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The Adventures Continue With a Day at Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai

Have you ever skied indoors? How about eating in an aquarium? Me either, until today! It was a day full of firsts in Dubai!

Ski Dubai is one of the most surreal travel experiences any of us have ever had. Located down the hall from a Cheesecake Factory in the Mall of the Emirates, it’s not where you’d expect to find a ski resort. Then again, Ski Dubai, built in the middle of a desert, is anything but typical. It has a very Disney-esque feel, meaning more amusement than actual sport.

The swing from 80 degrees outside to 36 degrees inside is a shock to the system! While it’s fun to check the box on this one, it’s A LOT of work to ski less than a mile down a hill with fake sky and snow! With that said, the kids LOVED it! Note: Scooter and I are still nursing our feet from the ill fitting boots!

Remember when I mentioned eating in an aquarium? Well that’s just what we did for dinner! I’m one of those folks who don’t like meeting my dinner before it’s served – I’ve never been able to pick out a live lobster, have you? So when I heard about the underwater restaurant, Ossiano Dubai in Atlantis The Palm, I pretty much knew I wouldn’t be ordering fish! All kidding aside, it was one of the best meals any of us have ever had!

The food is so stunning and art like, it’s hard to believe it’s edible, especially the gold flake topped potato puffs! Just curious, who was the first person who decided eating gold was a good idea?!? It’s a decadent notion, but I think I’d rather wear it! With that said, I tossed that little puppy back like it was a Cool Ranch Dorito! DELICIOUS!

I hope you’re enjoying following along all of our adventures because there is more to come!

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I Tried a 24 Karat Gold Cappuccino in the City of Gold

Gold Cappuccino

Dubai: like Vegas had a baby with Hawaii who was raised on solid gold lattes!

Gold Cappuccino

Known as the City of Gold, it makes sense you’d find a 24 karat cappuccino here. Burj Al Arab is the iconic hotel best known for its boat like shape, is home to this liquid gold delight. There’s so much sparkle on this baby, it makes you want to grab a spoon and start skimming it off the top! We had ours with oat milk, because they said the almond milk just isn’t strong enough to prop up the gilded foam. So, what does drinking a cup of this metallic element taste like? Surprisingly it doesn’t really have a taste, but it sure is fun finding the flecks stuck to your teeth and lips. The ornate cup, saucer and tray also add a nice Midas touch.

 

Continuing our gold tour, we stopped by the Gold Souk (Arab market) where we were blown away by massive row of stores dripping with gold. Some were simple, while others were pieces of wearable art.

Gold Tour

Uncle Fluffy Cake, located in The Dubai Mall, is the Japanese cheesecake that has taken the Middle East by storm! Kid number 2 has been talking about this FOREVER, so we made the special trip to a mall to have it. It’s a tiny shop that’s hard to find, which is a testament to the power of social media, which has put this place on the map! Good news, the store manager said they are looking to expand to the US as soon as next year.


And the final stop of our “gold tour”… dinner at Al Nafoorah Dubai Restaurant – a constant on the top restaurants of Dubai. The standout: their simple hummus and pita bread. I’d describe the consistency as lighter than cream cheese, yet more dense the whipped cream. My family agreed that it’s unlike any we’ve ever had before.

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A Fun Detailed Recap of Our Trip to Dubai

After two years of trying, we’re finally taking this trip and you’re coming with us! I’m recapping some of the most notable moments of the trip for your entertainment and for you to take notes if you plan on traveling to the breathtaking city of Dubai!

The trip as a whole was truly an adventure from start to finish. Before the 16 hour flight even takes off, the adventure starts in the Emirates lounge at LAX with the most beautiful burrata and red velvet cake – the kids were in heaven, it’s their idea of the perfect meal! I included a video of the view from the lounge balcony of the Tom Bradley International terminal at LAX on this post on Instagram. This place has really changed over the years, for the better.

Once onboard, Scooter and I took a minute to breathe and take it all in, as this trip came together in the eleventh hour!
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When’s the last time you were on a long haul flight? And how happy were you when you finally landed after what seemed like the equivalent of 4 back to back viewings of Gone With The Wind? We’ve all been there, stuck in the middle seat, so tired you just want a bed, any bed! Well, sister, that day my ship came in…actually, it was a surprise flight upgrade from my husband Scooter who turned to me at the ticket counter and said Merry Christmas! Whether the upgrade was more for him than me and the kids, it doesn’t matter, I’ll take it!

Here are the highlights from Emirates or what I call the flying hotel:

Instead of a seat, you have a living room like pod which features it’s own bar, writing desk and makeup mirror, I knew I should have packed my Conair Hot Rollers!

