of in me. When you are finished drinking, toss the cup into a nearby trash can.

Hopefully, you’ve saved some juice for that last quarter mile because now is the time to turn on the speed! Nothing feels quite as great as sailing across that finish line as the crowd applauds and the announcer calls out your name.

Only one full step over the finish line, already walking

 

Getting your finisher’s medal is a big moment too. Smile for the pictures and hold it high!

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TIME TO PARTY

Did you think I was done with my advice for what to expect at a triathlon? Stick with me – this part is important!

After you collect your medal, it’s time to bask in the glow of your accomplishment. It’s also time to eat! Most races will have a post-race buffet for competitors. This a good thing because chances are you’ll never have felt so hungry.

Many races also feature and adults-only area with beer or wine. (My last race offered mimosas. I thought this was brilliant.) You’ve definitely earned a victory toast but remember that alcohol is dehydrating so don’t overdo it. What your body needs after a race is lots and lots of water.

Many races will have booths for sponsors that feature products of interest to athletes, so be sure to check those out, thank the vendors, and perhaps make a purchase. After all, they helped make this event possible.

There will probably be a tent with computer screens or tablets that can give you instant information about your ranking and times for the race overall and each of the separate events.

Maybe you are thrilled by your time. Maybe you feel like you should have been faster. Remember, no matter where you finished, you finished and that is huge! Give yourself a big pat on the back.

You did it! You are a triathlete!

Yes, YOU!

Thanks for reading this post on what to expect at a triathlon! I hope it helps others in the same boat as me. If you are a new or aspiring triathlete and need to buy a bike, check out my Bicycle Buyers Guide. 

Make sure to share this post on what to expect at a triathlon with any of your friends that are thinking about trying a try!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

The post Triathlon Guide: What To Expect At A Triathlon appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Downton Abbey Recipe: Tea Cake with Blueberries and Lemon

I have a bucket list trip coming up! I have convinced my husband that we absolutely need to do a walking tour of the Cotswolds and visit the Holy Grail. And by that I mean attend a picnic tea at Highclere Castle, otherwise known as Downton Abbey.

Something else on my bucket list is figuring out how to make afternoon tea parties part of my daily life. I am not sure my husband will be into it, but my fancy dog, Showgirl, most certainly would. She’s a very attractive, slightly spoiled, somewhat prissy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a penchant for the finer things in life. Showgirl has very high standards. And why not?  She’s basically the Dowager Countess of dogs.

While I count down the days for the movie to be released, I’m going to try and re-read the book that inspired the show, practise my British spelling, and peruse through my favorite Dowager Countess quotes. Because really, is there anyone funnier than Maggie Smith?

And here’s why you’re desperately in need of Downton Abbey recipes

Just in case you have been living under a rock, I want to let you know that Downton Abbey THE MOVIE is coming out September 19th. And the King and Queen are coming to Downtown!

Lord, calm my fluttering, Anglophile heart!

Here’s a link to the trailer and all kinds of Downton details.

So when a movie this momentous comes out, it’s only appropriate to gather your friends and plan a proper party. In this case, a tea party. Now, I could have baked up a crumpet or miracle muffin or Knickerbocker Glory or Bannoffee Pie (this last one holds a special place in my heart from my favorite restaurant in Connecticut), but I resisted the urge. I wanted something simple and seasonal that would make Paul Hollywood proud. If you don’t know who he is, you are missing out on one of the wonders of the world. His baking brilliance.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, I opted for this tea cake that’s roughly inspired by a recipe a friend of mine shared with me a long time ago. It’s not too sweet and truly beautiful. The almond flour gives it a complex flavor that’s so satisfying.

Is it really a recipe from Downton Abbey? Well, no. But it could have been! All I know is this: it’s delicious and pairs well with fancy hats, delicious tea, and British accents.  Paul Hollywood would certainly approve. (Whoops – here I am again getting distracted from the important task at hand. Mr. Hollywood has that effect on me.)

Here are a few others recipes I am excited to try when I get back from my trip abroad: High Society Cucumber Sandwiches, Deviled Eggs, Victoria sponge cake, and these homemade sausage rolls from Don’t Go Bacon My Heart.

 

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Downton Abbey Recipe: Tea Cake with Blueberries and Lemon




Author: Lady Bostwick

Prep Time: 45

Cook Time: 50

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Yield: 8 slices







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Description

The King and Queen are apparently coming to Downton Abbey in the movie. I get excited when my girlfriends come over for book club so I can’t begin to imagine the excitement involved when actual royalty come to visit (although I suspect my friends are more fun!).

This recipe is the absolute best for a proper tea party or even to accompany your morning coffee if there are no tea parties in your future. The blueberry, lemon, and almond flavors go together beautifully. I have no doubt it meets the high standards of the Dowager Countess. If I ever meet her, I will certainly ask her.

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 tsp. lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

⅔ cup all-purpose flour

1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder

⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup almond flour (I just ground almonds in my food processor, but my local supermarket sells it as well)

2 cups fresh blueberries, divided

⅔ cup powdered sugar

cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and spritz the paper with nonstick cooking spray (or butter).

In your stand mixer bowl, cream the sugar into the butter and add the lemon zest, and vanilla. To get it nice and fluffy, this will take about 4 minutes.

Add one egg at a time, scraping the sides to make sure it’s all incorporated.

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, almond flour, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the stand mixer and mix on low until just incorporated, with no white specks remaining

Really carefully, fold in one cup of the fresh blueberries.

Pour into the loaf pan.

Bake for 15 minutes, then sprinkle the other half (one cup) of the berries over the top.

Bake for another 20 minutes until the top starts to turn golden brown.

Cover loosely with foil and cook for 30 minutes, or until a knife or toothpick inserted comes out clean. Oven temperatures may vary so make sure to do this test!

Let the cake cool. Make the icing while you wait. Whisk together one tablespoon of lemon juice and powdered sugar until smooth with no lumps.

Once the cake is cooled, drizzle the icing on top.

Let it dry for 30 minutes before serving.

Serve with your favorite afternoon tea!

Category: baked goodsMethod: ovenCuisine: high tea

Keywords: Downton Abbey recipe, tea cake, blueberry, lemon, almond flour, summer baking ideas, breakfast ideas, tea party recipe

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fiercebeyond50 on Instagram and hashtag it #fiercebeyond50

What Downton Abbey recipe are you eyeing for your next tea party? Please share!

The post Downton Abbey Recipe: Tea Cake with Blueberries and Lemon appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Glamping Gear: Upgraded Camping Supplies For Your Next Adventure

So you’ve already decided that glamping is your style. But now you need the glamping gear and you don’t know where to start. It should be no surprise that Marie is here with thoughts, opinions and suggestions.

