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Free treadmill exercises that don’t involve running!

*There are affiliate links in this blog post. They do not affect the price that you pay for anything we have linked to. We work hard to find you the best deals.

Treadmill workouts videos that show you fun, new exercises to burn calories!

Exercises on the treadmill that don’t involve actual running!

You guys know that we love a good treadmill workout, and the best part about the exercises we are showing you is that they don’t involve RUNNING! Treadmills are so versatile that you can do so many different moves on them besides just running.

move fitness challenge
Never be bored on the treadmill again, here are some ideas to keep moving!

Straight running can get boring on the treadmill

Running day-in and day-out on a treadmill can become very monotonous and boring. With these treadmill workouts, you are using different muscles and activating your core strength in a new way!

Most of these moves are done with your treadmill OFF

We have found that treadmill workouts really get sweaty when you turn your treadmill OFF. How does that work? You have to use your own body weight and strength to get the treadmill belt moving. This involves a lot of core work and makes each move that much more intense.

If you prefer to have a list of exercises in front of you for your workout, here it is!

Exercises to do on the treadmill that don't include running

This is a list of exercises that you can do on the treadmill that do not include running. The majority of these exercises are done with your treadmill turned off. This way you will have to use your own body weight and strength to get the belt moving!

Start with Mountain Climbers 

Mountain climbers can be done in the plank position with both feet on the treadmill rails or on the ground behind the treadmill belt.

One leg hop 

From mountain climbers, you are in the plank position and can easily transition into one-leg hops. Tuck your knee to your chest and try to keep legs low to the treadmill.

Caterpillar walk in and out

From one-leg hop, you can transition into a caterpillar walk by placing both feet back on the rails and moving hands in and out. Make sure to tuck your chin as you go down into a plank.

Crab walk

For this exercise flip over so that your behind is closest to the treadmill belt. Get into the crab walk position and push your feet back so the belt begins to move.

the best $25 pair of leggings to work out in

Our favorite pair of $25 leggings that feel just like Lululemon

When you are working out, a good pair of leggings is key to keep you comfortable and motivated! We have tested out countless pairs of leggings from Lululemon and have found that THIS pair from Amazon for $26 are actually better than all of the others!

best leggings to workout in
The best $25 leggings out there!

After ordering my 3rd pair, I am a true believer in these leggings. They are soft as butter, hold you tight in all the right places, and have side pockets that fit your phone perfectly! Get your first pair here.

best workout leggings

Watch the video below for a full explanation about our favorite leggings. Britt is wearing the runner up’s, which are perfect for cold weather and $25. You can get those ones here.

August 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

August Challenge: Lifelong Learning

Never Stop Learning

Can you believe we have been doing monthly challenges now for 8 months?! Time flies when you set goals! We have loved doing the monthly challenges for 2019. We realized that New Year’s Resolutions are tough – trying to stick with something for 365 days can be overwhelming. So we decided to break up our goals into months and we are proud to say that we will continue to use this monthly challenge method for the rest of our lives! 

Brooke and Britt smiling standing next to each other

We have partnered with the University of Utah’s Continuing Education Program

This month we are THRILLED to be partnering with Continuing Education at the University of Utah for our August #LifelongLearning challenge! So, what does that mean? It means it is time to get outside of your comfort zone and take a class or try something new! 

pictures of Lifelong Learning classes you can take like cake decorating and painting

Hand lettering classes are part of Lifelong Learning at the University of Utah

calligraphy that says Work hard Be Nice

Breanne McCallum teaches the hand lettering course at the University of Utah Lifelong Learning Building.

Beautiful watercolor by Cindy Briggs who teaches at the University of Utah’s Lifelong Learning

The classes are for all ages

Whether you are 25-years-old or 95-years-old there is seriously something for EVERYONE. The Fall catalog boasts more than 500 classes! Now that is a lot of options!  

These are not run-of-the-mill options either. Here is a shortlist of the classes that I would like to try in my lifetime:

  • Quick Sketch Watercolors 
  • Dance in Culture
  • Pointed Pen Calligraphy 
  • Fused Recycled Glass for the Holidays
  • History of Hip Hop
  • Self Defense
  • Day Hikes Wasatch
  • Canoe Lake Powell
  • Sugar Cookie Decorating
  • Chocolate 101 – From Farm to Bar
  • Enhancing Happiness & Life Satisfaction
  • Designing with Fresh Flowers 
  • The Meditation Experience

They have hundreds of subjects to choose from

Whatever your interests are, you are sure to find something that tickles your fancy in the fall catalog of classes. They range in length and time so that you can find something that fits your schedule. 

Emily Ashby prepping to teach her Instagram business class

Emily Ashby teaches a class on Instagram marketing for businesses at the University of Utah’s Lifelong Learning program.

