WINE-NEW ARRIVALS 06/27/08

BRAND NEW MALBEC SECTION:

Achaval Ferrer Malbec 07'- One of a kind entry from a renowned Argentinian wine maker. Very lush bold fruit with some subtle smokey-herbal notes. $25.99

Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec 06'- Big bold jammy fruit with flavors of blackberry, violet, plum, black pepper and spice. This is the last offering of this vintage till the 2007's come out. $20.99

Trapiche Malbec 07'- This is a great wine that far exceeds its price. Deep dark fruit on the nose with a hint of brown spice. Boysenberries and casis on the mouth with a good acid balance and firm tannins. Very soft finish. Only $8.99

BEER-NEW ARRIVALS 06/27/08

ALLAGASH "HUGH MALONE"-Limited Edition 750ml -$19.99+tx

ABV: 8.5% Original Gravity: 1080 by volumeRecommended Serving Temp: 45 - 50°FRecommended Cellaring Temp: 55°F

HITACHINO NEST ESPRESSO STOUT-Very limited Japanese import. 7.5%ABV-$5.99+tx

CANTILLON "CUVEE DES CHAMPIONS"-Limited seasonal release from the best producer of Lambic/Gueuze styles in Belgium. 5%ABV. 100% artisinal lambic brewed to celebrate the Union Football Club's 2003 Division 3b title and the team's ascent to Division 2. Aged two years in oak barrels, and then dry-hopped in the cask. -$22.99+tx

Cheers!

-Dave

If you do one thing...

You must read this post!

"I would have surgically enhanced breasts the size of sea turtles and a staff of two whose sole purpose was to walk in front of me, keeping them lifted and separated.....I would adopt the babies that Angelina wanted and just put them in storage." Seriously, go there.


p.s.- I move into my new apartment Monday.

****We will return to normally scheduled blogging ASAP!****

Drum roll Please...!

It was either choose the winners randomly and announce this morning or wait a day and do it all fancy with a video camera. I'm impatient, so I went with this morning! I wrote all names out in order on a piece of paper and asked David to randomly pick 2 numbers. As a result... drum roll please..... the winners of the first healthy ashley Smoothie King giveaway are.....

Ashley and Healthy Celiac!

Congratulations and thanks to all who entered! Ashley and Healthy Celiac, please email your mailing address to healthyashley at gmail dot com so I can mail you your $25 Smoothie King gift cards!

Can I Just......?

Lately I've seen a "tagging-thing" going around where people post pictures of themselves at their high school prom. I was never tagged, but I definitely want to post my pictures!!

I finished high school early and was barely there, so I missed out on most of my high school moments. (I went to the community college for most days.) So when my senior prom came around, I just had to go. My date was my good friend Richard, who graduated years before me and had never even been to my school!

The dress: A few years before prom, I modeled this handmade, one-of-a-kind dress for a little boutique. Needless to say, i fell in love with it. When prom started approaching, I couldn't think of any other dress I would want. (It hadn't been sold yet!) ..I also couldn't afford it. It was $475! Considering it was 75 yards of fabric and hand sewn, it was worth it, but still! So...

A few weeks before prom I came home to find my dream dress and beautiful matching shoes in my bedroom. My mom (who isn't overflowing with $), put herself out to fulfill this dream of mine. I tried that dress on every single day up until prom.

The night was beautiful. I have never felt so beautiful. Richard picked me up and we went to dinner at a piano bar in Tampa. The prom was on a dinner boat. How fun! Richard was a great date: we danced just to the last song (on the top level of the boat) and talked most of the time. After that we got cheese fries at a local diner :)

Soooo... I really, really wanted to post these pictures because I loved everything about that night. It showed me how much my friends and family care about me and was a perfect kick-off to the rest of my life!

BEER OF THE MONTH CLUB

By joining our Beer of the Month Club, you can experience some of the finest ales available in the best way possible, at a discounted rate.

Membership in Beer of the Month includes:

-Detailed tasting notes

-Food pairing notes

-Information on tasting to enhance your experience

-Coupons

-Access to rare and limited bottles

All bottles featured in Beer of the Month are priced at a 15% discount. Other discounts and specials may be offered from time to time. The cost is between $25 and $35 per month, depending on the selections.

Sign up today!

-Dave

WELCOME TO HEALTHY SPIRITS

Healthy Spirits is a specialty boutique in the heart of San Francisco's historic Castro district.