I’ve long loved the idea of camping more than I’ve actually loved the camping. The great outdoors really is great. And a steaming cup of coffee on a chilly morning as you gaze at the canopy of trees – that is perfection. But a questionable night’s sleep on uneven ground? That’s something I could do without. And skipping a shower just makes me worry I’m easier for the bears to smell, which makes sleeping even more difficult.

Earlier this year, I marked a big item off my bucket list and took my mother on a girls-only glamping trip! Let me tell you, I couldn’t believe how much more I loved nature with just one or two creature comforts.

Is Glamping For You?

After my mother and I returned from our weekend away I was inspired to find a time when The Chairman and I could replicate the experience. However, the summer kept trickling by with busy schedules and no glamping trip. Eventually I realized this trip would go on the “next year” to do list. But I’d done so much more research and found new, fun ideas that I don’t want to waste. So I’m sharing my ideas you (and publishing a blog so I can find all them again myself next year when we’re ready to go!)

Glamping Gear 101: Where You Sleep

The first decision to make when planning a glamping trip is: RV or tent. Personally I would base this decision on what time of year the trip was planned for. (And maybe how much fortitude against the heat or cold you and your fellow travels possess.) If you’re looking to go the RV route, let me suggest Outdoorsy where you can search and rent RVs in your area. We used Outdoorsy for our mother/daughter trip so I can’t offer much specific insight on glamping tents. But I do love the idea of a sleeping in a wall tent, so perhaps that’s in my future.  Here are a few you I found on Amazon that look like loads of glamorous fun.

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Glamping Gear 201: The Comforts Of Home

If you’re the type of person who is glamping and not camping, you’re going to want comforts of home. What are those comforts? That depends on the person. We all have those things that we can’t (or don’t want to) live without. But what may be a necessity for some might seem indulgent or downright silly to someone else.

You know what works for you but a few options that come to mind are a self-inflating air mattress. (Note:  This mattress is great for camping but also as great as an instant bedroom for visiting grandarlings or other guests. The pump is attached to the mattress, so you just quick press a button and, within a few minutes, it’s inflated. It’s surprisingly comfortable!) Do you worry about being chilly in your tent at night? Here is a stove that’s safe to keep lit and burning inside your tent overnight! (It’s pricey enough I think someone needs to buy it and loan it out to the rest of us.)

This folding picnic table is sturdy yet easy to carry. I can see so many uses outside of camping and the price point is very reasonable. This one is a leading candidate for me to purchase in advance of our travel next summer. You never know if you’re going to have access to enough clean tables around your campsite.

Sometimes, I just can’t believe the things someone has invented, and this is one of those times. Did you know you can have a portable shower that heats your water between 35-45 degrees hotter than it comes out of the top? Look at this gadget! I know that necessity is the mother of invention and I certainly understand the necessity part of this item.  But I’m still stunned someone went and actually made this.  It’s a bit pricey but if you glamp on a regular basis, this might be a dream come true.

Glamping Gear 301: All For The Food

Speaking of surprising discoveries, allow me to introduce you to the travel oven! While I’ve seen may versions of portable stovetops or burners a camping oven is news to me. I could live without one, but if you make to-die-for homemade cinnamon rolls you probably need one of these for your next family campout. (And if you do, be sure to send me an invite!)

 

Another item I highly recommend is a dutch oven (and check out my post on Campfire Tamale Pie to see an easy campfire recipe you can throw together!) While you can use a dutch oven from your kitchen, there’s also a convenience to having a campfire-specific dutch oven that gives you the option for a handle and fee to raise it from the coals. This is one item that I’m definitely eyeing for future outdoor adventures.

Glamping Gear Final Examination: The Decorations

You can’t really call it glamping if you don’t have a bit of glamorous decor to make the outdoors feel a bit more like home. I love all manner of string lights. None are too kitschy or over the top for me! Here are a few that are perfect for glamping (my favorites are the mini Coleman camping lanterns!)

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Another glamping must-have is a wipeable tablecloth. You can either go the traditional route with a red-checkered picnic variety, or branch out with something floral or otherwise more decorative. The sky is practically the limit here, so choose something that will be fun to you!

One more fun piece of flair I’m planning to purchase before I glamp again next summer is this mystical powder. It comes in a packet you drop into a fire, and for 30-minutes the flames turn all different colors of the rainbow! These are new to me, but it looks like a low-stakes way to add some variety to my next glamping trip.

 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

The post Glamping Gear: Upgraded Camping Supplies For Your Next Adventure appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Lemon Herb Sous Vide Chicken

A couple of months ago I had some very exciting news.  The Oliso company offered to send me a Smart Hub Combo to see how I liked it!!

Hmm…the crickets I’m hearing after my announcement tell me that some of you may not know what a Smart Hub is.

Allow me to enlighten you.

The Oliso Smart Hub Combo (brought to you by the same people who make those marvelous irons) is a countertop cooking system that combines a single induction burner  topped with an enclosed, cordless sous vide water bath cooker.  It also includes an Oliso Vacuum Sealer with heavy duty, reusable bags.

And why is that good? Basically, because sous vide cooking is the bomb.

What is Sous Vide Anyway?

Sous vide means “under vacuum” in French. Sous vide preparations allow you to cook vacuum sealed recipes in a water bath at very precise temperatures.  Cooking sous vide allows foods to cook evenly and seals in flavors.  Combining that with Induction technology, using magnetic currents that heat the pan, not the cooktop, allow for quicker heating.

And since sous vide cooking doesn’t allow for any browning, being able to take a cooked food out of the vacuum bad and sear it quickly at a high heat is, if you ask me, a little bit of genius. It helps me finish off meat, fish, or skin-on chicken dishes quickly and makes them look and taste gorgeous. The Oliso Smart Hub Combo is definitely an investment, but the results I’ve gotten so far have been terrific. Cooking sous vide with my Oliso Smart Hub is going to be a regular part of my kitchen repertoire.

Of course, cooking “under vacuum” means you need a vacuum sealer. I already had one but I do prefer my Oliso Vacuum Sealer because the bags can be reused up to ten times, which is a big plus. Being able to reuse the bags so many times is better for the environment and easier on my wallet.

Getting the Hang of it

I’ve been having a lot of fun with my Oliso Smart Hub combo in the last few weeks and my family has been enjoying the results of my experiments. It’s definitely been a bit of a learning curve because the techniques were completely new to me. I bought a couple of different sous vide cookbooks to help guide me. My favorite was the Sous Vide for Everybody: The Easy, Foolproof Cooking Technique That’s Sweeping the World by the people at America’s Test Kitchen.

