Monday 31 October 2011

Below The Line

Probably not going to blog much about this challenge, probably because I ate like a queen yesterday and now am grumpy about rationing food... I don't even stretch food this far at the end of the month!

I am stretching a tin of tuna, some salad and bread for the next 3 days.
If you want to try and want less mundane options, here are suggested recipes from http://www.commongood.org.za/volunteer/campaigns

Breakfast – Oatmeal Porridge with apple and cinnamon (serves 1)
Ingredients 


  • 50g rolled oats 
  • 1 cup skim milk 
  • 1T sugar 
  • 1 apple 
  • a sprinkle of cinnamon 
Method 
1. Pour rolled oats and skim milk in a bowl, mix well and microwave for 2 minutes.
2. Take it out and give it a stir, add some water if it’s too dry.
3. Add sugar and cinnamon and put it back in the microwave for another minute.
4. Serve with apple slices, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Lunch - Potato and Leek Soup (serves 1)
Ingredients 


  • 1 large potato 
  • butter 
  • 1 medium brown onion 
  • 1 leek (if your budget allows) 
  • 1 ½ cups water 

Method
1. Boil water in a medium saucepan and add potato. Simmer for about an hour, adding more water if it
starts to get too dry.
2. Heat butter in a saucepan and fry onion (diced) until soft. Add a leek at this point too, if your budget  allows!
3. Add onion to boiling potato, and mash with a fork or potato masher until the soup is as smooth as you’d like. Taste and season.

Dinner – Chilli Con Carne (serves 2)
Ingredients 


  • 1 cup sugar beans 
  • 1 onion 
  • 1T oil 
  • 1T curry powder 
  • 1 cup soya mince 
  • 1 beef stock cube 
  • 2 chopped tomatoes 
  • tomato paste 
  • 1 cup rice 

Method
1. Soak sugar beans overnight. Boil in salted water the next day until soft.
2. Chop onion and sauté in 1T oil.
3. Add curry powder (to taste) and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add soya mince, cup water, beef stock cube, chopped tomatoes and tomato paste.
5. Stir in beans and allow to simmer.
6. Serve with rice.

Sunday 30 October 2011

End of the challenge: Sober October Winds Down

I have had an incredible month of self discovery and renewed inspiration. Had lunch with a friend today who said  that its probably because I have given myself a purpose for the month - let's hope this carries on. :)

So I would say that today is officially the end of the Sober October Challenge, with Below The Line Starting tomorrow. I will only have my first drink on Thursday or Friday, although I miss a good glass of wine, I'm not exactly in a hurry, I think drinking less has been good for me. I feel happier and alcohol probably dulls my creativity. I think I will do this every year or maybe even twice a year. 3 November will be the start of my 5-A-Day Challenge and I'm really looking forward to it! As some of you will know, I was a vegetarian for 5 years, so I have no shortage of yummy veggie ideas! I will share some of them with you (Claire and anyone else who actually reads this!).

Thanks for the support over this month! I'm off to work on my painting :)

November's Challenge: 5-a-Day :)

So.... decided to go VEGGIE MAD for November!

So, I'm doing the "Below The Line" Challenge for the 1st two days of November, so this one will start on 3 November - so 28 days.... I will attempt to feature some fruit and veg for every letter of the alphabet, along with advice and recipes (and no doubt some random art will sneak in... deal with it!)

You going to join me???

Get some great info here: http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/5ADAY/Pages/5ADAYhome.aspx
Or if you are too lazy, I will feature some of this info during the month :)

Is Watermelon A Fruit Or Vegetable

Friday 28 October 2011

Halloween Punch... without the punch ;)

Found this under "For Kids" - http://www.webtender.com/db/drink/3099 (again, I just changed the measurements to metric)

Not sure I'd use dry ice.... The idea scares me!

