Eat Well Be Well

I changed my eating habits five years ago for health reasons, not because I wanted to be thin. Losing more than forty-five pounds was a nice side-effect, but that was not my motivation.

Breakfast

I eat the power porridge above almost every morning, topped with whatever fresh organic fruit I have. Find the recipe here.

I have breakfast a couple of hours after I rise and lunch late in the afternoon on most days. Two small meals a day is enough. I go for a long brisk walk every day that the weather allows. I am very active all day. I rarely sit still for more than an hour without moving around. I sip water throughout the day, and I never ever drink sodas.

Late Lunch/Early Dinner

The picture above exemplifies what I have for a late lunch each day. Start with a bed of organic baby greens. Then, add steamed broccoli, peas, a little baked sweet potato, or any vegetable combination you like. I almost always add about a cup of some type of beans. (If you don't cook your own dried beans, buy the kind with no salt added and organic if you can find them. Rinse well and store extra in the fridge.) Some things need to be baked or cooked to digest them well. For example, I steam broccoli for about three minutes.

The plates I use are about the size of my outstretched hand.

I do not regularly eat bread, croutons, cheese, dressings, or oils. I might have a minimal amount once a week because I enjoy high-quality items. (Processed cheese is not something I ever eat.) I always skip the condiments, which may be high in sugar.

When fresh organic fruits and vegetables are not available in the winter months, I often use frozen organic fruits and vegetables. I especially like sauteed onion, mushrooms, and garlic cooled and added to a large green salad. (Again, you can save extra in the fridge.)

Now, on to the following picture.

Caution!

I bought this snack mix at the health food store to serve with wine to guests. Looks healthy with all those nuts, seeds, and sesame sticks, right?

Wrong!

I don't know what was added because it was bought in bulk by a particular order with no label (not from bins). For a few days, I was guilty of having a handful after each meal with a cup of hot tea as a dessert. After about a week of this bad habit, I had a headache, my joints and muscles ached, my sleep was often interrupted, my mind was very foggy, and my digestive system was wrecked. I felt as if I had been poisoned. I felt almost as bad as I did five years ago when I started this healthy eating journey. I finally realized that the mix pictured above must contain all those ingredients I cannot digest. Within two days of ridding my body of even this small amount of processed food, I am back to my healthy, happy, sleeping, thriving self.

Almost all processed foods contain high fructose corn syrup and preservatives at a minimum and many more chemicals on average. Some say to read the labels, but I avoid buying or eating anything with a brand. Instead, fresh, organic whole food is what I consume most often.

I have seen stock boys reach into bulk bins with dirty hands to steal a few nuts while working. Kids can't resist those that are at their eye level. I only buy bulk items if it is something I will wash or cook before eating.

As with my fashion choices, I keep my food choices clean and straightforward. What I share helps you discover what works best for you.

Flashback

After I stopped eating fast, easy, convenience food from a box, bag, or can and focused on eating whole food plant-based meals; I started losing weight.

2008

I was in a lot of pain when I weighed 183 pounds. That pain came from the arthritis inflammation in my hands, feet, and back, so I was very inactive. I remember thinking this is what it feels like to be old. I believed that was the way my body was going to feel from that point on. I was deeply depressed, and it showed in what I wore and how I carried myself. I gave away all of my heels and bought ugly flat shoes that are supposed to be comfortable. My feet still hurt!

2009

A few days after plants became my only source of food, I started to feel much better. Soon I felt like going for long walks, working in my flower gardens, cleaning my whole house in one day, and anything else I wanted to do. The pain melted away. I was amazed!

My spirits lifted because I felt better than I did when I was in my 30s. I gave all those flat shoes to my mother and started buying shoes and clothes that better reflect my personality. It didn't happen right away, but I found my style chops again after a couple of years. (For some strange reason, I believed those horrible print tops hid my rolls and jiggly bits.)

If we go out to eat now, I order a salad with a side of steamed broccoli or some other vegetable, and I ask them to hold the salt and butter. We will always order the vegetarian entree when there is one offered, and we often visit restaurants because they are vegetarian and share an entree often.

