BEER OF THE MONTH JUNE 2009

...is ready for pick-up.

cheers,

-dave

Nut Balls!!!!

I know what you are think- she's lost it-"Nut Balls??? What's next???" But honestly, these are a really YUMMY and equally important, NUTRITIOUS snack and little fingers love them (as well as my husband!) If you have ever had a LARA BAR, this is essentially a home made version of one. They are SUPER EASY to make, quick, and last long if kept in the fridge (or longer if you freeze half the batch!). They are full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. There aren't very many ingredients, but you could really change things up and get many different variations, I will share with you my favorite. Here we go:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup of nuts your choice ( I use 1/2 cup raw cashews, 1/2 cup raw pepitas, 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds)
  
• 8 dates rolled in coconut (sold at Trader Joe's or Lassen's or Whole Foods- they come in a little tub, the dates are pre-rolled in coconut, that's not something you have to do)
  
• cinnamon (as much as desired)

Directions:

  Okay, first you are going to pour all of your nuts in your blender. I use my Vitamix for about 10 seconds until everything is finely chopped, almost like a chunky powder. If you leave the nuts too large, it will be hard to get them to mesh with the dates.

  Next, scoop the nuts out of the blender into a bowl and add 1/2 your dates. Take out something to mash with, I use a pastry mashing tool, you can use a potato masher or fork or even your hands. You want to incorporate the nuts throughout the dates. Generously sprinkle some cinnamon to the mixture. Add the remaining dates, continue to mesh together and sprinkle some more cinnamon (I am fairly generous with my cinnamon sprinkling, it's your flavoring- taste a smidge to decide if you have enough in your batch). Once you have a pretty good mixture of nuts and dates and your happy with your cinnamon, you are going to start balling the "dough" just like cookies. I make mine into small, bite size balls for Emery to chew on, but if you have older kids, you can make them a little larger (or if you wanna get in on the yumminess, make some larger ones or bar shaped ones for yourself). Place them on a plate, then cover them with plastic wrap and let them set in the fridge for a bit. You can freeze half the batch or keep them in the fridge to last about 2-3 weeks before they get dried out. Enjoy and experiment with different types of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and seasonings!

The Mental Side Of Fitness Continued

Think your only support is in the house or only with your friends…WRONG…It is healthy to have your own interests……
Are you waiting around for your family to be active with you….waiting for spouse, teen, etc….guess what…YOU are in charge of YOU. I realize that being by yourself can be a bummer, feel lonely, and even scary…hell…I have more fun working out with a friend, but it is absolutely up to you to love yourself enough to make “ME” time for you regardless of your couch potatoes. Check out the classes at your local gym or recreational facility….You have nothing but good health to gain from the experience. Are you single and using the EXCUSE of… I have no one that will go with me to work out at the gym, or walk. This kind of thinking will never get YOU going. It is important to LOVE yourself enough to do it for YOU….eat healthy, enjoy exercise for the sake of moving your body…forget about waiting for someone else…think about it….that other someone may never come through for you…then what…give up…continue to make that your EXCUSE (yes, I am a hard ass here)….I say STOP today, put on your walking shoes and get out and absorb some vitamin D, breathe some fresh air, and MOVE!!! Love yourself THAT MUCH!!!

Reach out to others if your partner is not motivating you…..
OK…as much as you may want that perfect workout partnership….guess what…it may take time to happen. It is really OK and a fabulous idea to reach out to friends that share your interest in getting healthy, and getting in some great “ME” time with someone other than whom you live. You will probably be pleasantly surprised on how this will actually spice up your relationship because you will have new fun experiences to share. Do you feel guilty leaving your loved one behind or like you need permission to do something without them? Why? How healthy is this type of thinking…..not very….if it is keeping you from getting healthy. You will have to be your own motivation here, face any insecurity or fear, put the excuses in the trash, and call a friend today. If you do not have a friend that will help you be accountable and visa versa, try checking out your local gym for classes, or recreational facilities. I say start today by putting on your walking shoes, and MOVE…..enjoy the moment, take some deep breathes, appreciate your surroundings, and SMILE!!!!

Be strong in light of the pizza being offered….
You want chicken salad and he or she wants pizza….do not succumb to the temptations of your non supportive partner. This will be hands down the HARDEST part of getting healthy especially if you are accustomed to eating the same unhealthy foods together to begin with. Most pizza places also have salad bars and even deliver….imagine that. Stick to your guns, and set the example of good health with your nutrition. I realize it will not seem fair to have two different ways of eating going on at the same time…but think about it…YOU are the one who wanted the change, right? OK…so your eventual benefit will include an overall health improvement inside and out, and there is no greater reward than that:)

Unable to feel good about self….
This can be a difficult one. You may be in a very down place mentally, unable to get self motivated, and may not even want to see anyone. In this situation, start by letting some nice sunshine in your home, and take the first step to call a friend. There is nothing like the wisdom and support of a good friend to get you on the road to feeling better. You may also want to get in touch with your doctor for a few counseling sessions. It may take a while, but YOU are worth it. You are worth being happy and healthy….ask your friend for help in keeping you accountable. Take your chats outside for a power walk/talk…..a few sessions like this should boost your motivation and hopefully help get you on the path to feeling the best you have ever been!!!!