If you’re already an experienced sous vide cook, then this might not be the book for you. But if you’re starting from square one, like I was, and want to master the basics as well as understand the principles of why the recipe works (which will help me understand how to make my personal sous vide recipes work when I’m ready to branch out on my own), this cookbook is ideal. Every recipe I tried worked beautifully.

Over the last weeks, I’ve made beautiful soft boiled eggs (no vacuum bag needed for these), delicious miso glazed salmon, homemade yogurt and even my own ricotta cheese.  They’ve all been delicious. But when it comes to meat and poultry, sous vide cooking gives truly remarkable results.

Winner Winner Sous Vide Chicken Dinner

My husband and I eat organically and locally as much as possible, which means our beef and pork are usually grass fed. Grass fed meat are healthy and flavorful but they can also be tough. The grass fed steaks and pork chops I’ve prepared recently were incredibly tender and so, so good.

But the recipe I’ve found myself making again, and again, and again are these Lemon Herb Chicken Breasts.  They’re heaven!

Anybody who watches their weight (so basically everyone) ends up eating a lot of chicken breasts.  There are good reasons that diet cookbooks are loaded with chicken breast recipes.  But, let’s face it, unless you add all kinds of high fat, high calorie sauces, oils, or cheeses (which kind of defeats the point) chicken breasts can be boring, bland, and dry.

Cooking these chicken breasts sous vide with my Oliso Smart Hub infused the incredibly tender breast meat with gorgeous lemon and herb flavors. Every bite was heaven. I’ve marinated plenty of chicken breasts in my time. But no matter how long I left them in the marinade, I’ve never achieved the depth of flavor I was able to get with this recipe, which required zero marinating time.  Definitely a nice feature when you’re in a hurry.

My Lemon Herb Sous Vide Chicken Breasts are wonderful served all on their own. Add a green salad (or my tomato couscous summer salad or my watermelon feta arugula salad) and you’ve got an healthy, elegant meal that’s good enough for company. I also like to make extra and put them refrigerator later to top summer salads or chicken sandwiches.  They’re scrumptious any way you serve them. When’s the last time you said that about a chicken breast?

Flavor wise, this is there’s nothing here that would make you think you’re eating a diet friendly dish. But in case you’re wondering, my Lemon Herb Sous Vide Chicken Breasts clock in at just two Weight Watchers points per serving.

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Lemon Herb Sous Vide Chicken




Author: Marie Bostwick

Yield: 2







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Ingredients

2 8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts

¼ cup fresh herbs, chopped (I used a mixture of basil and oregano)

1 large lemon

1 T olive oil

1 t. salt

½ t. pepper

½ t. garlic powder

Instructions

Fill your sous vide container with water and set temperature to 150 degrees.

Use a zester to grate the lemon zest into a small bowl.  Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl. (There should be about 2 T of lemon juice.). Pour olive oil and spices into bowl and mix everything together.

Rinse the chicken breasts and pat dry with a paper towel.  If desired, lightly salt and pepper chicken.

Place prepared chicken breasts inside vacuum sealer bag. Pour lemon marinade into bag. Use vacuum sealer to close bag.  (If using Oliso Vacuum Sealer, use the Moist setting.)

Place the sealed bag into the sous vide water bath, making sure chicken is completely immersed. Top of bag should be above water line.  Cook chicken in for 1 to 2 hours. (Sous vide recipes routinely allow for a wide range of cooking times without risk of overcooking.)

Remove from bag from cooker and chicken from bag, reserving the lemon marinade. Allow chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

While the chicken is resting, place lemon marinade in a sauce pan over high heat. Allow marinade to boil for about a minute, to thicken slightly.

Slice chicken breasts diagonally, fanning out the pieces. Pour cooked lemon marinade over the chicken and serve immediately.

 

 

Category: dinnerMethod: sous vide

Keywords: sous vide chicken, healthy chicken recipes, weeknight dinner ideas

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fiercebeyond50 on Instagram and hashtag it #fiercebeyond50

There are so many great options for sous vide chicken! I’ve been eyeing this sous vide barbecue chicken I found on Pinterest and I really want to try cooking a whole chicken sous vide just to really take it up a notch.

 

The post Lemon Herb Sous Vide Chicken appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Book Club Appetizers: Fast & Fun

I know a number of people who go to book club meetings just for the food and wine. They never, or almost never, actually read the book. They just like the idea of having a party with smart, bookish buddies every month.

I’m certainly not recommending or promoting this attitude. In fact, if you are that girl I want you to picture me right now, pointing my finger and tsk-ing my tongue at you. Life sometimes gets in the way of our reading schedule but this should not be a regular thing! If you aren’t carving out time to read the book, you’re not holding up your end during the discussion and that’s not fair to the group. You’re also missing out on the fun, which is even worse.

On second thought, forgive my scold. I’m sure that none of you are that girl. You’re all much too brilliant and fierce to fall into such slovenly habits. Forget I mentioned it.

Food Is The Side Dish

But the fact that those guys are out there does highlight the role that food plays in successful book club gatherings. The book is and should be the star of the show but snacks definitely come under the heading of Best Supporting Actress. 

Some book clubs serve entire dinners at their meetings, with menus that reflect themes or settings of the book. For example, if your book club was reading Moby Dick, you might serve New England style lobster rolls. (And if you do, be sure to invite me!) If you were discussing A Gentleman in Moscow you could make borscht or blini pancakes served with smoked salmon, or creamy mushrooms, or even caviar. 

Creating a menu based on elements in the book can create a fun, festive atmosphere at your next book club meeting. Food has often played a role in my books. What can I say? My characters like to eat. So do my readers! That’s why I nearly always create book based recipes to share with my readers. For a couple of my books, we created book club party kits with recipes for several different suggested menus as well as activities and even sound tracks! You can get the party kit for The Promise Girls follow this link. If you’d like to get the kit for Just in Time, click here.

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When Simplicity Is The Name Of The Game

Creating an entire meal for a book club meeting can be great fun – if you’ve got the time. 

But I’m also a fan of keeping it simple. If you’ve got to choose between time spent reading the book and time spent making the food, I think you know what the choice should be, yes? (Read the book!) Entertaining your book club can be as simple as making a pitcher of iced tea and putting out a plate of book club appetizers.

Because I like to be prepared for last minute guests, I keep pantry staples on hand that can be turned into an almost instant appetizer. This is one of my secrets for easy entertaining! My go-to appetizer favorites are the pickled Crunchy Carrots, Dilly Beans, and Classic Asparagus from Stonewall Kitchen.

I’m also a big fan of their Tomato Herb Bruschetta Spread and the Rosemary Olive Flatbread Crisps. (I don’t know what they put in those crackers but they are amazing! I always have some in the pantry but never open them unless I’ve got company, otherwise I’d eat the whole box by myself.)

