FOREVER35 MINI-EPISODE 457: DON’T FORGET TO WIPE
Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode is a classic “mini-ep” featuring hosts Doree and Elise addressing listener questions and sharing updates on self-care, home hacks, and daily routines—with humor and plenty of practical advice. Topics include the ongoing saga of finding the perfect reusable paper towel replacement, emotional support for hair loss, weekend adventures, and even a dose of organizational wisdom inspired by their children.

MAIN DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Catching Up: Weekend Stories & LA Daylife

[02:41–08:24]

• Elise’s Weekend Highlights:
  • Cyclovia in LA: Elise shares her experience with LA's Cyclovia, where major streets are closed to cars for cyclists and pedestrians. She enjoyed it as an adult outing with friends and capped off the day with tacos and a Taylor Swift cover band concert.
    “We went as adults rather than with our kids, though I ran into so many of my kids’ friends and they were all like, ‘Where’s Issa, where’s Luna?’” — Elise [04:03]
  • Critique of the cover band singer’s vocal range, but overall, a wholesome, fun event.
• Doree’s Weekend Recap:
  • Tennis and Theatre for Kids: Attended a children’s play at Santa Monica Playhouse, starring former nanny Holly. The play was interactive, funny, and engaged her son Henry, but best suited for kids 8 and under.
  • Exploring Beverly Hills: After her son’s math class, detoured at Beverly Hills Park to look at quirky public art installations, then had lunch at iconic deli Nate and Al's.
    • Fun memory shared about how the late Larry King frequented Nate and Al's.

Quote:

“Henry is a lot. Sometimes at the end of the weekend I’m like, one Henry equals two.” — Doree [07:58]

2. Listener Updates: Reconnecting With Distant Friends

[09:32–11:23]

• Listener writes in with an emotional update after taking action to meet distant friends, inspired by a previous episode on friendship.
• Doree reads part of the note:

  “[...] My heart felt very full, and the world feels more open to us. Doree, I’ve been thinking a lot about your sister-in-law. [...] She sounded like an amazing person who really knew how to enjoy life.” [10:01–11:23]

• Both hosts express gratitude for the update and encourage similar listener input.

3. Reusable Kitchen Rags & Paper Towel Alternatives: Deep Dive

[15:21–24:22]

A parade of listener tips and hosts’ experiences on rags, towels, and kitchen organization.

Key Recommendations:

• Bar Mops:
  • Utopia brand, 12 for $20 on Amazon. Sturdy, bleach-safe, tossed in a kitchen basket and laundered together.
    “We have a basket under our kitchen sink where dirty/used ones get tossed, and then all are washed on a heavy-duty cycle.” [15:27]
  • Listener comments on the "weird/wasteful" feeling of paper towels after switching.
• Flannel Cloths:
  • Flannel cloths (e.g., Marley's Monsters Unpaper Towels) used for years, easy to make with old sheets if crafty, hold up well.
  • Note added about sergers for crafting.
• Muslin Washcloths & Rags:
  • Used for wiping kids’ faces, as washcloths for self and babies; “I use the washcloth after I’ve rinsed my face...hold it under hot water...so relaxing.” [18:22]
  • Bulk rags from hardware stores (Lowe’s, Home Depot) can last for years—“I might have that roll still when he graduates from high school.”
• Dish Towel Organization:
  • Flour Sack Towels: IKEA recommended for price and durability, for heavier messes.
  • Cloth Napkins: Multiple sets in a container for daily use, supported by green cleaning products like Blueland, Clean, or Branch Basics.
  • Dirty Cloths Bin: Key organizational tip—for both function and hygiene, have a designated bin under the table or sink for soiled towels.

    “The key to this system is having a place for your dirty napkins and cloths when you are done cleaning with them...” — Listener [21:02]

The Bins Philosophy:

• Elise shares how her Virgo daughter Ava inspires her organizational methods (“she used to like to keep lists and to do lists when she was 4”). She is now adopting labeled bins for laundry and cleaning:

  “Now, having followed her example with the bins, now I have like laundry cleaning and house cleaning labeled as separate bins above my laundry machine, which is the first time I’ve ever done that in my life.” [23:40]

Humorous Interlude:

• Doree recalls an early LA date with an eccentric “cheap” man who eschewed paper towels.