We carry over 400 specialty beers, with an emphasis on Belgian products. We are also well known in the Bay area for our Rami's Mommy's line of Middle-Eastern delicacies, especially our hummus, which is featured in some of the top hotels in San Francisco.

Stop by for a visit, and sample our selection of European chocolates and hand-made sandwiches.

Our knowledgeable and experienced staff would be more than happy to help you customize your tasting with appropriate food pairings, or make suggestions based on your personal taste.

Smoothie King Giveaway!!!

I've talked about how much I love Smoothie King before. Sometimes I just crave a refreshing, energizing smoothie. I like Smoothie King because of their many options and the Trim Down section of their menu. My favorite is the Slim N' Trim Vanilla (made Skinny- without turbinado sugar) with added blueberries. It has protein and fruit and fills me up so nicely. Mmm!

Anyway..... I am so excited to announce the first Giveaway on healthy ashley! Smoothie King was generous enough to send me TWO $25 gift cards to Smoothie King (locations can be found here here) for any of their smoothies or other treats for two readers.

I love Smoothie King's Mission Statement: "To relentlessly influence and help more & more people achieve a healthier lifestyle."

And their Vision: "To become THE healthy alternative to unhealthy food choices by providing a consistent, outstanding guest experience, great tasting nutritional smoothies and the highest quality nutritional products in a healthy, energetic environment."

I think they accomplish both!

I am really excited about this company because I really admire Smoothie King. They promote health in a fast-food world. Their atmosphere is always so uplifting and encouraging. Smoothie Kings makes healthy fun. They take a "grass-roots" approach to reach their customers. I run races and have seen Smoothie King offering samples and coupons to all the runners. They are taking away the corporate mentality and I love it!

Smoothie King Giveaway Guidelines!

1. Two (2) $25.00 gift cards will be given away and mailed to the winners
2. I will randomly draw the winners in some documented random way
3. To enter Giveaway, leave a comment to this post including your favorite Smoothie King creation (if you're a Smoothie King virgin, leave your favorite smoothie!)
   
4. Only one comment can be left per person
5. Comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) Tuesday, June 24, 2008
6. Tell other people to enter! Let's make this interesting

Yay! I can't wait to send out these cards to two of you. How fun would it be to enjoy a yummy smoothie for free!!? Enter!

****Please check the locations as Smoothie King is not yet all over the world!

Hi!!!!!!!!

Hi!! How was your weekend? Ate way too much, exercised less than you should have? Me too! But it's okay. It was a holiday (hi, Dads!) and tomorrow is a brand new day! I think our bodies were built to put up with a little fun here and there anyway.

I am in the middle of procrastinating before I cut to the chase and study for a final exam. I will speak mostly in (out of order!) pictures now, but I do have a food review and contest and other posts that I want to get out to you soon. I'll be back!
______________________________________________

David and I stopped by some stores Saturday. I found sale on underwear I love in American Eagle. I tried so hard to find something else to buy, but I ended up having to walk to the counter with a bunch of 10 underpants. Well, at least the salesperson won't EVER have to wonder what's under my clothes!
This cute kid took full advantage of a good back rub!
A bit of my family came over for a Father's Day barbecue by the pool.

That's my Dad!

David and I passed by this at the mall Saturday. Can we be like normal people and just walk by? Of course not! I have bloggers I have to tell about this! (Click on the picture and look closely. Hello, nudity!)

I would like to introduce a new shirt. I love it. I wish you could see it up close, because it has the best details!

Sabrina is great. She's always dressed for the occasion!
Do kids get any cuter?


FYI- Eating mostly bad foods does not do you any good. It will result in headaches, fatness and an all around lack of energy. Just so you know.

How was your weekend? Talk to you soon!

Starting Right Now

Don't wait until you're at goal to have fruit for dessert.

Don't wait to lose the 5 pounds to feel beautiful.

Don't wait until tomorrow to say I love you.

Don't wait for the apology to be kind.

Wherever you are right now, make the best of it. As the weekend approaches, act a little more like who you are working to be. For me, that is positive, kind, healthy and athletic. Let's come back from the weekend proud.

This weekend, reach high! Starting right now!


pssssst! There will be a contest for a free gift card soon!! =)

Daughters Are Always Right!

Remember my Mom? She was having some trouble with, um.. eating. You all gave her such great inspiration and advice that she's snapping into shape! I had to follow through with directions when I received this in my inbox today!:

SUBJECT: Tell your BLOG group this!

