...boys toys! » Drink

Women and beer…. Perfect!

MuttzNutzz — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:17:46 +0000

When a man comes home after a really difficult day at work, nothing brightens his spirits and makes him feel more appreciated than being met at the door by the smiling face of the woman he loves with an ice cold beer in her hand.

Cutting down on the drink!

MuttzNutzz — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:10:02 +0000

No - this isn't really me...

I mostly drink wine – and if I’m honest with myself have had a drink in some way, shape or form most evenings for a very long time. Not every evening – but most. I rarely – if ever – drink during the day. And I never drink when entertaining clients or working (I know I have a habit of having just one more than I should – never good for business). As far as my ‘get myself fit’ project goes – drinking is number one on the list of things to sort out!

This has been on my mind for some time after having some friends for dinner. The conversation turned to our drinking habits and one of my friend relayed an article he had read about “functional alcoholics”. Half jokingly we all came to the conclusion that if we weren’t already, we were coming very close to this fitting into the definition. Loosely the definition being someone who drinks regularly and can still function perfectly normally to all intents and purposes… Like us our friends drink every night – and run a successful business without alcohol affecting their performance. And, we’ve all been doing just that for years.

This was what got me started thinking about this big health kick I’m starting right now…

So how do I plan to adjust my ways on drinking? I’m no expert but I do know myself – here’s my approach…

The first thing is to weigh up the pro’s and cons…

In favour of drinking

1. This is the big one for me – it helps me sleep – I have something of a hyperactive mind that without drink steps into overdrive and will keep me awake for hours. I still wake up early so don’t get enough sleep.

2. Occasionally – but increasingly less – it leads to having great evening.

3. Some of my best ideas have come when bouncing around abstract concepts over a few drinks.

Against drinking

1. Obvious health implications – I’m sure I don’t need to list them, we all have it rammed down our throats constantly by the self-righteous amongst us.

2. Lose some weight (part of the overall plan for this year!)

3. Save money – wine is very cheap where I live so we only usually drink cheap stuff, but it all adds up nonetheless.

4. Paying the government even more tax than I do already!

4. Set a better example to my kids!

It’s a no brainer really when you stack it up in this way. So why are these habits we have so hard to break?

I’m no saint – and being realistic I very much doubt I could go for total abstinence so I have set myself a couple of very simple goals…

1. NO drinking at home unless entertaining.

2. Only drinking socially when out (usually about once a week) – and try to keep it to sensible levels. I really must learn to say no sometimes!

3. If I still suffer from sleeping problems after a couple of week look for some kind of herbal solution in the local health store.

I’m working on the principle that keeping it simple, and sticking to it is going to be more achievable than beating myself up over it and going completely cold turkey…

The time has arrived…

MuttzNutzz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:35:23 +0000

I wrote earlier about my intentions to get fit after the holidays – and the time is here – today is the first day. I’ve never gone with all that new year resolution nonsense.

Pretty much everyone fails, but with this I figured it was as good a time as any to set a date to start after the excesses of the holidays – I am not calling this a new years resolution… As if to reinforce my – nont a new year resolution – theory a friend yesterday sent me an invitation to a Facebook group called “2010, new year, new me..” yeah yeah thats what u said in ‘09 ‘08 ‘07 ‘06“

I’m also planning on a gradual process rather than completely shock my body into submission with healthy living with one start date to change ALL my (bad) habits!

Stage one – beginning today – is to force a major cut in my alcohol intake. I drink far to much wine – and I drink at home… So, no alcohol at home now, and moderation socially and with friends. I don’t believe in entirely cutting out every pleasure so have allowed myself some ‘moderation’ on this one…

The dog is going to happy too – half an hours brisk walk a day to get my blood circulating again!

Should I drink wine?

The perfect Christmas tree…

MuttzNutzz — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:06:53 +0000

Weird hangover cures…

MuttzNutzz — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:00:29 +0000

Just came across this from a National Geographic article… Enough to make you want to give up beer!

Germany: Pickled Herring
Pickled or marinated herring is the main ingredient in a sour snack Germans call Rollmops. Considered an excellent way to ward off a bad hangover, they’re made by wrapping fillets of the tiny white fish around bits of onion and gherkin. Rollmops can be a welcome part of what Germans call katerfrühstück, or the hangover breakfast.

Romania: Tripe Soup
Tripe – aka cow stomach – is the go-to ingredient for many Romanians suffering from a hangover. It’s also a common “cure” in Mexico and Turkey, and no doubt many other countries as well. But in Romania, the edible offal is boiled in a greasy, salty soup of root vegetables, garlic vinegar, and cream.

Poland: Sour pickle juice
Polish hangover remedies are all about the sour. Some say that soured milk (which is unpasteurized and has been left at room temperature for a day or tow) does the trick. Others favor sour – very sour – pickle juice, heavy on the vinegar.

The Hangover Handbook, Revised Edition: 101 Cures for Humanity’s Oldest Malady