On Instagram I posted a story “Ask Jenn Cooks” answering FAQ’s for people to ask me about anything! Here are some of the questions – I thought I would put them here so it would be easy to read the answers.
What about your job search?
If you aren’t aware, I was laid off the end of March from a firm I was at for almost 9 years. It was definitely a shock, but in all my years of working, I know that in corporate America, it doesn’t matter how much you are liked, what your work ethic is, how hard you worked, if you worked longer hours than your co-worker, if I budget needs to be slashed, they will pick anyone. I am VERY lucky this is the first time in my career that it’s happend!
I’ve applied to so many jobs – and gotten a lot of rejections. In the last month, it’s kind of picked up. I had a recruiter reach out to me a few weeks ago with an opportunity which would be great – 20 minute commute from my house, hybrid – 3 days in the office – 2 days home. I had 2 interviews and should hear back this week if I got it! (fingers crossed) -but if I don’t get it – then it wasn’t meant for me!
What have you been doing with your time off?
This is the longest I haven’t had a job in 32 years! My first job I worked at Chase Bank for 14 years, then a midsized architecture firm for 10 years, then a large architecture firm for 8.5 years – and I went from one job to the next with no break in between! So I’m definitely taking some time to find the right fit.
In the meantime, I have been doing consulting for a food blogger (not my sister 😂) about 10-12 hours a week, uploading videos to YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok, sending out a weekly newsletter, putting together a recipe e-book every week using Canva, uploading the ebooks to her website, managing/answering comments, managing email inbox and direct messages on Instagram (which has been amazing!). I’ve also been working on this blog and I am making a recipe/journal e-book which I will be selling documenting my 100 day journey. 😍😍
Where’s the recipe for the CopyCat Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken?
Recently I posted my recipe for a copycat version of Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken and it went viral! Currently it has over 190,000 views, thousands of saves and shares! It’s a really great weeknight meal too, because it doesn’t take long to make. Here is the link to that recipe.
What mini stepper do you have?
Over the last 5 years, I’ve slowly been adding workout equipment for my home gym. It’s been great because I usually ask for something to help with my weight loss journey for Christmas, my birthday and Mother’s Day! 😍😍 The mini stepper I’ve had for about 5 years. I love it, it’s compact (easy to store) and sturdy. I actually got that from Staples of all places! But you can get it online to.
The brand is Sunny – it’s currently $52.00 on Amazon – Here is the LINK. I like it because I can step while I watch TV – it does take a little to adjust to no handles – but you quickly get steady and can balance ok! 😍 Here is another link to ALL my home workout equipment I have.
Looking for a new air fryer – which one do I have?
My 2 air fryers, I BIG one (XL) – that was from Gina at Skinny Taste brand (which I don’t use that often and they no longer make it) The one I pretty much use every day is from a brand Cosmo Official 2.3 quart – it’s perfect for 1-2 servings which is great for me, since I use it to make things for myself for breakfast or lunch, or I can put frozen french fries in it for dinner 😍 I’ve had it for 2 years now, never had an issue with it, the insert and basket is dishwasher safe – so it cleans up really well too! It’s currently on Amazon for $48.00 – HERE IS A LINK.
What happens after the 100 day challenge?
Today I am on day 72 of my 100 Day Summer Challenge – focusing on healthy habits and focusing on EACH DAY – not thinking how long this will take of how much weight I can lose in 100 days. Healthy weight loss and LONG LASTING weight loss is slow -and you want it to be so you can maintain that forever.
I wrote a blog post in May explaining it – you can check that post out HERE. I am definitely not done after this first 100 days! I’m going to keep it going with another 100 day challenge! 😍😍 I started a private Facebook Group which now has over 250 people in it, where we can share the ups and downs of the journey!
What journal do you use?
This journal is AMAZING! Kudos to my twin sister – she bought it for me last year – I barely used it, would journal for a few days, then set it aside, then journal for a day. It wasn’t until this challenge that I wanted to document the whole thing and share it with you guys! On my Instagram page I have 2 highlights – sharing my journals from the first day until now! Writing and getting stickers and fun markers has become a highlight of my week! 😍 The journal is currently $20 on Amazon – you can also find it at some CVS stores – I haven’t seen one by me – but others have and purchased them there. Many of you have also joined journaling and that’s so great to see!
What’s your favorite part about being a twin?
How can I sum up how awesome it is to be a twin? It would take me to infinity to explain how much I love being a twin with Biz! Born with a best friend for life, someone who you can confide in, someone who is aging, experiencing the same thing at the same time. We laugh, we talk about food all the time (LOL), we learn from each other, we teach each other things we learn in life, we never run out of things to talk about.
When we were growing up, we shared a room and of course talk to each other before bed. Then one of us would say “Ok, that’s it – let’s go to sleep!” and we would be quiet for a minute and then one of us would think of something else to say! 😂😂
At one point in our lives, my husband, sister and I bought a 2 flat – she and my niece Hannah lived upstairs and we lived downstairs. When we were viewing the house, in the basement was a door. We said – where does that door lead to? We opened it up, and the previous owners had made that a giant closet! It was lined with cedar, had carpeting – so my sister and I brought all our clothes down there and could get ready for work in the morning and share clothes. We got to do that for 4 years before she moved to her current home with her late husband and my niece. We had the best time!
We also started our Weight Watchers journey almost at the same time. I joined first, and Biz was right there with me. In 1999-2000 we each lost 70 pounds following the program which was awesome because we could figure out meals, talk about strategy and we even worked out together in her apartment doing Taebo!
Do you have any other siblings?
YES! Biz and I have an amazing brother Charlie – he’s 2 years older than us – he lives with his wife in Texas and has 2 adult daughters and 2 grandkids!! When he went to Iowa State for college, he pretty much never moved back to the Chicago area. He stayed in DesMoines for a long time before moving to Texas. When I met my husband and we were getting to know each other – we mentioned that most of our families still lived in the Chicago are except for my brother who lives in DesMoines, and my husband said “I have a brother in DesMoines!” Small world!
Charlie has helped Biz and I immensely with our blogging careers. Helping with wordpress questions, plug ins, frantic texts when our sites were down. Charlie also helped Biz with her last cookbook, formatting it, doing the layouts, so many hours of help! We have a family group text with our Mom and we text the group almost every day! My mom mostly just reads the thread 😄😂
He is THE BEST BROTHER! 😍😍😍
Happy Halloween! 😍😍 #throwback
My brother LOVES having twins for sisters! 😂😂
Have any other questions?
Leave a comment below 😍😍
Thanks for reading – you can follow me daily on Instagram @jenncooks
Recent Comments