by IAmSavvy | Jul 3, 2022 | Travel, Wellness
It’s no wonder that 55% of Americans prefer to travel alone. During a busy holiday, you may choose to avoid the stress of travel and just stay at home. Your staycation doesn’t have to be boring. You can plan an unforgettable staycation that tantalizes all of your physical senses and fulfills your dreams. The staycation can be the best choice for you.
Staycations aren’t limited to your home. Maybe you have cabin fever and want something a little spicier than looking at your four walls. No problem! There are plenty of places in your hometown where you can take a day trip for a lovely solo retreat. Here are five suggestions that can be either indoor or outdoor activities.
Horseback riding
What nature-lover can resist the horseback riding experience? Can you imagine serenity washing over you as your trusted steed slowly guides you through a breathtaking trail? You can return to nature, look at the stunning scenery, and connect with one of the world’s most graceful creatures. Go to the site TrailLink to find a horse trail near you.
Believe it or not, some people enjoy looking at nature but do not like being outdoors. Some riding establishments offer lodging in beautiful, rustic log cabins, golf in the summer, and sledding in the winter. A cozy little lodge that allows you to see incredible scenery and watch the horses grazing in a pasture could be a winning combination.
Spend the day at a spa
Many spas offer indoor and outdoor activities. You can have a traditional spa day with a massage, mani-pedi, and a splendid meal under one roof. Some spas offer pools, beaches, golf courses, and accommodations with amazing indoor or outdoor hot tubs. You can participate in yoga and physical or mindfulness exercises that can be indoor or outdoor activities.
Spa days can restore your mental health, lower or release your stress, and increase relaxation. With 83% of U.S. workers suffering from work-related stress, it should be a mandatory part of a mental health regimen. BTW, there are spas that make house calls. I haven’t found a nationwide hookup, but you can check your state to see if home massages are offered.
Wine tasting
Are you taking a day trip to a vineyard? Hey, it’s 8:00 p.m. somewhere, so you’ll get no judgment from us. Many prestigious health journals such as the Mayo Clinic, Healthline, and Harvard Health say there’s no harm in having a glass of red wine per day. Who is going to argue with Harvard?
Imagine being in a wine tasting room with a gorgeous panoramic view of a vineyard. Or perhaps a wine tasting in the vineyard is more to your taste. This day trip will stimulate all five of your physical senses. Have I piqued your interest? The American Winery Guide can help you find a winery near you.
Airbnb
What is your fantasy accommodation? You can find it on Airbnb. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live with a view of the mountains or the ocean? How about a penthouse overlooking the dazzling city lights? Your dream home may be out of your price range, but you may be able to afford it – if only for one night. For the solo traveler, living like a king or queen is an adventure. It gives the Savvy Solo a sense of pride and accomplishment to “put another pin in their map.”
Stay at home
You want to recharge your batteries at home. So, you are a hardcore stay-at-home fan. For you, we saved the best for last. Create an indoor picnic for one. This activity has an all-inclusive appeal for the introvert.
Many introverts like activities where they can be creative and use their imaginations – creating a meal, decorating a picnic spot, and setting the right ambiance can be an act of self-love for someone living solo. This creative process is therapeutic and can improve your mental health. What is your ideal picnic?
- Frilly or rugged
- American, Mexican, Chinese, Thai
- TV, music, gaming, journaling, or reading
- Daylight or starlight with candles
- Casual dress or PJs
It’s your staycation to create any way you see fit. It’s your time to rest, relax, and take care of yourself. A staycation is a great time to pamper yourself and put yourself at the top of your list. Now, you have five ideas for unique indoor or outdoor solo getaways. Did the list give you ideas? We would love to hear them. Please comment below.
by IAmSavvy | Jun 26, 2022 | Recipes, Wellness
It seems our nation is split between eating anything/everything without thinking about the consequences or we obsess and agonize over every morsel we put in our mouths. Food should be a celebration of life, not a punishment. Here are three recipe options that will allow you to experience the pleasure of the perfect pancake – guilt-free.
The Savvy Solo Short Stack of Pancakes
I Am Savvy These thick, fluffy pancakes are the ultimate comfort food. A short stack with sugar-free syrup allows you to enjoy your pancakes without overindulging.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 450 kcal
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 large egg beaten
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 tbsp salted butter melted
- 1 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp sugar or sugar substitute
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, combine the egg and buttermilk and whisk until blended. Add the flour mixture, and stir only until smooth. Add the sugar and melted butter to the batter. Whisk together (do not overmix, it's ok if there are lumps in the mixture).
