Healthy For Life.

I am hooked. Well I have been for some time now but it has become more prominent in my day to day lifestyle.

Green Tea.

Whenever I would stay at my friend Monica's house we would drink cup after cup of tea.  Trying different flavors, or just trying to stay awake.

Now I find myself accepting a cup whenever offered or craving a cup when I wake in the morning or after dinner.

Could I be addicted?

I think of all things to be addicted to, Green Tea is probably one of the better options considering it helps in lowering cholesterol, fighting infectious cells, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Now as long as I can continue eating as much fruit as possible and maybe a glass of red wine each night with dinner, I think healthiness will be in my favor!

Spring Forward.

It's March!

As if most of you are not aware of the month, seeing that March Madness is prominent on every screen in every home and bar.

It's been awhile so it's time to play catch up!

Starting with...

Opie, of course!

We just had our "3 month check up" which for him was actually his 3 1/2 month check up, since we had a bit of a late start.  Opie has literally doubled in size since the vet last saw him.  I noticed he was growing, his nose is longer, his belly is smaller and he is now taller then the little dogs he likes to play with.  When we first brought him to the vet on Feb. 14th, he weighed in at 7 lbs, so little!  This time around he weighed in at 13.6 lbs, so not quite 14 lbs but nearly.  He has now mastered (aside from a few accidents) going potty outside and we even went as far to teach him "sit" and "lay".

He is so smart!

We started off the month visiting Ryan's older brother! 

It was so nice getting to see them and spending time with William, not to mention Opie was totally worn out from playing with Ziggy the moment he woke up to the moment we took him upstairs to go to bed.  It was nice being able to sit around and do nothing for once.

And as you can see I was the only one awake the entire drive home.

Last Saturday Ryan and I had the opportunity to hang out with some of our friends that we don't normally get the chance to see.  We all attended Beertopia which allowed us to travel from tent to tent, tasting different beers from an abundant list of breweries.



1st photo - http://tomhendersonphotography.instaproofs.com/buy_print.php?fav=0&col=0&id=151309059&type=original&eventId=562269
2nd photo - http://tomhendersonphotography.instaproofs.com/buy_print.php?event=562269&type=original&id=151309185
3rd phot - http://www.flickr.com/photos/harveyshepard/5526460547/in/photostream

 

I honestly felt that I was going to know, or have tasted most of the beers offered, but to my surprise, many of the breweries I had never even heard of!  It was a lot of fun, and really great getting to see the faces of those I miss seeing on a regular basis.

It has been over a month now that my brother has been in the Airforce!  Mom keeps me updated after speaking to him when he is offered the chance to call.  He has really come into his own, who would have guessed that my little brother thrives off structure!  He was named the leader of his group and takes on the responsibility of making sure everything is kept in order, while accepting the discipline if it does not.  I am so proud of him and the decisions that he has made! I miss him everyday and hope all the while that he is happy and enjoying every moment of it!

As most know, this is my (hopefully) last full semester as an undergraduate.  I loved interning at Charlotte Parent in the fall so much and in knowing that I am receiving credit for the work I am doing and gaining experience that many may not have coming out of college to boot, I could not resist doing another!

This past Tuesday, I have been accepted to intern for the Charlotte Observer Magazine this summer.  I am so excited for all that they have planned for me! 

 

But this discussion will be left for a later date.

 Carolina Bride - http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/04/05/1357827/januarymarch-2012.htmlLake Norman - http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/25/2803885/february-2012.html

South Park - http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/17/1845434/march-2012.html

  

I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather!

Have a great day and...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Drink.

I like to think I am a fairly cheap date, in the sense that I don't mind paying for myself and if a drink is offered, I usually go the beer route.

But when I get those chances to go out with the girls, my drink of choice is...

Vodka Red bull

• 2 oz of vodka
• 8 oz Red Bull energy drink

vitaminherb.blogspot.com



I am not much of a vodka drinker, but for some reason I can easily sip this delicious drink away, no problem.

Peace, Love, And Beer.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!!