Fall sugar cookies

Cookies by Morgan Smith who is the instructor for the Sugar Cookie Decorating course through Lifelong Learning at the University of Utah.

Try Something New

Whether you are in the thick of motherhood, like us, and would love some tranquil time in the mountains painting a scenic canyon vista. Or maybe you are newly retired and want to develop some new hobbies and gain new friends along the way? The continuing education program at the University of Utah serves kids from age five to one hundred and five. Their team works with the local and global community to make the U a learning institution for life. 

white cake with orange, yellow, and red frosting

Muyly Miller teaches the Cake Decorating Course for Lifelong Learning.

Lifelong Learning Week

Learning throughout our life is so important and has so many positive benefits. No matter your age, you are never too young, old, busy, or distracted to stop learning! Our very own Governor Gary Herbert has declared August 12th-16th Lifelong Learning Week in the state of Utah! 

White cake with blue, green, and purple frosting

Muyly Miller teaches a variety of frosting and decorating techniques in her Cake Decorating Course.

What can you expect after signing up for a class?

So what should you expect when you sign up for a Lifelong Learning class?

  • Fun and engaging noncredit classes providing opportunities for busy adults to continue learning. 
  •  Over 150 classes Fall 2019 with 44 of them being new offerings.
  • Class offerings are in the evening or weekend so working adults can fit learning into a busy schedule.
  •  Topics include art, craft, photography, business, healthy living, food and wine, home and garden, language,
    recreation, writing, and more.
  •  Small teacher to student ratio, class sizes range from 6 – 20 students.
  •  New classes start every week with class offerings varying from one-night food and wine class to 6-week writing
    and language classes.

Beautiful abstract painting by Samantha DaSilva

A beautiful work of art by Samantha DaSilva who teaches the Fearless Abstract Painting course.

Sign up now and learn with us!

To take advantage of the positive outcomes associated with lifelong learning!  Go to lifelong.utah.edu/twintested and sign up for a class today! We will be sampling different classes throughout the month (lucky us!) and giving you a peek behind-the-scenes. The first one being watercolor painting this weekend! Follow our adventures on Instagram @TwinTested. 

August 2, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Best FRESH FRUIT TART Recipe

The art of the fruit tart. 

My mother-in-law introduced me to the beautiful and delicious world of fruit tarts. My family growing up loved everything chocolate,  so we never really had them. I think they are so beautiful, it really is an art to create them. 

There are a few things that a great fruit tart must have: 

  • Flaky, delicious crust
  • A frosting that is not overly sweet, but also has great flavor
  • Seasonal fruit of all colors that is doused in just enough lemon juice to make it a tiny bit tart

Well, her recipe has it all!

I loved it so much and asked her to share. 

Her recipe is adapted from Paula Deen’s recipe, but it is definitely much lighter than that version. 

I hope you love it!

The Best Fruit Tart Recipe

Ingredients: 

Crust: 

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup gluten-free flour blend
  • 3/4 stick of unsalted butter, softened and sliced

Filling: 

  • 1 pkg 1/3 fat cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping: 

  • Fresh strawberries, kiwi slices, blueberries, raspberries
  • coat in lemon juice 
  • garnish with mint leaves

Instructions:

  1. For the crust: In a food processor, combine the confectioners’ sugar, flour, and butter, and process until the mixture forms a ball. With your fingers, press the dough into a 12-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, taking care to push the crust into the indentations in the sides. Pat until the crust is even. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until very lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
  2. For the filling, blend all ingredients together and top crust after it has cooled. 
  3. Mix all ingredients and then use your wildest imagination to arrange them beautifully on top.
  4. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. 

It is honestly the absolute perfect dessert for summer when there is so much fresh produce and fruit readily available. I think a definite add is fresh peaches or nectarines when they are in season because they add an unmistakable summer flavor. 

I hope you enjoyed the recipe and I would love to hear your favorite summer treats!

July 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

All it takes is ONE

We are nearing the end of the #PutYourPhoneDownChallenge and we have a lot on our minds. HONK IF YOU LOVE JESUS, TEXT WHILE DRIVING IF YOU WANT TO MEET HIM

It only takes ONE second of looking at your phone to: 

  • Run into a pedestrian or cyclist
  • Run a red light 
  • Veer into oncoming traffic
  • Kill someone by crashing head-on into their car
  • Seriously hurt yourself and those traveling with you by crashing into someone or something

It only takes ONE. 

no more distracted drivingOn the other hand, it only takes one person putting their phone down to avoid all of this. 

Distracted driving is a serious epidemic that needs to be stopped. 