I eat some variation of this for breakfast almost every morning. My late lunch sometimes looks like this.

I get questions almost every day about how I managed to lose weight during those hormone shifting menopausal years.

Honestly, all I did was change my choice of food. There was no radical exercise regime. I didn't take any pills or get on any food to order programs. I still don't take any medications!

The book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman gave me guidance on what to eat and explained why. The most important thing to know is that you need a variety of colorful, fresh, organic, local, and in-season vegetables and a few berries. My diet includes leafy greens, and other vegetables, mushrooms, onions, berries, seeds, nuts, and ancient whole grains every day. I eat this way 90% of the time.

I still enjoy a piece of dark chocolate, a glass of wine, or a decadent dessert on occasion but not every day. I also know that only a few bites are enough. I don't need to finish the whole dessert. 

2016

I have maintained my weight loss since 2011. No diet or pills. No gyms or classes. No calorie counting or obsessing about food.

I hope that sharing my example helps you to achieve a happy, healthy body as well.

Leggings Are Not Pants

Let's talk more about leggings. Leggings are usually black and sort of like tights without feet. They are often so thin that when you pull them over your behind, they suddenly become sheer. Sometimes your underwear or even the label on the inside of the leggings can be plainly seen. 

That is why you must wear a tunic that comes down below your bottom. Your crotch area should be covered when wearing those thin leggings. 

The cashmere tunic above was supplied by J.Jill. The leggings are old from Chico's. They are made from Ponte, and they have to be dry cleaned. They are not tight fitting at all, but you could not see through them even if they were. I wore short black boots with this look, but you can also wear longer or over the knee boots, which look great with leggings and a long cardigan. Several varying length layers worn over leggings is a great look.

I bought my first pair of leggings last year for a photo shoot. I never wore them before that. I have often worn straight leg slim-fitting pants that from the pictures might appear to be leggings. Those were usually made from denim or some fabric other than nylon or cotton knit.

I look for leggings that have a wide waistband. They should be made from a dense knit material that you can not see through, no matter how much it is stretched.

I have some leggings from HUE that I found at Dillard's. These have a nice comfortable wide sculpted waistband, and they are made from very dense material. I tried the look above with a longer tank underneath, but the proportion was very frumpy looking. I broke the never show your crotch rule because the leggings are not tight-fitting, and they are made from a very dense, heavy knit fabric.

Jeggings are another "animal" altogether. They are made from stretchy denim material. They have a zipper and pockets like regular jeans, but they fit more like leggings.

I wore these gray jeggings from Chico's with a blue cashmere sweater from Ann Taylor. We were braving the cold and rain on Sunday afternoon to go for sushi. The coat was from Ann Taylor Loft last year. The scarf is by Vince Camuto. The boots are by French Connection via. (My mother calls these my combat boots.)

Jeggings are generally not skin tight, but I still prefer a longer top covering most of my backside. I cuffed these because the look of a bunched up pant leg is never pretty. I have to be careful with pant length because I have short legs. I don't want to have too many visual breaks on my legs. Keep reading for more on this.

There is an exercise I do with looks I have not yet determined to be winning a combination.

Take a selfie of the look from the front, back, and sides. At the end of the day, make notes about it, for example. This look would have been better if I had worn it with gray boots instead of black. The contrast was too great. The length of the pants is too long to go with these boots. Ankle length jeans would have been much better. This particular sweater is fine, but I might have made a note, such as, "The sweater made me itch all day long!" You get the idea. You are grading the look and the comfort level of the pieces you wore. If a look doesn't get high marks, don't wear it in that combination again. If an item of clothing tormented you all day, don't put it back in your closet; get rid of it.

This practice has helped me build a wardrobe of great pieces that are comfortable and work well for me. I don't always get it right, but I am doing so much better than I did a few years ago!

That's me above, with Mr. Mickey during a train excursion in 2010 before losing almost 100 pounds between us.

We learned what to eat and why after reading the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.

Success!

When you send me emails sharing that you have lost weight, your blood tests are better, you can now play with your grandchildren, or you are no longer diabetic, I am reminded why I continue to share my life with you via this blog.

