Tag Archives: drinks

{thirsty thursday – beer journal #1}

15 Jul

i enjoy eating and drinking seasonally…

for example, you’ll hardly catch me eating asparagus in the fall or winter. and on the same side of that coin, you’ll hardly catch me drinking a porter in the spring or summer. i like having foods and beverages to look forward each season. it feels fun and better overall for me and my lifestyle to eat and drink foods that are in season, and drink beverages that blend well with each season.

in the summer – i prefer to drink ales, lagers, and IPAs.

here are some recent beers i’ve tried that go well with the season.

a classic all-time fav

a clean northwest style lager

i’m a fan of this one because i love galaxy hops

love this bright pale ale with hints of ginger

citric pale ale with hints of kaffir lime

easy drinking golden ale perfect for summer

another fav of mine though i tend to drink it more in spring

highly complex flavour profile in this unique APA

{gracefully coffee roasters}

8 May

i have this on again/off again thing with coffee.

mostly, we’re on.

i love coffee, and i especially love espresso! but sometimes, i don’t like the effects of the caffeine associated with coffee and espresso. and drinking decaf just doesn’t appeal to me… nor does it have the same complex flavour {in my opinion}, which is the main reason i love to drink coffee.

i prefer dark roasts for the robust flavour and lower{ish} caffeine content, and i drink it with a {generous} dash of heavy cream. when i worked as a barista, i would sip on an iced cortado just about every day. over the years, i’ve learned how to strike a balance with it and ultimately listen to my body as to when to be “on” coffee, and when to be “off” it.

do any of you have a similar experience?

anyway, this post is about some super yummy coffee made in small batches by an equally yummy and awesome company : gracefully coffee roasters.

i got this TOTALLY DELICIOUS coffee as a christmas gift last year and i wish i still had some because it was out-of-this world amazing! this particular batch was a medium roast with hints of peanut butter and chocolate. now, i don’t know if it was just the power of suggestion in their awesome marketing description or what – but i’m telling you, that first sip of coffee tasted like a creamy chocolate peanut butter cup.

gracefully coffee roasters are true masters of their craft. one easily gets a sense of how much passion and care they pour into their coffee roasts. they offer monthly subscription boxes so you can try new coffee all the time! they also have yummy tea!

check out their website and show a little love… 😉

{it’s national beer day!}

7 Apr

i admit i am kind of disappointed in myself that i only just discovered this as of 9:07 a.m. this morning… but i will be making sure to celebrate later today! 🙂

in honour of this awesome holiday, i thought i would share some fotos of some of my favourite beers i have tried. i tend to drink beer the way i eat food – seasonally and liberally, haha.

but seriously, i like to “drink the rainbow” and i will drink beers that correlate with the seasons.

for example, now that we are in spring, i have been letting go of the darker beers and transitioning into lighter beers like wheats, belgians, and saisons. in summer you will catch me drinking IPAs, lagers, and occasional pilsners. in autumn i like my reds and of course, can’t get enough of oktobetrfests. and then when winter rolls back around i’ll divulge in browns, porters, and stouts.

i hope you enjoy! drink the rainbow! 😉

and, ya know, drink responsibly!! 

although it’s not quite time for this summerfest beer, it is one of my all-time favourite beers! it’s so clean and crisp and refreshing and has a lovely finish. this lager is very easy to drink, particularly while chillin’ on the porch and enjoying the sunset. sierra nevada is also one of my all-time favourite breweries and i’ve read online they are known for having very clean water, which is very appealing to me.

i look forward to seeing this back on the shelves.

belgain witbiers have a soft spot in my heart and belly… they were the “gateway” beer for me, once i first put down the boring bottles and opened up my palate to microbrews. i love the refreshing fruitiness of a witbier! “ZON” {meaning “sun”} has a hint of coriander and a low amount of alcohol and makes this one easy to drink – like orange juice! a very pleasing brew from the missouri-based boulevard brewing company.

