NEW ARRIVALS

We received a few new things this week, mostly replenishment:

Cantillon Kreik
Cantillon Classic Gueze
Cantillon Rose'De Gambrinus
Cantillon Iris
Cantillon Grand Cru
Fantome Hiver
21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat
Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws (get it while you can)
Lost Coast Winter Braun

Also just received a large shipment of Irish/English Christmas candies, bangers, rashers, susage rolls. So come Irish up your holiday at healthy spirits and while your at it have a few drinks.

Nate

Merry Christmas

I have been having some health issues (I found out that I have kidney stones in both kidneys and they are, for some reason, not passing so I will have a dr. appt on January 9).  On a related note- I have cut out all soda and am on day 6 of no soda.  My goal is to not have anything but water and juice until my appt and see what he says.  There's a small possibility from what I have read that some of the south beach diet has caused this but I am not sure and will not know anything for sure until the dr. appt.

Merry Christmas to all!

Going to Moscow

Hello everyone,
I will be leaving tomorrow evening for Moscow, so if you have any beer questions or need anything, you can either call the store at 415-255-0610, or leave them on the blog. Thank you to everyone for making 2008 such a great year for Healthy Spirits.
Have a happy holiday, and while you're at it, have a couple of drinks.

cheers,

dave

NEW CUSTOM TASTING SESSION!!!

Now at Healthy Spirits:
A new, custom tasting session for 2 to 3 people.

"THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY THE EIGHTH"

A special session based on the six former queens of England. Comes packaged with complete tasting notes.

Makes a unique and interesting gift.

cheers,

dave

Losing Weight and Gaining Muscle

How do I lose weight? This is a question that I am asked almost daily and I would love to sit and chat with every single person who wants to know. So, I have put aside some time to talk with you about the subject. The factors involved in a successful weight loss program are energy input (calories), energy output (exercise), and mental readiness.

Let’s talk mental readiness. What does that mean exactly? Mental readiness is coming to an acceptance of needing a change in your life. Sometimes this comes with a wake-up call from a doctor telling you that your cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood pressure is too high. Another may be your physician plain and simply stating that your weight is a factor for these issues or others and could lead to a diabetic or heart condition. Many times it comes from our inner selves reaching a point of not liking who we see in the mirror and desiring to change. It is in that moment that true willingness to commit to eating healthy and exercising regularly can be achieved.

Moving on to how to start a weight loss program. First, are you going to try this on your own or seek the assistance of a personal fitness trainer/counselor? It is very important either way to educate yourself. Purchase a few books that catch your interest….shy away from trends or fads…..stick to the realistic approaches on this subject. This means thumbing through a few books that embrace eating nutritious foods throughout the day and regular exercise. As much as you want things to change in an instant, your program must be designed and carried out in a healthy manner. Losing weight and incorporating a new active lifestyle happens one day at a time. Days turn into weeks and before you know it, you are on your way to losing your first 10 lbs. Another avenue you may consider is to seek the help of a personal trainer/nutrition counselor. The knowledge of a qualified personal trainer can really push you in the right direction, educate you on nutrition, exercise, and motivate you through the first few months. A qualified personal trainer will have a degree in the field, international certifications, medical training, and if an independent contractor, will be licensed and insured. Always interview at least 3 trainers before deciding on the one you will be investing your time and money. Do not be afraid to ask questions regarding the trainer’s qualifications, years of training, continuing education, client success stories and if you could speak to past clients.

Let’s begin the journey of successful weight loss. It is important to know where you are and plan realistic goals. In order to discover where you are, an assessment of your body composition (lean to fat ratio), measurements, and aerobic fitness needs to be administered and recorded. This will give you starting numbers to work with, and a re-evaluation conducted in 12 weeks should show an improvement in all areas. Any qualified personal fitness trainer should be able to do this for you. Always have the same trainer re-assess you for accuracy since not all trainers use the same assessment protocols. In addition, a personal fitness trainer or nutritional counselor should be able to review your current eating habits, calculate your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate: calories burned throughout the day when not exercising), and be able to educate you on healthy food intake, how often to eat, and what to eat.


Let’s look at the steps. First, when applying physical changes to your life, always consult with your physician before you begin. Once you receive the green light, educate yourself by reading and/or hiring a personal fitness trainer. Schedule an appointment to have an assessment completed that includes head-to-toe measurements, body-fat composition, resting heart rate, and recovery heart rate. In addition, educate yourself on healthy eating through books, or again schedule an appointment with a personal fitness trainer or nutritional counselor who will review your current eating habits, calculate your BMR and activity calories, and through information gained be able to inform you on how many calories to intake, what the calories should consist of, and when to eat them.

The information gained from your appointments: measurements, body composition, resting heart rate, recovery heart rate, BMR and calories to intake, should leave you with a positive feeling that you have all that you need to start your program and be successful.

