Mini-Ep 440: The Whole (Costco) Package
Elise raves about her Costco Vacation Package, and shares highlights from the family’s latest trip with Doree. Then, the hosts hear from listeners about taking to gardening (shout out to Fast Growing Trees!), the joy and gratitude of giving blood, and a way to encourage your kids to at least try the meal you’ve made for them.
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Transcript
This episode transcript is AI generated.
Doree (00:10):
Hello and welcome to Forever 35, a podcast about the things we do to take care of ourselves. I'm Doree Shafrir.
Elise (00:18):
And I'm Elise Hu. And we're just two friends who like to talk a lot about serums,
Doree (00:22):
And this is a mini episode where we hear from you, we share your comments and your thoughts, and we answer your questions to the best of our ability. But please remember, we are podcast hosts. We are not experts, and we always encourage you to seek support first and foremost from a medical and or mental health professional as needed.
Elise (00:39):
Do I look like I got more color from my vacay? Can you tell?
Doree (00:42):
Oh yeah. How was your vacay? It looked fun.
Elise (00:46):
I definitely got more freckles.
Doree (00:48):
My freckles
Elise (00:49):
Are out. Your freckles are out full effects. They're out to party. Yeah, they've come out. I mean, I did wear, I wore so much sunscreen. I did not burn thankfully because I hadn't been out in the sun. This was my first time to be in a bathing suit all of 2025. And so I was very worried about getting that kind of first sun of the season sunburn that's like right along my swimsuit line and stuff. It hurts
Doree (01:17):
So bad.
Elise (01:17):
And so I thankfully did not burn. My mother burned on
Doree (01:21):
Her back shoulder,
Elise (01:24):
But now it feels like I kind of got some color on my chest, which is nice. The tweens are back into tanning or trying to look tan, not tanning bed tans like my youth. Really? Yeah. I spent a lot of time in those pneumatic tube looking things, tanning in the late nineties and early OTs. Yeah, it was cool. And you would get little palm tree stickers or little bunny stickers so that you could see how tan you got in a tanning bed.
Doree (01:53):
Oh my gosh.
Elise (01:54):
Oh yeah. Everybody was like golden. Do you remember the early aughts? Lindsay Lowen? I do
Doree (02:00):
Remember
Elise (02:01):
It was that time and in Texas, and then later in Missouri when I was in college. Palm Beach Tan was a big booming business at the time. But yeah, so now I'm doing the exact opposite and Vacay was very relaxing. I really needed
Doree (02:18):
It. Oh, good.
Elise (02:20):
Yeah, because remember the last time we spoke, I was so fried from Ted being sensory overload and cognitive overload.
Doree (02:27):
Yes.
Elise (02:27):
And then I came home and my dog had to be hospitalized again.
Doree (02:31):
Yes, I do remember this.
Elise (02:33):
I was over it, man,
Doree (02:35):
A real bummer.
Elise (02:37):
It was such a bummer to come off the plane and have to go right away to the vet emergency room. But I did finally get some relaxation in and we did one of those all-inclusive Costco packages that I'm so, so fond of. Love it. Love a Costco package.
Doree (02:59):
Love a Costco package. Truly nothing better.
Elise (03:02):
And you can choose how fancy you want it to be. Right. The Costco packages let you design which hotel or which class of airfare you want, and so you could stay the Ritz or the Onda. I did something like a little bit under that, but still a very luxury experience. And then since it was already paid for, it's just like, yeah, I'm going to get all the fries and all of the nachos by the pool and yes, girls get as many Shirley Temples as you want.
Doree (03:33):
Totally. Because
Elise (03:35):
Typically when we eat out in LA I'm like, you can have one beverage
(03:41):
This week. You can order a Shirley Temple. Otherwise we're getting water because those drinks are like 4 95. Totally. And there's three kids, so it's like $15 just for your Shirley Temples, your Sprite with Grenadine. But last week I let them go hog wild. I was like, you get as many Shirley Temples as you want. Oh, you want more fries? And then the booze was also kind of watered down, but also free. So I was like, yes, I'm getting more pina coladas and margaritas. And so it was a really good time, mainly because I talked about this as my intention in last Monday's episode, but just that I wanted to just pay attention to my family and not be distracted by other things. And so totally, we had a lot of meals together, the seven of us. So it was the five of us, plus my mom and dad and my dad and Luna just goofing off together. They both have the same childlike sensibility. My dad is very goofy. Very goofy, and he has a very loud laugh. And then Luna has kind of that little girl giggle. And so one of the memories that will stick with me is probably the two of them laughing together.