Bathroom with shower, yes, girl, a shower! You actually book your shower time when you board, it’s wild! Another head turner, the custom Dubai wallpaper. And it’s toiletry section that more day spa than night flight. When you’re done, tea service awaits!

Then there were the official Emirates pajamas, not sexy, but super comfy along with a bag of goodies that rival any gift with purchase Neimans has ever done! Look at this full size bottle of Bulgari! It makes me wish I wore perfume! The bar with light pink stone counter is an updated return to the days when the 747’s were king, even wore the pj’s here, LOL!

Then there’s the non-stop food service. Think high end restaurant style, with full menu, made to order dishes, including caviar service – it was so surreal!

Honestly, the flight alone was a vacation! No dishes, no cell service, it was heaven! I didn’t want to sleep because I didn’t want to miss a minute of this experience!

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My Viral Mashed Potatoes Hack!

How many life minutes do you think you’d save if you didn’t need to peel your potatoes anymore? My guess is a lot! 

I’ve got some good news: you can now throw your peeler in the donation basket, because you don’t need it anymore! This quick trick is going to change your yukon gold game for good! 

Here’s the low down on this fast and fun method:

Boil a bag of potatoes, SKIN ON. No need to poke with a fork, score with a knife or any of those other time consuming things, just toss all the spuds in your pot, fill with water and boil until done, about 20 minutes.

When tender, remove from water and cut in half.

PotatoesPotatoes

Place cut side down on top of baking rack and push!

The center pops through the grate and into your bowl, while the peel is caught on the square grids. That’s it! 

Potatoes

Now add your choice of seasonings. I use grass fed butter, organic heavy cream, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and you’re ready to serve. Giving new meaning to instant mashed potatoes.

I hope you like this trick! For more, follow me on Instagram & TikTok

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Jessie’s Girl Goodie Bag, who doesn’t love a Rick Springfield M & M?

Jessie’s Girl Turns 50 party goodie bag reveal! Here’s the complete rundown of what was waiting for guests in their hotel rooms.

@valeriebeverlyhills donated her amazing eye patches – THE BEST! Thanks, Valerie!


Matches from @foryourparty – I designed this logo featuring the pic of me with my first @rickspringfield album back in 1981.


Custom @mmschocolate with photos & theme


Breath mints from @icebreakers
The protein bars I can’t live without: @rawrev
@goultima hydration sticks, I drink this every day!
80’s candy favorite: @poprockspoppingcandy
@happyhourvitamins – don’t have a drink without them.
Organic dark chocolate from @greenandblacksus
Organic @doritos
@shout stain remover pads
@nooshbrands almond butter, birthday cake flavor
Sunscreen packets
Mini champagne bottles from @chandonusa
Water bottles featuring @icustomlabel                                                                                                                                                        One of a kind gift bag – with weekend itinerary printed on the bag.


Insert with things to do and places to eat. On the back, a copy of Rick’s Bio Sheet from his fan club folder in the early 80’s, yes, I still have the original.


Custom tissue paper from @techperch featuring a pic from the first time I met him during an interview over 20 years ago.
Note, we ran out of the custom Jessie’s Girl Turns 50 ribbon made by @namemakerinc but thought you’d like to see it anyway. We used it to tie the concert tickets on with guest names and hotel.

Rick received one of these bags, too, but a more customized version, with a couple extra treats for him and his wife.

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Celebrity pumpkin patch: the farm the famous flock to every Fall!

Did you make it to a pumpkin patch this year? Luckily, I was able to get my annual trip in just under the wire! Here in Los Angeles a stop at @underwoodfamilyfarms this time year is like going to the Academy Awards, except the stars are wearing jeans instead of a gown or a tux.

Despite all the celebrity power it attracts, you won’t find rhinestone studded gourds or artificial hay in the wagons here, in fact, it’s so perfectly pumpkin patchy it’s almost like a movie set.

The highlights are their pumpkin house and tractor mountain of jack-o-lanterns. While folks may come to pick out something they can carve, if they’re like me, they fall in love with the real stars of the show found in the chicken coop. Underwood Farms doesn’t only grow gorgeous gourds, they raise some of the most beautiful chickens and roosters you’ll ever see!

So if you missed it this year, mark your calendar for next Fall, you just might find yourself wandering the field with one of these guys, all of which have been spotted there:

@rachelbilson

@kardashians

@gwenstefani

@jennifer.garner

@davidbeckham

@victoriabeckham

@kanyewest

 

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Eat this, sleep better – the best bedtime snacks revealed!