My Idea Of Entertaining

We had some unexpected guests not long ago and I pulled out all of the above to create an appetizer platter on ten minutes notice. 

I whipped up a little Feta Spread with feta cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, water, and fresh herbs to add to the mix and – Voila! Instant party! (The Feta Spread was absolutely divine topped with a dollop of the Herb Bruschetta Spread.)

My point is, hosting a terrific book club meeting doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Here are some more ideas for book club appetizers that can be prepared in just a few minutes.

Other Book Club Appetizer Ideas

First stop – my friend, Sandy, also known as The Reluctant Entertainer. Sandy is the Queen of Charcuterie, creating the most gorgeous, delicious, positively epic appetizer boards that are easier than they look. You can’t go wrong with any of her recipes. I was lucky enough to be invited over when she made this phenomenal board with roasted sweet mini peppers!

Here are some others that look really good and really quick!

 

This Greek inspired dip made with feta looks fresh, easy and mostly delicious!

 

These melon Caprese skewers drizzled with an herb oil are so easy, and you could substitute so many things based on what you already had in the kitchen!

 

These easy to make taco-bites can also be pretty customizable based on what is in your kitchen, and who doesn’t love rolled up tortillas!

Want more book club ideas? Check out my post on how to start a book club, a roundup of beach reads to read right now, how to make more time to read, and even a delicious and delightful book club party kit for my latest novel.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

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What to Read Right Now: Beach Reads for 2019

There have been years when I measured summer entirely in books. A summer well spent is a summer well read. But this summer is different. I’ve spent tons of quality time between pages and also made time for other important things, like making slime with my grandkids during a weeklong visit in June and taking my mother on a proper glamping trip.

Between the books and the activities, this year I feel like I’ve gone above and beyond taking advantage of summer. I’ve been more intentional about the way I spend my time (thank you, Living Well Spending Less planner). And summer isn’t even over yet!

How are you going to spend the rest of the season? Are you squeezing in a trip? Are you taking a day off? I know this post is technically about beach reads, but it’s really about taking time to read while it’s still beautiful outside and the time slips by a little more slowly. Friendly reminder: Fall sends most of us into a frenzy like hyper squirrels collecting nuts for winter.

If you endeavor to read some good books before the season comes to a close, this post is for you. You don’t have to be at the beach; you can be on your back porch with iced tea, at your favorite camping spot with a headlamp, or at the library with the summer sun shining through the window. We are not exclusive here. Beach reads are suitable for everyone and in every location.

Criteria for Beach Reads

Beach reads must have a cute cover – and bonus points if the cover features a seascape or an Adirondack chair. A book is like an accessory at the beach. Consider choosing one that matches your favorite coverup. (Or maybe that is taking it too far?)
Beach reads must be light and uplifting like a summer breeze with just the right amount of suspense, tragedy, and romance. Don’t overdo it in any one area. This is a balancing act, friends. It’s a very specific formula that is bottled up into beach reads since the history of time.
Beach reads must be relatively easy to read. Summer is not the time to struggle through a book or constantly have to consult with your dictionary app on your phone.
Beach reads must be good enough to recommend to a girlfriend. If the sand, wind, and sweat hasn’t tarnished those crisp pages, hand it over to someone else who might enjoy it!

And without further ado, here are my favorite beach reads for 2019. Beach optional.

Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristin Higgins 

Fierce friends, pay close attention here. This book from the lovely Kristan Higgins comes out August 6th! Yes, today. Run – don’t wall – to your nearest book store to find your copy.

Emma London never thought she had anything in common with her grandmother Genevieve London. The regal old woman came from wealthy and bluest-blood New England stock, but that didn’t protect her from life’s cruelest blows: the disappearance of Genevieve’s young son, followed by the premature death of her husband. But Genevieve rose from those ashes of grief and built a fashion empire that was respected the world over, even when it meant neglecting her other son.

When Emma’s own mother died, her father abandoned her on his mother’s doorstep. Genevieve took Emma in and reluctantly raised her–until Emma got pregnant her senior year of high school. Genevieve kicked her out with nothing but the clothes on her back…but Emma took with her the most important London possession: the strength not just to survive but to thrive. And indeed, Emma has built a wonderful life for herself and her teenage daughter, Riley. 

So what is Emma to do when Genevieve does the one thing Emma never expected of her and, after not speaking to her for nearly two decades, calls and asks for help?

 

The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs

I’ve had the privilege of reading through an advanced copy of this wonderful story and I can promise you: you won’t want to miss it! Pre-order your copy now and it will ship the day it comes out on August 13th.

At the break of dawn, Caroline Shelby rolls into Oysterville, Washington, a tiny hamlet at the edge of the raging Pacific.

She’s come home.

Home to a place she thought she’d left forever, home of her heart and memories, but not her future. Ten years ago, Caroline launched a career in the glamorous fashion world of Manhattan. But her success in New York imploded on a wave of scandal and tragedy, forcing her to flee to the only safe place she knows.

And in the backseat of Caroline’s car are two children who were orphaned in a single chilling moment—five-year-old Addie and six-year-old Flick. She’s now their legal guardian—a role she’s not sure she’s ready for.

But the Oysterville she left behind has changed. Her siblings have their own complicated lives and her aging parents are hoping to pass on their thriving seafood restaurant to the next generation. And there’s Will Jensen, a decorated Navy SEAL who’s also returned home after being wounded overseas. Will and Caroline were forever friends as children, with the promise of something more . . . until he fell in love with Sierra, Caroline’s best friend and the most beautiful girl in town. With her modeling jobs drying up, Sierra, too, is on the cusp of reinventing herself.

Caroline returns to her favorite place: the sewing shop owned by Mrs. Lindy Bloom, the woman who inspired her and taught her to sew. There she discovers that even in an idyllic beach town, there are women living with the deepest of secrets. Thus begins the Oysterville Sewing Circle—where women can join forces to support each other through the troubles they keep hidden.

Yet just as Caroline regains her creativity and fighting spirit, and the children begin to heal from their loss, an unexpected challenge tests her courage and her heart. This time, though, Caroline is not going to run away. She’s going to stand and fight for everything—and everyone—she loves.

Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank

Beekeeper Holly McNee Jensen quietly lives in a world of her own on Sullivans Island, tending her hives and working at the local island library. Holly calls her mother The Queen Bee because she’s a demanding hulk of a woman. Her mother, a devoted hypochondriac, might be unaware that she’s quite ill but that doesn’t stop her from tormenting Holly. To escape the drama, Holly’s sister Leslie married and moved away, wanting little to do with island life. Holly’s escape is to submerge herself in the lives of the two young boys next door and their widowed father, Archie.