A few ideas that should be shared with you are to start keeping a journal of your food intake and daily exercise. Your nutrition should contain at least 50% complex carbohydrate intake since it is our number one fuel source, moving to approximately 40% protein, and 10% fat. The percentage values will vary for each person and the goals trying to be achieved. Examples of good carbohydrates are whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Excellent protein sources are lean meats such as boneless/skinless chicken or turkey breast, albacore tuna, egg whites, and whey powder. Include essential fats through flaxseed oils, nuts, natural omega 3s in fish such as salmon, and olive oil. Also, normal hunger occurs every 3 hours so do not allow yourself to feel hungry and eat every 2 ½ hours. This will boost the metabolism and keep the calories burning throughout the day. If you think for a second that your body does not know you are holding back….think again. In order to fuel an engine, you have to tank it up or put wood on the fire to fuel the furnace…..otherwise….shutdown. Without adequate calories, the body will store in reserve what it thinks it needs for fuel…..the number 2 energy source…FAT.

Your fitness program should be progressive…..start slowly and increase the intensity as you go along. Expect Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) when beginning a new program. This is your body’s way of letting you know that you did something different with your muscles….and that is a good thing! The soreness should not be debilitating, but definitely let you know that you exercised. With each workout, the DOMS will still be evident, but not overwhelming. You come to accept and even invite that you challenged yourself. It is suggested that cardio be implemented at least 4 times per week in your training zone, with weight resistance training at least 2 times per week. Also, you should be able to complete your workout within 60 minutes. Think about that…..60 minutes out of your 12 hour day…that is very doable. This is where the wonderful calendar comes in…pick your days and times for your workout and keep your appointment!

Lastly, the combination of healthy food intake and regular physical activity should allow you to reach your fitness goals. Give yourself time to reach them…do not become overwhelmed of how far in the future it may seem. Even if it takes one year….how long have you lived as you are? A year will go by quickly, 6 months like a flash and 12 weeks in an instant. Also, challenge yourself to drink at least 2 quarts of water daily with your new program. Your system will love the flush and your skin will probably look the best it has ever been. Once you have adapted to 2 quarts per day, move to 3, and graduate to a gallon. It is important to allow a rest or recovery day per week. Exercise good nutrition and water intake during your non-workout day. Remember to allow for an 8 hour sleep cycle each night for your overall health and especially muscle recovery.

I want to really break down this program to basic form:

1. Make a commitment to yourself to start a new healthy lifestyle and go for it!

2. Seek the assistance of a personal fitness trainer or if a truly disciplined person, educate yourself through reading materials.

3. Have an assessment completed and BMR/activity calories calculated.

4. Eat 5-6 small meals a day using your BMR calculations to determine how many calories to eat daily and per meal calories that include complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and fat.

5. Drink plenty of water…start with 2 quarts and increase as your body adapts.

6. Implement aerobic fitness (cardio) in your training zone at least 4 times per week.

7. Implement progressive weight resistance training at least 2 times per week.

8. Allow a Recovery Day or non-workout day.

9. Plan to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.

10. Journal, Journal, Journal.

I enjoyed writing this article for you and I hope it answers most of your questions regarding weight loss while gaining muscle, how to implement a healthy nutrition and exercise program, and the motivational tools to start. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at http://www.fitness-4-you.com/.

Take care and Stay Healthy!

Darla:)

NEW ARRIVALS

Got some new beer today.

1. Bruery Orchard White Ale
2. Bruery Black Orchard
3. Bruery Saison Rue
4. Bruery Partridge in a Pear Tree
5. Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws
6. Ridgeway Very Bad Elf
7. Ridgeway Seriously Bad Elf
8. Fox Barrel Mulled Cider
9. Baird Kurofune Porter
10.Jolly Pumpkin Weizenbam

Come and get it!

cheers,

dave

MIA

I have been MIA- I have been working a lot and have not been feeling well.  In fact, tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm heading to get a CT scan done in the a.m. to check for possible gallstones or kidney stones.  Hopefully I'll know the results soon but if not then I will head to the dr. on Thursday where I am sure she is going to go over things with me.

Beer of the Month Club:January

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In case any of you missed my call, I just wanted to remind everyone that Beer of the Month for January is ready for pick-up. We released it a little early this time to give people an opportunity to pick it up before the holiday.
Selections this month include:

1. Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi
2. Nogne-O Peculiar Yule
3. De Struise Pannepot 2007
4. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper

cheers,

dave

New Christmas Healthy Pancake

Hi Readers!!!!