although this isn’t a “red,” it has a beautiful red colour. i haven’t had this one in a while, but i remember thinking it was very interesting. “raging bitch” is a belgian-style IPA, which has interesting and complex features, as you can imagine. i am a fan of flying dog brewery, but this one is rather strong {8.3%} and it’s way more of a sipping brew, for me. delicious, nonetheless… and it pairs well with spicy food. of course, i’m a fan of flying dog brewery, since they are based in maryland.

i also happen to love the bizarre cartooning on the label.

this is a great nut brown ale! it’s well-balanced and has tremendous drinkability. not too sweet, not to bitter – it’s just right. ska brewing company has fun marketing, and they are based out of a small mountain town in colorado. i haven’t tried too many of their other beers, but this one is a go-to if/when i can find it.

ohhh, lagunitas. so full of diversity and flavour… and ABV!

seriously, the brews they come up with over there in california are super-duper strong and therefore i also enjoy sipping them… i have to watch myself because those kinds of beers will go to my head rather quickly!

undercover” is a nice and malty ale with a boozy undertone, thanks to the 9.6% ABV. it’s a beautiful colour and for some funny reason, i like drinking it while i’m munching on pickles.

new belgium is my all-time favourite brewing company. my affinity for them dates back to 2006 when i reached out to the company and had the most pleasant interaction with one of the staff members, via email. the employee-owned colorado company comes up with some of the most unique flavour combinations and i love to support their “green” mission.

giddy-up” does not disappoint in the “unique combinations” arena. brewed with espresso and lemon peel, this medium ale packs a power punch of flavours.

who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter?!

put that combination together in a beer, and i’m happy as a clam. i discovered this limited edition chocolate peanut butter imperial porter shortly after moving to north carolina. this state has some funny liquor laws, but one of the benefits of it, is you can drink a beer in beer stores. they also sell a lot of “single serving” beers, so it’s fun to create your own 6-pack and sample stuff you may have never tried… which i did when purchasing this beer from horny goat brewery in wisconsin {ha – that name!}

it’s pretty much as delicious as it sounds and makes for a perfect after-dinner brew, as it basically tastes like dessert.

the ultimate “dessert beer” for me – at least until i discover something that replaces it – is this decadent porter from saranac brewing company out of new york.

i will mention, it is extremely sweet. you’ll want to drink more than one, but for me, one is enough because of the sweetness. and this brew literally tastes exactly like a s’more… it’s kind of mind-blowing. hints of graham cracker, chocolate, and even marshmallow make your palate do a happy-dance.


what are some of your favourite beers?

 

{solstice “prosperi-tea”}

22 Jun

hey gang, happy summer!

i hope you are enjoying the season, wherever you may be reading this.

here in colorado, it has been very hot… like in the high 90s and even 100 degrees! yesterday, to officially kick off summer, i walked to my local pool for a dip. it was the perfect way to welcome in the new season!

another fun thing i did to celebrate summer and the solstice, was make this beautiful solstice summer tea… or as i named it, “prosperi-tea” … cuz i’m cute and nerdy like that. plus, it sounded super magical.

the idea came from an online source that suggested putting various herbs and flowers in a pitcher and sitting it out in the sun during the day of solstice. here’s what i put in mine :

fresh lettuce leaves, pea shoots, roses, lilies, strawberries, succulent, snapdragon, various flower petals, mint, and tons of sage.

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all of the ingredients came from my local community garden… the pea shoots and lettuce came from my plot! 😀

here is the finished product :

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someone said to me, “it looks like perfume!” which made me giggle. in a way, it IS like perfume in that it is made from beautiful summer flowers! 🙂

this lovely “prosperi-tea” was so easy to make and it was delicious, too! it was light and soft and refreshing. i also love the colour it developed! i put a lot of love into this tea as well, which i believe makes a big difference! 😉 ❤

—–

what did you do to ring in summer?

 

{thirsty thursday : “not your father’s rootbeer”}

10 Dec

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alcoholic rootbeer.

when i first discovered this, i wasn’t exactly excited.  it sounded a little weird to me. but oh my goodness is this stuff good! it’s kind of a trend right now, i guess. i’ve tried a few brands, but this one is my favourite by far. it’s amazing how much it tastes just like rootbeer!!! the label recommended pouring it over ice… which, again, sounded odd to me but i tried it anyway. and it’s very good!
however, it’s also very very sweet and has a ton of sugar in it, so i only drink one on occasion for fun. and i highly recommend you do, as well!

