In case you missed our last episode of An Extra Dose, you can listen to that here!
A little about this episode:
On this episode of An Extra Dose Podcast, Samantha and Alexis are talking about the topic a lot of us in our twenties and thirties are facing: “Is our biological clock ticking?” We are sharing our thoughts on dating, relationships, and how we personally deal with these thoughts, as neither of us are married. We are giving tips that we use, and how we stay “calm” and not “rush/force” things. Our favorites include natural products to use for your time of the month.
We are back with another Wellness Wednesday post for you all! We have been making some plant-based dishes for dinner that you all asked about, so we wanted to share some of the recipes with you all! Even if you are not plant-based, these are easy to make, and good to serve with fish or chicken, too!
Begin by roasting the squash: Heat the oven to 400 F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Either slice the squash in half using a sharp knife and scoop out the seeds, or place the whole squash in the oven.
Bake for 40 minutes, and then flip over, and cook for another 10-15 minutes until you can pierce a fork all the way through.
Let squash cool, and then if you haven’t already cut the squash open, cut it open and scoop out the seeds.
Use a fork to gently pull the squash “noodles” from the skin.
For the sauce, heat a skillet and add the tomatoes with the liquid over medium heat for a couple of minutes.
Chop up the tomatoes and squash into smaller pieces and add them to the pan. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’ve softened.
Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.
Combine the spaghetti squash with the sauce in a large serving dish, and serve!
PAN COOKED VEGETABLE DISH
INGREDIENTS:
1 28oz can whole tomatoes
2-3 chopped tomatoes
1 bunch of asparagus
1 medium zucchini
1 medium yellow squash
1 medium eggplant
1-2 cups of mushrooms
1 tsp of himalayan salt (plus more to taste)
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large skillet, add the tomatoes with the liquid over medium heat for a couple of minutes.
Chop up the tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, squash, and asparagus into smaller pieces and add them to the pan. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’ve softened.
Chop up the mushrooms and add them in.
Season with salt, pepper, and garlic.
BAKED APPLES
INGREDIENTS:
5-6 apples, cored
Sulfate-free raisins
1/4-1/2 cup water
Ground cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Fill the bottom of a baking dish with water
Place the cored apples in the baking dish.
Fill the center of the apple with raisins and cinnamon.
We are so excited to share our amazing stay at The Pointe On 30A with you all! We had the most incredible and relaxing time, and it was so peaceful. This full-service resort is luxurious, modern, and brand new!
**PS- for all outfit links, click each picture to be taken to shop*
GETTING THERE
We flew into Panama City from Dallas. It was a direct flight for us, so very convenient. The drive from the airport to the property is only about twenty five minutes!
We typically rent a car at airport, and then drive to wherever we have been staying! We have stayed at other properties before, but this one was way closer to the beach and airport, which we loved! This property is also super close to states like Georgia and Alabama, so this would be a great area to drive into and get some relaxation!
LOCATION:
First off, the property is SO close to everything! We have stayed in other places in 30A, and this was way closer to the beach and restaurants, and the airports, too!
We loved that they were close to our favorite restaurants, and they even had a huge shopping center across the street with some restaurants and healthy spots like Freshii!
They also had tons of parking right by the building! It makes it so easy to drive in or rent a car and park overnight without having to find a spot or pay additional fees.
ROOM
AMENITIES:
We absolutely loved the The Pointe on 30A property because it was super new and clean! Our unit had two nice sized bedrooms with bathrooms attached (both included a separate toilet and rain shower).
It also had a full washer and dryer, and full kitchen equipped with an oven, microwave, fridge, and gas stovetop. This is awesome for families or if you don’t want to worry about having to go out for every meal!
We also loved that it had a nice sized living room with a big TV. We even watched Bachelor In Paradise through an app on their TV on Hulu!
VIEWS:
Our unit had a huge patio that over looked the beautiful resort style pool, so it was beautiful to look at during sunset!
Our favorite part of the property is the amazing rooftop lounge! We went up there to watch the sunset and the view of the Gulf of Mexico and 30A was INSANE!
FITNESS
You all know we are all about having getting in a good sweat sesh, so having access to a nice gym while we are out of town is important, and we know many of you all are the same way!
Their gym was fully stocked with cardio equipment like ellipticals, treadmills, and they even had a Peleton bike! Our favorite part of the gym was The Mirror machine they had, which we have seen before on commercials and always wanted to try! If you haven’t seen it, you can do on demand workouts while looking at yourself in the mirror, since the class is in the mirror! Super cool!
The gym also had mats, tons of free weights and weighted balls!
In addition to the gym, they had bikes you could rent for free to ride around the area!
POOL:
There is a beautiful pool on the property with comfy cabanas that are perfect for relaxing during the day.
Right next to the pool, they have the La Cava lounge, which had TVs and couches to hang out!
We loved stopping by the pool after hitting the beach for a relaxing afternoon/early evening!
