Winesday Wednesday: 5/29

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Hey there. Time for the weekly Winesday Wednesday roundup. And BOOOYYYYYYY do I need me some wine today. There are just so many life-stressers as of late that I just can’t cope without the alcohol-y goodness (although I think I will be significantly cutting back throughout June so I can fit into the wedding dress).

These ladies are my imaginary best friends:

And if you’ve NEVER seen the following YouTube video, then you live in a hole. It’s hilarious times infinity.

Ok, I hope I have brought you a couple laughs so far. Onto what a few people sent me over the last week:

Keith (http://keithsodyssey.blogspot.ca/) sent a pic of another one of his wines- with a really neat description!- and the bottle stopper, too! Unfortunately, we don’t own a bottle stopper in our house because no bottle is EVER left unfinished. Ha! Keith’s description reads as follows:

Even in our house we don’t go through a whole bottle for just the two of us in one night. At least not every time. That means there has to be some kind of a stopper. This one is my favourite. This is a nice white, though it’s odd to use that word for a wine with such a deep amber color. There’s a bit of pear and apricot, with an almost mead like depth to it, though it’s not sweet. Just a nice rich soft fruity wine taste. It actually tastes better at room temperature than cool, unlike most whites.

Sara (http://www.mylifeoutofalabcoat.com/) tweeted me a pic of this neat drink saying “This is a ramos gin fizz..it’s good for you cause it’s made with egg whites” LOVE fizzes (My favorite one ever was had at Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square in Boston)

Monique (http://burpeestobubbly.com/) had a pretty stellar Memorial Day weekend. They had a Cocktail Station AND at one point, she had a Pineapple Mango Sage infused Margarita WITH DRY ICE! How crazy cool is that?

My friend, Ashley had some well deserved wine after a day of work on her beach house (was damaged from Hurricane Sandy). I saw some of the pictures she posted on her personal facebook page of the work they are doing on the house, and I definitely agree that the wine was WELL deserved!

Before I started typing this post, I texted my mom and told her to take a pic of the beer and wings that I knew she and my dad were out having. And of course, by the time she saw the text, she was already home, so instead she took two random beers out of the fridge and took a pic. Although, she did mention she had TWO beers at the bar (and 12 1/2 wings…although, how do you just eat 1.2 a wing? Aren’t they tiny enough?)

Tyler and I tried some new-to-us beers this past weekend, and they were all pretty good! Although, I am REALLY in the mood for some Sam Summer…soon I can indulge when we go back to NY!!

We also went to a BBQ this past weekend and played around with way too many different drink concoctions with the Margaritaville machine. It was AWESOME.

What’s your favorite summer drink?

Right, so two posts in one day. Basically,

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Right, so two posts in one day. Basically, it’s a long episode of The Bachelorette, and Tyler is playing video games. Soooo yeahhhhh…

Just two things I NEED to share. Number one: The workout I did today. Consider this your Monday Moves post for the week. It was a great mix of strength and cardio and I was super sweaty and ready to hit the showers by the end. (Note: I completed the workout nearly 3 hours ago and I have yet to shower. Cue the gross factor.)

(Source)

Number two: The cookies I baked today. I don’t know why I never thought of making these before, but DAYY-UMM they are yummy. I almost didn’t want to share, but realized I probably should since it would be rude to tell you about them, but not tell you how to make them and be all Cookie Monster-esque like me:

GIFSoup

K, onto the stuff. Might as well give you the workout first.

I did this workout with a 5 minute warmup on the row machine, 20 min spin after Circuit 1, and 15 minute run after circuit 2. I would have completed extra cardio after the third circuit, but I had already made a trip to the dog park earlier in the day AND I needed to get to the grocery store for dinner stuff before Tyler got home. There’s my excuse. Still a great workout, though!

Now…the COOOOOOKIES!

Browned-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here’s what you’ll need:

3/4 c butter
1/4 c sugar
3/4 c bown sugar
1 egg
3 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
dash salt
1 c chocolate chips

Here’s what you do:

1. Place the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Continuously stir for several minutes until butter bubbles, then begins turning light brown.

2. Immediately place the browned butter in a mixer (or bowl if using hand mixer) and cream with both sugars.

3. Once they are fully incorporated, add the egg and vanilla.

4. Then add flour, soda and salt and mix until just incorporated.

5. Hand fold in the chocolate chips.

6. Place mixture in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350 and prepare baking pans. After 30 minutes and once oven is ready, spoon blobs of the dough onto the baking sheets and bake for 12 minutes. Cookies will be soft to touch upon taking out of the oven, so allow them to cool on cookie pans for 5-10 minutes before moving to wire racks.