A couple of things that have worked well for us this month: 

  • Pushing play on a podcast before starting the car
  • Placing phone in a bag in the backseat so it’s unreachable
  • Putting phone on Do Not Disturb while driving
  • Starting Google Maps navigation before backing out of the driveway
  • Making any important calls sitting in the car in either driveway or parking space. 
  • Pulling over to the side of the road if/when you need to read or send a text message
  • Having a playlist with music I love so there is no need to mess with my phone
  • Focusing on the road – it’s amazing how much better I have driven with no distractions!

The purpose of all of our monthly challenges is to make small changes over the course of a month that will eventually have a big impact. 

Darren Hardy wrote the book The Compound Effect and said, “The Compound Effect is the principle of reaping huge rewards from a series of small, smart choices”. 

He goes on to say that when most people take on a small challenge they quit after the 8th day. Whether it’s starting to exercise, eating healthier or saving money, most people quit before they have time to turn this new challenge into a habit. What most people fail to recognize is that these small, seemingly insignificant steps completed consistently over time will create a radical difference. 

We got a lot of inspiration from Darren Handy’s book. Another idea he shares really caught our attention, “The most challenging aspect of the Compound Effect is that we have to keep working away for a while, consistently and efficiently, before we can begin to see the payoff. Our grandparents knew this, though they didn’t spend their evenings glued to the TV watching infomercials about how to have thin thighs in thirty days or a real estate kingdom in six months. I bet your grandparents worked six days a week, from sunup to sundown, using the skills they learned in their youth and repeatedly throughout their life. They knew the secret was hard work, discipline, and good habits”. 

This is so true! Talking to my grandma about the challenge and she said, “Why are people using their phones in the car? That makes no sense!”

I’m so happy to report that it’s worked. This is by far the most important challenge we’ve taken on so far and also the most eye-opening. To realize I was not only putting myself in danger, but also my sweet baby in the backseat, as well as other drivers really makes my heart hurt. 

I’m so glad we decided to take this on and give it an honest effort. I’m happy to say this is not just a challenge that will last for the month of July, but one we plan to continue forevermore. 

Most importantly, we’ve learned IT CAN WAIT. 

Any phone call, text message, Instagram notification or Marco Polo can wait.

Nothing is more important than someone’s life – including your own. Hopefully, this challenge has changed a couple of minds and helped us all be a little better when it comes to putting our phones down in the car. 

Huge thanks to our favorite car dealership, Ken Garff, for sponsoring this month’s challenge and supporting such a worthy cause. 

Visit a Ken Garff Dealership Near You: 

Alfa Romeo 198 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Audi Lehi 3455 North Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ferrari of Salt Lake City 543 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Jaguar Downtown Salt Lake 150 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Buick GMC 900 W. Riverdale Rd. 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Chevrolet 548 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff American Fork Ford 597 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff Genesis 717 Southwest Temple St. 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Honda Downtown 900 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Honda of Orem 195 E. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Honda Riverdale 950 West Riverdale Road 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Hyundai 717 South West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Hyundai Southtowne 10770 South Auto Mall Drive 
Sandy, UT 84070

Ken Garff Nissan of Orem 285 W. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Nissan Riverdale 615 West Riverdale Road 
Riverdale, UT 84405

Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake 777 S. West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Porsche 3425 N. Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ken Garff St. George Ford 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff St. George Lincoln 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff West Valley Ford 4091 West 3500 South 
West Valley, UT 84120

Ken Garff Used 3500 S. Bangerter HWY 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Ken Garff Volkswagen 115 East University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Volvo Cars 525 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff West Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat 4175 W 3500 South 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Land Rover Centerville 155 South Frontage Road 
Centerville, UT 84014

Land Rover Downtown Salt Lake 150 East 500 South 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Maserati of Salt Lake City 198 E. 500 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Mercedes-Benz of Salt Lake City 575 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

 

July 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

How to stay safe while you drive

put your phone down in the car challenge for July

The July challenge is fully underway and I am LOVING it! Don’t get me wrong, I have definitely had urges to check my phone for a text message or to switch the playlist but then I remember my phone is out of reach. movie poster for question of faith

If you have family movie nights I HIGHLY recommend watching Question of Faith on Netflix. Our older sister tipped us off about this movie after watching it with her kid’s ages 5 – 13. It portrays a heart-wrenching story of distracted driving and what can happen to the driver and the victim. 

If you have teens that are drivers or soon-to-be drivers I would watch this movie together immediately. 

from one second to the next movie poster

IMDB

From One Second To The Next is a documentary on Netflix that deals with the topic of distracted driving. So instead of a fictional story like the movie mentioned beforehand, you see real people dealing with real consequences. Stories of serious traffic accidents caused by texting and driving are told by the perpetrators and surviving victims. One of which happened in Utah. It made me cry to see the way people’s lives can change in an instant all because they chose to look at their phone while driving. The documentary is about 30 minutes long, make sure to set aside time to watch it this month as part of the challenge. 

reggie shaw kneeling on edge of highway where the accident happened

Reggie Shaw killed two men while he was texting on a Utah highway. He now speaks to groups about the dangers of texting and driving.

