Mini-Ep 430: Soft As A Baby’s Bottom - Forever35

Summary

Forever35 Podcast Summary: Mini-Ep 430 – "Soft As A Baby’s Bottom"

Release Date: February 12, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu

In this engaging and heartfelt mini-episode of Forever35, co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu delve into topics of friendship, sustainable living, and personal self-care, all while responding to listener voicemails with their signature humor and warmth. The episode, titled "Soft As A Baby’s Bottom," emphasizes the importance of maintaining real-life connections and offers practical advice on everyday challenges.

1. Kickoff to Friendship Month

The episode begins with Doree and Elise celebrating Friendship Month, sharing personal anecdotes about reconnecting with friends and highlighting the significance of nurturing these relationships.

Doree shares her upcoming birthday trip:

"[05:09] Doree Shafrir: ...we're meeting up in Ciudad de Mexico, so. CDMX Mexico City. Very excited. I hear the food scene there is amazing."
Elise recounts a heartfelt moment with her friend Elizabeth:

"[13:28] Elise Hu: I had said last week that I was going to tell Elizabeth in person how much, like, I appreciated our friendship. And I did do that. I mean, a very, like, a very emotional moment. Like, tear."

The hosts emphasize the joy of real-life interactions over digital connections, underscoring the value of face-to-face friendships, especially in midlife.

2. Upcoming Guests and Topics

Doree and Elise preview the upcoming guests for the month, including Anna Goldfarb, Kasli Killam, Raina Cohen, and Dr. Marissa Franco. They express excitement about the diverse expertise these guests will bring, particularly in the realm of platonic friendships and connections.

Doree previews the guests:

"[13:48] Doree Shafrir: ...they have different areas of specialty when it comes to platonic friends and connection in general."

The hosts highlight how each guest will contribute uniquely to the conversation about sustaining meaningful relationships.

3. Sustainable Cooking Practices

A listener voicemails brings up the use of AI tools like ChatGPT for generating recipes tailored to small household needs. The discussion evolves into a broader conversation about the environmental impact of AI and digital tools.

Listener's concern:

"[21:26] Dory Shafrir: ...the use of this tool uses so much water and other natural resources, so I don't think people are aware of how devastating it is for the environment."
Doree responds thoughtfully:

"[23:52] Dory Shafrir: ...so it's hard for me to kind of like tease apart. But also, you know, it's interesting because like I was trying to, I use it to try and be sustainable and not be wasteful with my food..."

The hosts acknowledge the complexities of balancing technological convenience with environmental responsibility, encouraging listeners to make informed choices.

4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Solutions

Multiple voicemails address the challenge of making small batches of chocolate chip cookies without wasting ingredients. Doree and Elise provide practical solutions and share their personal strategies.

Doree's advice on freezer cookie dough:

"[24:12] Dory Shafrir: ...freeze them on a flat tray with, like, parchment paper so it doesn't stick... just throw those lumps of chocolate chip cookie dough into a plastic bag and then bake off whenever you want."
Elise adds her method:

"[25:29] Elise Hu: ...I have done this with the copycat Levain chocolate chip cookie recipe."

These tips offer listeners effective ways to enjoy fresh cookies without the commitment of large batches, enhancing their kitchen efficiency.

5. Med Spa Experiences and Self-Care

A heartfelt voicemail from a listener discusses her positive experiences at a med spa, using Botox for TMJ and considering IPL treatments for skin concerns. The hosts engage in a conversation about the accessibility and benefits of med spas compared to traditional dermatological services.

Listener's journey:

"[32:35] F: ...I went, got Botox. It has helped tremendously. I no longer am clenching my teeth as much..."
Elise's appreciation:

"[34:52] Elise Hu: ...Thank you, Elise. Such a good reminder. And Jessica Craven is a wonderful human."

Doree and Elise commend the listener's proactive approach to self-care, reinforcing the importance of seeking solutions that enhance personal well-being.

6. Affordable Nugget Couches for Families

A listener shares her successful find of an affordable nugget couch from Sam's Club, providing an alternative for parents seeking budget-friendly options without compromising quality.