This morning I was playing around in the kitchen trying to make my fav protein oat pancakes and realized.....no eggs...yikes. I spyed a carton of light egg nog that I enjoyed the other evening while decorating my tree, and said what the heck....well...the egg nog substitute worked like a charm and the pancakes were fluffy, and tasted wonderful. The fun part about eating healthy is just that....eating....THE GOOD STUFF....and this is now my top holiday Good Stuff Pancake....

Holiday Healthy Egg Nog Pancakes

Makes 2 very large pancakes (2 servings)

1 cup rolled oats blended to flour consistency
2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder (usually 25g per scoop)
1 tblsp wheat germ
1 tblsp flax meal
2 tsps baking powder
Light egg nog (enough to make pouring consistency)

pour mixture onto prepared griddle and let cook until bubbles form. Turn over and cook through. Should be fluffy...do not overcook them or they may be dry.

I enjoy mine with honey, but also fav toppings are fat free sugar free maple syrup, and fruit only apple butter.

I eat one and save one for the next morning or another snack meal.

So...in this beautiful holiday cake consists complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and healthy fats all to fuel a fabulous body.....

Happy Holidays

Stay Healthy
Darla:)

NEW ARRIVALS

NEW STUFF!
Just finished stocking a huge new order. Lots of really great stuff!

1.BFM Abbaye De Saint Bon Chien 2006
2.BFM Abbaye De Saint Bon Chien 2007
3.BFM Abbaye De Saint Bon Chien 2007 Bourbon Cask Conditioned Magnum (extremely rare)
4.BFM Cuvee Alex Le Rouge Imperial Stout
5.De Dolle Oerbier (this is one of my favorite beers. It kicks ass. Buy it.)
6.George Gale Conquest Masterbrew Vintage 2000
7.George Gale Conquest Masterbrew Vintage 2001
8.George Gale Prize Old Ale Vintage 1996
9.George Gale Prize Old Ale Vintage 1997
10.George Gale Prize Old Ale Vintage 1998
11.George Gale Prize Old Ale Vintage 1999
12.George Gale Prize Old Ale Vintage 2000
13.Gosebrauerei "Gose" Coriander and Salt Beer
14.Harvey's Christmas Ale
15.Harvey's Elizabethan Ale
16.JW Lees Harvest Ale Vintage 1999
17.JW Lees Harvest Ale Vintage 2000
18.JW Lees Harvest Ale Vintage 2005 Calvados Cask Aged
19.JW Lees Harvest Ale Vintage 2005 Port Cask Aged
20.JW Lees Harvest Ale Vintage 2005 Lagavulin Scotch Cask Aged
21.Sinebyrchoff Porter
22.Alvinne Melchior (Mustard Seed Ale)

We also received a good variety of Meads:

1.GI Dansk Mjod (Norway)
2.Lurgashall English Mead
3.Lurgashall Christmas Mead
4.Lurgashall Metheglin Mead
5.Makana Iqhilia African Bird's Eye Chili Mead
6.Makana Iqhilia African Herbal Blossom Mead
7.Makana Iqhilia African Dry Mead

DRINK, YOU DRINKERS!

dave

UNCOMMON BREWERS

Uncommon Brewers, a new brewery from Santa Cruz, has released their first beer for sale. It's called the Siamese Twin Ale, and its a Belgian-style dubbel made with kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and coriander. It is available in singles or 4-packs.
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Yebisu is back in stock, in single 12oz. bottles.
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NEW HOURS

As of today, Healthy Spirits will have different hours.

MONDAY-THURSDAY-8AM to 10PM
FRIDAY-SATURDAY-8AM to 11PM
SUNDAY-9AM to 9PM

cheers,

dave

Illness is Humbling

Hi Readers

The trainer has been DOWN, hit by a sinus infection, which NEEDED to be treated with antibiotics. I am on my last day of the meds and FIRST day attempting a work out….very modified. I have never experienced anything like the symptoms of a sinus infection….so I sympathize with everyone one of you who has had one or has one. Symptoms are SEVERE headache, inability to breathe, sleep, eat, and fever….and the list continues. Also, it takes awhile to get over….I am on seven days and still talk with a nasal accent….lol. I rarely get sick, so this is quite the humbling experience for me, and no I am not some super human immune to illness…..so this leads of course to what I have to say about fitness and illness.

First, listen to your body….I am a firm believer in this. If it hurts (I mean really hurts….not “this is hard hurts”), DO NOT DO IT. If you are ill with fever, vomiting, inability to breathe, and just can not get your ass out of bed, then stay there. The body is a wonderful machine and will direct you to eat, sleep, and yes, eliminate waste. Also, listening to your body also means knowing when to see the doctor because not all illnesses will go away without some assistance. It is better to heir on the side of caution…if it diagnosed as a virus…then it has to run its ugly course, but an infection NEEDS attention. Am I saying run to the doctor over every sniffle….NO. Even I see the doctor only on rare occasions, this happening to be one of them. However, if you just do not feel right, are feverish, and are not performing at what feels like YOU, then you may want to get it checked out.