🙂

 

{a halloween thirsty thursday : “creepy” but delicious — finger lime soda water}

29 Oct

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finger-lime soda water…

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a friend of mine gave me a sample of these delicious and interesting FINGER LIMES! yes, that is their name. and one can see why, eh?! they look like little nubby fingers…

perfect for halloween, i say!

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after cutting one open, i remembered that i had tried them before! here’s part of the description i read :

“The globular juice vesicles inside these citrus fruits have been likened to a “lime caviar”, which can be used as a garnish or added to various recipes. The fresh vesicles have the effect of a burst of effervescent tangy flavour as they are chewed. The fruit juice is acidic and similar to that of a lime.”

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those little vesicles are so fun to eat! they “pop” in your mouth and they flavour is intense!

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the fruit itself is so interesting-looking! some of them are pink inside!

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i made a little bubbly water with my sodastream and squeezed in some of the finger limes and their juices, along with these halloween-themed ice cubes.

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it was super yummy!

of course, the adults could add in a little vodka or libation of choice… 😉

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when i was a kid and i would be lucky enough to have a glass of soda as a treat, i used to sit there with my mom and be like, “check it out ma, the bubbles are taking the elevator to the top!” and she would giggle… and to this day i remember that and thought of it when these little vesicles floated to the top of this glass. 😉

ohhhh, that childhood imagination.

wishing you all a safe and happy halloween!

are you dressing up? and if so, as what?!

 

{thirsty thursday – oktoberfest : from sierra nevada!!!}

1 Oct

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it’s that time of year!

don’t you just LOVE autumn?!

the colours, the crisp air, the leaves falling, the clothing, the smell of pumpkin everywhere…

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and it’s the time of year during which the only beer i’ll be drinking is oktoberfest! {pretty much}

and usually i’m sippin’ on some sam adams, cuz i just love that stuff. but i literally squealed with excitement when i discovered this sierra nevada oktoberfest!

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i’m somewhat obsessed with sierra nevada. however, i only recently starting drinking their beers… and my goodness are they ahh-mazing!

a friend of mine told me that sierra nevada has been tested/known for their extremely clean water… and in my opinion, this greatly effects the taste of their brews. i don’t know quite how to explain it, but there is something distinguishably different about sierra nevada beer, and not just this wonderful oktoberfest. it makes sense to me that it could have something to do with the natural cleanliness and quality of their water.

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furthermore, i love SN’s oktoberfest because it was brewed in collaboration with an old-school 19th century german brauhaus, using their recipe!!! the brewery is one of the oldest in the country… and i mean, it doesn’t get much more authentic than that!

and this stuff tastes incredible!

sierra nevada claims this is a ONE TIME ONLY release – so get your hands and taste-buds on some as soon as you can!

SLAINTE!

———

are you a sierra nevada fan?! and if so, do you agree with my theory regarding their water?!

 

{burger lettuce wraps}

7 Aug

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i love finger food. therefore, i love lettuce wraps.

i’m all about lettuce wraps these days. i feel like it’s my favourite new way to eat things – especially in the summertime!  i find that during the warmer months, i tend to want to eat “lighter” foods, and lettuce wraps fit the bill perfectly!

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also, sometimes i just don’t care for the heaviness of bread or sandwiches. i mean, don’t get me wrong… i’m an east-coast girl at heart and i love my sub sandwiches from the local deli! however, as i said – when it’s hot like it’s been here {in the upper 90’s}, i feel like my body simply wants lighter fare… and so i willingly oblige.

PLUS – the waistline seems to appreciate it when i skip the bread 😉

i made these “burger wraps” the other day when i was craving a burger but didn’t have time, energy, or the grill to make a burger with. so, i improvised. what i love about lettuce wraps is they can be utilized for just about anything. the lettuce leaves themselves are the perfect vehicle to transport yumminess from plate to mouth to tummy.

