Happiness and Simplicity

Happy last day of 2008!

2008 was a big year for me. I moved into my own apartment in a new town, had my car flooded, celebrated 2 years with David, went on an hysterical cruise with my mom, ran my first 10K, graduated with my BA, took the road trip of my life and signed the papers for my first real job! Whew!

I've been ever so blessed.

For 2009 my theme will be happiness and simplicity. Checking my food, finances, relationships, outlook on life, etc. against happiness and simplicity really keeps me in line.

Here are my 2009 Goals:

Run another 10K and half marathon. (My 1st this January doesn't count! I want another!)

Have more get-togethers with friends. I used to have big parties all the time. I don't miss the BIG parties, but I do miss fun times with my friends.

Volunteer. (I'm already signing up with a local women's organization to foster a pre-teen girl who is in foster care. I can't wait!)

Try new recipes in the kitchen. (I'm expanding myself... just not physically!)

Make whole foods my habit. Open up to more yoga and Pilates. (I recently tried a Body Flow class at my gym and am addicted!)

Spend more time with God and in the Bible.

Always look for the positive and have fun. (It makes life better!)

Cherish and spoil David and my family more.

Dedicate time to invest in healthyashley. (I love you guys and this blog makes me so happy!)

Get to a weight that's best for me. (Instead of a goal weight, I've set a stay under this number weight.)

Here's to an awesome 2009! Happy New Year!

**Trip recap will continue in 2009!

Pushing Myself

photo

I have to let you guys know that I feel pretty good right now. You see, a while ago I set this very ambitious goal of running a half marathon in the middle of January 2009. I thought it'd be especially nice to complete such a large goal after graduation the month prior.

...but I seemed to have forgotten that finals, graduation, holidays and road trips aren't very conducive to actually TRAINING for a half marathon!!

It's not like asthmatic-non-runner-Ashley can just get up and magically run 13.1 miles just because it'll be really, really cool! So when my training was basically nonexistent until after Christmas, I really thought of giving up.
But I couldn't think of a substantial enough excuse to give up on my goals.

So tonight I ran 8 miles. A very big record for me.

Nothing compares to being proud of yourself for pushing your limits. Do you know what I mean? Whether it be running, loving, changing habits or prejudices or stepping out of your comfort zone... the reward for pushing yourself is priceless.

Click here to see Runner's World great article on 15 foods runners need to keep in good running shape. I'm proud to see I had most of those foods today! Included in the list are oranges, black beans and dark chocolate!

Do you notice how your diet affects your specific exercise program? Are there certain foods that you count on for top performance?

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

Acting Big in a Big City

(continuing my trip recap..)
Our first stop, Charleston, SC, was beautiful. We loved the historic buildings and hometown-feel of the city, even though we saw very little of it. We were pooped by the time we finally arrived! After a little town touring I did some exercises with a mat and exercise band in the room (as David watched TV and ate coffee cake and cookies!).

After Charleston we stayed in Alexandria, VA and visited DC the next morning (I posted earlier about our pit stop to South of the Border!). I was so excited to finally get a good run in at the hotel gym I read about online. Well, the gym turned out to be a 10-year-old elliptical and tiny stationary bike in a tiny room- not even a single treadmill! I got a little cardio in before heading back upstairs.
The next morning was DC! After a white flour/sugar heaven of a continental breakfast we took the Metro into the city for a rainy and cold 5 hours of sightseeing! We really loved DC. I’ve been there before as a quick stop, but this time we enjoyed strolling by the gorgeous old buildings and statues. It was a lot of fun to see our nation's gorgeous capital with the hottest guy on earth.










Lessons learned:

1. D.C. has no bathrooms.
2. Never drive a car through the city.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

To all bloggers and readers, I wish you the happiest holiday celebrations. You all are amazing.

South of the Border

Hello all!

I'm back from my vacation! Oh, how good it feels to be home. I've missed my oatmeal and exercise routine. I think spending time away from your healthy routine makes you appreciate its benefits all the more!

Over the next week I'll be posting a vacation recap in a series of posts. Typical healthy ashley-fashion is lots of photos- and I wouldn't want to overwhelm you!

After our stay at Charleston, SC, we headed to Alexandria, VA/DC, and on the way stopped at South of the Border. If you've ever made the drive through North or South Carolina you know what South of the Border is! They have signs with odd quotes beginning on the interstate 60 miles on either side of the establishment.

David and I decided to stop by and check out the action!

Only there was none. Everything was shut down for the winter!!

So instead we took random photos of all the incredibly tacky statues!

It was a blast!
Stopping by a gigantic tacky establishment in the middle of the rain which turns out to be closed down could be a real downer, but David turned it into one of the best parts of the trip. His sense of humor is one of the things I love about him!

