BOTM: DECEMBER

In case anyone missed my calls, just a reminder:
-Beer of the Month for December is ready for pick-up.

-I am going to try to organize a mailing list of BOTM subscribers, to avoid these monthly phone calls. It might take a little while, but I will keep you posted. I would also encourage all BOTM subscribers to sign up for the blog. I always post release dates here.

-Because many people will be out of state/on vacation during late December and early January, we will be releasing January's Beer of the Month in mid-December.

-Feel free to contact the store with any questions.

cheers,

dave

Oh, Pictures, How I Love Thee

Saturday night I had my good friends Danny and George over for dinner and a movie. Everything was pretty normal until someone suggested we don't have many pictures together. When that picture turned into 'wait! this is how you take a myspace pic!', we knew we'd lost our minds.

Remember the standard myspace pic? Ha! To do your own, just very dramatically look deep into the camera. And always hold the camera a foot in front of your face or into a mirror.

David's cat Kitty:

As a graduation gift I picked out this bike and love it. I can definitely feel the difference between this hybrid bike with road tires and my old mountain bike from when I was 15!

Review! EAS Myoplex Lite in Chocolate Chocolate Crisp

A while back I reviewed a few items from the EAS Myoplex line.

Last week I finally tried my last EAS bar: EAS Myoplex Lite in Chocolate Chocolate Crisp. Holy cow was it ever yummy. I cut off 1/3 to eat before the gym. I ended up eating the whole thing it was so good- good for a full tummy, not so good for my workout. These bars fill you up like a meal!

As with the last bar, the nutritionals could be much better. But as for staying power, this is the bar. The bar is also quite large for only being 190 calories (I love deals like that!). I’d definitely buy this again for those times when my stomach needs something that sticks (and tastes like a candy bar).

***EAS has great podcasts here. With guests such Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck and Professional Triathlete Justin Daerr, these are some great tools to check out!

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Smoothie King Giveaway Winners have until tomorrow (Monday) night to email me their mailing addresses. Another giveaway will be announced Tuesday- so stay tuned!

Giveaway Reminder!

(Just a fun picture from tonight!)

Some of the Smoothie King Giveaway winners still haven't contacted me! If I listed your name, make sure to send your mailing address to healthyashley at gmail dot com for your prize!

NOW HIRING

Healthy Spirits is looking for a part time employee (2 to 5 days a week). This may become a full time position in the future. Applicants must have a strong knowledge of beer, and the ability to describe products clearly and accurately. Since most shifts will be in the morning, some barista experience is preferred. Duties will include helpingg customers with beer questions, making informed reccomendations, stocking fridges, organizing back stock, and making sandwiches,coffee, and espresso drinks.
To apply, please send a resume to healthyspirits@aol.com. If you have a Beer Advocate account, please also send us a link to your reviews.

NEW BEER: GOOSE ISLAND, STONE RIS, ETC

Just Arrived:

1. Goose Island Bourbon County Imperial Stout

2. Stone Russian Imperial Stout (12oz. bottles)

3. Stone Double Bastard 3L (Jeroboams)

4. Avery Old Jubilation

5. Avery Ale to the Chief (This is the last of it, so get it while you can!)

6. Scaldis Prestige

cheers,

dave

Seriously.

See, fellow bloggers- we can eat all we want this Thanksgiving and still lose 43 pounds in 2 weeks!!!

Ahh, ads like this make me laugh.

Smoothie King Winners!

Compliments or random.org, we have winners for the Smoothie King Giveaway!

I loved reading what you all love about yourselves. It's too easy to pick out the things we want to chance, but I say we focus on what makes us special and great!

Here's a snapshot at what the giveaway winners had to say (although I think you're all winners! cheesy?!):

Danielle: "I love how determined I am. When I set goals for myself, I do everything possible to make it happen :) Love the blog and love smoothies! :)"

Natalie: "I love my self-discipline. It's not always easy to wake up M-F at 5 am to run before work, but I'm proud of my commitment."