Her world is upended when the more flamboyant Leslie returns and both sisters, polar opposites, fixate on what’s happening in their neighbor’s home. Is Archie really in love with that awful ice queen of a woman? If Archie marries her, what will become of his little boys? Restless Leslie is desperate for validation after her imploded marriage, squandering her favors on any and all takers. Their mother ups her game in an uproarious and theatrical downward spiral. Scandalized Holly is talking to her honey bees a mile a minute, as though they’ll give her a solution to all the chaos. Maybe they will.

Queen Bee is a classic Lowcountry Tale—warm, wise and hilarious, it roars with humanity and a dropperful of whodunit added for good measure by an unseen hand. In her twentieth novel, Dorothea Benton Frank brings us back to her beloved island with an unforgettable story where the Lowcountry magic of the natural world collides with the beat of the human heart.

Summer of 69 by Elin Hilderbrand

Welcome to the most tumultuous summer of the twentieth century. It’s 1969, and for the Levin family, the times they are a-changing. Every year the children have looked forward to spending the summer at their grandmother’s historic home in downtown Nantucket. But like so much else in America, nothing is the same: Blair, the oldest sister, is marooned in Boston, pregnant with twins and unable to travel. Middle sister Kirby, caught up in the thrilling vortex of civil rights protests and determined to be independent, takes a summer job on Martha’s Vineyard. Only-son Tiger is an infantry soldier, recently deployed to Vietnam. Thirteen-year-old Jessie suddenly feels like an only child, marooned in the house with her out-of-touch grandmother and her worried mother, each of them hiding a troubling secret. As the summer heats up, Ted Kennedy sinks a car in Chappaquiddick, man flies to the moon, and Jessie and her family experience their own dramatic upheavals along with the rest of the country.

In her first historical novel, rich with the details of an era that shaped both a nation and an island thirty miles out to sea, Elin Hilderbrand once again earns her title as queen of the summer novel.

Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews

Drue Campbell’s life is adrift. Out of a job and down on her luck, life doesn’t seem to be getting any better when her estranged father, Brice Campbell, a flamboyant personal injury attorney, shows up at her mother’s funeral after a twenty-year absence. Worse, he’s remarried – to Drue’s eighth grade frenemy, Wendy, now his office manager. And they’re offering her a job.

It seems like the job from hell, but the offer is sweetened by the news of her inheritance – her grandparents’ beach bungalow in the sleepy town of Sunset Beach, a charming but storm-damaged eyesore now surrounded by waterfront McMansions.

With no other prospects, Drue begrudgingly joins the firm, spending her days screening out the grifters whose phone calls flood the law office. Working with Wendy is no picnic either. But when a suspicious death at an exclusive beach resort nearby exposes possible corruption at her father’s firm, she goes from unwilling cubicle rat to unwitting investigator, and is drawn into a case that may – or may not – involve her father. With an office romance building, a decades-old missing persons case re-opened, and a cottage in rehab, one thing is for sure at Sunset Beach: there’s a storm on the horizon.

Sunset Beach is a compelling ride, full of Mary Kay Andrews’ signature wit, heart, and charm.

The Second Sister by Marie Bostwick

I couldn’t help but include one of my own titles in this list (because I have to fund my ongoing fabric addiction, right?). This heartwarming story is finally back in paperback and is going fast, especially considering the popularity of the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that it inspired. Grab your copy before it’s too late!

Years of long workdays and little sleep as a political campaigner are about to pay off now that Lucy Toomey’s boss is entering the White House. But when her estranged older sister, Alice, unexpectedly dies, Lucy is drawn back to Nilson’s Bay, her small, close-knit Wisconsin hometown.

An accident in her teens left Alice mentally impaired, and she was content to stay in Nilson’s Bay. Lucy, meanwhile, got out and never looked back. But now, to meet the terms of Alice’s eccentric will, Lucy has taken up temporary residence in her sister’s cottage—and begins to see the town, and Alice’s life, anew. Alice’s diverse group of friends appears to have little in common besides an interest in quilting. Yet deep affection for Alice united them and soon Lucy, too, is brought into the fold as they share problems and stories. And as she finds warmth and support in this new circle, Lucy begins to understand this will be her sister’s enduring gift—a chance to move beyond her difficult past, and find what she has long been missing…

The Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe

Late August is a beautiful time on the Southern coast—the peach trees are ripe, the ocean is warm, and the sweet tea is icy. A perfect time to enjoy the rocking chairs on the porch. But beneath the calm surface bubbles a threat: it’s also peak hurricane season.

When a hurricane threatens the coasts of Florida and South Carolina, an eclectic group of evacuees flees for the farm of their friends Grace and Charles Phillips in North Carolina: the Phillips’s daughter Moira and her rescue dogs, famed equestrian Javier Angel de la Cruz, makeup artist Hannah McLain, horse breeder Gerda Klug and her daughter Elise, and island resident Cara Rutledge. They bring with them only the few treasured possessions they can fit in their vehicles. Strangers to all but the Phillips, they must ride out the storm together.

During the course of one of the most challenging weeks of their lives, relationships are put to the test as the evacuees are forced to confront the unresolved issues they have with themselves and with each other. But as the storm passes, they realize that what really matters isn’t what they brought with them to the mountains. Rather, it’s what they’ll take with them once they leave.

With Mary Alice Monroe’s “usual resplendent storytelling” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author), The Summer Guests is a poignant and compelling story of self-discovery, love, and redemption.

What are your favorite beach reads? Tell me all about them!

The post What to Read Right Now: Beach Reads for 2019 appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Paying For College: Advice From A Certified Financial Planner

After a bit of a hiatus, I’m delighted to welcome back my friend Peggy Doviak, fierce and fabulous financial guru and author of  52 Weeks to Prosperity, and turn today’s blog over to her. Peggy’s wise and timely advice on financing education is loaded with tips on how to pay for school without loading up on debt

 

Can you believe how quickly the summer ending? It seems like just last week, my family and I were watching 4th of July fireworks, and making homemade ice cream! Now, back to school activities are top priority in everyone’s mind.

In my hometown of Norman, OK, heading back to school reminds us that University of Oklahoma football is just around the corner. In Oklahoma, football is the most wonderful time of the year–Boomer Sooner!

However, if you aren’t a star quarterback on scholarship, college can be insanely expensive. Trying to figure out how to fund a college education can make you feel like you’ve been tackled. Here are a few defensive moves.

Getting Money Elsewhere

First, scholarships and grants can help lower the burden of paying for college. Look for individual characteristics, talents, and interests that might help you qualify for assistance. Remember, too, that good grades in high school may be worth more money than a minimum wage job in a fast food restaurant. All teenagers need spending money, and we want them to learn responsibility. However, short-term earned cash might not be as valuable as time to study. Additionally, participating in school activities could lead to scholarships, and if your child is working, there might not be time.