It's been a few weeks since I enlightened you all with a brewery like this one here and here.

Since we have cover my top two breweries, I feel it's only fair to give my third all time favorite!

Today's Brewery: 



ncbrewing.org



Mother Earth, a name that originated from two men listening to their rock-n-roll vinyl albums, some dating back to the year 1965, when they stumbled across the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  

Those two men, Stephen Hill and Trent Mooring,



motherearthbrewing.com

both from Kinston, NC, decided to take their creativity and love of beer to a whole new level.  Staying true to their name, Mother Earth, they decided to stay green in each process.  For example, when choosing a locating there in Kinston, they decided that instead of tearing down a building to build a new one, they would buy said old building and enhance it giving it the TLC it needed through using environmentally friendly construction material.

How was this done you ask?

To name only a few things, they used a 100% recyclable product to insulate the walls called blue jean insulation.  This insulation is literally made out of old denim.  They also used soy-based foam insulation for the ceiling of the second floor, and low voc paint for the walls.

The list literally continues, and if you would like to know more about what they used in the building, beer, etc., go here.

Now for the beer!



thegreatestbeerofalltime.com



Weeping Willow Wit

A different Belgian wit for those that typically drink Blue Moon or Shock Top. 

This was the second Mother Earth beer I tried after falling in love with Mother Earth's Dark Cloud.

 

Weeping Willow is very light, sweet and crisp. 



I would suggest this beer to those that claim not to like beer but are willing to give it another go.



thegreatestbeerofalltime.com



Dark Cloud

The first Mother Earth beer I ever tried!

I think most are afraid to try Dark Cloud because of its appearance.  Being a Munich Dunkel, it is darker in color as a dark lager should be, yet like a lager, Dark Cloud is somewhere in the middle of being light and heavy.

 Encompassing a rather earthy taste, I love Dark Cloud for what it brings to the table, unpredictability.

It makes me laugh to watch others try Dark Cloud for the first time as their faces go from fear to surprise, ending with the phrase I love to hear, "Wow! This is good!"



thegreatestbeerofalltime.com



Sisters Of The Moon 

I was really excited to try Mother Earth's India Pale Ale and as expected, drank every last drop, yearning for another, only to hear myself say I was okay with water.

Sisters of the Moon carries an earthy start, as I'm beginning to think most Mother Earth beers do, exploding into a bitter ride and ending with slightly sweet finish.

 

The first, and only (yet won't be the last), time I tried Sisters of the Moon, was this past Tuesday when Ryan and I went to Raleigh for his grandpa's 92nd birthday. Not a beer for everyone but definitely one all should try if offered or available.

If you are going to friends/families home today to watch the Superbowl, be sure to pick up Mother Earth or try one by building your own pack at the grocery store!

*Background information from Mother Earth Brewery.

Oh Swiss Miss.

Every winter I become obsessed with drinking hot chocolate.

I don't know why, but Swiss Miss and I are inseparable and lucky me, my roommate bought me the family size pack which should last me another few weeks.

With my last full semester in progress, I can think of nothing I want more than to prepare a cup and snuggle up in my bed to watch

 Once Upon a Time tonight after work.

This year is definitely starting off right!

The Makings Of Deliciousness.

I have for you, thanks to Lisa, a way to successfully recreate

Chai Tea

It is the closest recreation that I have ever tasted without being expensive or impossible to find the ingredients.

The steps are as follows:

1. Heat water.

2. Place tea bag into cup and pour in water.

Let the bag seep in the water for Four minutes.

3. Take out tea bag scoop in desired amount

of sugar.

4. Pour desired amount of milk.

5. Stir and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

(1) I use a tea pot so it's only a matter of minutes before my pot is screaming that the water is ready.

(2) Seriously, if you let it seep for too long there's a bite from the spice and if you don't let it sit long enough you wont taste the chai tea at all.

(3) I usually do about a tablespoon and a half.

(4) I use either skim or organic milk.  It gives it a sweeter taste.

I'm not kidding as close as I've ever gotten and it's simple!