Our FAST and favorite new work out:

Hello again Ragers,

If you are like me and Heather, you likely ate and drank way too much over the holiday season.  While I am not a big fan of the bird, I can admit to eating a lot of mashed potatoes as well as fried cheese sticks AND beer the day after the holiday after skiing. Ugh. The holidays -- it never ends.
Well.. now we are back on the wagon!  And we're going to show you how to work out fast and effectively.

Heather and I are gym rats.  Admittedly,  I'm worse than her, but we are always at the gym or trying new workouts and new classes. In fact, I don't have time for all this working out anymore.  It takes too long, and then you just burn out.  So Heather (always the online reader) found this great workout from The New York Times which only takes 7 minutes.  AND you can do it at home because you use your own body weight, a wall, a chair and you don't even need weights.  Over the summer, I worked out with a trainer, and she said this type of circuit training where you move rapidly from exercise to exercise is the most effective way to lose fat and shape up.  Typically though, they want you do the sequence 2-3 times.  I did it 3 times at the gym last week, and I can tell you it's exhausting. You are physically spent when it's done.  But think about how fast and efficient it is? You are done with the gym in 30 minutes!  Check it out!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-minute-workout/

P.S. Over the holidays, we also both got sucked into yet another Dr. Oz endorsed weight loss supplement, Garcinia Cambogia, and we will report on our results with this alleged miracle pill soon.
Don't buy it. Let us be the guinea pigs.  None of my other pilot projects thus far have worked (e.g., CLA, Raspberry Keytones, Thermogenics, Green Coffee Bean Extract), but we're going to give this one a final try. More soon!

Bailey 44: A new Hot Line

Hello Ragers,

Well, as you know, Heather and I, being shopaholics (we are scaling back these days though), are always on the hunt for a hot new line.  We always want to find something no one else has yet.

 I found this one -- Bailey 44 -- at a boutique I frequent.  Note: It's on Zappos. Go there! More affordable. You can also find this line at Nordstrom's, Saks and Bloomingdale's if you like to go out and shop.

Leather is very in this year especially when mixed with fabrics such as a t-shirt or sweater. And the pieces I have found in this line are pretty much classic -- they are not going to go out of style anytime soon.  Here is the top I bought for $140.  However, it's $100 on Zappos.  It looks great with a pair of dark blue jeans and black boots. And leather is always great for the holiday season!
Send us your comments or any of your favorite finds our blog.

Bailey 44 Touch Screen Top

LOVE this product: Laura Mercier "Universal" Invisible Loose Setting Powder

Ok Ragers,

We're all looking for something to make our skin look better, right? Think about lucid clear skin.
The first time I wore this loose powder, everyone asked me if I did something different or had aged 10 years. I'm not kidding you.  I already told you in an earlier post that I love love Laura Mercier anything now.  Interestingly enough, this powder is actually white in that it is supposed to be  invisible.  It's good for any tone or hue, and it just gives your skin a nice light coverage and a translucent look. Love it.  Check it out...

Where Are The Hybrids?

All summer I dated a player.  Creative, charming, hot and unavailable.  I'm sure he is on to the next one already.  But he sure was interesting and a lot of fun.

Last week, I went out with a really nice normal guy.  He confirmed our plans in advance. He doesn't text (a hallmark characteristic of the players who are just too busy to even pick up the phone and call you), and he is a perfect gentlemen.  This is the kind of guy I should be dating. Everyone says it.

However, these guys... they're just so boring.  I kept trying to talk about things other than his kids or work, but we never go that far. I wanted to talk about my favorite shows on ShowTime on Demand (although as aforementioned, I am not ShowTime On Demand, I do like ShowTime on Demand) or cool restaurants or good vacation spots.  But we didn't get that far.  My eyes kind of glazed over after a bit, and I nodded and winked like a blow up doll.

Saturday night, by pure random chance, while raging with my college bestie, I met a fairly handsome but clearly fun loving guy.  He bought our drinks and our dinner, offered us cigarettes, more Vodka and begged me to go out with him.  But I just knew this guy was bad news.  Too charming, too much booze, you know the type.  I later found out from some friends of friends that he has a drinking problem and is, you guessed it, a player.