Further, because many scholarships are based on college entrance exams, have your child take exam review classes and practice tests to help raise his or her score. Unfortunately, college entrance has become something of a contact sport, so scoring very well on these exams is more important than ever.

Additionally, you can save money and help your teen bridge between high school and a large university by having them take freshman classes at community colleges. Just be careful that these courses don’t lower the chance your teen might be accepted at a prestigious university if that’s a goal. On the other hand, if your child enrolls in high school and the community college concurrently, acceptance chances may improve.

“Toto, I Don’t Think We’re In Kansas Anymore”

Another strategy for lowering expenses is by paying in-state tuition rather than out of state. If your teen is going away to college, research if it’s possible to establish residency in the new state. Although it might take a couple of years, the savings could be significant. Remember that if your child is no longer your dependent, they likely can no longer provide you with tax advantages; however, changes in the new tax laws have eliminated exemptions for dependents on your tax return. A more pressing concern could be losing the ability to carry your son or daughter on your insurance.

 

Start Saving Early

One of the easiest ways to cover college costs is through saving money when your children are younger. Several strategies can provide you with tax savings for doing this. For example, your state’s 529 qualified tuition plan provides tax-free investment growth when the funds are used for qualified post-secondary education expenses. The definition of “qualified expenses” is very broad and often can be useful even for students on scholarship. Additionally, you may receive a tax savings if you enroll in your state’s plan and you pay state income tax. Recent tax reform allows some of the funds to be used to pay for elementary and secondary private school tuition, although that usage is more limited.

Be careful about enrolling in out-of-state 529 plans. Sometimes, financial advisers claim they are better. You should know it’s likely that the adviser is receiving a commission or other compensation if you choose their recommended plan. Although sometimes your state’s option may not be the best choice for you, I believe most of the time, it’s fine. Rather than paying an adviser, consider enrolling your child in your state’s plan, yourself. Research the fund choices carefully to choose an appropriate risk tolerance level, keeping in mind how long it will be before your child needs to access the money.

What About Education Before College?

A second college funding vehicle is the Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA). ESAs have a much lower annual contribution limit ($2,000) and an income phaseout level ($220,000 if married, less with other tax filing statuses). However, ESAs have a useful feature not found in 529 plans. The funds can be used for any school-approved expenses in primary and secondary education.

In English, this means it can pay for band instruments, football helmets, even internet access—for children not yet in college. As long as the expense is for a school-sponsored event, the account funds can be used. Coverdell ESAs are funded in after tax dollars, and the growth is not taxed when used for educational costs. If you qualify, funding a Coverdell could be a great option for very young children. Their youth will give the account time to grow and their education plans are not yet set. Any unused funds can be rolled into a 529 plan.

You have many different strategies for funding education expenses. Starting early and being creative will make you most successful. But, as a word of warning, don’t fund your children’s education at the expense of your own retirement savings. This mindset can cause your retirement to be underfunded—an event with disastrous results. No one wants to imagine depending on their children for support when they are elderly, but it happens remarkably often. Last, don’t be distressed if you can’t provide financial support. Remember that every good team has cheerleaders and unwavering fans. Emotional support may prove to be more valuable to your children than money.

 

Do you love Peggy and want to read more? Check out previous posts she’s written: Prosperity is about so much more than money, Setting and achieving financial goals, The Fierce way to curb spending, and When Can I Retire?

 

Meet Peggy

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTMpractitioner, Peggy Doviak, knows how stressful money can be. Her fifteen years as a financial planner and a national speaker to both financial professionals and consumers have convinced her that most people fear their money. That’s why she wrote 52 Weeks to Prosperity – Ask Peggy Doviak: What Your Accountant, Banker, Broker & Financial Adviser Might Not Tell You. In it, she addresses 52 financial planning topics to enable individuals to become comfortable with the vocabulary and issues of their financial lives, so they can participate in the planning process with a professional. Learn more about Peggy on her website, www.peggydoviak.com.

 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

The post Paying For College: Advice From A Certified Financial Planner appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

The Best Strawberry Muffin Recipe Ever

When the temperatures rise over a certain degree, I switch from my regular hot mug of coffee to cold brew I make at home. I just heap ground local coffee into my French press, fill with cold water, and let it sit overnight. It is a summer treat that I look forward to every morning when Showgirl wakes me up. I rise giddy and excited knowing that I don’t have to wait the two minutes for my hot coffee to brew. It’s like I’ve gotten ahead of the game. 

Have you heard of the book When you Give a Mouse a Cookie? I must confess that I’m a bit like that too. If you give me an ice-cold glass of cold brew, I’m going to want a muffin. Now there’s my one-point miracle muffins, or my fiesta miracle muffins, but the ones I really crave in the summer are old fashioned strawberry muffins. And as luck would have it, I am the keeper of the best strawberry muffin recipe in all of the world.

I usually make a dozen and pop them in the freezer so I can enjoy one at a time. That’s the key phrase here: one. at. a. time. The other strategy I employ often is to share them with neighbors. This is a win for everybody.

Sure, brown butter is a little on the indulgent side. But the amount per serving isn’t anything to raise your eyebrows about, so don’t get too worried! Plus, there’s no sugar – just honey. Whole wheat flour makes these a little more health forward as well. And there’s some Greek yogurt in this recipe too, and eggs, and almond milk so…you know, protein.

See how I am talking myself into it? These muffins are basically health food. This is what I tell myself.

On the other hand, when the berries are ripe and luscious and oh-so-sweet, do we really need justification? I don’t think so.

Making the Most of Strawberry Season

This time of year, no matter where you live, it seems that supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and roadside stands are just brimming with the ripest, juiciest strawberries. They are really the best you will get all year. So why not make the most of it? I usually go for all the greatest hits, like my strawberry margaritas or my effortlessly adorable mason jar strawberry shortcakes.

When it comes to strawberries, there’s something for everyone, especially on Pinterest. With my extra strawberries this year, I’ve been eying this strawberry balsamic chicken from Gimme Some Oven and this strawberry salsa from Closet Cooking. Something about using them in a non-traditional, savory way that really has piqued my interest. Who knew they were so versatile?

Ok, enough daydreaming about food. Here’s the best strawberry muffin recipe ever. I’m sure you will love them as much as I do!

