Ice Size Matters When It Comes To Tasty Cocktails

When it comes to ice size really does matter. Size, density and ice clarity are the intangible part of any good cocktail recipe. The shape and size can impart the proper dilution and chill that make a cocktail better tasting than one made using the same recipe but inferior ice. Large cubes especially ice spheres brought about by the resurgence of classic cocktails are all the rage at the high-end cocktail bars. So the simple question is why not take your home cocktail experience to the next level.

Large cubes or ice spheres will melt slower than traditional ice. This is great news for cocktail enthusiasts who not only want to showcase the perfect marriage of flavors but also are keen to present their creation elegantly. If you are a Scotch drinker and enjoy your Scotch on the rocks the last thing you want to do is use small ice that will turn 20+ years of cask aging into a diluted icy slush. Continue reading “Ice Size Matters When It Comes To Tasty Cocktails”

Culture Shock in Public Restrooms – Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca is a haven in many rights… beautiful valleys, delicious food, exciting tours, ancient Zapotec ruins, colorful traditions and warm, friendly people… but eventually you’re gonna need to go to the bathroom!

Now if you are in places that cater to international tourism, there is no culture shock involved when you 1 and 2. You go to the bathroom like you would in any other place in the states, the only difference being the little figures usually used to distinguish between the men’s room and the ladies room are a sombrero and a traditional dress, (not always in that order). Yet, if you’re in Oaxaca, then you are most likely looking to experience the real Mexico. If it weren’t so, you would go to a place like Cancun or Acapulco where everyone speaks English and you can pay in dollars. But if you’re going to be here in Oaxaca, you gotta accept the “trabas“, (the obstacles), here. Let me tell you a little story: Continue reading “Culture Shock in Public Restrooms – Oaxaca, Mexico”

Craft Beer History Is Impressive

Ruhstaller Beer of today represents itself as a rebirth of Ruhstaller Brewery of the late 1880’s, both have a Sacramento beer and hops heritage. But the similarities continue between past and present with the strong commitment to locally sourced ingredients and quality. Today’s Ruhstaller’s has a California sourced ingredient list which almost exclusively showcases California sources. Ruhstaller Brewery of the past was also a highly regarded local ingredient brewery for several decades starting just after the California Gold Rush era (1849-1855) and had its demise due to Prohibition-1920 to1933.

Captain Frank Ruhstaller came to America at 15 years old, arriving in Sacramento in 1865. In Sacramento he started work in breweries and a few years later he bought his first brewery. Upon his death in 1907 the local newspaper wrote in his obituary- “Undoubtedly no death has ever caused more regret in this city than did that of Captain Frank J. Ruhstaller.” He was a loved gentleman by all accounts. Continue reading “Craft Beer History Is Impressive”

Introducing Single Malt Whiskey From India – A Connoisseurs Delight

Single Malt
A whiskey is a refined form of alcohol. It has many layers of class but the classiest of the lot is single malt. What is single malt? It is a whiskey that is first distilled and is the purest form of alcohol. It is supposed to have a special taste and connoisseurs who have savored whiskey will look for anything further than this.

Single malt whiskey is normally the preserve of Scotland and some famous names like Glenlivet, Glen Morangie, and Glen Grant come to mind. Single malt was not made in India though IMFL( Indian made foreign liquor) is manufactured with some good brands like Peter Scott, Antiquity doing the rounds. Indian companies also collaborate with Scotland based companies and bottle lower range of scotch whiskey like 100 pipers, Black dog, Old Smuggler, Vat 60 etc.and Indian made lower end scotch being the fare. Continue reading “Introducing Single Malt Whiskey From India – A Connoisseurs Delight”

Growing Up With Cards and Games

Summer and games go together for me.

When I was a child, my family had a cottage on a small lake in Northern Minnesota. It lacked both electricity and plumbing which was fine with me; I liked the feeling of camping but still having a comfortable bed to sleep in at night. The only drawback was an outhouse that was half a block from the cottage and not a fun trip at night. My mother solved this by creating a “honey pot” that we all used at night and one of us emptied in the morning (although I suspect my mother ended up with the job most often).

In the evening, our light came from kerosene lamps and a large brick fireplace. After my father, mother, brother and I came in from evening fishing (or on a rainy day), we played card games in front of the fireplace; kerosene lamps hanging overhead to light the small table in the middle. We played gin rummy, 500 rummy and schmier, a game that I remember as being a little like bridge. (If anyone knows how to play smear, please contact me because I need a tutorial!) I especially loved gin rummy and won more than my share of games but I usually couldn’t beat my father. Looking back, I’m not certain which was better; the card games or the quiet evenings with family. However, I grew up treasuring both. Continue reading “Growing Up With Cards and Games”

Your Health Going Forward

So, is this you today??? Or this???