Today, so far, I had :

BFAST: 2 egg whites, a piece of ww toast with touch of canola/butter spread and a glass of o.j. & coffee w/little cream, no sugar

SNACK: FF plain yogurt, 1/2 scoop protein powder, 1 tspn flaxseed, blueberries

LUNCH: Salad with lettuce, corn, black beans, shredded carrots, onions, cuc's, tom's and sauteed chix breast w/ FF balsamic viniagrette

SNACK: small amount of FF plain yogurt with 1 scoop of protein powder

DINNER: making a stirfry with brown rice, broccoli, carrots and talapia fish :)) YUM!

I have been following the 6 small meals a day and Sandy (a healthy friend of hers) gave me a list of foods and which groups to eat with which to follow. I have been doing this the whole week. It is a lot of prep and $$ but I am getting used to it and liking all of the eating!!! :) Thought you'd be proud of me!

If you have people who refuse to exercise or eat right, don't give up on them! They won't put through the effort until they are ready, but you can try many things to help them see what works for them. Thanks for all of your comments before!

Review- Oikos Greek Yogurt

I've been intertwined in a love affair with Fage 0% the past few months... an expensive, protein-filled, versatile, rich love affair!

So when I found a coupon for Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt, I was skeptical. I mean, I really love my Fage! ... but then my senses kicked in and I realized I am a poor college student about ready to move into her first apartment. SO I cheated.

The first thing I noticed was that Oikos is actually made by Stonyfield Farm, maker of all my normal organic yogurts.


Review:

Taste: Oikos 0% Plain Organic Greek Yogurt is more creamy than other Greek yogurts. It also was a bit more sour. I would use Fage with fruit and this with tacos and chili. It's good!

Nutrition: Basically the same as Fage, although Oikos has double the calcium and 2 extra grams of protein.

Price: The same as Fage. I found mine for %1.89 for a 5/5.3 oz. container. (Wowsa!)

Uses: I love adding Greek yogurt to my meals because it gives me a protein bonus to keep me full. I mix mine with fruit, in oatmeal, in chili, on tacos or by itself. I once mixed it with a bit of cocoa and organic sugar... it tasted like chocolate icing!

Have you tried any other varieties of Greek yogurt? Have any other uses I should add here?

***EDIT: Here are some recipes and here you can get a coupon to try Oikos.
_________________________________

For Greek-yogurt-virgins:

According to Wikipedia, Greek yogurt "has been strained in a cloth or paper bag or filter, traditionally made of muslin , to remove the whey, giving a consistency between that of yoghurt and cheese, while preserving yoghurt's distinctive sour taste."

I used to only eat sweet, creamy yogurt. When I first tried Fage (Greek yogurt), it took some getting used to. I think of it as a cross between plain yogurt, cream cheese and sour cream. It is much more sour and thick than what I was used to. It just tastes so rich. I usually can't eat it by itself.

After eating it so many different ways, I haven't picked up a normal, sweetened yogurt since. So you might not like it right away, but it just might grow on you.

Nine

I love this picture I took Saturday of Clearwater at night.

1. I want to post about so many different things and I will soon. Right now I'm working on a term project (30 slide, 1,000 word PPT... due tomorrow morning, starting right now!).

2. I put the deposit down on my apartment today. I'm not telling anyone or celebrating just yet because...

3. David and I aren't talking. Relationships are tough and it's even tougher figuring out where to compromise. I need someone who cherishes me and will never walk away.

4. Just an hour ago I found out some really saddening news. Something happened and it makes me think about a lot of things because 1. it puts others lives at risk and is illegal and 2. it was kept a secret. A lot to think about.

5. The rain has always been so cleansing in my mind, so I put on my running shoes the second I heard thunder. My mind is so clouded and sad that the rain falling on me was so freeing.

6. While I was walking, a man in my neighborhood offered an umbrella. I love when there's still good in humanity. Or maybe he was a child molester. (You never know.) I'm just going to tell myself he was being nice.

7. I've eaten a lot of cake recently. I live with my family and my little sister bakes a cake every night. I don't like cake too much, but when it smells great, tastes sweet and everyone else is doing it, why the heck not?! I also keep telling myself, "You'll have no cake or junk food in your house in a week, so nothing counts now!" It's my choice, though, and I'm totally aware of that.

8. My new apartment is amazing. Huge windows, original wood floors and a light peach/tan on the walls. It's a 1 bedroom and the rent is a steal!