Talk yourself out of going to the gym…
Why Why Why!!!! This is what I call a big EXCUSE, and not acceptable…I am being the accountability police here. I can’t go because my work, my husband, my wife, my child, my chores, my school, blah blah blahhhh already. These are usually the same people that are getting in the TV programs, not missing social events, and simply wasting time doing other things while life is passing them by. I say if you have an extra hour watching TV….and usually it is hoursssssssssssssss, if honestly added up over the course of the week, you HAVE the time to exercise. Time to get honest, stop the EXCUSES, and get healthy!!!

TV over fitness…
I can’t emphasis this one enough….this society is technology driven, and media based. The television offers so much at the touch of the fingertips….let me ask you are you visiting the FIT TV channel and joining in on a fun workout? The answer to that question is usually NO. I challenge each and everyone of you to limit your TV watching to one hour per day for just ONE WEEK, and get to know yourself, be active, talk with your family, husband, wife, your girlfriend/boyfriend, meet with friends, take walks, play with your pets, and enjoy being active and real quality time that very often gets pushed to the side. After that fabulous walk and conversation, pull out a fun board game and laugh laugh laugh. Life is too short not to. I would love to hear how this experiment goes....

Stay Healthy!!!!!

Darla:)

NEW ARRIVALS/GLASSWARE

We have received some cool new glassware from:

-Hitachino Nest

-Green Flash

-Chouffe

We still have glassware from:

-St. Bernardus

-Duchesse De Bourgogne

-Duvel

-Maredsous

-etc.

BEER

1. Pugsley' s Signature Barleywine 22oz

2. Pugsley's Signature Imperial Porter 22oz.

3. DEUS Brut Des Flandres is back!

4. Green Flash Le Freak is back!

5.  Belzebuth Strong Ale

cheers,

dave

FULL SAIL KEELHAULER

For your drinking pleasure.

cheers,

-dave

Lime Chicken Soft Tacos

Alrighty then, these are delicious! Just made them tonight, so I will do my best to recall the things I liked and some things I would modify for next time. For starters, these are great on a summer night- they have a little fiesta feel to them, would be fun and easy for company. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into strips

1 lime, juiced

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp white sugar

2-3 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1-2 tomatoes, diced

2 cups lettuce, finely chopped

tortillas

Monterrey jack cheese, shredded

*sour cream

*guacamole

**The original recipe didn't call for sour cream or guac but after making it, my husband and I agreed this would be a great addition!

Directions

Ok you guys, super easy and not very time consuming, the most prep you have will be to wash and slice your chicken breasts. I cut mine into long, thin strips like in a fajita. Once your chicken is cut and ready to cook, heat a drizzle of olive oil in your pan and toss the chicken in. Let is get a good sear/brown color on the first side before flipping it and stirring it around. Let your chicken cook until it's almost done (about 7-10 minutes) and while it's cooking, you are making the "sauce" with the lime, red wine vinegar, s & p, sugar, and garlic. I made my "sauce" (it's more like a juice than a sauce) in my measuring cup and then poured it over top my chicken, stirring it around while it's doing it's final cooking. In the last minutes, I threw my green onion and cilantro in, let it cook just a smidge longer. Then pull it off the heat. You're pretty much done. Chop some lettuce, tomato, shred some cheese and heat up some tortillas- build yourself a soft taco, top it with sour cream, guac, and/or salsa and enjoy!

Serve with: corn on the cob and it's a complete meal!

NEW ARRIVALS

1. Thiriez Blonde 750ml (France)
2. Thiriez Amber 750ml (France)
3. Thiriez Extra 750ml (France)
4. De Molen Rasputin Imperial Stout 750ml-LIMITED QUANTITIES!!! (Netherlands)
5. Inveralmond Blackfriar 16oz (Scotland)
6. Inveralmond Lia Fail 16oz (Scotland)
7. Inveralmond Ossian Ale (Scotland)
8. Mikkeller Nelson Sauvin Single Hop IPA (Denmark/Belgium)
9. Handbryggiert Odin's Tipple (Norway)
10. Nogne-O Batch #100 (Norway)
11. Nogne-O Dark Horizon Batch #2 (Norway)
12. Nogne-O Dugges Sahti (Norway/Finnish style)
13. Nogne-O Sunturnbrew (Norway)
14. Ise Kadoya Triple Hop (Japan)
15. Ise Kadoya Stout (Japan)
16. Ise Kadoya Genmai Ale (Japan)
17. Baird Natsumikan Ale (Japan)

Keeping it international,

-dave