With rising temperatures and summer right around the corner, many of us are thinking about swimsuit weather, our waistlines, and possibly even a fitness routine and low calorie meal plan.    A Delicious and nutritious way to meal prep and stay on track with any diet is lettuce wraps.  I have been making these for my family and friends for years.  It doesn’t matter if you are counting calories to lose wight, packing in the protein to gain muscle, if your vegan, gluten-free, no mater what your tastes.   These delightful rolls are sure to please.


One of the most beneficial things I do for my family is meal prepping.  Lettuce wraps, of all types, have been a cornerstone of our prepped meals for some time.  At the onset of my fitness journey, I was trying to lose weight and counting every calorie.  Meal prepping made it very easy for me to track exactly what I was eating and the nutritional value of the foods I was consuming.  Lettuce wraps replaced sandwiches for me, cutting out 2 slices of bread and over 150 calories along with the sugar and carbs, (that I was limiting at the time).  To top it off, My daughter and I have food allergies and I am gluten free so this is a perfect option.  By prepping and logging everything I am able to stay on track and know exactly what to eat and when.  Lettuce wraps are the perfect, quick and easy meal-prep for this.  Even now, I do a lot of meal prepping for my family.  We make breakfast and lunch to grab and go.  When I achieved my weight-loss goal, I shifted my focus from weight-loss to gaining more muscle, maintenance and overall health.  By continuing to prep and track everything I am able to ensure that I’m consuming plenty of protein and all the rest of my macros each day.  Still, lettuce wraps work perfectly, just by slightly switching up the filling.  Here are just a few of our variations

I found that lettuce wraps make a hearty meal and hold up well as a packed lunch.  My version are full of vegetables and lean proteins so they are packed with nutrition too.   Literally, anything works for this meal.  Iceberg lettuce leaves, romaine lettuce leaves, steamed cabbage, collards, mustard or any large green leafy vegetable form a perfect wrapper.  The fillings are endless too.  I use fish, tofu, any leftover meat and even lunch meat and eggs, alongside cheese or hummus, yogurt, fresh and cooked vegetables, coupled with some fresh herbs and sometimes even grains.  Any combination and any flavor works.  Simply, use up what you have on hand.  Lettuce wraps, often, utilize my leftover meat and cooked vegetables.

I highly recommend giving lettuce wraps a try in place of an ordinary sandwich.  They are real, unprocessed food. They make a great alternative to salad bowls too and really add variety to the lunch mix.  The whole family will enjoy these tasty handheld rolls.     

Let me know if you give this a try or have a favorite recipe, with a comment.  

I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  My motto is a healthy, beautiful and vibrant life at any age.  Please Subscribe, like and follow me if you want all of my inspiration for life over 50.  

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Find me @SheDo50Too on social media to see more content, reels  and videos on: workouts,  recipes, meal prep and healthy eating; as well as style and beauty inspiration for the active over 50 life. I wish you health in all things and success in your own fitness endeavors.


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If you are at all like I was and struggle with wanting to workout, get in shape, and lose weight, then you already know it’s not alway easy to find the time for working out, especially for busy moms.  No time, for me, was always an easy excuse to just “skip it for the day”.  Once I decided to get fit, I researched quick easy workouts to help stay on track.  A lot of my early fitness was simply using quick all-over methods to get a little strength and cardio all at once, every day.  These quick workouts helped me to form a very solid daily habit.  I have some quick videos of exactly what I do on my social media.   Using quick all-over methods helped me get into the habit of working out without feeling discouraged or burning myself out, especially in the beginning.  Now that I exercise almost every day, I still go back to these quick routines when I’m short on time, or when I just want to mix it up.  Also, now that I have a good weekly system in place, if I make it to the end of the day and I missed my normal workout,  I rely on these short, high intensity moves to keep myself on track.

Here is a link to a very quick workout that can be high intensity and completed in just a few minutes.  This all-over movement of using small weights for the arms and doing squats for the legs also impacts the core and back.  If done quickly in bursts it incorporates an elevated heart rate so a little cardio is added to the mix. Hence….All Over Workout!!!