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in this recipe, i started with red lettuce leaves. i chose red because {especially} when it comes to food, in my book – the more colour, the better.

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my method is simple : chop up some fresh tomatoes, red onion, dill pickles, and any other toppings you may want on a burger. then, simply brown some grass-fed ground beef on medium-to-high heat and add in a little S&P. finally, pile your toppings one-by-one onto your yummy lettuce wrap and then finish with some mustard and/or ketchup. i personally love both on my burgers. Continue reading

{“drink the rainbow” : berry-cream vitamix smoothie!}

16 Jul

it’s been a while since i’ve done a post about a vitamix smoothie!  however, it’s that time of year when i find myself wanting to eat a little less and drink a little more. the heat of the summer causes us to sweat out toxins and i find that my body craves the freshness of a cold fruit smoothie to help replenish vital minerals.

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berry-cream vitamix smoothie : frozen blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and peaches, with fresh dates and coconut milk

do you sometimes do what i do?

…catch myself feeling guilty for not drinking more smoothies, so i’ll run out and buy a bunch of stuff to make them with, but then i don’t make nearly as many smoothies as i said i would, and those yummy ingredients go bad in the fridge. and nothing upsets me more than wasting food! {and money, for that matter!}

well, may i suggest something i do in order to avoid wasting precious resources?!  just keep canned or boxed coconut milk in the house and/or fridge! you can purchase coconut milk in aseptic {shelf-stable} containers. why coconut milk? well, i personally prefer coconut milk for the healthy fat content as well as the the fact that the coconut is pretty much one of the most amazing things on the planet! not only is coconut milk loaded with vitamins and minerals, it’s also great for your heart, your hair, your skin, your nails… shall i go on?! furthermore, i’ve created the habit of freezing any overripe fruits that i buy, and that way i always have the two main ingredients i need to make a smoothie!

of course, you can also add in spinach or kale to get a little extra vitamins and nutrients. for this concoction, i kept it pure and simple. just frozen blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and peaches blended with fresh dates and coconut milk. it’s light and fresh and only gently sweet. dates are nature’s candy! they are loaded with potassium and create a little sweetness without adding in unnecessary calories or sugar. and this smoothie is perfectly refreshing on a hot summer afternoon!

drink the rainbow!

{thirsty thursday – circus boy by magic hat}

19 Jun

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this was on sale at my local liquor store recently.  circus boy is one of my favourite hefewiezens, and i love that the company calls it an “elixir”!

…the trouble with these light, florally and fruity brews is that they tend to go down pretty easy; like orange juice – so tipping a few back ain’t no thang… until i have a headache the next day… :/

this is where i go, “please drink responsibly…”

😉 😛

{thirsty thursday : “plumango” vitamix smoothie}

10 Apr

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“plumango” vitamix smoothie :

– 1 fresh plum

– 1/4 cup dried mango

– 1/4 organic banana

– 1/4 cup frozen cherries

– 1/4 cup fresh spinach

– 1 teaspoon flax seeds

– 1 cup almond milk

 

{thirsty thursday – session lager}

3 Apr

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i’ve definitely been throwing back a few of these in the last few weeks…

just your good ol’ basic lager. clean, smooth taste, easy finish. compliments a frozen pizza after a long day at work just perfectly! 😉

{cherry sweet-tart vitamix smoothie}

22 Mar

i’m a little late on posting today – it’s snowing here in colorado… and, sigh – i’ll just go ahead and say it – i’m over it!  can we please be in spring now?!  i’m just dying to put on my sanuks and put away my wellies.

i’ve been making a smoothie every morning since we are ‘officially’ in spring now – but i admit it’s just not as satisfying first thing in the morning as a warm cup of coffee or tea.  but i’m determined to start cleansing my body out, preparing it for a different season, and lots of different veggies to compliment!

in the meantime, here’s another smoothie recipe.  i created this one in mind as more of an evening smoothie. tart cherries and tart cherry juice are good for insomnia, remember?!  i call it “sweet-tart” because i used sweet frozen cherries and tart cherry juice… and it turned out rather delicious!