(04:57):
And that was really sweet. I think That's so sweet. Yeah, I think I just really needed it. So that felt great. Shout out again to Costco and since we are two friends who talk about serums and haven't brought up any new serums in a while, I brought, as part of my Sephora birthday gift, you can get those little, or you can trade in your points for little mini packs. And so I brought a mini pack of Sosu stuff and Sosu, which is a K beauty brand, has a first care activating serum. And in fact, there's a Roman numeral after it first care activating serum six. It's a V and then I So like six, right? And I don't know if there was a five and there's going to be a seven, but this one is six and it's incredible. It has this citrusy smell. My skin needed it because after a day in the sun it was really dry and I found this really, my skin just lapped it up. It was so good. And now I'm probably going to have to save even more money on beverages at restaurants to buy a full bottle.
Doree (06:00):
Oh, shoot.
Elise (06:00):
Because I think the price point is not low. I enjoyed the mini so much that I'm going to work this serum into my routine.
Doree (06:11):
Ooh, I love that.
Elise (06:13):
Yes.
Doree (06:14):
So the sample worked. It had the intended effect. It had the intended effect.
Elise (06:21):
Love. I need to find out how much it costs though. Let's not, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I also, the mini sized product that I don't recommend are spray sunscreen, minis, spray sunscreen, minis, run out in
Doree (06:45):
Spray sunscreen minis. Okay.
Elise (06:47):
They run out in two or three uses and so on. My three kids, we were done with it maybe the first day. And it's just a waste of money really, because you spend several, you spend a lot of money on these little minis and then they don't give you enough products.
Doree (07:05):
No, no. They're good for two trips to the beach,
Elise (07:09):
Right. At most. And so I'm not going to do that. That's a mini no for me going forward. But the girls really do spray sunscreen for their legs and we just aborted mission and went to cream, just went to applying the
Doree (07:28):
That makes sense.
Elise (07:29):
Old fashioned way. So that was kind of my experience with the minis. Have you been testing anything out lately that you want to shout out?
Doree (07:37):
I am just still on my May love my glow maker. Yes. I, it's become one of my ride or dies. I got to set. Love it.
Elise (07:50):
Love it.
Doree (07:52):
That's where I'm at right now. Awesome. Before we take a break, a reminder that we have a Patreon at patreon.com/forever three five. We do a casual chat each week this week. I know there happens to be a lot of dog talk, so if that is of interest, you might want to check that out.
Elise (08:15):
Yeah. Dory has some very strong feelings about something dog related. That's my tease.
Doree (08:21):
That's my
Elise (08:21):
Tease. That's your for the Patreon casual chat.
Doree (08:23):
Yes. And also, please call or text us at (781) 591-0390 and email us at Forever 35 podcast@gmail.com. We love getting all of your messages. We play them on the show, we read them on the show, they keep the show going. We love getting them. Please send us everything. Our website is forever 35 podcast.com. We have links there to everything we mentioned on the show. We're also on Instagram at February 35 podcast. We do have a newsletter at February 35 podcast do com slash newsletter and you can shop our favorite products at shop my us slash forever 35. And when we come back, we have a listener who loves one of our advertisers.
Elise (09:06):
Ooh, I haven't heard this voicemail yet.
Doree (09:09):
Yeah, good tease. It's exciting. Yep. Good tease. Thank you. All right, we'll be right
Elise (09:12):
Back. We'll be right back.