Do this movement for 2 minutes and take a break for 15 seconds and do 2 more sets for  another 2 minutes each.  This is a great workout in under 10 minutes. Stop there if that’s all you have time for or keep repeating to achieve maximum results.  I usually do this series for 20 - 30 minutes total.  This is great for the days I can’t fit in the full workout.  (As a side not I typically do, at least 5 days per week of about 20 minutes of cardio a day and 20 - 30 minutes of weight lifting per day.). I think you will find this is a good routine to get started working out and it’s also great for time restricted days.  

This movement can be done with no equipment or light weights.  In the video I am using 5 pound dumbbells.  This size and weight is very manageable for movement. 

You can find a link to lightweight dumbbells here.

Everyone does have different fitness needs, so my recommendation is to speak to your own healthcare provider prior to starting any workout or health plan.  Everyone experiences different, personal, results as well.  I am not a healthcare or fitness expert, I am simply sharing things that have worked for me.  The things I share, I wish I had known sooner.  I hope this routine helps you as well.   I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  My motto is a healthy, beautiful and vibrant life at any age.  Please Subscribe, like, and follow me if you want all of my inspiration and tips for life over 50.  I am an Amazon Associate and the fitness apparel, equipment, supplements and more, that I use - are available in my Amazon Storefront.   As an Amazon Associate I do earn commissions off of purchases through my links.  This has no effect on the cost to you.   

You can view all of my favorite things on my Amazon Store Front:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheryldhealthinallthings


Here’s shortcut  to all my social media, links and sites
https://linktr.ee/shedo50too
Find me @SheDo50Too on social media to see more content, reels  and videos on: workouts, recipes, meal prep and healthy eating; as well as style and beauty inspiration for the active over 50 life. I wish you health in all things and success in your own fitness endeavors.
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I’ve been searching out great deals on Amazon lately.  Being over 50 and petite, at 5’2” and just under 110 pounds, it’s not always easy to find looks that work online.  I’ve found quite a bit of success on Amazon over the years.  This dress is my latest find.  It’s a comfortable lightweight knit.  The cinching sewn into the sides makes it very flattering.  The dress comes in tons of colors and size small to X large.  I usually wear XS but I am wearing a small here.  Although it does not fit me like shown on the model, I love it.  The dress, if worn with a blazer and flats or heels is perfect for the office and goes straight into night with heels and accessories. It’s so comfortable and airy with sneakers for travel or summertime outings.   

​If you would like to take a look the link is here

​I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  My motto is a healthy, beautiful and vibrant life at any age.  Please Subscribe, like, and follow me if you want all of my inspiration and tips for life over 50.  I am an Amazon Associate and the fitness apparel, equipment, supplements and more, that I use - are available in my Amazon Storefront.   As an Amazon Associate I do earn commissions off of purchases through my links.  This has no effect on the cost to you.   
 
You can view all of my favorite things on my Amazon Store Front:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheryldhealthinallthings


Here’s shortcut  to all my social media, links and sites
https://linktr.ee/shedo50too


Find me @SheDo50Too on social media to see more content, reels  and videos on: workouts, recipes, meal prep and healthy eating; as well as style and beauty inspiration for the active over 50 life. I wish you health in all things and success in your own fitness endeavors.


© Copyright, 2023, All content is created, displayed and owned solely by SheDo50Too and rights retained herein

Detox teas have been around for centuries.  These elixirs date back to the Silk Roads of China, Ancient Egypt and other civilizations.  When something has sustained the test of time, I believe there has to be some substance to it.  It’s worth it to me, to give it a try.  
One of my favorite homemade detox teas is hot water with fresh lemon juice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and honey if desired.  I have been drinking this tea in the mornings on an empty stomach and at the end of the night before bed for years.  I have used this to aid in weight-loss and maintenance.  I drink this any time I start feeling under the weather too.  It seems to aid with colds, allergies and other ailments.  I can’t promise that its working, but I can tell you it is not hurting anything, for sure.  This mixture is readily available in the form of immunity shots at most major grocers in the produce section.  The juice and herbal mixture alone work great to boost the immune system.  As a hot tea, this combination is so soothing to the mind, body and digestive system.  Supposedly, it’s great for glowing skin too.  I’ll share with you some of the reason that I found supporting the use of this tea.

Many health sources tout lemon as a great support for the body in general.  It is full of vitamin C and antioxidants, known to fight against cancer and other ailments like high cholesterol and heart problems.  The citrus may help with kidney stones and overall digestion. The vitamins and antioxidants in citrus fruit are great for the skin too.