So, I want to know (and many of my girlfriends want to know), where are the hybrids?  Where are the guys with good values and decent manners who also like to drink and travel and listen to edgy music or read Italian poetry?  They exist. I know they do.  I've dated them, but they all appear to have vanished.  You get either total boredom or total fun because of the anxiety produced by knowing this guy is a player and going to leave you at anytime.  I think I'm a hybrid -- although I may border on the more unstable vs stable side of the equation. I have some very cool girlfriends who are hybrids -- but I feel we are caught in this trap of boring Bills or Loose Louie's.  At this point, I think I may prefer the  latter.  At least you can get about 3 to 3.5 months of good restaurants,  good wine, hot sex and some laughs.  Jury is still out though.....

My New Favorite Find AND I'm NOT a Blow up Doll.

Hi again Middle Ragers,

Well, we're back on again for hopefully a more productive autumn season than our debacle of a summer. With my work and Heather's kids, we've been totally remiss and apologize for our failure to deliver fresh and informative content.  Let's try again!

First, as my friend Margaret said to me tonight, over a great glass of Sauvignon Blanc at our sexy, sophisticated friend's Isabel's house,  "I love wine. I love it in San Francisco or Argentina or Hudson, Ohio. I love the way it tastes. I love the way it makes me feel."

Tru dat, Margaret. We agree.

So I want to recommend a new favorite find.  Actually, I've been into this for months but have failed to disclose it because I never write anymore due to some inexplicable block.  It's this great Podcast -- Wine For Normal People.

This great young lady (now a sommelier)  takes you through all different types of wines from Bordeaux to Malbecs to Champagne each and every week in a unique podcast -- Wine For Normal People. She teaches you how to learn about wine, the region, the tastes, the experience, AND she dumbs it down for normal people.  She also gives you great recommendations about affordable wines that you can buy and share with you friends and family.  It's awesome. Download it NOW.  It's great to listen to while you cook and DRINK WINE!

My second piece to discuss today is: I will not be a blow up doll is about dating (another one of my favorite topics).  I had a date last week with this great guy who is smart and sophisticated and charming and not a player, to boot (imaging that).  BUT (and there is always a but clause), all he did really was talk about himself -- a lot (and I mean a lot) about his kids, then more about the kids, then the job and then the puppy that was coming this weekend.  I find that on these dates (and this one by the way lasted FOUR hours), I suddenly, somehow, become a blow up doll.  I have a cord that can easily be pulled with 4-5 stock responses:  "Wow, that's great your kid is doing so well! Sounds like you have a great kid."
Or "Wow, sounds like you have a great job and are doing really well at it! Good for you!
Or "Wow, sounds like you had a rough day. I can see why you are so stressed out!"

I mean, really. Really? Is that all you guys want -- some blow up doll to just sit there and listen and nod her head up and down? Pull her cord and few (and similar) stock answers come up? I have also (by the way) noticed this same pattern in men I do work with professionally.  They also just want to talk and have a blow up doll next to them.  They also ALL want to show you there iPhone Photos of everything that is of interest to them and of zero interest to you -- their kids, their dogs, their travels. I mean WTF? Do you think I whip open my iPhone and make people look at my nieces, my recent furniture purchases, my vacations, my friends? Especially when they never even asked to look at the same.
Men, come on, if you want a doll, get a doll. There actually very inexpensive, pretty and durable.
Not a bad investment. However, if you want to be a real person (not a doll), engage with a real persons.
If you want to go on a date with me, ask me SOMETHING about me.  Try maybe just a little bit to get to know me instead of showing me pictures about your life.  I'm kind of  done with the blow up doll thing.  You're going to have to get a real one next time.  And maybe that will actually suffice.  I think you can have sex with them too??

More soon ragers.... C.

Mules et al.

After a summer hiatus,  Heather and I are back with a vengeance.  Despite my grants and her kitchen remodel, we're going to try really hard to make it and show up and write.