Night, y’all.

Exercise and Eats: Week of 5/27

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I suppose this post is just to keep record of my exercise and dinners for myself. Short and sweet (typing this as I’m watching the Universe’s worst show ever: The Bachelorette).

Last week’s eats:

Monday: It was our holiday here last Monday and we did NOTHING. Meaning, no cooking. I haven’t been too keep on Subway lately, but it was a quick, easy, somewhat healthy option that Tyler swung by and picked up on his way home from Football. No picture because, well….no picture.

Tuesday: Burgers

Wednesday: Chicken Salad with Cherries and Pecans

Thursday: Turkey Tacos with sauteed veggies

Friday: Homemade Pizza

On tap for this week:

Monday: Turkey Club Quesadillas
Tuesday: Teriyaki Bowls
Wednesday: Spaghetti Squash and Turkey Marinara (I WILL find a spaghetti squash!)
Thursday: Cobb Salads or out to dinner
Friday: Whichever we don’t have Thursday

For exercise (crap, I should have typed this earlier because I sort of forget what I did)

Mon, 5/20: Cardio Kickboxing

Tues, 5/21: AMRAP workout, 20 min run, 30 min at-home yoga

Wed, 5/22: 30 min run, 5 min spin (i think!)

Thurs, 5/23: Full-Body circuits, 20 min spin

Fri, 5/24: TRX/Stability Ball circuits, 40 min home cardio

Last week was technically the last week of this round of Best Body Bootcamp, but I wasn’t entirely feeling the last round of the workouts we were given. So, I improvised! BUT- I did sign up for the next Round of Best Body Bootcamp. If you’re interested, check out Tina’s site to see if it’s something you might like!

For this week:

Mon, 5/27: Circuit & Cardio Intervals (stay tuned in the next post for the complete workout!)

Tues, 5/28: Run, ab tabatas

Wed, 5/29: Upper Body workout, 30 min spin

Thurs, 5/30: Lower Body workout, 30 min run

Fri, 5/31: Full body workout, 10-10-10 cardio

Sat, 6/1: TBA

There ya have it. Favorite eats or workouts lately? I wanna know!

Winesday (day after) Wednesday..and the Brewmaster’s Dinner

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Hey guys. Sorry about yesterday..I just had a really bad migraine that was induced by difficulty at the Registry. Want the story? (If not, skip the following few paragraphs)

SO. I obviously needed to get an Alberta driver’s license..especially since I have lived here over a year. Well, I couldn’t get one until I obtained my permanent residency (in February). I walked into the Registry- which in Canada is like the DMV/RMV/passport place/health care card place/place for lots of stuff. I have usually been going to the location closest to my house. Last month, I went in with my PR card, MA license, MA driving record and money. The girl friggin tells me I need proof of residency. Um yeah, hi, that would be my PR card ya dummy. But no, not acceptable she says.

I needed either a utility bill or bank account statement. OK. So then I went over to the Bank and opened an account. I had the clerk stamp and sign a paper showing my existing account. Go back to the Registry and they say NO it has to be a statement that has been mailed to my address. Tyler called our utility company and added me, but we wouldn’t get a statement for another month. My attempt to get a license was over for that day.

I go back yesterday with BOTH a mailed statement from my bank and utility company. The girl at the Registry denies me AGAIN because my driving record from MA (that I paid $6 to get) did not say the state of Massachusetts on it. Without that ‘proper’ information, I could only get a GDL license (basically a stupid provisional license in which I would have to take a driving test) HELLS NO YOU GUYS. I have been driving for 11 years. I am NOT taking a driving test.

I then resort to looking into getting my driving record from the state of NY. But I found that if your license has been expired for five years or more, they no longer keep your records on file. Another dead end. And the MA website only allow me to obtain a $6 unattested record or a $20 record which would ONLY be mailed to the address listed on my license. Dead end again. I took a screen shot of all that information, along with my OLD MA license (which does not show an ‘issued’ date), my existing license, and all the other correct proof I had to a different Registry office, and the clerk there was SUPER friendly and accommodating.

Long story short, I finally got my license (although it still has potential to be reviewed for the GDL class). There were several trips, lots of time, and COUNTLESS tears shed in the process. So frustrating! It’s not like I’m trying to cheat the system or anything,..just nothing wants to come easy for me.