Now, let’s move on to apps. There are A LOT of options out there when it comes to safe driving apps. There are some that lock your screen when you’re moving, others restrict text messaging, etc. 

picture of a hand holding a phone with the everdrive app on it

I am going to be honest. I tried out a few different options. Here are my thoughts: if you already put your phone away when you are driving and it becomes a habit, there is no need to use these apps. 

HONK IF YOU LOVE JESUS, TEXT WHILE DRIVING IF YOU WANT TO MEET HIM

At my stage in life, I do not need to be reporting my driving speed to anyone. But, I know there are parents with teenagers that love using some of these apps. 

I recommend going on the app store and seeing if there is something that can address your needs at the moment. If so, awesome! If not, don’t worry about it. Just commit to keeping your phone out of reach while you drive. 

My disclaimer is that I have a car with the Bluetooth functionality so if someone is calling me I can answer the call by pressing a button on my steering wheel. I can choose my playlist or podcast before starting the car. And I can link up directions before leaving my driveway. Bluetooth has been a huge bonus for me as a mom and has helped me improve my safe driving! 

Visit a Ken Garff Dealership Near You: 

Alfa Romeo 198 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Audi Lehi 3455 North Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ferrari of Salt Lake City 543 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Jaguar Downtown Salt Lake 150 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Buick GMC 900 W. Riverdale Rd. 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Chevrolet 548 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff American Fork Ford 597 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff Genesis 717 Southwest Temple St. 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Honda Downtown 900 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Honda of Orem 195 E. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Honda Riverdale 950 West Riverdale Road 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Hyundai 717 South West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Hyundai Southtowne 10770 South Auto Mall Drive 
Sandy, UT 84070

Ken Garff Nissan of Orem 285 W. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Nissan Riverdale 615 West Riverdale Road 
Riverdale, UT 84405

Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake 777 S. West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Porsche 3425 N. Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ken Garff St. George Ford 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff St. George Lincoln 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff West Valley Ford 4091 West 3500 South 
West Valley, UT 84120

Ken Garff Used 3500 S. Bangerter HWY 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Ken Garff Volkswagen 115 East University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Volvo Cars 525 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff West Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat 4175 W 3500 South 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Land Rover Centerville 155 South Frontage Road 
Centerville, UT 84014

Land Rover Downtown Salt Lake 150 East 500 South 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Maserati of Salt Lake City 198 E. 500 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Mercedes-Benz of Salt Lake City 575 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

July 22, 2019 Leave a Comment

5 Podcast Episodes You Should Listen to

We love podcasts. They are the perfect soundtrack for life and make the #PutYourPhoneDownChallenge so much easier. To help us keep our hands off our phones this month, we love to push play on a podcast before we even put the car in drive. 

There are so many podcasts out there now, which means there is something for everyone. Here are our top 5 favorite podcasts. 

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Episode Chicken Salad Chick 

A few words about Guy Raz. We should probably start a fan club. He is a great host and is someone we can respect because it is obvious he does his homework before every interview. I’ve listened to every single episode of How I Built This. It is by far my absolute favorite podcast. I love the opportunity to dive into someone’s success. Not just the money they’re now making, but how they got there. This podcast teaches the same lesson over and over – success doesn’t come easy. It’s so interesting to learn how prominent names in the business world thought of their genius ideas. I think everyone should listen to the Chicken Salad Chick episode. The founder started her business as a single mom and it is just heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. My other favorite would probably be the episode with David Neeleman, the JetBlue founder. 

Asking for a Friend with Lauren Conrad 

In order for me to continue thinking that one day Lauren Conrad and I are going to be best friends, I need to listen to every episode. And so far, I am really liking them. This podcast started in May 2019 and is already one of my favorites. It’s fun to get an inside look into Lauren’s circle of friends. Of course, all of them have something interesting to talk about, but my favorite so far was her interview with makeup artist Amy Nadine. She has been doing Lauren’s makeup for ten years and talks about the most important things to have in your makeup drawer. I also left the interview with a ton of respect for her because she is currently in school to become a nurse. She’s always wanted to have a second career and now she is going to make it happen! 

Oprah Master Class 

Episode with Dr. Condoleeza Rice

The Queen has created another fantastic podcast. I’ve loved a lot of episodes, but this one, in particular, is so inspiring. I have always admired Dr. Condoleeza Rice and it’s fascinating to get a glimpse into her life.

I think no matter your political persuasions, you will learn something from her. The woman has been through so much and has endless advice and information to offer. I think the thing that I loved most about it is that it is not preachy in any way. Dr. Rice shares insights and ideas from her experience dealing with world leaders, as well as being a professor at Stanford. 