They also have a gorgeous fire pit to enjoy at night!
BEACH:
We were so happy when we saw that the beach was literally a three minute drive!
There was parking right by the beach, and they have a partnership with a rental company, so all you do is tell them your information, and they will set up two chairs and an umbrella for you!
This made its super easy to go to the beach without worrying about carrying chairs or setting that up!
We had such an incredible time at The Pointe On 30A, and can’t wait to come back soon. HIGHLY recommend this resort, even if you have been to the area before.
If there is one thing I am willing to invest time and money in, it is our skincare. If you don’t take care of your skin, you will definitely notice it. I love reading and hearing about other people’s skincare routines, just because it is so interesting. Everyone’s skin is different, depending on lots of factors like climate, UV, and diet.
I have recently been trying out a personalized line from Skinsei, which offers a holistic and personalized approach to skincare, and you all know I am ALL about that!
What Is Skinsei?
Instead of picking out different products from various skincare lines, Skinsei offers a free diagnostic, where they consider different lifestyle factors that can affect your skin, like diet, stress, climate, UV exposure, and exercise. After you take the diagnostic, Skinsei recommends a three or five-piece regimen tailored to you and what your skin needs.
We have all experienced breakout, or other skin issues like dryness or oiliness, and sometimes, we could be using several great lines of products, but maybe those products are not the best for us, personally. That is why Skinsei is so great! All of their products are micro-biome friendly, meaning they don’t upset your skin’s rhythm and biology. Their products are also paraben-free, pH balanced, and powered by prebiotics.
They take the guesswork out of figuring out which products are best for you, and what your skincare routine should be!
The Diagnostic
I wanted to share one of results with you all because it is just so cool and informative, and you’ll get a better sense of why I am using this specific routine!
Skinsei measures several lifestyle factors: Skin, Climate, Air Quality, UV, Mind, Nutrition, and Exercise.
My focus areas are aging skin, high temperature, and UV exposure, since I spend so much time out in the sun.
Skinsei recommended a routine of 5 products that I am going to break down below:
Cleansing Milk
This is the first step in the skincare routine. This one is soothing and rebalances and nourishes your skin. I love that this one is sulfate-free, pH balanced, and vegan certified.
I use this one AM and PM!
Toner
This is the second step, after cleansing! I always use a toner because it helps to rebalance the skin’s pH, remove any excess products or makeup on your skin, including sweat that will clog your pores. This toner helps to visibly tighten pores and is alcohol free, so it won’t dry out your skin!
I use this one AM and PM, and apply a small amount to a cotton pad and swipe gently on my face.
Rejuvenating Serum
This is the third step after applying the toner.
This serum improves the appearance of fine lines and energizes skin that is tired or stressed, which we all suffer from!
I use this one AM and PM after cleansing and applying the toner. For this one, I use the dropper to apply 3-5 drops directly over your face, and gently massage into skin.
SPF Moisturizer Lotion
This is the fourth step after applying serum. This lightweight moisturizer hydrates your skin and is oil free. I love that it spreads evenly to protect your skin from the UV rays, and doesn’t leave you feeling all sticky. This on also has SPF 30, so you get some good sun protection.
I try to apply this one at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, and make sure you get your neck, too!
Clay Mask
I love a good face mask, and this pink clay mask removes oil and impurities. It helps to detox your skin, without stripping the moisture.
For this one, I apply the mask twice a week, and let it dry for 5-10 minutes before washing off.
**If you want to try Skinsei out, you can save 20% off with code DOUBLEDOSE20
Can’t believe it is the last day of September! Fall is flying by, and before you know it, it is going to be the holiday season. CRAZY! We had the start of the Jewish new year last night, so we had the yummiest food! I (Alexis) wanted to share this fall look with you all from Sole Society, and some facts you all may not know about me, since it is fun to share sometimes!
This striped cocoon sweater is a great fall piece to have because it is not too heavy, but can keep you warmer in the cooler evenings and temps some of you all may be experiencing. It also comes in solid colors as well.
I paired it with these suede booties that are great for fall, and come in three colors! I have size 7 on for reference.
If you all are looking for a good black wide-brim hat, this one is super cute, and matches everything. Also, love that it has a leopard trim around it. I love this neutral tote bag because it matches everything and can be used every day or for work.
Two black pieces you will get so much use out of are these black skinny jeans (wearing size 25 short), and this black silk cami (wearing size s). You can mix and match these with so many things!
I found these fall pieces at Sole Society, which is our go-to spot for booties and bags! All are under $100, and great quality! Some are vegan, too, if that is important to you.
And, now for my facts:
I was born in El Paso, Texas, and lived there until I moved to Austin, Texas for college at The University Of Texas At Austin.
I am mostly European (according to my genetic testing), but both of my parents were born outside the United States. My mom was born in South America, and my dad in France.