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cherry sweet-tart vitamix smoothie :

– frozen sweet cherries {1/2 cup}

– 3 frozen strawberries

– 3 frozen pineapple chunks

– 1 pitted date

– 1/2 cup coconut milk

– 1/2 cup tart cherry juice

{thirsty thursday – lovely lemon water}

20 Mar

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a few reasons why lemon water is amazing :

– balances pH levels {although lemons do contain citric acid, our bodies metabolize them to be alkaline within – so cool, right?! lemons are actually one of the most alkalizing foods out there!}

– boosts metabolism {sure does!, not that i personally need that…}

– freshens breath {cool, huh?!}

– boosts vitamin C levels {yay immune system!}

– digestive aid {yay tummy!}

– helps clear skin {i particularly enjoy this fact – who doesn’t love to ‘glow’!}

– detoxifying {bye bye toxic mess!}

– energizing {WEEEEE!!!! i love lemon water!!!}

i drink a warm glass of lemon water immediately upon rising.  it’s my favourite new way to start my day.  i find it also encourages me to drink more water throughout my day… and in these high altitudes, that is extra important! 😀

so drink up {and down}!  when you drink water, it’s like your whole body says, “AHHHHH” 😛

{drink the rainbow : purple-ish antioxidant-rich vitamix smoothie!}

19 Mar

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how’s that for a title?!

vitamix-ing {and really, smoothie-making in general} is all about experimenting.  sometimes you nail it. sometimes you don’t. more times than not, it turns out amazing… like in this case. 🙂

purple-ish vitamix smoothie :

– 1/4 cup frozen blackberries

– 1/4 cup frozen pineapple

– 1/4 cup red/purple cabbage

– 1 pitted date {for sweetness}

– 2-3 dehydrated apple wedges {i like to dehydrate stuff}

– 1/2 – 2/3 cup coconut milk

– splash of orange juice

– sprinkle in a little raw protein powder

and the fact that it tastes amazing is a huge bonus to how incredibly healthy and good for you it is!! 😀

check out that colour!!!

{st. paddy’s day green vitamix smoothie}

17 Mar

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it’s been a while since i wrote a vitamix post!!  green smoothies are always fun, and this is fitting for the holiday. this week i decided to do a short cleanse. partially in honour of the moon, partially in honour of the upcoming solstice, and partially because i have been eating donuts almost every day for breakfast for about 2 months… not even kidding. *ahem* anyway, i was super excited to bust out my vitamix again! Continue reading

{thirsty thursday – zuberfizz draft soda!}

13 Mar

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everyone knows i love to support local.  and obviously i’m totally down with the all-natural.  however, you may be surprised to discover that i love ginger ale. i mean i LOVE IT! almost as much as i love beer… almost.

😉 Continue reading

{thirsty thursday – “snapshot”}

27 Feb

this doesn’t really need words… right?!

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*click click*

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*glug glug*

it’s like, the beer for fotographers.

and it is soooooo good!!! 😀

{thirsty thursday – “snapshot” from new belgium… it’s like they finally made a beer just for me!}

20 Feb

when i first spotted this at my local liquor store, i literally squealed, and then immediately grabbed my phone to take a picture.  are you kidding?!  i mean, you know they’re my absolute favourite, right?!  and you know i’m a fotographer, right?!  …

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snapshot wheat.

i didn’t buy it right away because i was walking… but then just yesterday, as i was having brunch with one of my girlfriends, i totally got to try it on tap!!!!

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it is SO DELICIOUS!!  super cloudy and blonde, definitely a true wheat beer… full of flavour but not over-the-top strong.  it went down like orange juice, and so i had to have another… i am eager to try it from the bottle as well. and then, i’ll take a food-and-foto style pic of it 😉

ohhh, new belgium – you never fail me.

cheers!

{thirsty thursday – a toast to all this white stuff outside!}

16 Jan

two delicious NBB brews to add to the list :

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snow day – dark and rich and full of caramel notes…

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accumulation – bright and hoppy with a crisp finish…

both brews celebrate the winter season, and the fanciful snowfall that comes with it. fanciful… how fun is that word.

😉

please drink responsibly… for real, though.