Wellness

Pam Shalhoob –– relishing Good Vibes, Strong Relationships and Self Care!

If you grew up in the 70s and 80s as I did, the long-legged, blond, California surfer girl was ‘the ultimate.’ Girls wanted to be her; guys wanted to date her. At 59, Pam Shalhoob still embodies this proverbial California dream. Here, the wave-seeking esthetician-turned realtor shares a bit about her loves, philosophy and growth mindset –– take note, it’s working!

Good Vibes

OK, based on photographic evidence, you look almost the same as you did in high school! How do you do it?

Ah, thank you! I try to stay active and eat well. I’m disciplined about eating nutritious food –– it’s easy for me to refrain from chips and cookies, etc. But I’m sure a lot of it’s genetic. My sisters look amazing. Plus, on the emotional side, my family life is great. My brother, sisters and I still like hanging out with each other and our families. We’re a bit spread out between Santa Barbara, Maui, and Bend, Oregon, but we have great relationships and enjoy spending time together. I also believe in staying positive. My mom was never afraid to tell people how old she was, and I feel the same way.

June 2, 2021 by Gwen Dawkins

Summer Is Here Photo by Ethan Robertson @ Unsplashed

Lifestyle

First Summer Post Of 2021 — and I Couldn’t Be Happier

By Cheryl Ryan

Live concerts and comedy events are back and they are filling up fast.

I’m checking out these long hair summer styles because if you’re like me it might be longer than usual (although I do have an appointment on the books so we’ll see). Or for those of you that are already getting regular haircuts here are some sassy short hairdos.

Are you looking for some beautiful front porches? I love the rug under a doormat look and will definitely be copying it along with using some of these other great ideas.

Summer Gardens

How’s your garden growing? I’m trying a new method. Since my raised beds were built with treated, toxin leaching redwood I’m trying the no-till method this year. The hard part is that you have to get low to the ground (which isn’t as easy as it used to be). But I’m using a stool and loving working directly with the earth and enhancing the dirt health in my yard. We started by removing all the clumped hard soil. Then we added compost and manure. I created mounded rows and covered the new growth with dry leaves from the winter. It’s meant to keep the soil moist longer since, unfortunately, it’s a California drought year. I know I’ve mentioned this movie before but can’t help thinking about it and feeling encouraged while working to create better long-term garden health in a region that doesn’t receive as much rain.

May 26, 2021 by Cheryl Ryan

Lifestyle

When Measuring Considerations for Escaping the 9-5; Make Finance Top Priority

By Daphne Reznik

Thank you Daphne Reznik for sharing your entrepreneurial wisdom with us.

Why do I think this and who am I?

I was laid off in May of 2020 due to Covid. At the age of 49. And that was a blessing; in my case, that was the first step to professional freedom and a total and complete escape of the 9-5- for good! At least that is the plan.

To be honest, I’m authentically believing in that plan and that steering clear of corporate life, or any type of job “working for others” is possible. Whether you believe in manifestation or not, there is work to be done, and I’m doing it. At the same time, I am living a much lower-stress life than I was a year ago, before my layoff.

But how? How can I be so sure that without an income, I’ll be ok?

Why I think this way: because I was in a solid place at age 49 to take the time I need to build a business as a blogger.

That is who I am: prepared (sort of!), excited, living with so much LESS stress and motivated to own my time. Sound familiar? I am unique of course, but at the same time, not uncommon.

May 22, 2021 by Contributing Authors

Create

This Is Why We Do It!

By Cheryl Ryan and Gwen Dawkins

Sometimes we write but today we’re talking about why we write at Zest & Aplomb. Thanks so much for joining us each week and we hope you’ll share your thoughts and share us with your friends.

May 19, 2021 by Cheryl Ryan

Lifestyle

Do You Have A Pet Peeve List?

By Cheryl Ryan

I’d ask if you have any pet peeves if I didn’t already assume that you do. But maybe I’m wrong about that, maybe I’m just more peevish than most.

A few of my ongoing peeves are tailgaters and dog poo. It’s the tailgaters that zoom up inches from your bumper with the intention of forcing you to change lanes and then once you move over they zoom up to torture the next unsuspecting car that makes me crazy.

Dog poo is another story altogether. There are so many problems with poo. There are the people that don’t pick it up at all. Then there are those that put it in bags and just leave it. Who do they think is going to pick it up? There are no little dog poo garbage trucks on the way, people. No, it’s the next poor person to come along and almost step in it or the homeowner whose house they leave it in front of, they’re the ones who pick it up.

May 14, 2021 by Cheryl Ryan

Beatrice Legrand, professional photo manager

Create

Organizing My Photos: Help Wanted — Beatrice Legrand

By Cheryl Ryan

I’ve let my photos become an unwieldy mess of beautiful memories stashed in a closet. Years and years of photos and videos are hidden there. So when I was introduced to Beatrice Legrand, I was very intrigued by what she does as a professional photo manager. I wanted to understand what it would take to overcome my lack of photo organization once and for all and I thought you might want to meet her too.

What is your background?

Before moving here from France, 15 years ago, I was a scientist. I was a research physicist and consultant. When we moved here with our two children it was hard to work while taking care of the kids without any family support. And finding work while living in a new country presented its own challenges. So I didn’t go back to work and made being a Mom my priority. I’ve enjoyed my time as Mom but now that they are getting older I want a professional life again.

How do you describe your business?

I help my clients manage their personal picture and video collections. It started as a hobby of taking pictures of friends and family and creating photo story movies of our time together. My friends loved the final product and encouraged me to do it professionally.

May 8, 2021 by Cheryl Ryan

Relationships

It’s a Cinco De Mayo and Mom’s Kind Of Week

By Cheryl Ryan

I’m so excited about Cinco de Mayo this year, or the Battle of Puebla as it’s called in Mexico. In Mexico, this holiday is no a big deal but in the U.S., we’re all about it.

I love Mexican food and there is no shortage of great recipes.

I made this vegetarian Mexican casserole recently and it’s so yummy and easy. I always use these spicy beans from Whole Foods and they make any Mexican dish so much better.

For full-on carnivores, this one looks really good.

My hiking group celebrates Cinco de Mayo by packing a frozen margarita bag and taking it with us. Once at the top, we pour out our perfectly thawed cocktails along with some apps and then gingerly make our way back down. After my first Cinco de Mayo hike with them, I knew it was the group for me. I’d like to make these avocado fries for my appetizer contribution but these homemade churros might be easier to carry in.

Looking for some cool party ideas? Here you go.

May 2, 2021 by Cheryl Ryan

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