Eerie Witch's Brew
Ingredients:
4 cups Cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup chopped & candied Ginger
3 Orange
350 ml frozen Apple juice concentrate
180 ml frozen Limeade concentrate
2 cups seedless Grapes
4 cups Water
2 l Ginger ale
Mixing instructions:

In a 1 to 2 quart pan, bring 1 cup of cranberry juice and candied ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil, uncovered, about 2 minutes, set aside. With a vegetable peeler, pare peel (colored part only) from oranges: cut peel into thin 2 in long worms: or use an Oriental shredder to make long shreds. Add orange peel to cranberry mixture. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or as long as overnight. Juice oranges: put juice in a 6 to 8 quart pan or heavy bowl. Stir in cranberry-ginger mixture, the 3 cups cranberry juice, apple concentrate, limeade, grapes and water. If made ahead, cover and chill up to 2 hours. Add ginger ale and about a 1 pound piece of dry ice (DO NOT put small pieces in punch or cups): ice should smolder at least 30 minutes. Ladle into cups. Add any remaining ice when bubbling ceases.

Thursday 27 October 2011

Extra Challenge: Live Under the (Bread) Line

So, delaying my celebratory drink till 3 November, and taking this extra challenge put forward by my church.


"All Common Grounders are encouraged to ‘live under the line’ by consuming no more than R10/day for 3 days (Monday, 31 October to Wed, 2 November) as a way of identifying with the 26.2 % of South Africa’s population of 50.5 million people who consume less than the ‘lower-bound’ poverty line of R10/day and that’s not just for food but for clothes, education, medicine and transport!

We are also encouraging Common Grounders to give what they would have spent on consumption over those days, to Common Good where every cent raised will go directly towards initiatives that uplift the vulnerable of our city.

Come on, take the challenge!

For more information contact Sue on 021 686 2970 or visit
www.commongood.org.za"


Maybe you will try for just one day? Becomes quite a challenge when you realise that this includes any drinks too! and drinking the coffee at work... well that counts into your R10 per day budget! Will definitely keep you posted on my progress!


Wednesday 26 October 2011

Progress... 26 days down

Ok.... so aside for me distracting myself with silliness of weird art and jokes....

This month has been... er.... eye-opening? difficult? creative? I hadn't stated all of my reasons for doing this sober month... so let's go through some of them:

Am I an alcoholic? - no, I just like wine and I'm lazy (as in, to find other ways to unwind), not addicted (and I'm not just saying that!)

Let's lose some weight! - er, nope, maybe like 2kgs!!! Nothing to write home about!

Improve appearance? - other than inspiring me to make more changes by going blonde? Not really...

Reputation? - very much intact, and after the first week my friends hardly batted an eye when I opted for sparkling water over chenin blanc

Creativity! - must say, this was unexpected, but I definitely feel more creative this month! Started a blog, a painting and redecorated quite a bit!

Work.... - Ok, maybe work that I brought home went faster and maybe a bit better without a glass of wine... Can't really say I have sprung out of bed any faster and after a few heavy days at work, I really did miss a glass of wine!

All in all, this has been a good challenge! Last few days will include... Halloween! Last year's Halloween was far from sober... so this should be... redeeming? ;)

Tuesday 25 October 2011

Gorgeous Recycling - Corks...

Ha, only a... ooo 6 days...left! So gotta drag out this recycling / arty thing a bit more ;) Although, I've honestly been a bit distracted from the blog with painting a picture I've been putting off for a while! Hate to admit I've been lazy and just letting blog tick off some scheduled posts - forgive me faithful reader (you know who you are....)



"Why would you want to cover your truck in corks? Better yet, why WOULD’NT you? Cork is naturally impermeable and water resistant – there’s a reason it’s used to seal bottles, after all. As for the Cork Truck, owner Jan Elftmann didn’t actually drink 10,000 bottles of wine to get the corks which cover her truck; she saved them up while working for 13 years as a waitress at an Italian restaurant."

More here weird art here: http://weburbanist.com/2009/06/02/put-a-cork-in-it-25-creative-works-of-cork-art-and-design/

Musical Glass!

Quite the move on from the usual connotation of "making music with glass" which usually describes blowing over the top of a bottle or running your finger around the rim of a crystal glass. These crazy Australians (figures hey?) have made full blown music!


Some more info and other musical glass thingies here http://glassart.craftgossip.com/2009/12/14/australian-glass-percussion-project-music-with-glass/ and here http://blog.glassquarterly.com/2009/12/11/on-other-blogs-australias-long-running-glass-percussion-project-discovered/

Monday 24 October 2011

Gorgeous Recycling - Mobiles....