For best results, use an electric skillet set to 375° (if not available, use a griddle or pan set to medium-low heat). Coat with non-stick spray.
Drop enough batter on the skillet to create a 5-inch circle. Cook until bubbles form around the edges (1-3 minutes); flip gently and brown the other side.
The truth about pancakes – or any recipe
Millions are disillusioned when they make pancake recipes. Why aren’t my pancakes golden-brown like the picture? Why do my pancakes taste gritty? It may leave us feeling like we failed to follow the instructions. It’s not you – it’s the recipe. When you make substitutions to a recipe, it changes the taste and/or texture. Substitutions will result in a compromised flavor and texture of the original recipe.
I took these recipes to the test kitchen this morning. Here are my findings.
Sugar-free pancakes
Typically, sugar-free means using a sugar substitute. I used Swerve sugar replacement. Swerve is an erythritol product, so it is diabetic- and keto-friendly. However, erythritol has benefits and side effects, like everything we ingest.
How does it taste? IMO, it takes a massive amount of Swerve to equal the sweetness of sugar. According to most articles, erythritol caramelizes just like sugar. Look at the image, and you be the judge. Is this the beautiful, golden-brown pancake that you know and love? Make a batch and see for yourself.
Keto Pancakes
I made the 5-ingredient Keto pancake. Wow, there are no words. Ok, maybe a few words. Look at the ingredients:
- Eggs
- Coconut oil
- Unsweetened coconut milk
- Almond flour
- Baking powder
Sounds hideous, doesn’t it? IT IS. The Keto pancake recipe is as tasteless as it sounds. Our bodies are wired to react favorably to the salt-sweet combination. This recipe with no salt or sugar denies us biological satisfaction. We expect something that tastes like a pancake. Instead, we experience a pancake that’s tasteless, grainy, crumbly, and disintegrates when you add syrup. Nice, huh?
Replace or not to replace – make your choice
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- Almond is a protein. Proteins can impact the texture of a recipe. They absorb water and can fight other ingredients in the recipe for the available water. Almond flour can take over the water available in a recipe, resulting in a dry, crumbly texture.
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- All-Purpose Flour is used for everyday baking. The main function of flour in baking is to build a structure. When the proteins found in flour are hydrated, they interact with each other forming what is known as gluten. Bleached flour has a low protein content and is best for pie crusts, cookies, quick breads, pancakes, and waffles.
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- Milk adds moisture to a recipe as it blends with the dry ingredients. It also plays a role in the final texture of your baked goods. The fat content found in milk adds flavor to your baked goods.
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- Almond milk can work as a substitute in a baking recipe, but it will change the texture. Because almond milk is a dairy-free alternative, the fat content is lower, making it far less rich. At the same time, it has the potential to alter the flavor of what you’re baking. The less fat content in the milk substitute, the drier the end product will be.
It sounds like I’m advocating all-purpose flour and whole milk. I’m not. Yes, popular science praises the benefits of these ingredients. I’m just giving you the science behind each ingredient and why it doesn’t produce the perfect pancake.
Cooking is more an art than a science – it begs for experimentation. Baking is more a science than an art – when you substitute/add/subtract ingredients – disaster may ensue. Experimentation is beautiful but as a cook with limited skills, I prefer to leave the heavy lifting to the experts. Sometimes, a girl just wants to eat with minimum fuss.
One day, we will debate the merits of what we eat – but not today. Choose the recipe that will allow you to enjoy guilt-free pancakes. I’m going to choose the original Savvy Solo Short Stack because, as the song goes, “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.”
What version will you choose? Please comment below.
*This article is not medical advice. Check with your doctor before making dietary changes. As of this writing, The Savvy Solo doesn’t participate in the Amazon affiliate program. The Amazon links are for demonstration only.
by IAmSavvy | Jun 19, 2022 | Solo Living
Have you ever lived alone? Perhaps you live with your parents or have always had a roommate. You think about it more often – what would life be like if I lived alone? I’m glad you asked. Here are the answers to FAQs about solo living.
1. Money
Q: I’ve read articles and heard people say they really struggle with money when they live on their own. Does solo living come with financial stress?