So today, we're going to tell you about our three favorite new things.


1. Moscow Mules -- Da best.  Tru dat.

This refreshing fall drink is quite simple -- Vodka, Ginger Beer, and Lime.  However, the ginger beer now is all the rage especially for the Middle Ragers so you have to stock up.  And you have to get the copper mug which it is traditionally served in -- keeps it very cold AND if you lick the cup, you can get that copper on your tongue thereby preventing a DUI. (Just kidding)
Best drink on the planet.
I think Oprah and Gayle are now really into it too. Not that I care what they are doing . . . .

2. Trish McEvoy Gel Eyeliner -- This really is the bomb.  It is a pencil but lines your eyes like a gel, and the color is rich and never moves.   I heart the Deep Aubergine -- a nice dark brown/plum color.


3.  LuLu Lemon Still Yoga Pants -- You have to try these.  Unlike all the skin tight yoga pants out there, these are flowy and loose and comfortable.  I have 5 pairs. I like them that much. AND they last forever.  The fabric will stand up for years.  A must have.

Comments on the Goldman Sachs Unofficial Guide to being a Man

Our guest contributor, Ann Williams, recently sent us this link from Business Insider, which contains the Goldman Sach’s guide to being a real man.  We liked this a lot and agreed with most of these excellent recommendations. 

See: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-gselevator-guide-to-being-a-man-2013-9#ixzz2eaOxIHaa

Today, on MiddleRage, we highlight just a few of our favs.  Comments welcome.

1.   Stop talking about where you went to college:

Christine’s view:

I don't know. This may be a DC or a DC/NYC thing where I spent my formative years, but please. Stop telling me about WHERE you went to college and the glory days of the Princeton supper club, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, or the Yale Club. Clearly, you are smarter than I am, and clearly you are stupider because we have the same job and you paid 200k to get your education. We're very proud of our pedestrian, low-brow STATE COLLEGE education.  Save it for some one who cares.

                                                        

2.   Burn your khakis.

Christine’s view:

Get a decent pair of jeans or a suit. Come on. You don't have to look like my Midwestern dad.  Orange is the new black, and khakis are a fossil.  If you went to any of the aforementioned school referenced above OR even if you didn't, surely you can afford ONE pair of hot jeans or ONE hot suit. Get with it. 

Ann’s view:

I agree re:  khaki issue. But I’d like for there to be some clarity around what we mean by “decent pair of jeans.” If your only pair of jeans looks like it lost a fight with a BeDazzler, then I’d rather you stuck with the khakis. You know what girls like? Levis. You know what we hate? Vanity. Put on your Levis, buy me a real beer, and let’s see where it goes.

3.   Never date an ex of your friend.  

Christine’s view:

This goes without saying. Come on. Do you ever think (no matter how hot the guy) I could date someone my bff dated? No way. Move on. There are MANY other girls.  Who wants to compare notes?

Ann’s view:

As someone who has recently broken this rule, I cannot express to you enough how important this rule is. You will always, always be the asshole in this situation. Not worth it. Get over it and find another girl.

4.   People grow tired of the funny, drunk guy.  

Christine and Ann’s views:

We are now officially 20 years out of college. Be the entrepreneur. Be the artist. Be the do-gooder. Be yourself. But be something other than the drunk funny guy you were in college. It's just sad. Holding your liquor is the other new black.

5.   Tip more than you should.

Christine and Ann’s views:

Life is too short to be the cheapskate. Tip 20% for average service and scale up from there.  If you are going to go out for a nice dinner and you can allegedly afford it, then tip appropriately. Even a bit excessively. Now, that is hot.

         

        6. Don't split a check.

                                                        

Christine and Ann’s views:

Really? Enough said here.  I think the person who asks, pays -- at least until a month or so into the relationship, when it’s okay to ease into a splitting situation. (Except for special occasions, where the planner pays.) See rule above about life being too short to be the cheapskate. If you ask a girl out and end the night by asking her to split the bill, you’re a dick. Fact.