9. I told you guys about WalkScore before. You enter in an address and it gives you a walkability score based on how close grocery stores, shopping, parks, libraries, etc. are. My home now is a 3. My new home got a score of 88. That's the best score I've seen. My work is 1 mile away; Whole Foods is 2 miles down the road. That's all I need!

I'll be back soon.

This is Sabrina (in a bathing suit) about ready to be thrown into a pool. We're still waiting ont he test results to see if the dog is in fact human. I'll keep you posted. Click picture to enlarge- it's worth it!

p.s.- In case it wasn't obvious, my Challenge (diet and exercise) is put on hold until after I move. I'll do the best I can until then!

What We Are

Today I read a brief story on That's Fit about E! Correspondent Giuliana Rancic. She said: “I hate it when celebrities say they never exercise but are really in the gym five days a week. So I’ll be honest: I run an hour a day, weight-train four times a week, and watch what I eat.”

This hit me straight in the forehead!

For years I have maintained the same weight. Same height, same size. It's comfortable. I am healthy, maybe average. But, I have always wanted to be a bit smaller. When I was coming out of the eating disorder period, I hit the mid 130's and loved it there. I've gone back once for a brief stop, but I bounced right back to my normal. Not that I am unhappy where I am now, but I really felt and looked my best at that weight.

For years I've wanted to be this weight/size. Eight months ago I started this blog to get to that size. But I still am not.

Is it because I can't do it? Have those family dinners really been too much to handle? Was the brownie shoved down my throat? And was it impossible to exercise once that weekend? No. But here is a sample of some of my thoughts.

"I'm just not built that way."

"She was just born skinny like that."

"I can't help that I'm bigger."

"I could run like that if ______"

'I have too much going on to make good choices."

"___________________."

I share these because I'm sure they float around your head, too- but this needs to stop today. It's not about a numbers or family history or what's happened in the past. We have to take responsibility and pride in who we are. I am 10 pounds above my goal weight because I put myself there, because of my choices. I am healthy because I make an effort to nourish my body on a day-to-day basis. At the end of the day, we all have 24-hours and a crap load of stresses... The actresses, the marathoners, the mothers of 5.

I've been the 130's, healthy, energetic Ashley who doesn't have cankles and feels great wearing dresses. I have been there before- so I know it is possible for me to be there again. Binging on all the bad foods in the house last night because that's what I always do when they are there? That was my choice.

How about today we don't look at fit, healthy people and brush it off that they were made that way, or they are just naturally skinny. I'm sure most of them are not. They hit the gym hard and they make health a priority. So let us do it, too. With each choice we create who we are. Let's make responsible, honest choices today. It's for us!

I'll make you unsatisfied with whatever you have packed for lunch!

David and I were fortunate enough to be treated to dinner at Ruth's Chris this weekend. I was a bit shy about taking pictures in this place, so I'll do my best to give your taste buds a tour of our meal... (pre-note: the terms "healthy" and "diet" were forbidden at this meal :)

Tons of warm, fresh bread with real butter.

San Peligrino Sparkling Water

Sliced Tomato and Onion- A sliced beefsteak tomato on a medley of lettuces. Topped with sliced red onions, vinaigrette and bleu cheese crumbles. The bleu cheese definitely worked for this dish. Mmmm.. David ordered a Caesar. He also had a Calamari appetizer tossed in a Thai dressing.

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms- Marinated Portobello mushrooms on our garlic mashed potatoes (got a huge bed of sauteed spinach instead), with grilled asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes and sizzling lemon butter (asked them to leave off). I love vegetables... but I never knew they could be this good!

Petite Filet plus shrimp- A smaller, but equally tender filet. He said it was so tender. Not one taste of this went in my mouth!

Sweet Potato Casserole- With pecan crust. Tasted like dessert. I ate 3/5 of David's.

Warm Apple Crumb Tart- My dessert! This thing was HUGE! Granny Smith apples baked in a flaky pastry with streusel crust and vanilla bean ice cream.

Creme Brulee- The classic Creole egg custard, topped with fresh berries and mint. This was David's dessert.

Yes, all of this (86 meat) went into my tummy. We had so many leftovers! Mmm! I had the Warm Apple Crumb Tart with my morning oatmeal.

Every bite was amazing. Just trust me. Dining at Ruth's Chris was a treat. It was more than just dinner.. it really was an experience.

Now my body and appetite are left in eating overdrive. I am having a tough time slowing down! Ugh, my belly just feels gross! Gym tonight!