Doree (09:21):
Alright. We are back. And we've said this many times on the show, going back to when Kate and I started running ads on the show, which was from the very beginning, we always felt like we are only going to run ads for products that we genuinely believe in, that we have tried that we like. It's always great when we hear from listeners who agree with our assessment on our advertisers, and this was unsolicited. Just feel like I need to point that out. So
Elise (09:53):
This is not sponsored content.
Doree (09:55):
This is not sponsored content. Alright, here we go.
Listener Voicemail (09:58):
Hi, this feels ridiculous, but this is actually about one of your recent sponsors. Fast growing treat. I just wanted to give a personal recommendation. We use them a summer or two ago. We purchased a bunch of trees and plants and some of them got there a little bit late and were half dead. We contacted them and they immediately sent replacement stuff and they let us keep what was not well and some of it we were able to resurrect it. It was okay. So it was a really good experience working with them. So I definitely recommend them if you're looking for some trees and plants. And also were good on their website telling how big stuff and where you growing
Elise (10:44):
Trees. Yeah. See now I feel like fast-growing trees, our sponsor could actually work some of that content, some of that voicemail into one of their ads for this show. I know, totally. It's so great and it is garden season and I was actually thinking I was going to shout out on our running Forever 35 Patreon chat for folks to send in photos of their garden because I came home from vacation and my roses were in full bloom. They are gigantic. They are so big that they're big enough such that Oscar wouldn't even be able to swallow them. They're so big. So
Doree (11:22):
Oh my gosh.
Elise (11:23):
Wow. Yes, it's that big. And so yeah, I was thinking I'm going to do a shout out for those. I would also like to show off the roses and recently we had Debbie Millman on for a really lovely episode. Shout out to Debbie Millman and that episode, if y'all haven't heard that Monday episode yet, just about learning to garden at midlife for her and then how she learned to keep things alive and all the metaphors buried within that. But yeah, the fast growing trees makes me super excited about spring and gardening season. My father left this morning, my mom and dad were in town and my dad has such a green thumb that I had to take them to the airport at eight 30, but at eight 20 I was still like, Hey, can you ott this and how about moving the banana plant up front? And he's like, that's serious landscaping, Elise, I'm not going to move.
Doree (12:16):
That's really funny.
Elise (12:17):
But he did repo a bunch of succulents and create a little succulent garden for me and it's more meaningful to me. They were touched by my dad's hands and he's such a green thumb, so I love that. Thanks Dad. Shout out to dad. Hugh,
Doree (12:32):
Shout out to dad Hugh. Thanks dad. Hugh, we're very grateful, so helpful. That's really sweet. Yeah, I'm looking at my lovely fiddle leaf fig
Elise (12:45):
Plant
Doree (12:46):
That now lives in my office.
Elise (12:50):
It's helping with that CO2. If you had a CO2 meter, it would drop the CO2 by at least 10 points.
Doree (12:56):
Definitely. I mean, yeah, it's nice. And this room gets a lot of sun. There's big windows that face, what is that? South and west? No, south and east. Sorry. So especially in the morning, it can get very warm in here, but now I have one little curtain pulled to the side so that the plant can get some sun and it's kind of nice. Alright, we are going to hear another voicemail. We had asked for suggestions of things you could do to make yourself feel better just in the world because the world is not doing great right now.
Elise (13:42):
So chaotic.
Doree (13:44):
The world is chaotic. So here we got a suggestion here.
Listener Voicemail (13:49):
Hi Dorian Elise, I was just thinking about when you asked people to call in thinking of putting together a little list of pick me up for this crazy time and something just popped in my mind that I wanted to share. I think an awesome way to do this fully acknowledging that there are some crazy rules for why some people can and cannot do this. Some people are not physically able to do this, but if you can, giving blood makes you feel like you are the most helpful person on the planet. You've done something great for your community, you get great snacks and juice afterwards. Sometimes too. The Red Cross will give away gift cards if you do it. Sometimes they're from Amazon, which I'm trying to avoid, but I feel like it's for a good cause. So it's okay. But also I've always really enjoyed giving blood.