7.   Be spontaneous.

Christine’s view:

Wow. Nothing is hotter than this. Do something REALLY fun and really outrageous at the last minute.  Take a road trip. You only live once! Do it.

8. No selfies. Aspire to post pictures in the company of a beautiful woman.

Christine and Ann’s views:

Narcissism is out -- has been out since the 80s. You aint Gordon Gekko, and no one likes him anymore anyway. We are tired of seeing nothing but photos of YOU in Provence et al. Show us some PEOPLE. Show us some women. This one falls into the vanity bucket. Please stop.

9. My personal favorite:  The New Yorker is not high- brow.  Neither is The Economist.

UGH. Stop telling me about what you read and show me what you KNOW. If you are really reading these magazines, you should have learned something. Tell me about that.

I Am Not ShowTime On Demand

After our summer hiatus (due to writing obligations and kid duties), we are back on track for autumn!

Although I had the misfortune of spending the vast majority of my summer tied to my computer writing four grants, I also managed (as usual) to have some fun dating a really interesting and fun guy.

However, due to his incredibly frenetic, busy, hectic and all consuming schedule (newsflash guys: we're all really busy), he could only seem to reach out to me about 3 hours before he wanted to see me.

Frequently, I would receive texts asking me out literally hours before he wanted to see me.  When I pushed back and said I needed a lot more notice, he would apologize profusely and tell me how busy he had been and how he was just coming up for air now.  Forget it. I'm not Showtime on Demand.

I'm not going to just "show up" and entertain you when and at a time convenient for you.

This seems to be a prevalent trend today with these uber busy uber important Type A guys. To add insult to injury, another guy who wanted to go out with me did the exact same thing.  He would text (not call) me and ask me to lunch on dinner on THAT day.  Hello? I have a job, a business, a life.

I can rarely commit to anything upon 3 hours notice.  And then, when I let them know I couldn't swing it on this short of notice, they seemed irritated and annoyed with me. AS IF.

Here's the thing... you're not busier than I am. Trust me.  Women have busy lives juggling many things today, and we need a little notice.  I'm just not one to show up on a moment's notice.  While I love Showtime on Demand, I'm just not Showtime on Demand.

Make a Plan.  In Advance.

Are the college girls on to something?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/fashion/sex-on-campus-she-can-play-that-game-too.html?pagewanted=all

We found this recent New York Times' article about the "hook up" culture on college campuses today very interesting -- particularly how girls can play at the game too.  Kate, a young woman interviewed for this piece, referred to hooking up at "low risk and low investment".  These girls contend that they don't have time for relationships ... they are too busy building their resumes and focusing on their careers to be weighed down by a meaningful relationship. As such, they choose to just hook up when convenient. Or is it that they have just come to expect too little from men? Are they perhaps gravely disappointed with the behavior of men and their inability to give them what they need emotionally and as such, they are settling for the occasional sexual encounter?  Should these girls be looking for their Mrs. degree given the pool of available men at college or should they just have fun and focus on themselves? 

A lot of these issues transcend boundaries of age;  many middle age women are asking themselves the same questions.  Many now say they are self sufficient, successful and only really need men for sex occasionally.  Others say they really want to find a quality guy to build a life with long term.  

What do you think?

We want your thoughts on this topic.  Let's discuss.  

Send us your thoughts below.  

Make a Plan!

Greetings Ragers, here is my new thing: MAKE A PLAN!

Is chivalry really dead?  I mean, really dead?

Seriously, has technology just completely consumed us so there is no more talking on the phone or, better yet, in person?

I'm not just writing this on behalf of me (Christine)  but all other women who in middle age really have the same stories with dating:

In sum, stop the fucking texting! We are not 13 with the luxury of time and emotional detachment to send out 20 SMS texts per day.  We are busy. We are working. We are in out 40s now and busy managing a shitload of work and annoying Gen Ys and millenials.

If you want to date me, if you want to see me, stop texting me - make a plan!
We are all so sick of your texts "how is your weekend going? or" we should get together soon!"

And then no response back to the same.
And no plan.

Then why the hell are you texting me! Grow up, guys. Man up.  Make a plan. Learn respect for women, which  btw, you should have learned that by now.