Print

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flex: 0 0 50%;
padding: 1.5rem 1rem;
text-align: center; }
@media screen and (min-width: 500px) {
.tasty-recipes-equipment .tasty-link-card {
flex: 0 0 33%; } }
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align-items: center;
justify-content: center; }
.tasty-recipes-plug a {
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box-shadow: none; }
.tasty-recipes-plug a img {
width: 150px;
height: auto;
margin: 5px 0 0 8px;
display: inline-block; }

@media print {
.tasty-recipes-no-print,
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display: none !important; } }


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margin-top: 6em;
margin-bottom: 4em;
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padding-top: 0px;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-image {
float: none;
text-align: center;
transform: translateY(-115px);
margin-bottom: 1em; /* Decide if we need this */
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-image img {
-webkit-border-radius: 50%;
-moz-border-radius: 50%;
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border: 5px solid #666677;
height: 150px;
width: 150px;
display: inline-block;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-header h2 {
font-size: 2em;
font-weight: 400;
text-transform: lowercase;
margin-bottom: 0;
text-align: center;
color: #fff;
margin-top: 0;
padding-top: 0;
padding-bottom: 0;
}

.tasty-recipes-has-image .tasty-recipes-entry-header h2 {
margin-top: -115px;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-header hr {
border: 1px solid #b7bbc6;
background-color: #b7bbc6;
margin-bottom: 1em;
margin-top: 1em;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header div.tasty-recipes-rating {
text-decoration: none;
border: none;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating:hover {
text-decoration: none;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-header div.tasty-recipes-rating {
font-size: 1.375em;
display: block;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating p {
margin-bottom: 0;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header span.tasty-recipes-rating {
margin-left: 0.25em;
margin-right: 0.25em;
color: #fff;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header .rating-label {
font-style: italic;
color: #b7bbc6;
font-size: 0.6875em;
display: block;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details {
margin-top: 1em;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul {
list-style-type: none;
margin: 0;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li {
display: inline-block;
margin-left: 0.5em;
margin-right: 0.5em;
font-size: 1em;
line-height: 2.5em;
color: #fff;
}

@media only screen and (max-width: 520px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon {
height: 0.8em;
margin-top: 0.4em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li {
font-size: 0.875em;
line-height: 1.75em;
}
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 520px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon {
height: 1em;
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font-size: 1em;
line-height: 2.5em;
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}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .tasty-recipes-label {
font-style: italic;
color: #b7bbc6;
margin-right: 0.125em;
}

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vertical-align: top;
margin-right: 0.2em;
display: inline-block;
fill: #ffffff;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .author a {
color: inherit;
text-decoration: underline;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-content {
padding-top: 1.25em;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons {
margin-bottom: 1.25em;
margin-left: 1.25em;
margin-right: 1.25em;
}

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content: ' ';
display: block;
clear: both;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-button-wrap {
width: 50%;
display: inline-block;
float: left;
box-sizing: border-box;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons a {
text-transform: uppercase;
text-align: center;
display: block;
color: #fff;
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line-height: 1.375em;
padding-top: 1em;
padding-bottom: 1em;
font-weight: bold;
margin-top: 0;
border: none;
border-radius: 0;
text-decoration: none;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-content a img {
box-shadow: none;
-webkit-box-shadow: none;
}

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background-color: #979599;
text-decoration: none;
}

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vertical-align: top;
}

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.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons img.svg-pinterest {
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margin-bottom: 0;
background: none;
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padding-left: 0.625em;
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}

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width: 100%;
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padding-top: 1em;
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}

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padding-top: 0;
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margin-top: 1.5em;
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.tasty-recipes-entry-content hr {
background-color: #eae9eb;
border: 1px solid #eae9eb;
margin-top: 1em;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-description,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients,
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margin-bottom: 1.5em;
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font-size: 0.75em;
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text-align: center;
color: #fff;
position: absolute;
left: 1.167em;
top: 1.9em;
}
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color: #fff;
left: 2em;
transform: translateX(-50%);
line-height: 1.5em;
font-size: 0.6875em;
text-align: center;
top: 2em;
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margin-bottom: 0;
}

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background-color: #edf0f2;
padding: 0 1.25em 1.25em;
}

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color: #666677;
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
font-size: 0.85rem;
justify-content: center;
list-style: none;
margin-bottom: 0;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details ul li {
margin: 0 0.5rem;
list-style: none;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-content
.tasty-recipes-other-details
ul
li
.tasty-recipes-label {
font-style: italic;
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fill: #666677;
vertical-align: top;
margin-right: 0.2em;
display: inline-block;
}

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height: 0.8em;
margin-top: 0.4em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details ul li {
font-size: 0.875em;
line-height: 1.75em;
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}

@media only screen and (min-width: 520px) {
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height: 1em;
margin-top: 0.6em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details ul li {
font-size: 1em;
line-height: 2.5em;
}
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-keywords {
background-color: #edf0f2;
padding-bottom: 1em;
padding-top: 1em;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-keywords p {
font-size: 0.7em;
font-style: italic;
color: #979599;
margin-bottom: 0;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-keywords p span {
font-weight: bold;
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.tasty-recipes-nutrifox {
text-align: center;
margin: 0;
}

.nutrifox-label {
background-color: #edf0f2;
}

.tasty-recipes-nutrifox iframe {
width: 100%;
display: block;
margin: 0;
}

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padding: 1.25em;
color: #666677;
}

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font-style: italic;
color: #b7bbc6;
margin-right: 0.125em;
font-weight: 400;
}

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text-align: center;
}

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float: none;
display: inline-block;
line-height: 2em;
}

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background-color: #666677;
padding-top: 1.5625em;
padding-bottom: 1.25em;
padding-left: 2.5em;
padding-right: 2.5em;
text-align: center;
}

.tasty-recipes-entry-footer .tasty-recipes-footer-content {
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The Best Strawberry Muffin Recipe




Author: Marie the Muffin Maven

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 12 muffins







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Ingredients

10 oz. chopped fresh strawberries
1/4 cup all purpose flour
4 TB unsalted butter
1/4 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup almond milk (I use unsweetened vanilla but just use the milk of your choice)
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

To make the brown butter, melt 4 TB of butter in a medium saucepan and heat over medium, stirring occasionally. Let it cook until it darkens to a golden brown color with a toasty smell, about 5 minutes. Let it cool before adding to the recipe and makes sure to scrape the brown bits out of the pan! That is going to give these muffins some serious personality.

In a medium bowl, combine fresh strawberries with 1/4 cup flour. Toss to coat.

In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients – the cooled brown butter along with the Greek yogurt, almond milk, vanilla, and eggs. Whisk until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients – the whole wheat and white flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Be careful not to overmix here.

Carefully fold in those juicy bursts of strawberries.

Using either paper muffin liners or non stick spray to avoid muffins sadly sticking to your muffin tin, prepare your muffin tin for the batter.

Divide batter evenly in muffin tin.

Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy and share with friends!