Listener's recommendation:

"[35:05] Elise Hu: ...I really wanted to get a nugget couch for my son, but the price tag was a bit steep for my budget. So I got the Sam's Club brand one. It was only $150."
Doree and Elise discuss preferences:

"[36:37] Dory Shafrir: ...I will put a call out, though, to listeners to. If you have a good sort of futon type option..."

The conversation highlights cost-effective solutions for family-friendly furniture, catering to listeners with young children.

7. Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

As the episode wraps up, Doree and Elise express gratitude towards their listeners for their continued support and engagement. They encourage more voicemails and interactions, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.

Doree's closing remark:

"[35:03] Dory Shafrir: Yeah. Love the Sam's Club heads showing themselves."
Elise's friendly sign-off:

"[37:31] Elise Hu: Bye."

The episode concludes on a warm note, celebrating friendships and the collective journey of self-care and personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

Elise on Friendship:

"[13:28] Elise Hu: ...I had said last week that I was going to tell Elizabeth in person how much, like, I appreciated our friendship."
Doree on Sustainable Choices:

"[23:52] Dory Shafrir: ...I use it to try and be sustainable and not be wasteful with my food..."
Doree on Freezer Cookie Dough:

"[24:12] Dory Shafrir: So what I think that you should do is Google Freezable chocolate chip cookie dough and find recipes that are well suited..."

Conclusion

Mini-Ep 430 of Forever35 effectively blends personal stories with practical advice, all while engaging with their listener community. Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu continue to provide a relatable and insightful exploration of self-care, friendship, and everyday solutions, making this episode a valuable listen for anyone navigating the complexities of modern life with grace and humor.

Transcript

Dory Shafrir (0:00)

I always have mouths to feed, as listeners of this podcast know, but I don't always have the time to make the best meals for them. With HelloFresh, I can get a good dinner done the easy way. It's much easier to find time to eat well with 50 wholesome, hassle free meals to choose from each week delivered to your door.

Elise Hu (0:17)

I also love just how much of the mental load HelloFresh takes off of me. It's not even so much the cooking, it's the coming up with the ideas of what to make for dinner. Like seriously, it takes that away. They have this one meal that is mozzarella and herb chicken with roasted carrots and this like really nice buttery couscous that is so delicious. It's so flavorful and it's also really filling and also really easy. So it like hits all of my. It hits all of my requirements.

Dory Shafrir (0:50)

All good points. And for those who really don't have time, HelloFresh's new ready made meals go from the fridge to your fork in just three minutes. It's the same high quality ingredients and restaurant worthy flavor you expect from Hellofresh with none of the work. If you've got more than three minutes, try their lineup of prep and bake meals. They come together with minimal mess and only five minutes of prep. So your oven does most of the work, not you. HelloFresh's 15 minute meals are done in just three simple steps so you can eat better this year without all the hassle. Get up to 10 free meals and a free high protein item for life@hellofresh.com Forever 3510 FM 1 item per box with active subscription free meals applied as discount on first box. New subscribers only. Varies by plan. That's up to 10 free HelloFresh meals. Just go to hellofresh.com forever35 10fm who doesn't love the good things in life? Even though I enjoy a little luxury, it doesn't mean either of us can always afford it. Until we discovered quince. Quince has become our go to for luxury essentials at affordable prices.

Elise Hu (1:56)

Elise, I gotta tell you about a couple of the things that I've gotten recently from quints. One of them is the transit quilted small crossbody tote. I had been looking for something exactly like this to just like carry around when I need to take Henry to soccer or something and like need I need room for a water bottle, I need room for all the other accoutrements, but I don't want some massive bag. It's perfect Has a little handle, but then it also has a crossbody strap. I love a crossbod. It's just. It's the best.

Dory Shafrir (2:32)

So cute. You showed me the link. And the best part about all Quince items is that they're priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. By partnering directly with top factories, Quince cuts out the cost of the middleman and passes the savings on to us. And Quince only works with factories that use safe, ethical and responsible manufacturing practices in premium fabrics and finishes, like with Dory's crossbody.