Getting a little obsessed with recycled art :)

"Western Art Glass creates amazing art from reclaimed bottles: building a mobile from beer bottle bottoms, or wrestling a curving leaf from the side of a discarded wine bottle. From the geometric, modern pieces to the delicate, organic leaves, his work is a sophisticated, sustainable addition to a sunny window or garden."

Friday 21 October 2011

Gorgeous Recycling - Wine Bottle Nightlight


This is something I saw at a friend's house and tried myself - I used a blue bottle. You literally just have to feed a string of fairy lights into a bottle - rice lights work best.








Thursday 20 October 2011

Good Clean Halloween :)

Last Halloween got a little hairy for me... so looking forward to redeeming myself this year with some good clean fun. The Zombie Walk from the Company Gardens to the V&A seems like the perfect event AND in aid of a good cause!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205996119460730

30 October · 15:00 - 18:00

So, we're doing Zombie Walk again this year.
We'll meet in Company Gardens and Walk to The V&A Waterfront, dressed as zombies.

Terrorizing pedestrians is encouraged.

It looks like Mitchells is willing to donate 10% of their earnings to charity, the charity we're going to be sponsoring is The Lucky Lucy Foundation. Who take in neglected animals and rehabilitate them, then find them good homes. So come hungry...




Wednesday 19 October 2011

Gorgeous Recycling - Wine Glass Chandelier

Loving all the arty things you can do with "drinking things"

Here's the crazy expensive version, called the Chandelini and using martini glasses:

Photobucket
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/chandelini

or make your own cheaper version:

Photobucket


It looks like you could use any stemmed glasses - I almost prefer the cheaper version with its variety of glasses! Mmm... better hit the Milnerton Market to find some odd vintage glasses.

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Ridiculous Wine Glasses!

Stumbled across these... not sure if I love or hate them!



"Maxim Velčovský—a fast-rising star in the design world—converts everyday, throwaway objects into art made of porcelain or glass. With the Fast Cup, the Czech designer created a Dixie-style cup of glass—each is hand blown from borosilicate, so each is slightly different. Maxim explained that this was a deliberate choice: He wanted to take the form as far away from its plastic, mass-produced origins as possible. The lightness of this glass makes it a pleasure to drink from. But it's equally as beautiful as an objet d'art."

Photo and description here: http://aplusrstore.com/product.php?id=242

Saturday 15 October 2011

Half Way There

So... half way there... and I have managed not to drink, but did dye my hair quite drastically.... here"s hoping that by the end of the month I don't have a body piercing or new tattoo... ;)

Just to be silly I Googled "things to do instead of drinking" - found a site listing 150 things to do! Notice they do suggest playing hairdresser (#90)!

http://sobersources.blogspot.com/2008/01/150-things-to-do-instead-of-drinking.html

picked out some of my favourites:
1. Read a book
6. Research your genealogy
10. Clean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
78. Put up (or take down) your Christmas lights
79. Make pickles
85. Write a country-western song
93. Bake some bread
116. Tickle your kids
130. Tango
131. Learn about someone else’s religion.
140. Speak only in heroic couplets for an hour.
143. Set up a domino topple.
146. Make an entry in Wikipedia.

Friday 14 October 2011

"I was sober" - doing stupid things without alcohol...

Ok... blame it on the lack of a-a-a-alcohol baby... or that my 29th birthday is looming... so could just be a Quarter-Life-Crisis

I just dyed my hair... YELLOW... ok, bleached it blonde... here's a photo, before you ask...



I really don't know what I was thinking. I think I was honestly just bored! Instead of picking up a bottle of wine to help me unwind on a Friday night... I picked up a box of pre-lightener... and went neon? The opinion of a gorgeous bestfriend is "You really need to start drinking again..."

The girl below is TOTALLY pulling it off... so maybe I just need some good styling ;)



http://www.haircolorsideas.com/bright-hair-colors/yellow-hair/yellow-hair-color-idea/

Gorgeous Recycling - Wine Bottle Torch

"This clever outdoor diy idea comes from Erik Anderson of Gerardot & Co.- a creative branding and design agency in Indianapolis."