I  can say, collectively on behalf of women now (minus by friends who haven't dated since the Reagan administration) we are so done with your 13-year old text messages, that if you really are interested, MAKE A PLAN.

How hard it that? I mean, really.

The Long and Short of It

Story contributed by Middle Rager Colleen Phillips Finley

Ok ladies, time to tackle the subject of our hair in middle age. As a hairdresser and a middle rager myself, I see the ever changing locks of my 40 something clients, friends and myself.

As we get older - just like our skin, butts and boobs - our hair changes as well. Unfortunately not for the better! It loses shine, thickness and overall luster. That being said it is time to re-evaluate how long is too long for us middle ragers!

I see too many women 40 plus hanging on too tightly to their youth with long locks. I believe personally and professionally above the bra strap is a good rule of thumb depending first and foremost how healthy and attractive your hair is! We have all seen those women from behind they have pretty, long hair and to only catch a glimpse of the face and realize she is TOO OLD for that hair! Ladies, it ages you!

This is the time as well, to start investing money into your hair and the products you use on those precious follicles. This is when that investment pays off! We seem to be willing to spend the money on our anti-aging skincare - why not also your hair? We live in an age of wonderful products and tools. There is no reason to suffer from bad hair days. I love the Pureology and Aveda lines.  Argan oil products and keratin treatments are all the rage and worth the money as well.

Our hair is our crowning glory, ladies, but as we age so does our hair so I believe our skirts should get longer and our hair should get shorter!

The Perfect Panties

Hello Ragers,

I suspect you are all sick of the crappy panties out there in today's marketplace.

Well, writing this one was easy because I spent a year searching for these and have found the perfect panties.  Last week, I did a status check with my Nordstrom's lingerie friend Lynn to make sure I was still on it and hadn't missed any updates.  I haven't.  Here they are....

The best panties.....

Hanky Panky's.  $24.  Yes, they are expensive, but I found a lot of mine at Nordstrom Rack for $12.  They have some lace on the top, but they aren't one big uncomfortable.  In fact, the best thing about them is that you don't feel like you are wearing underwear at all.  I wear the thongs, but they also make the boy short look. They don't shift or creep, and they are perfect with your skinny jeans.

Second best?  Commandos $24.  I love these too. These also are great because they are so soft and more of a micro-fiber material so they are perfect with a jersey dress where you don't want a line.  In fact, these are the only underwear I have ever bought that show no line at all with a snug dress.  Commando's also make (by the way) the best leggings ever.  Check them out too.

P.S. I am still looking for an economical version of the Hanky Panky's.  Give me a little time.

Christine

Whenever/Whatever

Hello Ragers,

It is regrettable.  But we are currently suffering (yet again) from another middle RAGE.

Heather and I discussed these phrases: "Whatever" or "Whenever" recently in the context of a guy I recently started dating, and we decided the use of these teenage phrases, with the connotation of complete indifference and apathy, are probably the worst thing you could say to anyone. It's like saying, "you don't even merit a response so I'm going to leave you with some vague answer like "whatever".

I hate it. And I'm going to start using it regularly with my enemies.

So, here's thing thing, and hence the rage... this I guy I recently started dating, texted me after our last date (myriad times mind you) to tell me how much fun he had and how he wanted to get together again very soon, etc. etc. and blah blah. You know the drill of these texters non talkers.  In any event, when I saw him briefly last week, he said (as we departed),  "well, when will I see you again?  (A pregnant pause). Well, I guess I'll see you "whenever."  I, in shock, said "Okay, see you whenever."

Whenever??? What does that mean exactly? Does that mean never? Does that mean soon? O Whenever I feel like fucking calling you?

We wholeheartedly and unequivocally reject this word.  We also reject the word "whatever."  Had I been on my A game, I should have responded "Well, let's do whatever.... whenever."

It has set me into a middle RAGE.

So here's the thing, if you don't know the answer to something, just say nothing.  Nothing is a much better response than whatever or whenever.  Those are undignified and non creative responses.
We would expect something more.  MUCH more.