OK! So You’re not 25 (or even close?) Anymore

So what do you do about it?

Sit back in your chair and just accept you’re getting older? Nothing you can do about that anyway (shrug) right?

Or! – Make each day Count!

Fine! – And how the heck do we do that??

This, and similar thoughts have been niggling at the back of my mins for some time and I am finding it harder and harder to sit back and wait for old age and – gulp – death to take over. Like I read people tended to do way back when. Continue reading “Your Health Going Forward”

The Lager Debate – Lager Vs Ale – Which is Better?

Most of those who are “born again” into the flavorful world of ale often become bitter (no pun intended) to the ale counterpart, lager. I experienced this first hand when a close friend introduced me to home brewing, and the rich flavors in a variety of ales. I decided that lagers were not worthy of my time. I began to boycott lagers and even badmouth them as lousy, tasteless beer.

As I grew in my appreciation of fine beers, I started to realize that good lagers do exist and I wasn’t giving them a fair shot. Considering that I before I was introduced to ales I was drinking some pretty run-of-the-mill beers, a little exploration wouldn’t hurt.

As an ale lover I must bite my tongue and not be so quick to judge. I can’t stereotype a beer without first getting to know it. There are many pale, light lagers that I won’t bother with, but good lagers do exist. But let’s take a quick look at how those watery lagers are made… Continue reading “The Lager Debate – Lager Vs Ale – Which is Better?”

A Kitchen Rooster Brings You Luck

Throughout different cultures the rooster has been a symbol of many things one of the most predominant is luck. Having some form of Rooster in your kitchen is said to bring you luck and could just make you feel good. Here is a little more information about Roosters and Rooster folklore.

First a little bit about real Roosters. They do not lay eggs and are not needed for egg production, but are required if you want baby chicks. They are protective of the flock and will defend the family from predators. They can be tamed, and become devoted pets if handled and worked with often.

They can crow at anytime including night time. Crowing marks territory, so the fewer roosters the less crowing. One rooster per flock is all that’s needed. In fact a hen house with more than one rooster is just asking for trouble. You can keep a rooster subordinate if he is smaller than the biggest hen. Which, means she runs the show. Continue reading “A Kitchen Rooster Brings You Luck”

How To Say Hat In Spanish, The Correct Way

Is the Spanish lesson you will learn how to say the word hat in Spanish. I will also want to tell you about a common mistake that English speakers make when speaking Spanish. But first I will begin with how you really say the English word “hat” in Spanish.

One thing that used to really confuse me is what do you call a garment that covers the head in Spanish. The Spanish books would have one to believe that any garment that is used to cover the head is called a “sombrero.” But depending on the type of garment that is used to cover the head, I have heard Spanish speakers use 3 different words:

1. Sombrero – hat with a brim but without a visor.

By the way, “sombrero” can also refer to the type of big that is worn by the “vaqueros” (cowboys) from Mexico, who are better known as “los charros” (the Mexican cowboys).

Continue reading “How To Say Hat In Spanish, The Correct Way”

Sipping and Soaking – The Art of Bathing With Essential Oils and Pairing Them With Wine

I’ve always enjoyed soaking in the tub and enjoying the emotional and physical benefits of bath scrubs and salts. On occasion I have also enjoyed pairing this ‘love-me’ activity with a glass of chilled wine. It is the perfect hot and steamy date with moi!

The offsetting of the hot, soothing water against my body with the cool wine sliding along my palate is sensuous and relaxing. It’s important to harmonize the aromas of the bath scrubs or salts with those found in the wine. Otherwise one’s mind senses the disconnectedness. This halts the ability to focus and relax. The juicy aromatics of the scrub or salts paired with the wine’s aromas may appear as snobbery at its finest, but it is actually a potent medicinal, emotional and spiritual activity and partnership.

Sipping a glass of wine while bathing has many health benefits. Wine, in general, when consumed in moderation (defined by the American Heart Association as one to two four-ounce glasses a day) has proven through studies to promote longevity, all the while lowering the risks of heart attacks, heart disease, strokes, type 2 Diabetes, gallstones, cataracts, colon cancer and mental decline. The alcohol in wine has anti-bacterial power as well and can help prevent against the common cold. Continue reading “Sipping and Soaking – The Art of Bathing With Essential Oils and Pairing Them With Wine”