(14:42):
I'm someone who has found it relatively easy to do, but I actually was a recipient of a blood transfusion. I had my daughter and so I just remember being in that hospital bed, having the transfusion and just thinking about the people who donated the blood that I'm going to get choked up, who were getting the blood that I was receiving and how grateful I was and just how appreciative I was for the community in general. So on just so many levels. I feel like it's just an incredible way to give back. We're still in a blood shortage and it's really super easy to sign up and find a place to do it. And we have a great app now. Anyways, I could go on and on again fully acknowledging that this is not a possibility for everyone, but if it's a possibility for you, I urge you to find a place to donate soon. Thanks so much. Love you guys.
Elise (15:37):
That's a great suggestion. I haven't given blood since the drives of college days. I would always participate. It was right on the college campus and since I've had my kids and I don't know, I guess I just haven't done it. That's a great suggestion. Do you know your blood type? I was talking about this with my parents. I was like, it wasn't until really late in life that I learned my blood type.
Doree (16:00):
Yes. I always forget what it is,
Elise (16:06):
But I don't think it matters. Right. You can just give blood and they can figure it out.
Doree (16:09):
I'm B
Elise (16:11):
Okay. You're B? Yes.
Doree (16:16):
Do you save it in a spreadsheet? No. I was like, I know. I have texted my mom asking her what my blood type is and I just searched my texts for blood type and indeed I found it and actually it was from 2021. I said, we're discussing blood type and mosquitoes on Forever 35 because there's that whole theory that mosquitoes like certain blood types better than others. Wait, what's your blood type?
Elise (16:47):
I'm a A positive. I'm such a good Asian a plus. My parents will be so proud, but I didn't learn it until, I think I gave birth in Korea like 10 years ago because I don't know, I guess they don't test you for your blood type. Not often. I just didn't really get the whole time I was pregnant with Ava in Washington DC I never knew it, but I don't think knowing your blood type matters to giving blood. I think you can just give blood. I want to say because
Doree (17:21):
Yes, but I used to give blood. Oh, negative. Oh, negative is the universal donor. Universal. So oh, negative is more highly valued. Highly valued, yes. Thank you. That is the term that I was looking for. I think I can only give to other
Elise (17:40):
BI think it's like that. Yeah. All of our scientists, doctor, listeners are probably just like they're
Doree (17:48):
Cringing. Oh my God. B, about our ignorance. B positive can be given to A B positive or A B positive and B positive can receive from B positive, B negative O positive and O negative. But B negative can only receive B negative and O negative.
Elise (18:08):
I just am picturing shows like the PIT and ER and all these shows where people need blood. It's an emergency situation. I guess they have to know the recipient's blood type before
Doree (18:22):
I'm looking at a chart. AB positive are the universal recipient, but they can only give to other positives. Fascinating.
Elise (18:34):
College, I dated a guy who was following the blood type diet and which was a book at the time and he was I think blood type O. So he didn't eat dairy because according to the blood type diet.
Doree (18:50):
Oh that's interesting. Okay. How did that go for him?
Elise (18:54):
That was our one date. Oh. I think around the time we couldn't have ice cream because of his blood type diet. I was like, I've gotten the ick.
Doree (19:03):
Well I feel like back in the day before 23 and me was a thing, sometimes women were caught having had affairs because the blood type was impossible
Elise (19:18):
Of the kid.
Doree (19:19):
Of the kid based on the blood types. So blood type. Blood type is interesting.
Elise (19:28):
Yeah, it plays a big role.
Doree (19:29):
It plays a big role. Alright, well Elise, let us take another little break and when we come back we have yet more dinner recommendations.
Elise (19:43):
Okay, we'll be right
Doree (19:45):
Back. Back. Alright, we are back. First we have a voicemail for someone who had a recommendation for dinner with Henry.