Eating Bender: "Hey Ashley! Thanks for another great contest :o) I was so happy when I read that you'd be posting more often now! I like the fact that I'm always seeing the glass as half full, even when everyone else around me is pessimistic!"

Kiki: "I always try to see the good and leave wherever I've been a little nicer than how I found it.
I'm entering because who doesn't love a refreshing smoothie when its 72 degrees outside, whew, it was warm today!!"

cpullum: "I love the fact that I can make people laugh and encourage them in difficult situations!"

Jess: "I love that my grandma taught me to give meaningful hugs and that my dad taught me that every day is "just another day in paradise"- oh yeah, I also love that I don't have a blender right now so have been Super lacking in the smoothie department ;)"

Aggie: "This is good! I love that I am truly down to earth and caring... It feels weird to say good things about myself - weird but NECESSARY! Great giveaway! Thanks for visiting my blog! I love your commandments!"

Laura: "I've never thought about this before.
I guess I would have to say that I love my ability to love unconditionally. And I love that I'm learning how to love myself the same way that I love others! I've never had smoothie king, but I'm smoothie QUEEN on my turf =]"

Congratulations, Winners! And thanks, Smoothie King, for another great giveaway! Girls, email your mailing addresses to healthyashley@gmail.com and I'll have your gifts cards out asap!

NEW: THE ABYSS

The Abyss is finally here again. Quantities are limited, so reserve one while you can. They are also stocked on the shelf, so if you're fast, you might be able to grab one. Like the Firestone 12, this one was really limited, so we are limiting to 1 bottle per customer.
To Beer of the Month Subscribers: I usually don't like to let people know what Beer of the Month is before they pick it up, but I thought you might like to know that one of the featured beers is THE ABYSS. So if you are a Beer of the Month subscriber, you get an Abyss without having to run around and try to reserve bottles.
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I am expecting Goose Island Bourbon County Stout tomorrow, probably in the late afternoon. It's one of my favorite barrel-aged strong ales, and I reccomend everyone give it a try while it's around. There will be a post tomorrow to confirm its arrival.
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In our continued efforts to expand, we just added another two shelves, which will soon be full of fantastic beer. I'm still looking for suggestions for breweries and beers people want to see at Healthy Spirits. Let me know!

cheers,

dave
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FIRESTONE 12/NEW BEATIFICATION 750ML/OSKAR BLUES CANS!!!

Firestone 12 is now available by request. Thank you to everyone for your patience. The price is $19.99 per bottle. I am limiting to 1 per person. just so everyone has a chance to pick one up.

MORE NEW STUFF!

1. Russian River Beatification in 750ml bottles!
2. Oscar Blues Dale's Pale Ale Cans
3. Oscar Blues Gordon Beer Cans
4. Oscar Blues Old Chub Scotch Ale in Cans
5. Oscar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout in Cans

Come and get it!

cheers,

dave

Giveaway Reminder!

Don't forget to end the Smoothie King Giveaway by leaving a comment here.
I pick the winners tonight- so don't miss out!

Quantum of Silence and Sexual Objectification

The U.S. paperback cover for the Quantum of Solace book

Yesterday David and I went to see Quantum of Silence. I could not believe how prevalent the objectification of women was throughout this film, particularly during the intro. The introduction features a series of silhouettes of naked women against moving backgrounds. Sometimes the women are plentiful, coming out of a gun or dancing in a row. During other parts you see clips of a giant woman moving up out of the sand. Rarely do the woman have visible faces. They are bodies- sexual objects. Meanwhile James Bond prances around in his suit with his gun. (Take a look at a combo of intro's here.)

I'm not going to analyze the entire movie and look into the possible correlations of women in films and why women are paid less, etc., but I wanted to bring this up. Have any of you noticed this? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I am in full support of women looking sexy and being physically fit, but something inside me doesn't like when a woman's bare body is flashed across the screen and reduced to an object. As a woman watching that I felt belittled.