She said, “I do think your life is some combination of what you do and what you were meant to do. Some combination of working hard and having the right skills and listening for that little voice that tells you no, that isn’t it. You’re going in the wrong direction.”

Second Life

Episode with Emily Henderson

This podcast was started by Hillary Kerr, one of the founders of the brand Who What Wear. She interviews women with a variety of different careers and interests. It’s business and entrepreneurial focused. I love listening to how other women have navigated career changes in their lives. I love the episode with Emily Henderson, but others worth listening to are Jennifer Lopez and Kerry O’Brien. 

Oprah Super Soul Conversations

Episode Tim Storey: The Heart and Soul of a Comeback

This is such an energizing pep talk. I loved so many parts, but here is one of my favorite quotes: “Many people have a setback. When most people have a setback, they take a stepback. You find yourself so far away from the real you. and people so many times sit in that setback. I don’t mind you going through a tough time and staying there for a week or a month or a year, but a decade? They sit. Some people settle. You have been settling in your setback and therefore have become a discount version of yourself.” 

A great reminder that all of us are more than our circumstances. The entire episode is enlightening and well worth a listen!

Honorable Mentions: 

Inside Trader Joe’s

If you love TJ’s like we do, this is a fascinating podcast. It’s basically learning everything you ever wanted to know about the grocery store. By far the best episode is “Tis the Season”, which delves into the specialty holiday products that Trader Joe’s is known for. If you love food, you will love this podcast. 

#Momforce 

This is hosted by Chatbooks founder and mother of 7, Vanessa Quigley. You’re invited into a conversation with Vanessa and one of her sisters discussing all things motherhood. As a new mom myself, I found the episode on babysitters super relevant and helpful. This one is just getting started and we can’t wait to see what they come out with. 

Please share your favorites with us! We love to listen to new podcasts and we know there are so many great ones out there!

We are thrilled to be partnering with Ken Garff Automotive Group.

Visit a Ken Garff Dealership Near You: 

Alfa Romeo 198 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Audi Lehi 3455 North Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ferrari of Salt Lake City 543 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Jaguar Downtown Salt Lake 150 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Buick GMC 900 W. Riverdale Rd. 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Chevrolet 548 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff American Fork Ford 597 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff Genesis 717 Southwest Temple St. 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Honda Downtown 900 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Honda of Orem 195 E. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Honda Riverdale 950 West Riverdale Road 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Hyundai 717 South West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Hyundai Southtowne 10770 South Auto Mall Drive 
Sandy, UT 84070

Ken Garff Nissan of Orem 285 W. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Nissan Riverdale 615 West Riverdale Road 
Riverdale, UT 84405

Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake 777 S. West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Porsche 3425 N. Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ken Garff St. George Ford 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff St. George Lincoln 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff West Valley Ford 4091 West 3500 South 
West Valley, UT 84120

Ken Garff Used 3500 S. Bangerter HWY 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Ken Garff Volkswagen 115 East University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Volvo Cars 525 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff West Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat 4175 W 3500 South 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Land Rover Centerville 155 South Frontage Road 
Centerville, UT 84014

Land Rover Downtown Salt Lake 150 East 500 South 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Maserati of Salt Lake City 198 E. 500 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Mercedes-Benz of Salt Lake City 575 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

July 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

July Challenge: Put Your Phone Down

 

No more distracted driving 

put your phone down in the car challenge for July

Drumroll please… the July challenge is officially “Put Your Phone Down In The Car”. We have partnered with Ken Garff Automotive during the 100 deadliest days of summer to try and do our part to stay safe on the road.

Why did we choose this challenge?

We noticed that we had our hands on our phones A LOT while driving. Usually, it was small things like changing the music, reading a text, or taking a picture. However, distracted driving accidents happen by making decisions that usually only take seconds, like looking down at your phone. 

picture of green mountains and a blue sky

It’s against the law

If you didn’t already know, it is against the law to be touching your cell phone while driving in Utah and many other states. So if nothing else – save yourself some money and a bad mark on your record by not touching your phone in the car. picture of pretty flowers

We wanted to play our part in raising awareness about the 100 deadliest days of summer and helping in our own way to get closer to the goal of zero fatalities on any highway. 

brooke and britt with their babies

 

We want to keep our babies safe 

Our number one priority is our babies and we want to keep them safe. It is irresponsible to touch our phones or any other device in the car while driving. This is our come to Jesus month where we are making a commitment so that we can create a new habit and keep our family safe on the road!

Fun along the way

Throughout the month, we won’t be all business and no fun. We plan to crowdsource a roundup of the best podcasts to be listening to RIGHT NOW as well as our favorite Spotify playlists. And don’t think we forgot about giveaways, we will be helping to keep your car looking it’s best this month with some great giveaways! 