Full instructions here: http://www.designsponge.com/2009/08/diy-project-eriks-recycled-wine-bottle-torch.html

finalblue

materials

You can, but I can't: Pinotage On Tap

Was actually so keen to go... but think the wine temptation would be too great :( come on, I'm being honest.

http://www.diemersfontein.co.za/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=180&Itemid=27

Cape Town (on the farm in Wellington) 22 October 2011

Prices:
R285.00 Fan Ticket (Ticket only)
R680.00 Fanatic Ticket (Ticket & 6 bottles of Diemersfontein Pinotage)
Tickets available at Computicket

Bands playing: Albert Frost, Hot Water and Evolver One


http://www.winelands.co.za says:

"Pinotage on Tap, the kuier of the winelands calendar, is back to launch the new vintage of Diemersfontein’s Original Coffee Chocolate Pinotage, at its home in Wellington.On offer are the essential features that fans have come to know and love, with some exciting twists in the uber-popular Pinotage party program.

Traditional cuisine will be offered throughout the event, including butter chicken, lamb tangine, Arrabiata pasta, ribs and classic braaivleis, while headline acts Albert Frost, Hot Water and Evolver One will ramp up the festivities.

At the forefront, the Original Coffee Chocolate Pinotage, consistently rated four stars in the Platter’s guide to wine, will be served on tap for devouring with fountains of chocolate and mountains of strawberries."

Thursday 13 October 2011

More Alcohol = More Exercise?

Interesting article from Cosmo, not sure it's true for me... I feel more motivated to exercise now that I'm not drinking...

"A study conducted in the US has discovered that drinkers exercise more than non-drinkers. A team of researchers, lead by Dr Michael T French, a professor of health economics at the University of Miami, have found that alcohol is a motivator for exercise."


Wednesday 12 October 2011

Cocktail Calorie Calculator

From Cosmo website: http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za/bodysoul/Diet/cocktail-calorie-calculator

Cocktail Calorie Calculator
The healthiest mix probably contains spirulina and wheatgrass, but who wants to drink that?

COSMOPOLITAN
Calories:
99
What’s in it: Vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice.
Healthy? Like magazine, like drink: cosmopolitan comes out as the best. ‘It’s low in calories and contains health-boosting cranberry juice,’ explains nutritionist Juliette Kellow from www.weightlossresources.co.uk. If you’re really set on those high-waister jeans, though, switch to vodka and tonic water or straight vodka and cranberry (60 cals).

MARTINI
Calories
: 99
What’s in it: Vodka or gin, plus vermouth.
Healthy? It’s low in calories and made with white spirits, which are less likely to give you a hangover (the additives in darker spirits like rum can trigger killer headaches). But go for a litchie or pomegranate martini if you want to give your immune system a boost. ‘They’re both high in antioxidant vitamin C, which will help skin look good through the Christmas party period,’ says Kellow.

MOJITO
Calories:
111
What’s in it: Light rum with crushed ice, fresh mint, sugar and lime juice.
Healthy? This low-calorie cocktail is full of vitamin C, perfect for keeping winter bugs at bay, while the fresh mint can help ease your overworked digestive system. Just make sure the barman doesn’t overload the sugar.

BLOODY MARY
Calories: 140
What’s in it: Double vodka, tomato juice, lemon, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce.
Healthy? Double vodka isn’t too LBD friendly but a Bloody Mary does provide 30% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C in one glass. ‘Eat the celery – it acts as a natural diuretic, so it helps reduce bloating,’ says Kellow. (Three sticks a day count as one vegetable portion.)

BELLINI
Calories: 158
What’s in it: Chilled dry champagne, peach schnapps and peach nectar.
Healthy? It looks pretty but the sugary schnapps and peach nectar are no-nos. ‘There’s a reason the professionally skinny drink straight champagne – at 100 calories a glass, it’s less fattening than other drinks,’ says Kellow. So ditch the peach – and choose untampered bubbly or dry white wine (175ml white wine is approximately 150 calories).

LONG ISLAND ICED TEA
Calories: 170
What’s in it: Vodka, gin, light rum, tequila, Cointreau and cola.
Healthy? Five alcohols in one glass, plus sugary cola, equals a hangover for your head and waist. ‘It’s hard for the body to process several alcohols in one go,’ says Hollywood trainer Michael George, who’s worked with Meg Ryan. Ask diet cola or switch to fruit-based cocktails.