A: Anyone who mismanages money will have financial stress. That’s not a solo thing; that’s a human thing.
Solo dwellers may be more financially aware. Being independent means being solely responsible for your rainy day when it comes. Having roommates is not a guarantee of financial security.
Remember our friend Anya, who lived with a married couple with children before diving into solo living? The lease was ending, and they started looking for separate housing simultaneously. Anya, a Savvy Solo, found an apartment in 30 days. The young couple is still searching.
Understand that chance and circumstance happen to us all, whether you’re solo or not.
2. Loneliness
Q: My family and friends think I will be lonely if I live alone. Is it lonely living on your own?
A: That is your family and friends’ truth. Is it yours? Only you can decide if living solo is right for you.
Next, whoa! We embrace the solo lifestyle – we didn’t say we’re hermits…
- We go to work and are among our colleagues
- When we’re lonely – we hang out with others/invite others to our place
- When we need encouragement – we text/call someone
- When we are frisky – we, well, you know
“For those who think solo living is lonely, try being stuck in a space with the wrong person/people.”
An apartment lease typically lasts for a year. It’s the perfect time to get to know the solo lifestyle. Give yourself six-nine months; if you love it, congratulations on being part of The Savvy Solo tribe. If not, start looking for a roommate (before your lease is up). The choice is yours.
3. The top benefit of solo living
Q: What is the best reason to live alone?
A: A solo dweller is the king or queen of their own domain – they are at war with no one.
Savvy Solos don’t struggle for power. We don’t fight over subjects as important as money and children; or as pointless as whose turn it is to hold the TV remote.
- We are at peace with ourselves.
- We do not compromise.
- We do not sacrifice or surrender.
- We are The Savvy Solos – we don’t have to.
If you feel stressed, bored, or uncomfortable around your present company, you can leave and go to your own home anytime you’re ready. It’s a luxury you don’t have when living with others.
4. The Fear: Old*, Frail, Alone with No One to Take Care of Me
Q: I’m afraid I’ll be one of those lonely old people living with 17 cats*. Who will take care of me when I’m old?
A: Let me introduce you to Oprah Winfrey, age 68. Have you heard of her? She is one of our time’s most influential women (a solo dweller). She doesn’t look frail to me. I’m not sure, but I don’t think she has any cats.
“I have not had one regret about that,” Oprah told People in 2019 about not getting married or having kids. “I also believe that part of the reason why I don’t have regrets is because I got to fulfill it in the way that was best for me…”
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah knew her bliss would not be found as a spouse and/or parent. She knew that having children and getting married wasn’t right for her. She has purpose and passion. Don’t let societal pressures dictate your fate.
Follow your instincts. You know who you are supposed to be. Following someone else’s path will only lead to your misery.
Here’s a question for you. Is that you talkin’, or is that your well-meaning family and friends renting space in your head? Are you listening to people that have never embraced and completely misunderstand the solo experience? Hmm, food for thought.
To answer the question, “Who will take care of me when I’m old?” The same person that is taking care of you now. YOU! There is a community called Solo Agers. We are 50+, live alone, and have no children. Most of us have 4+ decades of solo living under our belt. We love our lives and have no intention of giving them up.
As we age, we are aware of the challenges and prepared to meet them. That is what The Savvy Solo is about, a community that helps each other, no matter where you stand on your solo journey.
5. Societal Pressure
Q: Have you noticed these questions are written from the perspective of what other people think?
A: Yes. It is because most people with doubts listen to family, friends, and even journalists telling people horror stories about living alone.
Once again, that’s their truth. Is it your truth?
Take the information (even from “reliable” sources) with a grain of salt. When someone tells you about solo living, ask them, “Oh, is that what you experienced when you lived alone?” You’ll find that most people giving advice (even those writing about the subject) have never lived alone.
Remember, there’s an entirely different mindset between choosing this lifestyle and being suddenly thrust into it by a breakup, divorce, or death in the family.
Solo living is like anything else – it involves people. That means it has ups and downs, advantages and disadvantages. In our opinion, nothing will show you who you are and what you are made of, like living on your own.
It’s time to form your own opinion.
*Don’t take offense to the word, “old.” I’m old too, so just take it as one old head speaking to another. Wear it as the badge of pride and honor it should be.