Category: baked goods

Keywords: brown butter, whole wheat, fresh strawberries, muffins, breakfast ideas

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fiercebeyond50 on Instagram and hashtag it #fiercebeyond50

 

The post The Best Strawberry Muffin Recipe Ever appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

How To Plant A Succulent Garden

Succulents are everywhere these days! Oh, wait…You missed the trend? Not sure what I’m talking about?  Well, according to Wikipedia succulents are, plant that have some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions.”

I think this helps to explain their popularity; they’re pretty hard to kill. I’m not saying it can’t be done but if you’ve got a brown thumb, succulents are perfect for you.  But gardeners with thumbs of all colors love succulents because they’re as pretty to look at as they are easy to care for.

You can find whole wreaths made out of succulents, outdoor topiaries shaped like turtles and a myriad of indoor stylings — some with a single plant and others in more of a succulent garden.

I must admit, I’ve been slow to hop on the trend.

That is, until now.

A friend who has styled these playful plants before was set to do some repotting. I asked for an invite and we spent time shopping and potting. Now I’m wondering why I waited so long to get on board. Succulents really are a gardeners dream!

There are so many styles, sizes and colors you can create almost any look you’re desiring. I’m going to focus here on creating a succulent garden, or one container with a grouping of different succulents.

Succulent Gardens Step One: Container Shopping

Your container will determines how many and what shape/size of succulents you will purchase. In this case, we didn’t shop beyond my friend’s house since she was focused on repotting a container she already had. Even if that isn’t your plan, we probably all have a few spare pots or containers laying around. And I’m not exaggerating when I say that almost anything you have can serve as a succulent planter.

Garage sales, estate sales and any thrift store could also be great hunting grounds for adorable containers that can also serve as planters. There really is no limit to what you can use; I’ve seen then planted in old coffee pots, jewelry boxes and hollowed out logs. If it will hold some dirt, you can put a succulent in it.

I feel like there’s a big personal preference between the aesthetics of a clear planter (where you can see some of the layering and depth) versus solid containers. For our succulent gardens I wanted to have one of each to illustrate how different they can look.

 

These are all some beautiful examples of clear/glass containers that are perfect for succulents:

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And here are some examples of solid containers that would look great:

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Do pay attention to how large the opening is. One of the containers we used is glass and geometric (very similar to one of the above) and I found it difficult to reach inside with my hands. I’m going to give you advice on tools to use that will help that, but they don’t change the fact you’ll have to get everything inside the opening. Just be aware of that and decide for yourself how well you do with a small opening.

Step Two: Shopping For The Succulents

Now that you have chosen a container (or two!) it’s time to shop for those succulents. The best place is your local garden store or a specialty plant shop, but my local Whole Foods and Home Depot also carry quite a selection of succulents now too.

I won’t offer much advice here, as part of the beauty of succulents are their ability to thrive in many environments. Pay attention to the information on individual plants for their unique characteristics but otherwise: go crazy! Remember the rule of odds in design, which is a pretty self-explanatory way of saying that groupings or clusters look more balanced when there is an odd number. So think three or five (or only one) per pot, not two or four.

And mix those colors and textures! I was dying to put a small cacti in each and since succulents come in so many varieties I also wanted to end up with a shorter, plumper one and a taller, skinnier one for balance.(Technically, catci are not part of the succulent family but they also do well in dry conditions and so, for our purposes, I’m counting them as such. They’ll add lots of visual interest to your succulent garden.)

Gather The Supplies

These were the two containers my friend wanted to repot into.

Other supplies we had (but forgot to picture, because we were talking):

potting soil specifically for succulents or cacti
bag of small pebbles
toothpicks or preferably wooden skewers for moving the dirt/pebbles
garden gloves if you have a cactus

Get Your Hands Dirty Planting Your Succulent Garden

I worked with this container because, frankly, my friend was better at navigating the narrow opening in the glass container.

Many people advise you to put a layer of rock/pebbles on the bottom of your container to allow for drainage. However, my friend recommended using the correct soil and no pebbles. For her, it’s the best combination she’s found in pots like these with no drainage holes.

As I’m a newbie to this I can’t advise one way or the other but I stuck with what my friend recommended regarding soil and no pebbles. The soil you’ll need is potting soil specifically made for cacti or succulents, this is the brand we used but brand matters less that the right type of soil. Succulent potting soil is specially made to dry out sooner than regular potting soil. This cuts down on root rot, one of the more likely demises of your little plant.

Layering Is Key

Whether you place pebbles on the bottom or not, you will definitely want to use them on top. So make sure to leave room for that Just like at the coffee shop when you ask them to leave room for cream in your coffee cup, you don’t want to get to the end and not have room for the last layer. Although spilling out some dirt is less painful than spilling your hot coffee, you get the point. The photo above is a good visual of how much space to leave at the top for pebbles.

When your planter is ready, delicately work those succulents out of their pots, and knock off as much of the container soil as you can. For ease of care at the nursery, most succulents are going to be potted in the wrong soil. It’s fine for them temporarily, but long term the more of the soil you can get off the better.

Decide where you want your new friend to live in your container, burrow out a little hole and plant it! Use that toothpick or skewer to gently work soil in the hole around the roots, getting as much soil as far down in the roots as you can. Succulent potting soil is pretty fine and very compact-able. You want a lot of soil in the pot because once it gets wet it will ‘shrink’ a bit.

Keep working until you’ve got all the succulents down into the soil and planted as firmly as you can. If needed, spray some water from a spray bottle near the base to help compacting the soil so you aren’t left with an unstable plant.

This was that succulent garden my friend worked on, and it looks fantastic!

I know what you’re thinking: Marie, you said keep things in odd numbers. And yes, you have an eagle eye and listen well! But those two teeny cacti are small and are grouped together which makes them function as ‘one’ for this purpose. If you look above and don’t count but glance, you would agree there are three pieces in this garden.

Finishing Touches For Succulent Gardens

Now for the icing on the cake; the pebbles! They serve a purpose other than just covering the dirt. Just like mulch on top of your outdoor beds, pebbles help the soil retain the moisture. It’s important that the soil hold onto the water long enough to give the little succulents to suck it all up!

Here are our mostly finished succulent garden! Cute, right?

 

The Aftermath

I’m going to let you in on a secret. Though succulents are very sturdy little guys, sometimes you’ll experience a casualty. (Hey, we’ve all got to go sometime.).

The good news about planting a container garden like this is that repairing and replacing is easy. If you lose one of your little plants just pull it out (roots and all) and find a new succulent that will like that home. These guys are easy to care for but over time you’ll eventually lose one here or there. It happens to even the greenest (or brownest) of thumbs.

You’re not going to need a lot of advice on succulent care but resist the urge to water frequently; less is definitely more with these type of plants. But who doesn’t love a plant that keeps living with only a little bit of loving?

Want more planting / greenery / flower advice? Check out some outdoor planting tips or my guide to making your own floral arrangements.

 

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