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

The Challenge

One of my “fitness” magazine subscriptions arrives in the mail. Quickly I scan the photos taking note of their clear skin, trim calves and tight abs. More than anything else I begin to compare myself to the “perfect” image depicted in those photos. Without a second thought to my own beauty, strength or accomplishments I am criticizing my blotchy skin and always-too-big legs.

How does this happen?

I’ve been writing in this blog about health and fitness for almost a year now. I’m always the first to speak encouraging words to friends when they get down about their looks. Heck, I’m a huge health-and-fitness-guru-wannabe.

Yet I criticize my own physical condition whenever given the opportunity.

I am ashamed.

We talk about it day in and day out. “Most models are unhealthy and too skinny.” We cry that magazines don’t include ‘normal’ women. Bloggers proclaim their commitment to loving ourselves how we are. But how many of us still critique ourselves with negative thoughts?

I don’t want to do it anymore- whether the subject is a magazine or another woman.

Image snagged from Women's Health Mag's silly Swim Suit Tester here

The Challenge
So what would a month without all of those negative thoughts be like? Not necessarily a month to lose 10 pounds, hit the gym 6-days-a-week or spend more time at the spa... but a month believing that I am good enough just as I am (and regardless of what another woman looks like)…

Join me this next month to find out. To be honest, I think this challenge will be tough. Since I was a little girl I’ve played the comparison game. To change my thought pattern from criticizing to uplifting will feel just weird, but I’m in.

Join me?

________________________

Since I'm on my road trip, my internet, posting and blog-commenting will be sporadic for the next two weeks... but I can't wait to be 100% back and catch up with you all!

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

Hello from South Carolina!

David and I are in Charleston, SC as Stop #1 of our road trip! I thought I'd share some quick photos.

David's mom was sweet enough to pack us a box of snacks... and some Gas-X (for David!)

The scale has not been happy with me from Thanksgiving, stressful finals, graduation and now this trip. Instead of forgetting about it at home and incurring an additional 10 days of damage, I decided to bring it in attempt to make peace.

Do you ever do something really goofy and say "oh, let's get a picture!"? Well David and I do it all the time. So when I told him to let me snap a picture of him eating the Easy Cheese, I took a video instead. So funny.

By the way- have you ever had cheese in a can? (Soooo goood! Not that I tried it or anything :)

In downtown historic Charleston...


p.s.- I'm officially a gradddduuuaaaatttteeeeee!! Graduation ceremonies are incredibly boring, but I did have fun little post-graduation party afterward! (All healthy eating, of coure!)

Graduation was a big thing for me because I'm only 20-years-old. I started college at 15 when I started high school and have been working my butt off (and giving up a lot) ever since to make it to this day!


What stinks about graduation: no matter how cute your outfit is, nobody ever sees it. Instead they shove you in a gigantic mumu and box hat.

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 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

Ahhhh! Vacation!!

Holy crappers!

Graduation (!!!) 7:30am tomorrow, party, 10-day road trip Sunday- then Christmas Eve right after we get back! Gah!

First, here's the schedule for Operation: Wonderland in case you're interested:

Operation: Wonderland Itinerary December 14-23, 3008

Sunday 12/14
Leave Tampa 8am
7 ½ hour drive
Arrive Charleston, SC 4pm

Monday 12/15
Leave Charleston, SC 1pm
8 hour drive
Arrive DC 9pm

Tuesday 12/16
Leave DC 5pm
3 hour drive
Arrive DE 8pm

Wednesday 12/17
Leave DE 4pm
4 hour drive
Arrive NY 8pm

Thursday 12/18
NYC

Friday 12/19
NYC

Saturday 12/20
Leave NY in am
Stay Boston

Sunday 12/21
Stay Boston

Monday 12/22
Leave Boston 8am
12 hour drive
Arrive NC 8pm

Tuesday 12/23
Leave NC 1pm
10 hour drive
Arrive HOME (Tampa) 11pm

**All readers, let me know if I'll be in your area and maybe we can meet up!**

Traveling Exercises
I think road trips are the most critical time to keep active, especially when that trip is during a food-heavy holiday. After all, you're most likely eating more food and more often and some days are spent entirely in the car.

Being on the road for 10 days the month before my first half marathon scares me a bit, so I'm already planning out my runs. Anyone want to meet up at any of the locations for a good run?!

I'm packing my mat (ewww hotel carpets!), a resistance band and maybe my 8-lb. medicine ball. I've also printed this great No-Gear Necessary workout from Women's Health.

What do you do to stay fresh and active when you're on the road? I'm taking all the tips I can get on this one!

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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