So follow along @TwinTested on Instagram and let’s make a difference together! 

no more distracted driving

We are thrilled to be partnering with Ken Garff Automotive Group.

Visit a Ken Garff Dealership Near You: 

Alfa Romeo 198 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Audi Lehi 3455 North Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ferrari of Salt Lake City 543 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Jaguar Downtown Salt Lake 150 E 500 S 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Buick GMC 900 W. Riverdale Rd. 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Chevrolet 548 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff American Fork Ford 597 East 1000 South 
American Fork, UT 84003

Ken Garff Genesis 717 Southwest Temple St. 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Honda Downtown 900 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff Honda of Orem 195 E. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Honda Riverdale 950 West Riverdale Road 
Ogden, UT 84405

Ken Garff Hyundai 717 South West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Hyundai Southtowne 10770 South Auto Mall Drive 
Sandy, UT 84070

Ken Garff Nissan of Orem 285 W. University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Nissan Riverdale 615 West Riverdale Road 
Riverdale, UT 84405

Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake 777 S. West Temple 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ken Garff Porsche 3425 N. Digital Drive 
Lehi, UT 84043

Ken Garff St. George Ford 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff St. George Lincoln 145 W. Hilton Drive 
Saint George, UT 84770

Ken Garff West Valley Ford 4091 West 3500 South 
West Valley, UT 84120

Ken Garff Used 3500 S. Bangerter HWY 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Ken Garff Volkswagen 115 East University Parkway 
Orem, UT 84058

Ken Garff Volvo Cars 525 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Ken Garff West Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat 4175 W 3500 South 
West Valley City, UT 84120

Land Rover Centerville 155 South Frontage Road 
Centerville, UT 84014

Land Rover Downtown Salt Lake 150 East 500 South 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Maserati of Salt Lake City 198 E. 500 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Mercedes-Benz of Salt Lake City 575 South State Street 
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

 

July 1, 2019 Leave a Comment

Top 7 Things to See in Athens

You’ve landed in Greece, now what?

First things first, Athens is a huge, dynamic city with so much to offer! We are going to highlight our favorite SEVEN things to do if you have 2-3 days in Athens. Obviously, there is so much to see, do and eat! This is just an introduction to the beautiful city of Athens.

The Acropolis

It’s ancient history in real life! Do not miss spending at least half a day wandering around the Acropolis. Hot tip- they love if you can pay in cash and those lines are much shorter to get in.

We just walked around ourselves and read the plaques, which was fascinating, but I also think it probably would have been even better to hire a tour guide. The area is absolutely massive and can easily take several hours. Not much of it is shaded and Athens summer days are hot! Bring your own water – there is one small drinking fountain in the place.

Mount Lycabettus

The place to catch the most beautiful views of Athens and also the perfect place to watch the sunset. There is a trolley you can take to the top, or you can hike up. It is a very simple, easy hike and only takes about 15 minutes. I would suggest walking so that you can enjoy the outdoor space. 

Don’t be surprised if you are not the only person up there for the sunset – it’s a very popular place at that time of day. There are also restaurants on the very top where you can eat while enjoying spectacular views. 

 

Plaka

This is the ancient market and it’s a lot of fun to walk around. It’s located at the base of the hill of the Acropolis, so you can easily do both activities in one day. Just like most big cities, make sure your belongings are in a secure place and that you know where they are at all times. 

There are lots of options for food in this area – we ate authentic Greek food, as well as very touristy treats and ice cream. It has a nice mix of everything. 

Temple of Zeus

This is beautiful! It truly feels like it is in the very center of Athens. Located close to all of the other tourist sites, it’s an easy (and obvious) stop along the way. 

It’s amazing to see how well everything is preserved. It was built in the 5th Century BC! It’s hard to wrap your head around that. Seeing something that was created so long ago and is still so majestic and beautiful. Another fascinating aspect of this site is that excavation continues to this day on the Temple of Zeus. They are uncovering and discovering new things every day!

Psyri

This is a vibrant, fun area of Athens filled with bars, restaurants, shops and live music. Lots of fun to walk around and hang out. We only spent a couple of hours in the area, but we loved it. 

Panathenaic Olympic Stadium

This is really a site to see since it is the exact place the ancient Olympic games took place in the 4th Century. It is built entirely of marble and is really impressive to see up close. It is the place where the first modern Olympic games were hosted in 1896.  It was last used as an Olympics venue in 2004.

Such a rich history in one place. If you want to get crazy, they offer a workout class, combined with a tour of the facility. You can learn how ancient Olympians trained and try some of their workouts. Click here for more information. 