Cayenne pepper is full of vitamins and minerals as well.  The capsicum properties of the pepper cause it to aid in digestion and inflammation.  This medicinal pepper is believed to reduce cholesterol, help blood sugar, and boost the immune system.  It is also believed that cayenne will boost the metabolism, possibly aiding in weight loss.

Cinnamon is also a medicinal and aromatic spice.  Cinnamon adds antioxidants to the diet, it boosts the immune system due to its antiviral properties and it is touted to help with blood sugar, heart health and cholesterol as well.  Additionally, there is some evidence that cinnamon could help with brain health during aging.  

All three of these ingredients for my detox tea offer health, immune, digestive and skin benefits.  The three ingredients, combined, prove to be a bit of an appetite suppressant for myself.  Possibly just from consuming extra water and feeling more full, but I truly believe it’s all in the ingredients.   I am no health expert and am not promising this all works. Of course everyone is different and has different needs.  This is simply something I enjoy and I thought I would share.

Give this hot tea a try.  Simply mix in a cup:
Hot water
The juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon (I wash my lemon well and place the squeezed lemon rind in the cup too - this adds lemon oil to the drink & makes it even more potent) 
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 
Honey to taste as desired
If you would like an extra zing try adding fresh ginger to taste as well (I often add this if I am ill)

I consume a lot of tea everyday and I have a hot water pot & dispenser that I absolutely love.  My Mother-in-Law gifted me this years ago.  It keeps 3 liters of water boiled and at a steady temperature at all times, perfect for teas, soups, and instant mixes any time. You simply keep it full and leave it.   We always have hot water ready.  As a family that loves tea this is wonderful!  I will share the one I’ve had for years, here in my video and link it below.

Find the hot water pot by clicking here 

I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  My motto is a healthy, beautiful and vibrant life at any age.  Please Subscribe, like, and follow me if you want all of my inspiration and tips for life over 50.  I am an Amazon Associate and the fitness apparel, equipment, supplements and more, that I use - are available in my Amazon Storefront.   As an Amazon Associate I do earn commissions off of purchases through my links.  This has no effect on the cost to you.   

You can view all of my favorite things on my Amazon Store Front:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheryldhealthinallthings

Here’s shortcut all my links and sites
https://linktr.ee/shedo50too

Find me @SheDo50Too on social media to see more content, reels  and videos on: workouts, recipes, meal prep and healthy eating; as well as style and beauty inspiration for the active over 50 life. I wish you health in all things and success in your own fitness endeavors.

© Copyright, 2023, All content is created, displayed and owned solely by SheDo50Too and rights retained herein

Here’s a video making the tea, CHEERS…..

This is the perfect jumpsuit for almost anything.  It’s true to size.  I am 5’2” and 110 pounds, I am wearing the small and it’s very roomy.  Wear it to work with a blazer and accessories.   Wear it for travel.  It’s so soft and comfortable, very stretchy, and doesn’t wrinkle.  Lounge at home in the jumpsuit, as is.  I have 2 of these, the khaki and black.  It’s available in 17 colors and sizes small - extra large.  

The shoes are equally as comfortable and very true to size.  They are breathable, stretchy and washable, with a padded sole.  So, they are extra comfortable too.  the earrings I paired for this look are lightweight and fashionable.  

​You can find them at the link here, I am an Amazon Associate and do earn commissions.  This does not affect the cost to you.

Recently there’s been lots of buzz about using the inside of a banana peel as a face mask.  I’ve seen it everywhere.  So many TikTok's, Vlogs and posts touting this virtually “free” beauty aid.  I eat bananas almost every morning.  I use them for baking and smoothies too.  Typically, I finish up an toss the peel in the trash.  So eating my banana, I stopped short of the trash can and decided to do a little research.  As far as background knowledge, I have been using mashed banana for years as a hair mask to soften and add shine to my color treated hair.  Banana works wonders on my locks when used every few weeks.  For the hair mask, I mix the mashed banana with honey and argon oil. I allow the mixture to remain in the hair for at least 20 minutes. Knowing that this hair mask already works for me adds to my optimism about using the peel on my face.    