Christine and Heather

Great Girl Getaways

If you are like us, you often are looking at great getaways for you and your girlfriends.

Two words girls: GO WEST.

Heather and I are both very very over the crowded, busy, competitive East coast. Who wants to vacation in Boston? Or Cape Cod with all the plaid and tartan and chocolate labs?  As if that would be fun.

We say go West. Why? The weather is great; there are tall beautiful mountains and SPACE; there are both cowboys and Indians, and most importantly, there are hot guys.  Heather (albeit married) even got her groove on in New Mexico playing pool with some 20 something ranchers from Montana. True men.
Cowboy types.

For an affordable and fun getaway, we vote for New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment per their state motto, but as many people who reside there now told us, it's really the Land of Entrapment. I'm telling you I'm moving there once I get this book deal done.

In Taos, there are mountains, hiking, spas and crunchy granola people who really are off the grid there. No blackberries or iPhones buzzing. You can ski or hike to just go sit in mineral pools like we did.  Santa Fe also rocks with excellent silver jewelry hand made by Indians, amazing tamales and margaritas, and tons of excellent shopping.

Plus, again, we met a lot of cowboys.  And they far surpass the short, geeky policy wonks I had to live with for years in DC.  Yuck.

Other hot spots we recommend: Salt Lake City, Utah or Bozeman, Montana or anywhere (of course) in California.

In sum, the WEST is the BEST.

What is up with all this freaking homework?

Many of you ragers out there are mothers. And likely ones who are spent, frazzled, and sleep deprived.  I'm a mere aunt and often feel the way -- primarily because of all this freaking homework these teachers give kids these days.

Several weeks ago, my sister and her husband decided them needed some R&R in Miami and I got the job of watching her two kids for 4 days.  Hell.  I have a whole new respect for stay at home moms. Believe me.

I had to work more efficiently and faster because I knew I had to be at the school at 3 pm sharp to pick up my 6 year old niece, Isabella. Then, you have to entertain these kids because they are always "bored" and then feed them and bathe them --- and listen, my cocktail hour begins circa 5 pm.  I'm not giving that up, kids. And with them around me all the time and talking to me all the time, I need that early evening drink more than ever. In fact, during the babysitting stint, my happy hour started at 4:30.

But you can't get too loaded, oh no, because alas, right around the corner waiting for you is all the freaking homework.  It's absolutely ridiculous. I never had this much homework. And most of it I got done in study hall freeing up my evening hours to play outside or smoke cigarettes with my girlfriends.

By 8 o'clock,  I was whipped, buzzed  and not up for the dreaded spelling words. However, as a former spelling bee champ myself, I have big dreams of my niece taking on the spelling bee kids and going all the way to the national bee in DC.

So I tried (briefly) the old school verbal technique of practicing her words with her. This didn't work. She kept forgetting the letters, and with a buzz on, I started to lose patience. Plus, these kids still write their letters backward.  It was so frustrating and so so boring.

So I tried another tactic.  I tried holding the words right  up to her face and making her stare at them.  I mean I was always a visual learner and could just look at word and memorize it and thought this might work for her as well. We do share the same genes. "Stare at the word share." I would tell her. "See it? Can you remember it?"  "Yes." She stated confidently.  I really thought she got it and would retain this information.  She, like me, probably has a photographic memory, right?

When I picked her up from school later that day, I asked her about the test, and she showed it to me.  She failed. She got every word wrong. Oops. I guess my visual learning pilot project did not work.

Listen, I know I'm a bad and lazy aunt and shouldn't be hitting the bottle so hard, but geez, how am I supposed to do all this freaking homework? I'm fucking tired at night and so are they!  Teachers, leave us poor moms and aunts alone. We're already beaten down from laundry and baths and being short order cooks.  Can't YOU teach them their spelling words at SCHOOL?

Must see Movies

Hi Ragers,

Well, when we're not raging, we're lounging. Even we need sometime to recover from all the raging we continue to do in our 40s.   So in our downtime, we watch movies (mostly independent films of course) and we wanted to give your our list of "must sees."  They are as follows . . . .