  “He was real weird, but he didn’t use paper towels...now in retrospect, 12 years later, I’m like, oh, he was kind of ahead of his time in that regard.” [20:50]

4. Quick Pet Health Update: Bo’s Biopsy

[24:22–25:34]

• Doree updates on her dog Bo’s inconclusive biopsy, with the vet recommending monitoring but no current cause for concern.

  “She thinks it was just kind of the, like, how they did the biopsy...I don’t actually think it’s an issue.” [25:16]

• Elise jokes:

  “Show up at Denny’s at 4:30 for the moons over my Hammy.” [25:34]

5. Hair Loss Journey: Doree’s Experience & Listener Support

[28:27–31:38]

• Listener asks about Doree’s approach after being diagnosed with female pattern hair loss.
• Doree’s Protocol:
  • Started with oral minoxidil and a topical to stop shedding; notes oral minoxidil takes about 6 months for results; warns of a temporary increase in shedding after starting.
  • Stopped topical minoxidil due to hair greasy-ness; oral seems effective, and her stylist has commented on regrowth.

  “Everyone says...you just have to stick with it.” [29:56]

  • Encourages openness; situates hair loss as a normal, age-related phenomenon:

  “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It just happens...a natural part of getting older. And fortunately, we live in an age where there’s things we can do about it.” [31:01]

• Elise chimes in about recent reporting that men’s hair loss may be on the cusp of a similar breakthrough.

  “I read in New York Magazine that they think they’ve solved it for men too...all these AI images of like, what Putin would look like with hair.” [31:28]

6. Dinner Recipe Inspiration

[32:05–34:42]

• Doree shares two successful recipes:
  • One Pan Chicken and Pineapple Tacos (from a British food writer; “If you are someone who likes cooked fruit...this is kind of your thing.” [32:37])
    • Sheet pan method, spicy marinade, squeeze lime and add shallots post-cooking.
    • “We were like, oh, it’s too bad there’s not enough for leftovers.” [33:32]
  • Summery Cherry Tomato Pasta (from Love & Lemons): a quick, no-chop recipe with capers for extra flavor.

    “You also don’t have to cut the tomatoes...which can be annoying because they’re so small.” — Elise [34:15]

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• On the Org Bin Revolution:

  “The bins are so important now that I’m like getting more into organization, which I generally haven’t been for the last 40 years of my life. I love the bins. I love like containers and labeling things.” – Elise [23:00]

• Hair Loss Honesty:

  “…I think it’s just that people don’t talk about it as much. It’s nothing to be, like, ashamed of. It just happens. It’s just, like, a natural part of getting older.” – Doree [31:01]

• Kitchen Cloths Epiphany:

  “Sometimes the best alternative is really just a good old cloth napkin which you can find at any home goods store.” – Listener Voice Memo [21:10]

• Circle Back to Butt Masks:

  “Trump and the patriarchy forever. 35 butt masks.” – Longtime Listener [19:47]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• [02:41] Weekend catch-up: Elise's Cyclovia adventure
• [04:39] Doree’s Santa Monica Playhouse experience
• [09:32] Listener update: Reconnecting with distant friends
• [15:21] Deep dive: Bar mops and other reusable kitchen towel tips
• [21:02] Voice memo: Cloth napkins and bins for dirty towels
• [24:22] Pet update: Bo’s biopsy results
• [28:27] Listener letter: Female pattern hair loss and Doree’s journey
• [32:05] Dinner recipe wins: Chicken and pineapple tacos, pasta
• [34:45] Episode wrap-up

TONE & STYLE

Light, friendly, and supportive, with plenty of relatable anecdotes and practical tips. The hosts keep a conversational pace, inject humor (including callbacks for longtime listeners), and invite genuine community engagement—staying true to Forever35’s “we’re not experts, just here for each other” vibe.

FINAL REMARK

This episode is a cozy grab-bag of solutions and support, filled with helpful hacks, self-care solidarity, and the ongoing pursuit of a well-feathered (if crumb-free) nest.