In 2009, I was so uncomfortable at one hundred and eighty-three pounds, I could barely squat down to visit with this hungry little squirrel looking for a handout. Notice how carefully I cropped the picture at that time so as not to show my girth. I was in denial! 

Fast forward to 2012 on another visit to Brevard, North Carolina. My fashion sense and confidence are improving, and I have lost more than forty pounds.

It was easy to slip into the habit of eating mindlessly and then dressing in whatever was stretchy and comfortable every day. I lived this way for a few years, and my health suffered greatly because of it. (Not just my physical health but my mental health as well.) I had so little confidence that I didn't even want to leave my home. I was deeply depressed for several years.

If you have visited my blog before today, you know that I now have lots of wonderful friends, loads of confidence, and a fun-filled life that I could not even imagine ten years ago. Being healthy, both physically and mentally, has allowed me to fully enjoy life and overcome the depression that dominated my life for several years. 

Sharing fashion tips and style inspiration is a fun part of publishing this blog. I like everything in my closet now, and getting dressed for any occasion is a snap. My style has evolved as I research and share with you what I learn. Dressing this almost sixty-year-old body with style and grace is an entirely different project than dressing my thirty-year-old one. I firmly believe that the most important thing I share with you is the inspiration to learn to eat to properly fuel your body for your best health.

I will continue to share what works well for me and use myself as an example. I hope that you will also be inspired to find what works well for your body and that you can start to enjoy better health and more joy-filled life.

At the link below is a new hearty soup recipe I recently found. I added it to my collection of basics and enjoyed this one as my late day meal. I often add frozen or fresh vegetables near the end of the cooking time. The grain farro is a wonderful substitute for pasta. (I soak the farro along with the dried beans.) I also experiment with the ingredients and spices to add variety and new flavors according to what looks good at the grocery store on the day I visit.

The Melis Family Minestrone

Eat Smart Even on Thanksgiving!

After my last post a few days ago, there were lots more questions about food. Yesterday was the great American food and family celebration, so I am sharing my tips for successfully navigating this type of event. For some of us, this is the start of the overeating season.

I wore my slimmest fitting straight leg jeans from Loft with a white tank top by Peck and Peck via Stein Mart topped off with a luxurious faux suede shirt by IC Collection from ShopMyFairLady.

I have often said that tight jeans saved my life. When I wear yoga pants or other stretchy, comfortable slouchy pants day after day, it is easy to gain a few pounds without being mindful of it. Before you know it, you have ten or more extra pounds! I have a French friend who tells me she never weighs herself. "When my clothes start to feel tight, I eat less for a few days."

This was a casual family gathering, so I limited the accessories and makeup to a lighter daytime version with one ring and arm candy statement.  The bracelets have been collected during my travels. That's my favorite YSL lip gloss and an animal print clutch from Express. The boots are by French Connection via Saks Off 5th.

My sweet sister is an excellent cook, so she prepared a delicious meal for our family. We enjoyed a perfect day together, sharing memories, laughing, and talking.

As the sun was starting to go down on this bright, beautiful warm day, I snapped this photo of a deer eating in a meadow on a hill.

These are my own essential points to remember at these special meals, which will likely be happening a lot in the coming weeks. I never eat until I feel really full. When I know I will be sitting down to a special family meal later in the day, I eat a very light small breakfast. The servings' size can quickly become overwhelming, so I always serve myself only one spoon full of the items I want to enjoy. It all tastes the same, so why pile a lot of each item on your plate and then be miserable later? 

Throughout the year, my food choices include fresh organic and local vegetables and fruit available at my local grocery stores. I keep an open mind when I shop and just look for those items that look most appealing at the time.