*No disrespect if you have 17 cats. I don’t have any cats, but I hear they’re fantastic.
by IAmSavvy | Jun 12, 2022 | Empowered Ethos, Solo Living
True story: 30 days to solo living in an uncertain economy
Anya wants to experience solo living. She has never lived alone and is used to the security that roommates provide; she’s curious if it will bring her the peace she is searching for. Still, she is convinced that living with others is her only option.
Anya says, “How can I find an apartment in this economy? I only make $16 per hour, and I have bad credit. My finances are disastrous; there is no way I will pass a credit check. It’s safer to stay where I am until conditions change.” She believes that’s the best answer.
The best laid plans
Sometimes, life has plans completely different from those we’ve laid out. Ironically, the couple that Anya lived with decided to move from their rented home to a smaller apartment at the end of their lease. The couple had two small children, so there would be no room in the new apartment for Anya.
Anya reached out to Maria; someone who has traveled the road she is on, and got sound advice:
Anya: I can’t do it!
Maria: How do you know? You haven’t tried.
Anya: There is an apartment listed for $600 on Craigslist. I have to have that apartment; it’s the only one I can afford!
Maria: Don’t get tunnel vision; stay open and investigate all opportunities. Craigslist is notorious for false advertisements, and $600 sounds low. Second, if the apartment has no utilities included, you’ll end up paying $800+ anyway.
Anya: I have bad credit and a low-paying job. They will reject me.
Maria: That is a possibility. The only way to find out is to put yourself out there. If the apartment complex rejects you, move on to the next place on your list. If you don’t apply for an apartment because YOU think you’re unworthy, you defeat yourself.
Positive Thinking – Your best friend or worse enemy?
Anya started looking. I’m sure many of you think, “She turned that frown upside down, and the perfect apartment effortlessly came to her.” WRONG! For one month, Anya’s life SUCKED as she got rejected repeatedly. Even though she had a plan, in her mind, it failed.
This is where so many people fail. We listen to the gurus tell us how easy life will be if we learn “The Secret” of thinking positively. Positive thinking has its place; it calms the mind and helps us focus. It cannot take the place of action. Anya had a plan but still got rejected. She felt awful.
However, that is what a plan is for. It takes the emotion out of decision-making and keeps us on track. Our plan is the guide that instructs us to pick ourselves up and try again. In other words, the plan says feel the fear and do it anyway. It’s called working your plan.
If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
~ Dale Carnegie
The more Anya worked on her plan, the easier it became. As with most situations, facing them is less scary than the horrific scenarios that play in our heads. Procrastination is our mind’s way of protecting us. The only thing that protection ensures is that life will pass us by.
What is meant for you will never pass you by – what a crock
Anya: I found an apartment.
Maria: Great! Did you fill out an application and put down a deposit?
Anya: Well, I can’t yet. My credit score is too low. I need to get a credit card and bring up my credit score.
Maria: Hmm. Really? Is that what the leasing consultant told you?
Anya: No, but I believe it will increase my chances of getting the apartment.
This is when Maria dishes out a little tough love. “Anya,” Maria says, “You’ve been talking about living solo for years. Last winter, before inflation was outrageous, you found a $600 apartment in a neighborhood you wanted to live in. You had a decent-paying job but wouldn’t budge because ‘conditions were not perfect.’
Anya, you are waiting for the perfect moment. There is no such thing as the perfect moment. You must play the cards that life has dealt you. When you do, other doors will open. You’ll never see more possibilities unless you take the first step. Trust me, this is how it works.”
Anya: Maria, what will I do if they say no? I can’t take much more rejection.
Maria: Anya, you’re stronger than you think. Since there can be one of two answers, you will continue to work your plan. If the apartment complex says yes, you’ll put down your deposit and move in. If they say no, you’ll keep looking. Hope for the best, but keep looking until you get a definite yes.
In 35 days, Anya became a homeowner
Anya applied to the apartment the next day. Thirty-five days into her journey, Anya got the “yes” she had been waiting for. For the first time, Anya is a homeowner. Ok, it’s an apartment, not a house, but it’s the first place she can call home. Anya is living The Savvy Solo life.
Did Anya find the peace she was looking for by living solo? How the heck is Anya living alone in an $800 apartment, earning $16/hour part-time? Those are stories for another day.
This is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the participants.