FYI: According to Wikipedia: Sexual objectification is objectification of a person. It occurs when a person is seen as a sexual object when their sexual attributes and physical attractiveness are separated from the rest of their personality and existence as an individual, and reduced to instruments of pleasure for another person.

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Update on my "Get-Fit-Before-the-Biggest-Month-of-Your-Life-Challenge": I ate too much tonight and wasn't able to fit in my planned run, but I was very happy and enjoyed a lovely Sunday with David. Tomorrow I go back to my apartment and that's where it really counts. Tomorrow is the start of a week where I could either lose or stay the same. I'm pushing for losing.

Now more than ever I'm learning how food really is fuel. Since I've been running more I am so sensitive to the foods I eat. Crap feels like crap when I'm running. I love how I'm becoming more aware.

Don't forget about the Giveaway!!

Our write-up on Pfiff!

Check out this great article on our store by beer Czar and blogger Rob DeNunzio. While you're at it, check out his blog. It's awesome.

http://www.hifimundo.com/public/blog/2008/11/whos-healthiest-of-them-all.html

cheers,

dave

Operation: Wonderland

I couldn't be more excited about my holiday trip this December!!

This trip is about 5 years in the making. Finances, work and school have kept me from doing this. Now, David and I are taking off the day after my graduation!

The plan:
Leave Sunday (12/14) from Tampa, Fl and drive up the East coast (Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, D.C., Delaware..) to NYC! Along the trip we'll stop wherever we please, stay overnight when the occasion calls! We'll spend a few days exploring NYC (I was born in NY and haven't been back there in too long!)- Times Square, eating, ice skating in the city... and then head over to Boston! We're planning on getting back to Tampa Tuesday 12/23.. the day before Christmas Eve. I can't wait!

NYC is the main focus of the trip, but I'm really emphasizing the 'road trip' aspect of it. I want to explore something in each state. Let me know of any recommendations!

Also... readers, let me know if you want to meet up! I can come to you! ;)

___________________

As for my challenge:

I need to do better today. Weekends are tough because I spend three days away from my home and kitchen and at David's in Orlando. It's easy to forget that Monday morning I will need to fess up to my scale tight jeans. I need to keep my accountability even when away from my comfort zone.

I am about to head out on a run... maybe that'll help remind me!

___________________

Don't forget about the Smoothie King Giveaway! You still have time to enter. I am loving hearing all the positive things you girls love about yourselves. It's inspiring me!

Beer: New Arrivals

1. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock

2. Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic (FYI: It's not a real lambic. Not bad, though)

3. Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

4. Samuel Adams Cream Stout

5. Samuel Adams Holiday Porter

6. New Belgium Farambozen

7. Chimay Jeroboams (3L)

cheers,

dave

New Store Picture 2

New Store Picture

Beautiful Giveaway

Giveaway!

The lovely Leah from Smoothie King was wonderful enough to provide some Smoothie King collateral for another Smoothie King giveaway!

Giveaway-hoster or not, I haven't been shy about my love for smoothies and Smoothie King for a refreshing and healthy snack. I have two locations within 1.5 miles from my house and visit them frequently!

Check out their new Berry Stimulation Mate smoothie here. I haven't tried it yet but will definitely post a review once I do! Here is a list of all of their customizable smoothies. I love that I can specify my smoothie to be 'skinny' and they will omit any added sweeteners (turbinado sugar or honey).

How much do we love getting free, healthy stuff? That's why I am so excited that 8 healthy ashley readers will win 2 free small smoothie cards each! Eight is a big number- so you have lots of chance to win!

To enter:
- Leave 1 comment telling me something you love about yourself. (Are you encouraging, have a great butt, care about those in need? Say it!)
- The giveaway will close Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 5pm Eastern time.
- To earn a second entry, tell me you posted about it on your blog! Give other readers a chance at being one of eight winners!

I will randomly select 8 winners once the giveaway has closed. Once I receive your addresses you're free Smoothie King coupons will be on their way! (Note: The cards do expire at the end of the year. I doubt and of you will have an issue with that!)

Thanks, Smoothie King!