My goal is to eat these foods every day.
a large bowl of dark leafy greens
steamed greens
in season steamed or baked vegetables
a cup of cooked dry beans (If you only have the canned version, rinse well before serving. They have a lot of salt in them!)
an ounce of raw seeds and nuts
at least three fresh fruits
peppers
onions
mushrooms
herbs
garlic


These items do nothing for our health. I eat them in minimal quantities on infrequent occasions, if ever. 
sugar

cheese

bread

crackers

butter

sauces

oils

gravy

desserts

salt

cream

salad dressing

pasta

rice

wheat

Some foods or ingredients can trigger headaches, body aches, and inflammation, and bloating. I avoid preservatives, processed foods, and meat because my body does not respond well to these items at all. Sodium tripolyphosphate, known as STPP, is one such trigger that will bring on a severe migraine for me that lasts for two days. It is toxic poison for some people, yet the United States Food and Drug Administration lists STPP as "generally recognized as safe." I do NOT trust them to make these choices for me. It is wise to determine which foods, additives, and preservatives cause you problems and eliminate them from your life.

My goal when I started this journey five years ago was not just to lose weight. I wanted to eliminate those migraines and the inflammation that was causing me so much pain I found it difficult to walk at times, much less wear high heels. An excellent side effect was that I lost more than forty pounds and gained a tremendous amount of self-confidence along with a robust, healthy immune system.

I enjoy sharing fashion tips with you, but it is much more important to me that I convey how vital it is that you take care of your body to enjoy your life. A friend of mine who is a heart specialist was discussing this a few nights ago. She said, "Many of my patients live their lives without taking care of themselves at all, and then when the heart starts to fail, they want me to fix it."

Q&A Plus 24 Hours With Me

A feature in Harper's Bazaar magazine that I always enjoy reading is "24 Hours With ______". (Fill in the blank with a famous fashion personality or actor.) There are certain questions I get asked all the time, so I thought answering them all here using that format might be fun.

Miss Elaine brush back satin pajamas from Belk are my all-time favorites!

My typical day starts at about 4:00 AM. That's when I naturally wake up. I rarely use an alarm. I make a cup of coffee and go back to bed, where I slowly sip the coffee and think about all the things in my life I am grateful for. Every day is Thanksgiving for me!

4:15 AM. I don't touch my phone or my computer until I have enjoyed the ritual above. Answering emails and resolving issues take about two hours every morning. I read the New York Times online and some of my favorite blogs, as well as scrolling through my Facebook feed.

7:00 AM. I fix breakfast and listen to NPR on the BOSE in the kitchen. After those first two cups of coffee, I switch to hot tea. I drink a lot of filtered water with lemon (no ice) during the day and normally with each meal. I also enjoy adding Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar and cinnamon to my water at least once each day. 

When the weather is nice, I will go for a long brisk walk around the neighborhood after breakfast. Otherwise, I am very active all day and work as much movement into my day as possible. Take the stairs many times a day. Park far away from the building and walk. Walk around that big box store several times at a good pace before you pick up what you came for.

8:00 AM. After cleaning up the kitchen, I make the bed and take a shower. My hair is naturally wavy, so I don't wash it every day, but I will rinse it and then comb it out with a pick or wide tooth comb and just let it air dry while I put on some makeup.

My makeup routine varies, but I always put on eyeliner. I use black liquid eyeliner at the moment. The liner goes into the base of my lashes and on the waterline underneath my top lashes since that upper waterline becomes more prominent as we age. I never put even mascara on the bottom lashes because any darkness there looks too harsh on me. 

I fill in my eyebrows with a gray brow sculpting pencil. I always do my eyes first because that saves me from correcting any flakes or smudges from eye makeup. I use a darker shadow color in the outside corners of my crease and blend well. Never use shimmer on the brow bone as we did in high school. That is really not a good look for us now!

I wear bright (not dark) red lipstick and lip pencil every day. The tone of red will be determined by the color of the top I wear. I line my lips and fill in the full lip with the pencil before applying the lip color with a brush. I blot the color well and apply a bit more in just the middle of my lips and blot again. Staining my lips rather than having color sliding around on them is my goal. If your lips are often chapped and dry, it is because you need to drink more water.

I always blend all the colors really well and use a light touch. I strongly suggest that you go to the makeup counter and ask for your foundation to be correctly matched to your skin tone in natural light. That is the only way I know of to get the right color.