Do you have trouble sleeping after eating a rich dinner, sugary dessert or big snack? Me, too! So what can you eat close to bedtime without messing up your shut eye?

According to @mindbodygreen foods rich in magnesium are the answer for when the late night hunger pains hit. Here are some of your best bets, listed in order:

Bananas
Dark Chocolate
Nuts & seeds
Chickpeas (Hummus) with nut & seed based crackers

To make sure I get plenty of magnesium, I take a supplement every night before hitting the hay. Like anything else, you’ll want to ask your doctor before you add that to your routine. In the meantime, try a light snack from the list above and let me know how it goes!

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3 drinks that can improve brain health and none of them are water!

Did you know a well hydrated brain can help you sleep better, sharpen your mind and improve concentration? Wow! If that doesn’t make you want to reach for your water bottle! But what if you’re not a fan of water? Good news, you have some other options which might work just as well.

Neuroscientist @kwilleumier shared with @mindbodygreen her top 3 hydration helpers that aren’t water.

Near the top: Green juice, the kind without all the sugar, meaning little to no fruit. Willeumier explains why this works well for our minds:

“Green juice is also packed with chlorophyll, the pigment that gives plants their green color, which helps detoxify and oxygenate the blood and lowers inflammation.”

She notes green juice isn’t a substitute for eating vegetables, but it’s great when it comes to staying hydrated.

Coconut water, is another one she recommends. My husband, Scooter, thinks it’s amazing and loves this one from @vitacoco Willeumier didn’t endorse a brand, but here’s why she likes this option:

“Think of coconut water as nature’s original sports drink. The beverage, found naturally inside the coconut fruit, contains electrolytes without the synthetic sugar, artificial colors, and other additives found in commercial sports drinks.”

The easiest, most affordable and abundant choice is also my favorite: tea. Here’s why Willeumier digs it, too:

“Tea also has amazing benefits for your brain. Drink green, black, and oolong tea, and you may be able to thwart cognitive decline by as much as 50%, according to recent research. Other studies have shown that green tea can lower anxiety, boost memory, hone attention, and improve overall brain function and connectivity.”

I love tea in general and was thrilled to learn it’s also good for my brain. Lately I’ve been drinking a lot of bamboo tea from @ykb_bambootea now I’ll be reaching for more!

How about you?

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Pumpkin seeds may be the Fall treat full of great tricks

Pumpkin seeds are more just another healthy snack, they may also be the key to calming nerves this holiday season.

Ever feel like your anxiety is running a little high? One way to help balance things out is through food, focusing on superstar stress fighters. A standout, is seasonal favorite pumpkin seeds. Clinical psychologist and nutritionist @drnicolebeurkens explains to @mindbodygreen why there’s no trick to this treat:

“We’ve got zinc, we’ve got magnesium, we’ve got good amounts of iron….They’re a real powerhouse in terms of brain function”

Beurkens says foods with omega 3’s, like pumpkin seeds, help keep us level headed during the hectic holidays.

Whether you roast them from your freshly carved pumpkin or buy them already made, you can easily sneak these little guys into your diet: add to smoothes, on top of salads, in your soup, granola or just eat straight out of the bag.

DM me and let me know how you like to eat them!

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Think yourself younger! Yes, it’s a thing!

Wouldn’t it be great to feel a little younger? Add an extra spring to your step, sharpen your mind a bit? Well, there’s some new evidence out there suggesting we may be able to actual think ourselves younger!

We’ve known for a long time what we say to ourselves can affect our our psyche, even if we’re kidding, but having the ability to become more youthful through our thoughts? That’s ground shifting!

I’m not talking about a Benjamin Buttons transformation like super cute Brad Pitt underwent in that movie, however, shaving off a couple years might be possible. But how? It’s way more simple than I had imagined, according to researchers the answer: just start thinking you’re younger! @mindbodygreen explains:

“According to a study measuring 68 healthy adults between 59 and 84 years old, those who “felt younger” actually had the structural characteristics of a younger brain—they were more likely to score higher on a memory test, and they had more gray matter in their brain, which is associated with better cognitive function.”

“ …if you truly convince yourself that you’re younger, your body may actually start to play along.”

Now, I’m not suggesting we all hop on a skateboard, but studies show a morning mantra can help. Longevity expert @SergeyYoung200 (yes, his last name is YOUNG, so fitting) shares his:

“I’m going to live for 200 years in a 25-year-old body and mind,” he says. “This is what I repeat every morning.”

I’m inspired, how about you? I’m giving Young’s mantra a try, let me know yours!

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