Author Archives: Lea Barlow

Now I am not exactly bringing you an original idea here. I have been buying jean shorts for so long that I actually forgot about recycling my old jeans. This thought struck when I was trying on a pair of True Religion jean shorts at Nordstrom priced at a very reasonable $176.00. I am more of an American Eagle jean short girl. I’ll spend the big bucks on jeans but definitely not the shorts. While peeling the shorts off I remembered I had a pair of NEVER worn True Religion jeans at home in my closet. Truthfully, I only bought them because the size 25 fit. What can I say? I’m vain. Here is the way I saved myself almost $200…

These are 2 years old and definitely look out of style. The boot cut is way too wide. Also, the white threading makes it hard to match anything but a white shirt.

True Religion jeans have always seemed a little flashy to me. Every time I put them on I felt the need to go out and buy a country-style snap button shirt and head over to the local honkey-tonk.

This is where you must pay close attention. Okay, let’s begin…

Step 1: Get scissors

Step 2: Cut jeans at desired length

Step 3: Cuff or don’t cuff. Whatever pleases you.

This project took all of about 5 minutes. Aren’t they cute??

Reader Note: Please don’t judge me on my dirty carpet. I’ve got toddlers.

Seksi, huh? I have to say that True Religion jeans are much more tolerable in their shorter version. Just give me a ring if you need any help recycling your old jeans. I think I may be on to something here.

Bam.

Scott told me I shouldn’t post the back view but I said I must be true to my readers. Now what to do with the old pant legs…

Bat wings, perhaps?

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

1-1/2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum

3-4 each of fresh blackberries, blueberries and red raspberries

8-12 fresh mint leaves

Juice of one lime

1 oz. simple syrup

Soda water

Mint sprig for garnish

In a 12-oz. highball glass, muddle mint, simple syrup, wild berries and lime juice.

Fill glass with crushed ice – it is very important to use crushed ice, not cubed – then add rum.

Stir well until the ice is reduced by 1/3, then top with more crushed ice, stirring until the glass begins to frost on the outside.

Spritz with soda water and stir one last time to incorporate. Enjoy!

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Ingredients

2/3 cup (1/2-inch) cubed honeydew melon

2/3 cup (1/2-inch) cubed cantaloupe

1/3 cup diced peeled English cucumber

1/3 cup diced red onion

2 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

3/4 teaspoon grated lime rind

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons minced jalapeño pepper

3/4 teaspoon light agave nectar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Cooking spray

Mint sprigs (optional)

Preparation

1. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

2. Combine first 10 ingredients; stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, tossing well to combine.

3. Sprinkle chicken evenly with remaining 3/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Coat chicken with cooking spray. Place chicken on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until done. Serve with salsa; garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.

Serves 4

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Some of these are obvious and some are just down right ridiculous but none of them involve sex or walking up an amount of endless stairs.  I wanted to give you more unique ways to burn a few extra calories in the day.

1. Indulge your inner dork and do 27 underwater handstands.

2. Push a grocery cart for 45 minutes.

3. Put a 42-pound 4-year-old in the child seat and it’ll only take half an hour.

4. Carry five grocery bags from the car to the kitchen and put the food away, take out the trash, wash the dishes, and wipe down the kitchen counter.

5. Eat chili for a couple of days: Research shows that chili peppers boost your metabolic rate, burning 50 more cals a day.

6. Hula-hoop for 22 minutes.

7. Wash, halve, and seed two acorn squash, then watch them bake for 30 minutes.

8. Play “Chopsticks” on the piano incessantly for 41 minutes.

9. Sing the Grease original soundtrack from start to finish.

10. Degrease by scrubbing in the shower for 15 minutes, then spend 7 minutes shaving, 3 minutes toweling off, 4 minutes moisturizing, and 20 minutes blow-drying and styling your hair.

11. Have fun when you get back to work: Twirl 123 times in your office chair (try not to puke).

12. Shop during your lunch hour while carrying a 7-pound hobo bag (and, naturally, a few new purchases).

13. Kick off your Sunday shoes and dance to the first four songs off the Footloose soundtrack.

14. Drink 3 cups of green tea in 24 hours: Researchers say it can increase energy expenditure by 106 calories.

15. Play interactive Wii Tennis for 13 minutes.

16. Do 780 jumping jacks. Yes, 780.

17. Spend 29 minutes mopping over any scuff marks.

18. Sweep your floors for 15 minutes, then vacuum for 15.

19. Now read 30 pages of Hugo’s Les Misérables (or how about just lifting that book a few times!)

20. Take in the greenery: Sit in lotus position and breathe deeply for an hour and 42 minutes.

21. Email 68 times.

22. Carry a cooler stocked with three bottles of water, a six-pack, four PB&Js, two oranges, a bag of tortilla chips, and 12 servings of cool cucumber salsa for 22 minutes.

23. Slather on lip balm 765 times

24. Swing a lasso over your head 375 times

25. Play fashion show and try on 16 different outfits (one every 3 minutes). – my personal favorite

Source:  womenshealthmag.com

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