Acropolis Museum

After walking through the Acropolis, you have a lot of questions! Many of them are answered at the Acropolis Museum. A lot of the pieces on the Acropolis are not complete – they contain parts that are kept and preserved in the Acropolis Museum. You could spend days in this museum. It opened in the summer of 2009. It is new and a lot of the residents of Athens recommended that we visit. 

 

June 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

The most DELICIOUS authentic Greek food you must try while in Greece


If you are traveling to Greece for the first time, get your taste buds ready! We were there for seven days and not once did we have a disappointing meal. From the Greek hospitality to the baklava, the Greek’s know how to do food!

boat tour views

It was refreshing to hear the locals tell us that McDonald’s is not very popular in Greece and that they all prefer authentic Greek food over American fast food – hey us too! The food in Greece surpassed all our expectations. We are going to share our must-try list of authentic Greek food.

Gyro from The Grill

Gyro: The gyro’s in Greece surpassed all my wildest dreams! The tender pita with crunchy veggies, slow roasted meat, and a few french fries thrown in for good measure was hands down my favorite thing to eat! If I am being honest, I ate a gyro almost every single day while I was in Greece. What can I say? YOLO! You can find the BEST gyro in Santorini at The Grill in Karterados. 

stairway in Santorini

Moussaka: A version of this dish was on pretty much every single menu that we viewed. It is a dish traditionally made with eggplant, potatoes, and minced meat. Eggplant is used in many dishes in Greece. We enjoyed trying the different moussaka dishes in Athens and Santorini. The eggplant has a mild flavor and the meat is able to shine. It’s unlike any dish I have ever had in the United States. 

fresh bread and Greek salad

Greek Salad: This salad is a given on the must-try list. The crunch of the cucumber, the perfectly ripe tomatoes, and the large portions of feta make this salad a great option for lunch or dinner. We regularly ordered a greek salad as an appetizer before our meals. Delicious! 

meal in Santorini, greece

Souvlaki: Along with gyro’s you have to try Souvlaki while in Greece. Greek slow-roasted meat is an art form. You can usually choose between chicken, pork, or beef. 

flowers in Oia

Greek honey donuts

Loukoumades: These are Greek honey donuts. They are similar to American donut holes. However, they fill them with custard or cream and then cover them in chocolate or ice cream! Hands down the best dessert we had in Greece! My personal favorite was the Bueno Bar Loukoumades that were drenched in the melted European chocolate bar.  If you are committed to trying the “real thing” then get the traditional honey only. To die for! 

Greek donutswildflowersinSantorini

Baklava: This traditional Greek pastry is plentiful throughout Athens and Santorini. If you go to a pastry shop or restaurant, 9 out of 10 times they will have their own form of baklava. We enjoyed trying all different forms of the treat but especially liked the “deconstructed” baklava with ice cream on the side. It balanced out the sweetness perfectly. 

Baklava display

Food you can find in Athens, Greece

Bread with olive spread and hummus: As Americans, we get excited when we sit down at a restaurant to find a loaf of piping hot bread fresh from the oven. Well, in Greece they take this nice surprise up one more level and serve the bread with an olive spread and local hummus. I don’t ever want to eat fresh bread any other way! This is the best savory appetizer before a meal. 

Mushroom toast at Roka restaurant

 Mushroom Toast: The Greeks know how to prepare mushrooms. The mushroom toast dish at Roka in Oia on Santorini won over some mushroom haters in our group – it’s that good! If you are stopping in Oia this a must to go and try. The toast is completed with a bearnaise sauce that is one of the best I have ever tasted! 

gelato flavors found at Lolita's like Greek viagra

chocolate gelato

Gelato: You cannot take a vacation to Europe without enjoying your fair share of gelato. Gelato stops were hit and miss so make sure you go to a recommended spot. A local told us to try Lolita’s in Oia and it was divine. We all ordered different flavors and they were all perfectly smooth and creamy. Plus, the ambiance at Lolita’s is idyllic! 

Windmill in the town of Karterados

Enjoy your time in Greece! The Greek people are so wonderful and welcoming. At almost every restaurant we tried they gave us something “on the house”. It truly is a magical place and I cannot wait to go back again someday.  

June 23, 2019 Leave a Comment

8 Things to See in Santorini

windmill in Oia at Sunset in Santorini

The Greek island of Santorini is breathtaking

The small Greek island is even prettier than the photos make it look! Santorini is known for its cave-like buildings that are whitewashed and glowing in the sun. Although the town of Oia is the hot spot on the island, there is a ton to do and see outside of town. This is the perfect location for honeymooners, families, or a girls trip! I went with 5 of my closest girlfriends and it was paradise! 

