Forever35 Podcast Episode Summary: Mini-Episode 440: The Whole (Costco) Package
In Mini-Episode 440 of Forever35, hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu delve into personal anecdotes, family dynamics, skincare routines, and practical parenting tips, all while maintaining their signature humor and self-awareness. This episode, released on April 23, 2025, offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of the hosts, enriched by interactions with their audience through voicemails and emails.
1. Embracing Vacation and Family Time
The episode kicks off with Elise sharing her recent vacation experience. She humorously recounts how her newfound sun exposure has caused her freckles to "come out to party."
Elise Hu [03:09]: "Do I look like I got more color from my vacay? Can you tell?"
Elise elaborates on her cautious approach to sun exposure, ensuring she didn’t suffer a sunburn after being out in a swimsuit for the first time in 2025. She contrasts her current sun experiences with past memories of tanning beds, highlighting a shift towards more natural sun enjoyment.
Elise Hu [04:44]: "So now I'm doing the exact opposite."
The conversation transitions to the importance of relaxation and quality family time. Elise describes opting for an all-inclusive Costco vacation package, emphasizing the ease and luxury it provided without the hefty price tag.
Elise Hu [05:07]: "We had a lot of meals together, you know, the seven of us."
Doree echoes Elise’s appreciation for the Costco package, reinforcing the value of accessible luxury in family vacations.
2. Skincare Insights and Product Recommendations
As self-care enthusiasts, both hosts discuss their skincare routines and favorite products. Elise introduces a new serum she received as a birthday gift, praising its effectiveness after sun exposure.
Elise Hu [07:35]: "I love the Mini so much that I'm going to work this serum into my routine."
She contrasts this enthusiasm with her dislike for spray sunscreen minis, citing their inefficiency and limited usage.
Elise Hu [09:16]: "They run out in like two or three uses and so on my three kids we were done with it like maybe the first day."
Doree shares her unwavering loyalty to her beloved Glow Maker serum, labeling it as a "ride or die" product essential to her beauty regimen.
3. Listener Interactions: Gardening and Blood Donation
The hosts engage with their listeners through voicemails and emails, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.
Gardening Stories: Elise recounts receiving a fiddle leaf fig tree from a listener, expressing her excitement and pride in nurturing her plants. She highlights the therapeutic benefits of gardening, especially with her parents’ involvement.
Elise Hu [20:03]: "It's more meaningful to me because they were touched by my dad's hands."
Blood Donation Encouragement: A heartfelt voicemail encourages listeners to give blood, emphasizing the profound impact it can have on both donors and recipients. The listener shares a personal connection, having benefited from a blood transfusion, which deepens her appreciation for the act of donating.
Listener [22:29]: "Giving blood makes you feel like you are the most helpful person on the planet."
Elise reflects on her own experiences with blood donation, acknowledging its importance and practicality.
Elise Hu [24:17]: "That's a great suggestion."
4. Parenting Tips: Navigating Picky Eaters
Elise and Doree exchange practical advice on managing children’s food preferences, specifically addressing the challenge of picky eating.
A listener from Cleveland offers a strategy for children who refuse to eat prepared meals. She suggests preparing a reasonable dinner and allowing children to opt for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if they dislike the main course. This approach ensures that children still receive nutritious options while fostering a sense of responsibility.
Listener [28:43]: "They were in charge of getting up and getting stuff to make a peanut butter and jelly."
However, Elise notes that this method may not work universally, particularly for children like her own son Henry, who dislikes peanut butter.
Elise Hu [30:03]: "What a shame."
Instead, she shares her daughter's ability to make her own avocado toast, highlighting a different method of encouraging independence in young eaters.
Elise Hu [30:32]: "She just smashes... and she'll scoop out the avocado and then, like, smash the avocado on a bagel."
5. Culinary Inspirations: Dinner Recommendations
In response to listener emails seeking dinner ideas, the hosts share their favorite easy and delicious recipes. A listener recommends several dishes from The New York Times and Smitten Kitchen, including:
- New York Times 5 Ingredient Creamy Miso Pasta
- New York Times Crispy Gnocchi with Brussels Sprouts
- Smitten Kitchen's One Pot Tomato Farro
Elise appreciates these suggestions, expressing her intent to try them out.
Elise Hu [31:11]: "These are such a good idea."
Doree adds her support by recommending the cookbook Dinner in One, perfect for those who enjoy one-sheet pan or one-pot meals.
Dory Shafrir [33:06]: "It's a very good cookbook."
6. Closing Thoughts: Community and Connection
Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the value of community support and personal connections. Whether through shared gardening tips, skincare secrets, or practical parenting advice, Doree and Elise create a warm and engaging atmosphere for their listeners.
Elise Hu [21:36]: "It's more meaningful to me because they were touched by my dad's hands."
Elise Hu [22:29]: "That's a great suggestion."
Mini-Episode 440 of Forever35 exemplifies the podcast's commitment to exploring self-care, family life, and personal growth with authenticity and humor. By intertwining personal stories with listener contributions, Doree and Elise cultivate a relatable and supportive environment for their audience.