1. Adaptation -- One of my all-time favorites! Based on Susan Orlean's book The Orchid Thief. Meryll Streep is amazing.  If you haven't seen this one, rent it. It's all about orchids.

2. Ruby Sparks -- I just watched this one. It's by the same director of Little Miss Sunshine and it's so captivating and fast moving. It made me cry at the end too -- a rarity.

3. The Door in the Floor -- Based on John Irving's wonderful book A Widow for One Year. Such a creative book. Kim Bassinger and Jeff Bridges are amazing.

4. Midnight in Paris -- A great great and recent Woody Allen pic that takes you into the Parisian life of Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein in the 1920s.  But anything Woody Allen does is brilliant. Also check out Annie Hall and Manhattan.  We also loved Vicky, Cristina Barcelona.

5. Being John Malkovich -- So weird, so creative.  This is an older one, but I loved love it. Catherine Keener is amazing.

6. Best in Show -- If you like dogs, you'll love this one.  Parker Posey, my fav, is hysterical as always.

More best movies to come, but this will get you started!

Best Books

Greetings Ragers,

Today you get to see the more intellectual side of Middle Rage.

Listen. Heather and I are not all about drinking wine and putting on makeup. We do read too. In fact, we read often and like to share books through our iPads.  For some leisurely summer reading, here are some of our top picks:


1. QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.
This book will really make you think about who you are and what you should be doing with your life.  Take the introvert quiz. You may be surprised that you prefer being alone to being with others all the time.

2. The Glass Castle
This is a memoir I read years ago, and Heather is reading now.  This book is amazing, and Jeannette Walls has such a unique and gritty voice.  Her dysfunctional family and extraordinary upbringing will captivate you. I couldn't put it down.

3. Gone Girl.
We loved it. We were obsessed with it as our most girls now.  So creative and suspenseful. A must read.

4. Leviathan.
I read this book years ago but couldn't put it down. Paul Auster is definitely one of my all time favorite authors.

5. The Quiet American. Graham Greene wrote this beautiful love story that focuses on fate and choices made. Beautiful prose and story.

6.  Smoke Drink F*K by Christine Dodd

Coming soon (hopefully) to a book store near you soon. Waiting to hear back from agent.

Happy reading.

Christine and Heather

THEE Best Mascara

Hello Ragers,

If you are like me, you never leave the house without a few staples:  the running shoes, the bottled water, the quarters for parking, AND the  mascara.  I often wear no make up on the weekends when I'm at the gym or running errands but I'll always have on mascara (and lip gloss).
Mascara = fundamental.

AND I'm always on the quest for the perfect mascara.  In the past, I was an Yve's St. Laurent girl tried and true. But then, I noticed it became too heavy, and it started to clump. I started to reject it especially at 35 smacks/tube. I always wanted a mascara that was jet black, natural but elongating and simple.

Alas, here cometh Trish McEvoy's Lash Curling Mascara. It's actually made of polymers which just so happens to be the main commodity of my home town of Akron, Ohio.  It's water resistant, doesn't smudge and really elongates and curls your lashes without clumping. I heart it. I bought it this weekend!

It's about 31 bones. Not cheap but then we're older now, I told you, we have to put more effort and money into our appearance as we age. We're middle RAGERs.

Lengthen those lashes, ladies.

Christine

Thermogenics: Setting me into a RAGE

Ragers,

You may have heard from Dr. Oz or other sources about these new (alleged) fat burning/metabolism boosting supplements known as "thermogenics."   Currently, these pills are all the rage. (no pun)  And I am a girl always on the hunt for the magic pill, so I told Heather I'd be the guinea pig. I'd shell out the cash (they are expensive) and put in the hard time to launch a thermogenics pilot project.

My analysis? Don't waste your time and money on "green coffee bean extract" or any derivation of these pills. They don't work! And they really mess with your head, to boot.