Windmill in the town of Karterados

Sunset in Santorini

I put together my top 8 recommendations for travelers to Santorini:

Blue Decorative door

 

  1. Watch a sunset in Oia

The sunsets here are world renowned. People truly travel from across the globe to witness the sun dipping below the Aegean Sea. If you plan to go, try to go before June or after August. We went at the end of May and the crowds were definitely building but all of the locals said things got really crazy in July and August. As for getting a good seat to watch the sunset, they are everywhere! Just sit down wherever you are and take in the view. 

Beautiful doorway in Santorinibrittindoorwaythe view in Oia

2. Go on  a private boat tour around the island

boat tour views

boat tour in Santorini

Santorini’s stunning cliffside views are thanks to volcanic eruptions over time that have created their famous caldera. Seeing this from a boat is so much fun! It is also a great way to see White Beach, Red Beach, and Black Beach. These beaches are not your typical sandy beaches so it is just fine to see them from the water and appreciate the beautiful landscape they create. On our tour, we were able to swim in a couple of different spots and we were served a delicious lunch aboard the boat. Plan on spending $100-$150 depending on how long your boat tour lasts. 

3. Get a gyro from The Grill in Karterados

Gyro from The Grill

Gyros are a part of everyday Greek life and at The Grill, they are done right! For under 3 euro you will sink your teeth into the best gyro on the island! We stayed a short 5-minute walk from The Grill and made an almost daily stop for one of their gyro’s. They are the perfect mix of spiced meat, fresh pita, and crunchy veggies! 

4. Walk through the winding streets of Oia at night and wander through the shops

Oia at nightSantorini cave book store that has original copies of classicsMushroom toast at Roka restaurantchocolate gelato

Oia is just about as charming as you can get. From the doorstep views to the ocean views, it is so much fun to walk around the town and take it all in. We had one of the best dinners EVER at Roka in Oia. Finding it is one of the craziest treasure hunts you will ever do, but it is completely worth your time. You must get the mushroom toast! It comes with a bearnaise sauce that will send your tastebuds soaring. The prices are very reasonable, I recommend sharing dishes so that you can try a variety of entrees! After dinner, you have to stop for some gelato at Lolita’s! The coconut and Nutella flavors are divine with the smoothest consistency. We tried a lot of different gelato places and this was the best, hands down! 

5. Go to Akrotiri

Akrotiri Ruins

The ancient city of Akrotiri was a complete surprise to us. Once we arrived in Santorini some locals told us about the ancient seaside town that was covered by volcanic ash in 1600 B.C. Because it has been buried in the ash for so long it is incredibly well preserved. We were all blown away to see that the inhabitants there had built a plumbing system and beautiful artwork for their homes more than 3,600 years ago! Mind-blowing for sure and a great history lesson at the same time.  

6. Check out the views from the oldest monastery on the island

view from the monastery

The monastery happens to be located on top of the tallest hill on Santorini. It offers gorgeous sweeping views of the caldera. They still perform religious services at the monastery but you need to be Greek Orthodox to participate in them fully. Be warned: the ride up is very windy with steep cliffs on either side of you so if that makes you queasy, you may want to skip this outing. 

7. Have dinner in Fira

Fira dinner and kitten rescueice cream cones and frozen treats

If you want to get away from the crowds in Oia go to dinner in Fira. We happened to be able to save a kitten thanks to some local girls who were extra vigilant of their surroundings! (long story, with a happy ending) In Fira they have plentiful restaurants that offer authentic Greek favorites. It is a slower pace than the rest of the island and can be fun to stroll around. 

8. Stay in a beautiful Airbnb 

Airbnb in Santorini Brooke by the pool

Our FAVORITE part of the trip was the Airbnb that we were able to snatch up. Described as a NeoClassical Mansion it fit all six of us comfortably. A housekeeper visited daily to keep things tidy and the friendly staff sent us to the best restaurants on the island. The home is impeccably designed and decorated and the pool and patio area make it so you don’t even need to leave the place for a relaxing vacation. I would recommend this spot for families or for groups of 4 to 6 people. It was spectacular and I hope to return again soon!

Santorini Bells

A few other tips for travelers to Santorini:

  • Make sure you rent a car. The island is large and things are very spread out. Having a car is very convenient and helps you see more in less time. Be warned that most rental cars on the island are manual transmission and the streets and alleyways are VERY narrow!  
  • When in doubt – ask a local! The Greek people are so hospitable and warm. Thanks to the locals we were able to see and do more than we would have ever done on our own. 
  • Bring light, breathable clothes. The island gets hot in the summer months so make sure you bring items that you will be comfortable in. 

Enjoy your time on this beautiful Greek island! Make sure to check out our other recommendations for the Best Authentic Food To Try In Greece and the 7 Things To Know If You Are An American Travelling To Greece. 



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June 14, 2019 Leave a Comment

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Hi! We are identical twins, Brooke & Brittany. We test the latest trends in fashion, beauty, travel and fitness so that you don't have to.

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