That was a longer than intended rant. But that’s that. Onto the booze!

Monique (http://burpeestobubbly.com/) sent a couple of pics!

Her mom has a wine tote! I seriously need one of those (or these wine sippy cups!)

Chelsea (http://thedancingrunner.wordpress.com/) had some TJ’s Charles Shaw (TWO BUCK CHUCK!) Dang I miss Trader Joe’s. She tweeted me the pic saying it went great with buffalo chicken lettuce wraps. Might have to put those on the dinner menu soon!

Keith (http://keithsodyssey.blogspot.ca/) sent a pic of a bottle in a sweet wine holder! He mentioned the wine was an Australian Viognier and “This one is fairly new, and still building character. I think it’s going to be a rich deep wine when it grows up.”

Check out what my mama sent me! White wine, ya whatever, but the little tags and the bottle topper are the best! Know why? Because I sent them to her for Mother’s Day. I know what that lady needs and what she’ll get the most used out of.

And for those of you wondering, my mom isn’t the only one sitting at home boozing it up. My dad is too. Not as much, but I think he’s increasing his tolerance for the wedding. Good job, dad. By the way….DAD YOU’RE ON THE INTERNET! IT’S GOING TO BE ON FACESPACE AND MYBOOK AND TWATTER AND INSTA-WHO-CARES!!!!!!!! (I googled my dad today and NOTHING came up. He’s so mysterious like that.)

And now, for my little contribution, I just wanted to write a little ditty about what I was up to last Wednesday. I was invited by Big Rock Brewery to attend their Brewmaster’s Dinner- a launch party for their Rosmarinus Aromatic Ale- that was held at Candela. I felt super privileged to be able to attend the event, and I was equally excited to share the experience with Tyler (and drink the beer!)

The placemats showed us what we were in for:

It was a four course meal, with a pint of the Rosmarinus for cocktail hour, a sample size of the beers paired with the shellfish, pork and dessert course, and another full pint with the main course (lamb).

Being incredibly punctual, we were the first people to arrive, and were greeted with a cold pint. And it didn’t disappoint. It has a lovely amount of Rosemary flavor that would be perfectly matched with summer grilled meals- in my opinion.

As we sat for dinner, we listened to the introduction by the Brewmaster himself. During that time and in between each course, he gave us info on the premise for this ale, the history of ales, why each course was paired with each beverage, what Big Rock had in store for the future, and plenty of other interesting things! I was getting really excited for each course and am now very intrigued for what the brewery has yet to come. Tyler and I are big fans of the Brewery, and we often purchase their seasonal beers and have yet to be disappointed.

The first course was shellfish. “Potato wrapped jumbo prawns with yuzu aioli, red crab & corn fritters with pasilla pepper and cherry tomato mole” This was paired with Big Rock’s Saaz Republic Pilz. I was hesitant for this course because I absolutely DESPISE shrimp, but I felt obligated to try. I managed to hide my grossed-out face, and continued on to the crab & corn fritters which were delicious with the mole. And of course I loved the Saaz.

Second course was Pork..my favorite. It consisted of “Sriracha and maple glazed pork belly, roasted pork loin, pickled asian vegetable slaw, and taro root crisp.” This was paired with their IPA. I have to say, this plate could have been multiplied by 100 and I would have eaten it all. If you’ve never had pork belly- go try it. It is SO delicious. I had to refrain from moaning with each bite- especially since we were sitting among strangers! And the taro root crisps were like angelic potato chips that I needed more of!

With the main course, we had another pint of the Rosmarinus. The meal consisted of “Grilled lamb chop, lamb albondigas (meatballs), roasted leg of lamb, buttermilk mashed potatoes and rosemary glaze. I didn’t care much for the meatball, but the grilled lamb tasted immaculately perfect with the ale. Mmm Mmm.

Last course- dessert. Even though I was already STUFFED, I am not one to pass up the sweet stuff. Our dessert was “manchego, vanilla and dulce de leche creme brulee , jamon iberico chip.” It was paired with the Scottish Style Heavy Ale with is absolutely wonderful. I mean, that ale alone could’ve been dessert, but the creme brulee with basically a huge piece of glazed ham sticking out of it was just over the top. I really REALLY wanted to eat the whole thing, but my stomach wouldn’t let me!

It was a really wonderful event and I can’t express my gratitude enough for being invited to participate.

Ok, now with all this beer and wine talk, I’m craving a glass. Since my migraine has downgraded to a headache, I think I shall indulge. Have a good night!