9:00 AM. I get dressed for the day. What I wear depends upon the weather, my appointments, and my mood. I normally start each look with shoes and then build from there. I have been wearing high heels for most of my adult life, so I wear them almost every day. Getting dressed takes ten minutes tops. My hair is usually dehydrated by now, so I comb it out one last time and forget it for the rest of the day.

My day may include a photoshoot, business meeting, or other appointments, errands, or a visit to my warehouse to meet with my team of superwomen. I have the greatest staff ever! 

2:00 PM. I normally eat only two meals a day. I eat very nutritious foods that keep me from feeling hungry in a couple of hours. Lunch will include several types of dark leafy greens, beans, mushrooms, and any other in-season steamed or baked vegetables I have on hand. For dessert, I have one small taste of gourmet dark chocolate almost every day. I sit down to a properly set the table and nice music in the background while I take my time and thoroughly enjoy each meal. Think of food as fuel for your body, not entertainment for your mouth. A few years ago, I read the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman to learn more about nutrition. In the process of getting healthy and building my immune system, I lost more than forty pounds. I have kept it off for about five years with no dieting.

If we go out to dinner, I will order a salad or other vegetarian entree and a wine glass. Being with friends and enjoying getting dressed to go out is my focus. Not the food.

It is normal for me to work until 7:00 PM because, in addition to this blog, I own a company that I am still very much in control of. There may be orders to place, ad materials to write, new shipments to photograph, and website content that needs to be updated.

I start to unwind and relax after turning off the computer and plug my phone into the charger in the kitchen. There are always household chores that need to be done. I wash my face with a good cleanser every night without fail. My skin behaves best when I add moisturizer only in the morning. I do some stretches or balance exercises before dressing for bed. 

By 9:00 PM, I have settled into bed with something I want to read. I like to sleep in a cool dark room with no electronic gadgets or TVs.

Saturday Adventure

It was the perfect day for taking a long drive into the beautiful mountains of Virginia to visit with dear friends who moved there a couple of years ago.

Our weather is a bit cooler now, so I am wearing jeans, a tank, and a necklace from Chico's with a white denim jacket from J.Jill. The bag is from Finley House Couture in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The sandals are by Rampage via Belk.

I was glad I wore the jacket. It served me well on the long drive through the country in a convertible.

I was so happy to see my sweet friend Vicky. We are pictured in her fabulous new store called Missing Pieces, located in Damascus, Virginia. I had so much fun shopping there! She had some beautiful antique pieces and unique treasures from all around the world.

Vicky and her husband have been lovingly restoring this fabulous one-hundred-year-old home by the river for a couple of years.

This is the screened-in porch entered from their elegantly appointed kitchen. The view is of a large wooded island in the middle of a river. Vicky has done such a great job decorating their beautiful home.

We did, indeed, feel welcome!

This is the seating area, including a fire pit and a grill out by the river. That island makes the perfect neighbor!

The fountain is original from the early 1900s!

I can't wait to sit by a crackling fire while listening to the river rushing by.

To my utter delight, these wild baby ducks and their mom came running to me because they knew I had crackers in my hand.

When they finished eating their cracker crumbs, they sat down at my feet!

If you would love to spend a weekend in a beautiful town that is almost as it was a hundred years ago, I highly recommend Damascus, Virginia. 

Several hiking trails pass right through the town, including the famous Appalachian Trail. A unique biking experience can be had on the Virginia Creeper Trail, which is also located here. For these reasons, this is known as a Trail Town. 

Many quaint Bed & Breakfasts are found here. There are also several lovely places to eat and shop. It is located just a few minutes from Abingdon, Virginia, which is also one of our favorite towns to visit.

Alone Part II

In June, I published a post about enjoying life and going out there and doing whatever you wish, even if you are alone. 

I joined friends for a drink after work yesterday wearing white jeans from Chico's with a navy Portofino shirt from Express.

The Cole Haan bag is from T.J.Maxx. The fringe sandals are by Steve Madden, and they are from Macy's.

This week I received a wonderful email from a reader named Karen. It is full of more great tips I wanted to share with those who are often alone. 