Second, the workout during illness…..again a listen to your body thing. If you are so sick that you are unable to get out of bed and feel good….you have no business in the gym or working out at all. You are slowing down the process of your body building those awesome antibodies that are working to get rid of what is attacking it. Think of it as a recovery process when you workout a body part. Let’s say you completed an awesome back routine and the next day, you are feeling the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Well what created that feeling is micro tears to the muscle tissue being broke down during your workout, and your body is responding to build it back up…..hence building beautiful muscle. Would you turn around and work it again during this process…..I HOPE NOT. Think of antibodies building in your body the same way while you are ill to keep you from getting that same strain of illness. Pretty awesome stuff!!! On the other hand, if you are feeling not quite yourself…we have all been there….but can handle something light, then go for it. During this process, I can not stress enough, FLUIDS and spice it up with some lemon slices to help detoxify that body.

Third, for the die hard “I HAVE TO BE IN THE GYM EVERY DAY” exercisers….CHILL OUT!!! Sorry to be so blunt.....but studies have shown that you have to not work out for at least 2 weeks for deconditioning to begin. So, NO….your butt is not going to get big in five days…so stop getting out of bed and looking in the mirror or feeling it because in your mind it has happened, and NO….your muscles are not going to shrivel down and be unnoticeable, and YES…..you will get better and be back at it soon. If you play with your bodies natural defenses to help you….BEWARE of the consequences of RELAPSE. Relapse of an illness can occur by ignoring your need to rest and get well. Relapse of an illness is 10 times WORSE than the original bug….it is better to be down for a few days than several weeks….do you agree?

Fourth, I know I covered this, but FLUIDS…..lots, and when you eat, this is the time you want to pay attention to the good stuff going down. Of course, chicken soup is a MUST, at least for me, when you are ill….and sometimes is the only tolerable thing your body can take. Remember, the salt in the broth will require you to drink more fluids. Foods that have worked for me during illness are of course chicken broth with a whole grain tortilla to dip in the broth. Hot oatmeal with flax meal and wheat germ mixed in it, and the tried and true plain cracker. I can not emphasize enough the fluids during illness especially on medications because what do they do….DRY US OUT….what does that mean…CONSTIPATION…yes I can say that….it is all about fitness and wellness. Please handle that…

Fifth, I am a say it like it is trainer….love ya…and would be negligent in helping you if I was not. So, I hope this read was helpful and truly if you are sick…IT IS OK TO TAKE A BREAK!!!

Stay Healthy!!!!

Darla:)

Time and Fitness

Hi readers

Like most of you with jobs, family, relationships, etc., juggling time can be a challenge. Let me give you the secret that really isn’t a secret of time management….BUY A CALENDAR. In the busyness of our daily lives, we get little rest, drink caffeine to get going, maybe some wine at night to unwind, utilize the wonderful waves of the micro, eat too little, or too much. How to get off this roller coaster ride….slow down and enjoy the ride. Make your time of stress relief a priority. Get out that PEN and carve your appointment for your workout, a walk with friends or your dog, a time to meditate, read a good book, and JUST SPEND TIME BEING. Wow…what a concept. Do not let “Life Happen to You While Busy Making Other Plans”. Time goes too quickly to not enjoy what is right in front of you and you want to be in the best health possible to relish in each day.

My Personal share sample….as I juggle working with fabulous clients, paying bills, making calls, answering emails, and writing my blog, I take time to get in that hour workout. Not being a creature of habit, I utilize for example, my step for a fun 30 minute routine, and set up my universal bar with 50lbs and complete a kick-butt leg circuit for 3 cycles. Then realizing my 2 ½ hour time is nearing for my next fueling, off I go to check out my refrigerator….after a workout I usually grab my fresh fruit, throw in my blender with a bit of protein powder, water and ice….hits the spot!!!!

Stay Healthy!

Darla:)

Complete Beer Lists Available

Our complete beer list is now available by request. It is split into American Micro-Brew and International. You can get the lists by writing us at healthyspirits@aol.com, or commenting on the blog with your e-mail address.

cheers,

dave

BEER: NEW ARRIVALS

New this week at Healthy Spirits:

1. Haandbryggiert Handbaak Sour Ale

2. Jolly Pumpkin Bam Noire 750ml

3. Nils Oscar Coffee Stout

4. De Struise Black Albert

5. De Struise Pannepot 2007

6. Dieu Du Ciel Solsticce D'Hiver Winter Barleywine

7. De Struise Tsjeeses

There are a few cases of the De Struise, but definately grab them while you can, cause they're going to fly. Just so everyone knows, Pannepot will be one of the beers in January's Beer of the Month Club.

cheers,

dave