Just in case you don't win this one, more gift cards will be put out int he upcoming week, too!

High and Dreaming

Operation Celebration: For my promised update: Today has gone really well! I was very busy and all over the place, but I maintained my healthy mindset alllll day long! I didn't follow my eating schedule, but that's because my classes/gym-time got in the way. I did meet my calorie range (1,400-1,600) with 1,450! Now I'm headed out to the gym for a good run. Feeling good!

Carolina John was sweet enough to ask about my graduation, trip, etc. so I'll make sure to share some of those fun details!

I promise, Smoothie King giveaway next post!

My current vice? Looking up fabulous dresses for my graduation as if price is of no concern. Ha! A girl can dream, right!? The second one is my favorite! (JCrew!)

FIRESTONE WALKER 12: READ CAREFULLY!!!

We recieved a VERY small amount of the Firestone Walker 12. We would love for everyone to be able to get a bottle, but it looks like its just not going to pan out that way. So here's what we're going to do:
Subscribers to our Beer of the Month Club will have the first opportunity. We are limiting to 1 bottle per customer. Beer of the Month subcribers will have 3 days to claim a bottle. If you can't pick it up right away, leave your name with someone at the store, and it will be held for you for up to a week.
After Beer of the Month people have their shot. The first people to respond will get the bottles. Limit 1 per customer. I think this is the most fair way to proceed, considering we recieved very few bottles.

cheers, and good luck.

dave

BEER: NEW RELEASES+ Beer of the Month Reminder

NEW ARRIVALS

1. BFM La Dragonne

2. Delerium Noel

3. Podge Belgian Imperial Stout

4. De Regenboog Kerst Smisje Christmas Ale

5. Hitachino Red Rice (12oz)

NEW CIDERS

We've recieved three new ciders from Wandering Aengus Ciderworks in Salem, Oregon. All ciders are made in very small batches with 100% organic apples.

1.Semi Dry Cider

2.Heirloom Blend Cider

3.Dry Cider (fermented and aged in untoasted white Oregon oak barrels)
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A few people in Beer of the Month Club have out of date credit card information, phone numbers, etc. If this has presented a problem, I've left a message on your answering machine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STORE UPDATE:
We recieved three new shelves, which we are rapidly filling with beer. Pictures coming soon. Come in and check it out!

-cheers,

dave

Just Left the Starting Line

After a week of food-centered events and overly-sugared treats, I am seriously suffering from a food hangover. I feel cloudy and have no energy! I am left with a sleepy Ashley and a stuck scale.

I want to clean up my diet and lose some of the mental cloud and physical chub. I have to do this right now.

In 15 days I run my first 10K.
One month from tomorrow I graduate.
The next day I am (hopefully!) road-tripping up the East coast.
In 2 months I run my first Half.
Not to mention the holidays!!!

I need to feel and look my best for all of this!

So I'm changing things up a little.
______________

My ideas of how to lose weight have been evolving lately. More than ever I realize it's not about any big 'secret' or 'trick'. For me it comes down to calories, food choices and happiness. If any of those are out of place I get off track. Silly rules and limitations won't do it. Weight loss really is simple. You might not be used to seeing happiness as a tool for weight-loss, but when I am happy I want to do good things for my body. Happiness means that I don't have to turn to food for any sort of fulfillment.

______________

To keep me going each day I'm turning to some guidelines based solely on my lifestyle and habits and what works for me. Bookmark this page, people- I'm going to need your help!!

1. Blog every day. Even if it's just a short update, I think posting how I did that day will help keep me in check.
2. No snack after dinner unless it's a 100-cal post-workout snack.
3. Don't add snacks to eating schedule. (Breakfast, snack 1, Lunch, snack 2, snack 3, Dinner + pre/post workout snacks if necessary) No standing in the kitchen with a spoon and a jar of pb!
4. Morning snack always to be fruit. I've realized that my morning snack sets the theme for my day. I need that to be one of health not HFCS!
5. For a while, don't by any questionable products. For me, questionable products are those that I might overeat/binge on (crackers, cookies, CEREAL, trail mix). We have to learn our own weaknesses.
6. No 'pieces' of snacks. Either I'm in or I'm out. Ha! How many times do I unwrap a bar planning on just having half and saving the rest for later and instead eat the whole thing!? This also relates to #3.