Karen writes, I never married, by choice, so I've spent my entire adult life largely alone, mostly without any regrets. (I will confess to becoming weary, over the last several years, of attending some events and making long drives solo. But if I were newly alone, I'd probably find these refreshing.) I do many of the things you suggested in your post -- the breakfast out is a good one, although I actually prefer an old-fashioned diner if I can find one -- but here are a few more ideas for your readers:

It has to be the right kind of place, but I prefer to eat lunch or dinner at the bar vs. a table when I dine alone. A practiced/friendly bartender will chat with you if not too busy, other people at the bar will often chat with you as well, and you don't have that "everyone is looking at me" feeling that a big, open room creates.

While traveling, if you would like to go out for a drink but don't want to feel like a middle-aged barfly, seek out small "back bars" in upscale or small, out-of-the-way restaurants. When the bar isn't the main attraction, the vibe is low-key and relaxed. The other patrons are likely just waiting for a table, so you don't feel like you're waiting for a pickup.

Attend outdoor festivals and talk to the vendors. My favorites are arts festivals, where the artisans are often making their creations right there and are happy to talk about their work. (You can learn amazing things!) I also like antique fairs and flea markets. Farmers' markets, too, are great places to find wonderful food and talk to the fascinating people who grow and produce it.

Do dress the part -- a stylish hat, dark sunglasses, artisan jewelry are all good -- so you feel less like a "woman alone" and more like a "woman of mystery." 

Find a group working for a cause or interest you care about and volunteer. I've made new friends, gained free admission by volunteering for film and music festivals, and found great reward for working in soup kitchens and with animals in need.

Speaking of animals, if you don't already have one, adopt a loving animal companion. Dogs, of course, allow you to get out and even mix with others at the dog park, but cats can be devoted companions who make your at-home hours a genuine, tactile pleasure. (I'm a cat person myself.) If you adopt vs. buy from a breeder, you also do a very kind thing on behalf of animals who will otherwise be euthanized.

Consider activities that really might better alone. For instance, I walk along a scenic trail by a river almost daily, and I relish the sounds of the water lapping, birds singing, cicadas humming, and farm roosters crowing. 

If you don't already, learn to love to read. Not only is reading an immersion in other worlds and lives (and necessarily solitary), but libraries are also lovely places where a companion is only a hindrance.

Take a class to learn about something that intrigues you. Learn to make jewelry or soap, speak Italian or French, take amazing photographs, or start a new business. You can attend a class through local community centers or college adult learning programs or enroll in an online course.

One of the things I always refused to do alone until recently went to the movies because I just HAD to discuss the film at length afterward. Now I go alone, and when I come home, I go to online review sites where plenty of folks are commenting and discussing, and I can join in.

If you try something alone and have a bad experience -- you just don't feel comfortable at all -- try again at another time. Sometimes it's not that you were alone, but other factors were in play (timing, other people's moods) that detracted from your adventure. I try to give a place 3 strikes unless I'm overwhelmingly repelled.

Thank you so much for offering your experiences to help others get over the hesitation to go out and do things alone, Karen. I appreciate all of you who have offered to help out with future blog posts. More to follow! I love it when we join together to help and inspire each other. I believe we have one of the best communities on the net!

Another reader made this great suggestion as an option for single folks to join in activities and meet other people. Meet-up groups are in every city in the world. It started in NYC right after 911, with all the people who lived there alone were frightened to get out and be around others. They have every interest group from A-Z. Dining groups, wine groups, adventure groups, sports groups, book club groups, movie groups, political groups, hobby groups, spiritual groups, knitting groups, music groups, exercise groups, and singles groups. You name it, you'll find it. Just go to www.meetup.com and pick your city to find the offerings. You can even attend a group event in a different city or country you're planning on visiting.

Wear It Wednesday - Trends

The half-tuck or the messy tuck has been around for years.

By tucking in the front of my shirt, I can show off the belt detail. Tucking in the whole shirt can make you look really thick waisted. Additionally, I have no bottom at all, so that is not something I want to show off.

This is a very soft flowing tie front shirt from Chico's, which means there is already less material in the front, so it looks neater. A shirt that is full length in the front sometimes feels too bulky above the belt, but this one works nicely. The ankle zip jeans are also from Chico's.