Listener Voicemail (20:03):
Hi Dorian Elise, this is Liz calling from Cleveland, Ohio. Doria had a suggestion about Henry when he doesn't want to eat what you've prepared for dinner. I have three sons who are now all young adults and what I did that worked well and gave me just a little breathing room is I would make a reasonable dinner but not necessarily trying to find something every night that all three boys and my husband and I would all, and they all had to sit down. They could see what was there if they didn't like it and did not want to eat it. They were in charge of getting up and getting stuff to make a peanut butter and jelly. Usually they still had to have a fruit or vegetable, but I figured with the whole grain bread and the peanut butter and the fruit or veggie, I was getting more nutrition into them than if they had one bite of something they hated that I had made. And it also reinforced that preparing food was kind of a lot of work. And so sometimes they would try the dinner because they just didn't feel like getting up and making their own sandwich. Just thought I'd pass that along if that has any appeal to you. Love the pod. Thanks y'all. Bye.
Elise (21:13):
What do you think?
Doree (21:16):
Well, this particular thing would not work because Henry inexplicably doesn't like peanut butter.
Elise (21:24):
What a shame. Peanut butter. Annoying is delicious.
Doree (21:28):
The things that he could theoretically eat and make for himself. I think we're not quite there yet,
Elise (21:37):
But
Doree (21:38):
I think we're close. I think within the next year he'll be able to, but I think we're not quite there yet. But the peanut butter sandwich, I love the idea in theory, but for my child would not work because he refuses to eat peanut butter.
Elise (21:53):
You know what Luna is able to do is her own avocado toast because she just smashes, she scoops out the avocado. Probably wastes a lot of the avocado since she's not scooping cleanly, but she'll scoop out the avocado and then smash the avocado
Doree (22:09):
On a
Elise (22:09):
Bagel or toast. That might be one if he's into avocado and then she feels
Doree (22:14):
Some he does like avocado. He'll sometimes eat an avocado with a spoon.
Elise (22:18):
Yeah. Yeah, that's one.
Doree (22:20):
All right, well we are going to end with an email from a listener who says, hi Dorie. A little late to this, but you introduced me to two of my favorite delicious easy meals, New York Times corn pasta and Smitten Kitchen chicken par meatballs. Oh, I haven't made those chicken meatballs in a long time. Those were really good. That's good. So I'm writing in to return the favor. First suggestion, New York Times five ingredient creamy miso pasta. Ooh. Okay, second suggestion. New York Times crispy gnocchi with Brussels sprouts. You can sub in basically any seasonal veggie you like tomatoes, eggplant, mushroom, spinach, et cetera. Third suggestion, smitten kitchens, one pot tomato, Pharaoh. Sometimes I toss a can of chickpeas or white beans into the pot for some protein slash fiber. All of these can be served with a protein. I often throw some sliced Italian sausage into onto a sheet pan. Good luck. Ooh, these are good suggestions.
Elise (23:19):
Yeah,
Doree (23:19):
And you know what? I think I kind of want to make the Smitten Kitchen meatballs tonight because I didn't think of what I should make for dinner and I've been coming up empty, but this is such a good idea. I haven't made these in forever. I forgot about these
Elise (23:34):
Last from the past then listener.
Doree (23:36):
So wait, I just want to clarify one thing. These are from the Kitchen, kitchen with no E, they're not from Smitten Kitchen.
Elise (23:49):
The chicken parm meatballs,
Doree (23:50):
The chicken from meatballs.
Elise (23:52):
No E. Okay.
Doree (23:53):
Yes, the kitchen. No E. So yeah, so I was like Smitten Kitchen, and then I tried to find them on Smitten Kitchen and I just found baked chicken meatballs, which also looked good. But no, the chicken, I also love a one pan or one pot situation. You know what, Elise? I need to get back into the slow cooker.
Elise (24:21):
Yes.
Doree (24:22):
It's not really slow cooker season, but what are you gesturing to?
Elise (24:26):
I'm looking for my book, a cookbook that I recommend, especially if you like the one sheet pan, one pot
Doree (24:34):
Meals.
Elise (24:34):
It's called Dinner in One.
Doree (24:36):
It's
Elise (24:36):
A very good cookbook. And your birthday's coming up, so maybe I've just given away what I can get you for your birthday.
Doree (24:43):
It's true. Well, Elise, it's been great to talk to you listeners. Thank you for listening and we'll talk to you soon.
Elise (24:51):
Okay, bye. Bye.