In doing my research for the face mask I found a number of sources, including The Cleveland Clinic, Health Shots & various beauty bloggers, all, acknowledge that the basis for this technique.  Although there is no documented evidence, that specifically tracks the use of banana peel for skincare, there are a few substantial facts that seem promising.  Here’s what I found.

1. Bananas are full of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants.
2. Antioxidants are proven to be of value to the body and the skin.
3. Antioxidants can aid in repairing and preventing sun damage.
4. Sun damage causes age spots and wrinkles making the skin look old.
5. Bananas contain fatty acids which may help with concerns like eczema. 
6. The vitamins and minerals in banana could potentially fight off inflammation.
7. Bananas are full of potassium, powerful in fertilizing plants & may enrich skin care.
8. If nothing else, the moisture alone, in the fruit can work beneficially as a mask.

Numerous sources recommend the use of banana peel as skin care, and all recommend these steps:

     1.    Take the fresh banana peel and rub it on a clean face, neck and décolleté.
     2.   Leave the residue on the skin anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes.
     3.   Wash the area with warm water and cleanser.
     4.   Gently pat the skin almost dry.
     5.   Follow with normal skin care regimen of moisturizer and sunscreen for day.  


Other sources recommend mashing the banana flesh and mixing it with a facial oil like argon oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil or vitamin E and then following the same procedure as above on clean skin.

Either method is said to offer plumping, hydration, gradual lessening of dark spots, improvement in wrinkles and soothing of skin irritations like acne, eczema or psoriasis.  Some enthusiasts say it’s like nature’s botox.   After all the reading I’ve decided to give it a try.  It’s virtually free and can’t hurt (I’m not allergic or sensitive to bananas.  Do not try this if you are.)  I eat bananas almost daily.  That’s a lot of peels if this works.  And, if nothing else, this technique is extra TLC and extra moisture packed on my aging face.  All sound like benefits to me.  I plan to save my banana peels in a container in the refrigerator. Just using a cold peel will offer some anti-inflammatory benefits too.  I plan to give it a month of daily banana peel masks and I’ll revisit the topic with my results.  I am not recommending this technique, just sharing what I am trying at the moment.  Is this something you would try?  Leave me a comment and let me know, and if it is something you’ve tried, I’d love to hear your results.  

I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  My motto is a healthy, beautiful and vibrant life at any age.  Please Subscribe, like, and follow me if you want all of my inspiration and tips for life over 50.  I am an Amazon Associate and the fitness apparel, equipment, supplements and more, that I use - are available in my Amazon Storefront.   As an Amazon Associate I do earn commissions off of purchases through my links.  This has no effect on the cost to you.   

You can view my favorite things on my Amazon Store Front:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheryldhealthinallthings

Here’s shortcut all my links and sites
https://linktr.ee/shedo50too

Find me @SheDo50Too on social media to see more content, reels  and videos on: workouts, recipes, meal prep and healthy eating; as well as style and beauty inspiration for the active over 50 life. I wish you health in all things and success in your own fitness endeavors.


© Copyright, 2023, All content is created, displayed and owned solely by SheDo50Too and rights retained herein

This beautiful lightweight, breathable, sequin tee is perfect for dressy summer styles.  It comes in lots of colors and sizes too.  I am 5’2” and 110 pounds.  I’m wearing the smallest size 2.  It looks big when you first put it on, but the beauty of this top, is that it can be worn so many ways.  I will link a video where you can see one of my styling tips.  I plan to wear it with a fitted skirt, jeans and as seen here.  

Throwing out leftovers can be very frustrating.  I attempt to maximize food, limit waste and save on the budget by using up all of our family’s food leftovers.  This can be a tough task if there’s not enough for a full meal.  Often, meat and vegetable leftovers make a perfect base for a soup or stew.  A cup of hot soup coupled with a salad or sandwich makes a nice nighttime meal for the family.  I also, love to use leftovers atop salads, which works perfectly for packed lunches.  My family loves hearty salads with a combination of raw and cooked vegetables and meat, tofu or eggs.  We also make a lot of bowls, consisting of rice or quinoa and salad alongside the leftover vegetables and proteins from the week.  All of this works great, but I recently tried something delicious and fun for the whole family.  Summer rolls. This is such an easy prep-ahead meal or snack and the whole family will love it.  It works great for lunches too.  