Interesting belts are great, but I only wear them low-slung over a long tunic, with a jacket, or with a half tucked shirt because I do not want to draw attention to my thick waistline.

I will not be embracing all the trends (such as wearing high heels with sweat pants), but when a trend comes along that serves me well, I will make it part of my look.

Many of you have asked me what I wear on days off or when Mr. Mickey and I are not attending some function. This is a typical day off look for me.

After I walk three miles in the morning, I come home, eat breakfast, shower and get dressed for the day.

I work mostly from the office in my home, so there are days when I really don't need to go out for anything. I get dressed and put on makeup even when I stay home alone. If I were married and my husband would be home later, you can bet I would be doing this every day. We owe it to ourselves and to the loves of our lives to look pretty every day. 

Looking my best helps me feel more confident and be more productive. You can hear it in my voice if you call me while I am still in my PJs. I cannot fathom being in my pajamas at noon, but I see women going out to get the mail (at the Post Office!) or to pick up the trash bin late in the afternoon, still in their bathrobes.

If you are guilty of wearing those paint-stained old yoga pants around the house all the time because they are so comfortable, throw them away today. Wear a clean pair of jeans and a nice shirt or something else from your closet that you are saving for good. Every day of your life is a good and special day. You are important, and you deserve to look pretty every day. 

With the launch of this post, I will reach one million views on the blog today. I am honored to have been welcomed into your world so many times. I hope that my words and outfit ideas have served as a positive example for you. That is always my goal.

Wear It Wednesday ... The Skin You're In

Looking your best starts with glowing skin.

When I posted this photo a few weeks ago, there were numerous comments about my skin and my courage to be in a closeup with a woman who may not even be twenty yet. That's me with Abby Hathorn who is also a blogger at VintageInspiredPassionista. (There is no filter on the camera and I do not even know how to use Photoshop.) My skin is not as firm and smooth as Ms. Hathorn's, but I will be fifty-eight in three months and is about twenty years old.

I have also been asked many times about my skincare routine for the whole body, not just the face.

Our skin is constantly shedding and flaking off as new cells replace old ones. We often add oils and lotions to our skin, which also produces its own natural oils. The cells that should flake off can't, which leaves our skin not looking so smooth and clear. The skin can look a bit ashy instead of clean and bright or even break out because of trapped oils.

The secret weapons for my best skin include a natural bristle body brush, clean washcloth, olive oil, or coconut oil.

This natural bristle brush comes with a detachable handle and can be found in most drug stores as well as Walmart. I use the brush on my body before each shower. Sit down and relax while gently rubbing the brush in small circles over your whole body except for the face. Start with the feet and always work toward your heart. This sloughs off dead skin cells but also helps with circulation.

Hot water on a clean washcloth massaged into my face each morning feels wonderful. I use hot tap water as warm as my hands can tolerate and massage my face with the cloth until it starts to cool. Repeat this eight times. Follow with eight cold massages. Splash with cool water and then dry. 

Before bed each night, massage olive oil or coconut oil onto your face and body. After about five minutes, it has been absorbed, and your skin will feel smooth and soft. 

I use many items from the kitchen for skincare because I experience the least amount of reactions, such as redness and puffiness. A great exfoliant for the face (avoid the eye area) is sugar or salt mixed with your favorite cleanser. I often wear a hat when I am outside for long periods.

What you put in your body is important too! 

This pretty cut glass pitcher full of spring water and the juice of two organic lemons or cucumber slices is the first thing I see when I open my fridge. This is the water I sip all day.

Other items in my fridge are what contribute to healthy skin and body. Fresh fruit, unsalted natural nuts, seeds, and plain Greek yogurt are other items you will almost always find in my fridge. (Lower right corner... I wash grapes and keep them in a colander with a wet paper towel over them to keep them crunchy and fresh tasting.)

Get six or seven hours of sleep each night. Drink a glass of wine occasionally if you wish. Eat mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. Go for a brisk walk each morning for about a half-hour.

Now you know all my secrets!