First, I tired LipoBlast which the guy at GNC guaranteed would shed fat especially if I supplemented the supplement with CLA. CLA was also on Dr. Oz's list so I tried it too (for 3 months!).  The LipoBlast, like many thermogenics, is laden with beaucoup caffeine so all I got from that was massive afternoon headaches and sleepless nights.  The purported miracle belly buster CLA didn't work one bit. Such a rip.

THEN! I got sucked into the all natural (sans caffeine) Evo Lean. The GNC guy told me women love this one, and it only has natural products like the Oz endorsed green coffee bean extract and raspberry keytones.  So, I decided to take these for a month.  I didn't lose one pound.

Finally,  (you think I would have given up by now), I got roped into the now very popular "ACE" which (allegedly) suppressed your appetite and gives you energy.  Now, I will say this about ACE, you don't eat. It really does shut down the appetite but despite eating less, I only lost two pounds. And I started to feel very low energy and depressed. Why? Because these things don't work! They are expensive and a rip off and set me into a middle RAGE. (Note from Heather - Um, don't forget the FDA warning against the key ingredient in ACE.  These things are forbidden in some professional sports - fall under "performance enhancing drugs" category)

Last miracle pill pilot project is underway.  Human Growth Hormone. I'll report back on the same in 60 days.

I would have liked to have been able to render a glowing report on these pills. But they don't work! Don't waste your money.  Just shut your pie hole and starting moving.  That's how it is done.

Summer Detox

So, I know Christine was just raving about her protein shakes last week, but I have to share this while I have the superfood high.

I'm always up for a quick detox for both long term health and short term need.  We are headed off to the beach next week, so I'm looking to feel as best as possible considering the workout regimen hasn't exactly been at the top of my to-do list.  My juicing/detoxing buddy recommended this to me after it resembled a similar program she and I PAY to have made.

So what is it??  The 3 Day Detox by Dr Oz.   Dr. Oz fan or not, this is the real deal. All whole foods, no product placement.

Here's the skinny:   3-4 smoothies/day for 3 days.  Sounds tough, but you got this.

• First, it's loaded with a TON of produce - I mean it - and all the good stuff.  All the buzzworthy superfoods of the day are represented - kale, blueberries, coconut water, almond butter, avocado, spinach, coconut oil, etc.  
• Second, the combinations are fantastic.  You get a ton of greens, but combined in a way you would never guess they're in there (if ignore the not-on-the-color-chart color a few turn out to be).   I had more produce in three days than I could typically take in in two weeks.  Kiss all those toxins goodbye!
• Third, no fancy juicer/supercharged blender required.  My regular ol' Oster blender handled it just fine. 
• AND, I did lose 4 lbs in 3 days.  Seriously!  A nice way to start a vacay!

I'm hooked.  This is my new go-to once a month detox and I'm definitely having at least one of these bad boys a day just to get the superboost of greens and antioxidants.  

Try it, Ragers!  Have your own combos you love?  Pass it along and we'll share!

What We Drink (other than wine): PROTEIN

Ragers,

If you are like us, you likely are on the mad dash to consume MORE protein and less carbs in order to look slim and fit in middle age.  They keep telling us carbs kill -- potatoes are for pigs; corn is for cows.  But how in the hell do you get all the protein in?  It sets us into a middle RAGE.

We like meat, okay, but we're not huge carnivores. And we're really really sick of chicken. Ick.  I just want a big fat burger without the bun!

Well, to get that protein, you have to supplement and drink a protein shake.  Yes ragers, we don't just drink wine.

A lot of protein shakes/powders are totally gross which is why you can never stick to them.  However, at the GNC store, recently, I discovered the absolute best one that really is delicious. I have it everyday for breakfast now because I never know what the day will bring in terms of freaking protein.

HERE IT IS:

Performance Series MAX Protein (chocolate)
High protein (22g), Low carbs and calories, gluten/wheat free.
It's about 35 smacks the GNC store.

AND (you have to get this to go with it -- delish)

PB2 powdered peanut butter
Tastes like peanut butter (yum) but 85% less fat and calories
2 tablespoons give you an additional 5 grams of protein.

Enjoy! It will taste like a peanut butter cup but give you all that protein you supposedly need in your 40s!