I'm hoping for at least a pound gone each week, but I'm not setting any specific number goals or end date. I'm going to be rigid about this until I feel clean and until I fit comfortably into my favorite Seven for All Mankind jeans. I think that will be about 137, but I'm focusing more on me than a number. I've been 147 all this week.

Stay tuned, lovely bloggers. For my sanity and scale, please stay tuned!

Never Forget

It just doesn't make sense that I am the one who gets the day off. Thank you to all who have sacrificed for this country.

Racing Myself

I feel somewhat silly being all sentimental about “lessons” in a short 5K, but that’s just how it goes!

To give you a little background, I hate running. For me, running is just too hard. I can never breathe and my muscles continually feel like they’re going to lock up and die. The worst part is when I stop running for a week my lungs and legs somehow ‘forget’ how to run.

I hate running so much that I’ve become obsessed with it. It’s a bitter competition I have with myself. Nothing else counts when I run; it’s me, the pavement and the always-there option to quit. Running is a tough path where the truth seems to always come out. “I can’t do this,” I tell myself.

Time is against me. My lungs are against me. My physical condition is against me. The question is if I will choose to push through and run anyway- if I will run in spite of everything against me and succeed.

______________________

7:08p.m. Friday night I’m fighting to keep pace with a pack somewhere in the middle of 1,200 runners flooding the streets of historic Ybor city. I’m 1-mile into a 3.2 mile race. My boyfriend and friend are far ahead of me by now and I’m just the girl jogging with her inhaler. Thoughts began to fill my head: you didn’t train enough; you are too far above your normal weight; if you’re struggling with this, how are you going to do a 10K later this month?

I manage a comfortable pace. I’m over 2-miles in now. In the midst of telling myself I can’t do it I take stock of the situation. My breathing has steadied. The pain in my legs has gone away. The cramp in my side isn’t so bad. I realize that at this point the only thing keeping me from dashing to the finish line is myself.

At mile 3 I do quick math and realize that at this rate, despite my struggling, I’m not going to beat my previous 5K time. My jog slows and my head falls down. Then I hear David’s voice as he’s jogging up next to me. He had already completed the race and came back to push me the last bit.

I run through the finish-line and smack into his sweaty arms. I beat my PR by almost three minutes. Even though I believed deep down that I am not a runner and I could not run faster, I beat my time. I love running.

BEER: NEW RELEASES

1. Drie Fontinen Oude Kriek 12oz.
2. Drie Fontinen Doesjel 12oz.
3. Drie Fontinen/De Proef Beersel Lager
4. Spezial Rauchbier
5. Haandbryggiert Norwegian Wood
6. Haandbryggiert Dark Force
7. Haandbryggiert Norse Porter
8. Haandbryggiert Haandbakk
9. Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast
10.Mikkeller Big Worse Barleywine
11.Mikkeller It's Alive!
12.Mikkeller Wit
13.Mikkeller To/From
14.Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper
15.Mikkeller Black (another few cases)
16.Nils Oscar Kalasol
17.Nogne O Winter Ale
18.Nogne O Peculiar Yule
19.Dieu Du Ciel Rose D'Hibiscus
20.Saint Somewhere Saison
21.Saint Somewhere Lectio Divina
22.Jenlain Biere De Noel
23.Sierra Celebration
24.Sam Adams Imperial Hallertau Pilsner
25.Anchor Christmas (6 packs and Magnums)
26.Double Bastard 22oz.


We are supposedly getting alot more beer some time next week, so keep an eye out!

-cheers

dave

I'm in Love

I'm not usually a fan of Old Navy, but I made it a point to stop by there today after hearing about their big sale on outerwear. Most jackets are 50% off! It's tough to even find a store that sells jackets here in Florida!