What is needed?
Any leftovers
Any sauce
Vegetables
Rice Paper wrappers (you can find these at most grocery stores with the Asian & ethnic foods) I will link them on my Amazon Storefront

Preparation:
Dip the wrapper, quickly into water and then lay it on a plate or non-stick work-surface.  I do not recommend a wooden cutting board as the rice wrapper will stick.  Note the wrapper will still feel a little stiff at this point. It will soften as you work.  Over soaking the wrapper in water will cause it to be mushy and too flimsy.     

Once the rice paper wrapper is wet, and on the work surface, place the filling in the middle.  My photos show that I used a combination of noodles, meat, tofu and kimchi along with lettuce and vegetables.  This filling can be anything.  Rice dishes, vegetables, hummus, noodles - anything.  Even traditional sandwich filling is delicious (meat and cheese and lettuce & tomato).  Top with any fresh herbs or vegetables before rolling.  These do not require a lot of filling, so they really stretch the leftovers.  Be cautious not to overfill the rolls, so they roll and seal well. 

Fold the top over and then fold in the sides and roll it closed.  That’s it.  So easy!  I have linked a short video, with the technique, here. 

To serve the summer rolls, any dipping sauce works great.  A traditional Asian version is soy sauce mixed with nut butter and lime juice.  This compliments the flavors of the Asian leftovers that I used in my example video.  

Wrap the finished roll in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.  These may be packed into a container for a lunch to-go.  The rolls are gluten-free.  The sauce is gluten-free too, because I use GF soy sauce.   They are delicious warm and fresh or chilled from the refrigerator.  

Let me know with a comment if you try this, and if you like it.  What do you do with leftovers?  

I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  My motto is a healthy, beautiful and vibrant life at any age.  Please Subscribe, like and follow me if you want all of my inspiration for life over 50.  As an Amazon Associate I do earn commissions off of purchases through my links.  This has no effect on the cost to you.   

You can view my favorite things on my Amazon Store Front:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheryldhealthinallthings

Here’s shortcut all my sites
https://linktr.ee/shedo50too

Find me @SheDo50Too on social media to see more content, reels  and videos on: workouts,  recipes, meal prep and healthy eating; as well as style and beauty inspiration for the active over 50 life. I wish you health in all things and success in your own fitness endeavors.


© Copyright, 2023, All content is created, displayed and owned solely by SheDo50Too and rights retained herein

Today, my post is simple.  In this moment, depicted above, I was inside my own head.  Contemplating so many things.  Moving deeper and deeper into my thoughts and I glanced over at my beautiful cappuccino, sedentary, cooling; and I paused.  The steam, aroma, and beautiful artwork reminded me to just take a moment.   

Enjoy the Present Moment!

Being in the moment is a powerful concept that is often overlooked in our fast-paced world. It means focusing your attention on the present moment, without letting your mind wander to the past or the future. This practice can help us reduce stress, improve our relationships, and enhance our overall well-being.
One way to remind ourselves to be present is to use physical objects as cues. For example, a full cup of coffee can be a reminder to savor the present moment. When we look at a cup of coffee, we can appreciate its aroma, color, and texture. We can feel the warmth of the cup in our hands and take a moment to appreciate the simple pleasure of enjoying a hot beverage.
The picture of a full cup of coffee can serve as a visual reminder to be present. It can remind us to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. When we take the time to savor the present moment, we can feel more grounded, peaceful, and content.
Next time you see a cup of coffee, take a moment to be present. Notice the steam rising from the cup, the sound of the liquid as it is poured, and the feeling of the cup in your hand. By practicing being in the moment, we can cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the present moment, which can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.

I am unsure if anyone else needed to hear this today.  If that is the case, just remember to embrace wherever you are.   Embrace whatever you are doing.  This moment, whatever “IT” is, is a gift!  Keep your cup full of love and joy.

​I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  My motto is a healthy, beautiful and vibrant life at any age.  Please Subscribe, like and follow me if you want all of my inspo for life over 50. 
Find me, @ SheDo50Too, on social media to see more content, reels  and videos on: workouts,  recipes, meal prep and healthy eating; as well as style and beauty inspiration for the active over 50 life. I wish you health in all things and success in your own fitness endeavors.

© Copyright, 2023, All content is created, displayed and owned solely by SheDo50Too and rights retained herein