I am SUPER petite, only 5’1″.
Growing up, I was super shy and reserved, and even now, there are times I can be more quiet, which is funny considering what my job is.
I did gymnastics growing up, and after I stopped doing that, I rarely worked out, until my last few years of college, and now it is my lifestyle!
I used to have cavities every time I went to the dentist growing up, so I was TERRIFIED of the dentist for the longest time. I am not anymore, haha.
I majored in Management Information Systems in college, and loved learning about how technology and business work together. The coding aspect, not so much!
When I was in school, I would study for HOURS. I never felt felt “fully-prepared” for exams, and was not one of those people that could just look it over, and be ready for a test.
I do not like public speaking, and in high school, I tested out of it my senior of high school, so I could avoid it. Then, I went to college and had to take two specific speech classes, in addition to other speeches I gave in other classes.
I didn’t get braces until my sophomore year of high school. Luckily, I only had them a year!
I had always wanted to break a bone growing up so that I could have a cast, and never got my wish until I broke my foot a couple years ago. I didn’t know it was broken, but once I finally went to the doctor, they put me in a boot and then I didn’t want to wear it. Long story short, I healed fine, luckily!
The beach is my happy place. I would love to be able to wake up to the ocean every day.
I am TERRIFIED of bees. If there are any near me, I will move far away, or scream.
After my job at Ernst & Young (EY), I became a personal trainer with my sister, and we trained clients at their homes or apartments.
Between Samantha and I, I can be more opinionated and outspoken.
Many of you all know we have been eating mostly plant based for over a year now. The question we get asked most often is, “Where do you get your protein from?” We thought it would be better to write it up in a blog post for you all to read and reference later. By no means are we experts in this area– we just have read a little bit about it and it has been working well for us for now.
Before we get into that, we wanted to highlight this outfit from lululemon. We had been looking for a more supportive bra for a while now, especially for r, and were so happy when we found this Run Times Bra. We are wearing size 32 D for reference, and think it runs larger.
This bra is lightweight, but also really supportive. It has padded straps that you can adjust, and you can also cross them for a racerback tank.
Another cool feature about this bra is that there is perforated paneling, so you get good airflow to keep you cool.
We have on the “dark chrome” color.
Now let’s take a second to talk about these Align pants. We have these in both the crop 21″ and the short 4″, and they are SO good. If you don’t own a pair of these yet, you MUST get just even one pair. This our favorite pair from all of lululemon.
These pants are super lightweight, and high-rise, so they are comfy. They literally feel like butter when you touch them. Even better, they are sweat-wicking!
These pants from lululemon have a “naked sensation”, meaning you forget you’re wearing leggings, almost like a second skin! We have size 4 on in these, but these seem to run larger than the crops on us.
We paired the leggings with this grey cropped tee.We love that this tee is looser, and is flattering with higher waisted leggings, like these. Also, it is great to layer with for fall. We have size 4 on in this one.
For this second, look, we are wearing the same Align pants in the camo color. We love that you can wear these to the gym or pilates, and then out and about with other pieces in your closet.
We paired it with this Sculpt Tank, which has really cute mesh detailing, so it keeps you cool, but also shows that cute, strappy sports bra underneath. We have size 2 on in this one.
Underneath, we are wearing this Free To Be Bra from lululemon in size 6 that is stretchy and comfortable, and cute layered under tanks.
And, now for our protein talk:
You don’t need as much protein as you think
Not going to lie, we used to eat a TON of protein, mostly from animals (chicken, fish, turkey, eggs). There is nothing wrong with eating those at all, but from our research, you don’t need to be eating as much protein as you think you do.
We read that the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for “optimal” protein is 0.8 kg/lean body mass. You can also calculate it by your body weight x 0.36 to get your recommended protein intake in grams.
When we ate a lot of animal protein, we were eating more than 150 g of protein some days, which is crazy, since we didn’t need that much. PS- at that time, we ate a lot of protein and vegetables, so we needed the protein to keep us fuller, if that makes sense?
Plant-based protein gives you the necessary amino acids
According to what we read, all protein comes from the sun and the soil. So, whether you eat protein from plants that get it rom the sun and the soil, or animals that are eating the plants, the amino acids are the same.
How much protein can you get from plants?
So, if you’re curious, here is a graphic of how much protein you can get from different plants:
source: ohmyveggies.com
Some of our favorite foods are quinoa, chia seeds, spirulina, and lentils. You can make salads with a lot of these grains and legumes, and spirulina is great in smoothies!
PS- did you know that 1 cup of spinach has 5 grams of protein?! If you eat as many greens as we do, you can easily get 15-20 grams in with spinach alone. We love our greens!
Some other veggies that are protein-packed:
Alfalfa Sprouts
Watercress
Bok Choy
Asparagus
Broccoli
Mustard Greens
Collard Greens
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Of course, if you eat animal proteins, including these vegetables is even better!