But boy am I glad I went in! I found (and purchased- of course!) this beauty up top. Look at that color! And it has the best tailored fit.

In case you're interested you can go into and Old Navy or order online. I thought this find was good enough to share!

Speaking of cute things, you have to check out have a cute day. Kjrsten's blog leaves me feeling happy, inspired and perfect just the way I am. I promise you'll love Kjrsten, her sister Ana and their new blog.

p.s.- Wish me luck! David and I have the Richard's Run for Life 5K this evening! I can't wait for the Cuban food after!

p.s.2- Smoothie King gift card giveaway coming up soon! Check back! Yay for free and healthy!

Have a great weekend!

BEER: NEW RELEASES

New Releases:

1. Avec Les Bons Voeux-Saison Du Pont's Christmas Saison.

2. Jolly Pumpkin Noel De Calabaza- Oak Barrel Aged Christmas Ale.

3. Scaldis Noel- Brasserie Dubuisson's Classic Christmas release in 750ml.

cheers!

-dave

In Hollywood, You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be

Looking around this blog I noticed photos the following billboards:

Typical... super-skinny girls, buff guys, sexy poses and very little clothing.

But how about the next one...


Notice anything funny? It's Photoshop crazy.

So keep this in mind next time Hollywood tries to dictate the way you should look. A lot of distortion is involved and it doesn't need to mess with us.

Be strong. Be fit. Be beautiful you.

**This is my 200th post. Thank you to all my readers. I love what we have going on here :)

Sensing Sensa

Have you guys heard of Sensa?

Their site claims "Sensa is one of the most important weight-loss discoveries of the 21st century."

"Sensa works with your sense of smell to curb your hunger without affecting the taste of your food. This induces something called 'sensory-specific satiety.' It makes your brain perceive that you've eaten more than you have and, thus, you eat less and lose weight."

I was contacted to try out Sensa and review it for all of you. I accepted because unlike typical diet pills/paches/etc. this product seemed to simply 'trick' my senses as opposed to altering my normal bodily functions (such as metabolism). It sounded so interesting. I did a bit of research and accepted!

When my one-month supply first arrived I was excited to try it out. All official information makes it clear that this usually will not produce quick changes, but it is something to stick with over time.

I began sprinkling it on my food as directed. There wasn't any taste and it didn't discolor my food or change the consistency. Eventually I kept forgetting to put it on! I think a little note in my lunchbox or some similar reminder would help me remember to sprinkle it.

I can't report yet on the difference Sensa has made because I haven't remember to use it long enough for it to count! Honestly, I'm starting to weigh whether or not I want to continue. I can't decide: is it a fun product that acts similar to hot sauce or am I succumbing to a typical diet? Let me know what you think and I'll keep using it and let you know about the progress.

In case you are interested in checking Sensa out for yourself, they have offered a special discount code ROCKETXL to be used on the Sensa website for a 15% discount.

Breaking Out... the bad way

This post is about skin issues... a topic I never thought I'd have to write about. Growing up and throughout my teens I always had clear healthy skin. Now in my 20s my skin turned into a mess overnight. I'm eating clean most of the time, getting tons of water, sleeping enough and exercising the same... but my skin is suddenly prone to breakouts for what seems to be no reason at all.

I've always used a face wash with benzoyl peroxide but decided I needed to switch up my skin care routine when breakout started popping up for no reason!

I tried to H20 Oil/Blemish Control Line, Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser and I even finally caved and ordered ProActiv.

The H20 and Aveeno products worked fairly well, but I still get breakouts... and that's not okay with me. The ProActiv line seems to do weird things to my skin. At first it cleared my skin and made it brighter... most of the skin is still clear except for alternating patches of breakouts. Very weird.

So...

I know this blog reaches many women... and many women with skin success stories of their own. Care to share any skin care tips or amazing products for a non-puberty-related case of bad skin?


**Edited to add: Sagan suggested taking a few days off wearing make-up. I don't wear any makeup, so that can't help me! :(

photo