Beautiful and potent!

Every wondered what your favourite drink would look like under a powerful microscope? Some awesome people at a company called Bevshots have checked it out for you! Video below and a link to some stills, my favourite, Gin, below!

gin-magnified-image
http://twistedsifter.com/2010/06/alcoholic-art-liquor-under-a-microscope/


Tuesday 11 October 2011

Sober & Lonely...

It's not what you're thinking....

Came across the most unexpected NGO.... called "The Sober & Lonely Institute for Contemporary Art "

"The Sober & Lonely Institute for Contemporary Art (SLICA) is a non-profit organisation whose main focus is on fostering exchanges and conversations between South African and international artists and organisations. Loosely based in Johannesburg and Durban, SLICA is a non-prescriptive platform with an intrinsic curatorial process focused primarily on performance and interactivity. As a floating platform, each concept is uniquely adapted to the specific project showcased, including exhibitions, screenings, lectures, debates and an online archive. The Suburban Residency is the first in a series of artist residency programmes hosted by SLICA.

The Sober & Lonely Institute for Contemporary Art has been developed as an extension of Sober & Lonely's artistic practice to create a platform of sharing and engagement between artists and organisations."


Honestly not that sure what they actually do, but they have an interesting blog, link to their main site on the blog too: http://soberandlonelyinstitute.blogspot.com/

Monday 10 October 2011

The Art of Drinking - Glass Bottle Art

So... after you have poured out all the alcohol in the house because you are very dedicated to Sober October and can't bear the sight of any alcohol (haha... yeah RIGHT)... you have a ton of empty bottles to play with! Or in my case, I insist on recycling but not take the recycling to the depot... so I have plenty of empty bottles on the balcony...

Make AWESOME chalked-up works of art:






Make a bottle tree!

http://usads.ms11.net/bottletreeman.html




Go all out like Helen Martins and make your own Owl House - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Owl_House

Saturday 8 October 2011

I gotta, I gotta, I gotta glass full of sunshine :)

Apparently this is a traditional South African drink? Never come across it... but sounds like sunshine in a glass :D

Pineapple Sherbet (Pineapple Smoothie)

Ingredients
1 medium-sized ripe pineapple (Canned may be substituted.)
8 cups water (approximately)
Juice of 4 lemons
Sugar, to taste

Procedure
Peel and core the pineapple. Cut up the fruit, and place it in a blender. Blend to a thick pulp. (Canned pineapple may be substituted.)
Place the pulp in a large pitcher, add the water, lemon juice, and sugar, and mix thoroughly.
Put the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill the sherbet beverage.
Just before serving, stir well. Serve over ice in tall glasses.


From a pretty cool site... check our more here: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/South-Africa.html

Friday 7 October 2011

No Regret Friday

No Regret Friday is a movement that has been created to encourage South Africans to think responsibly about drinking and driving.

http://www.noregretfriday.co.za/about-nrf/

Seeing as I'm certain that you kids are not accepting my challenge, maybe look at making a pledge on the NRF site. I think most of us take chances every so often and there are some scary statics and stories there. I'm sure we all know someone who's life was turned upside down by drunk driving. It's really something to think about.

On a less sombre note, remember I'm sober this month, so you could always call me for a lift ;) 

Thursday 6 October 2011

You can, but I can't: Wine On The River

Never been... but I imagine this as a warmer version of Wacky Wine? And Wacky Wine was one hellava blast :)

"Now five years old, the Robertson Wine on the River will take place 14 - 16 October 2011.

This idyllic open-air wine festival takes place on the banks of the Breede River at the Goudmyn Farm between Robertson and Bonnievale.

Just image a setting with the river flowing by, vineyards all around, beautiful hills and shading poplar trees. Add to that live music, plenty of wines to taste,BIG SCREEN RUGBY picnics and other local produce – and you’ve got yourself a spring festival not to be missed!"


I sure chose the wrong month to go sober :P If you do go, please be sure to rub it in!

http://www.wineonriver.com/




Wednesday 5 October 2011

The Art of Drinking - bottle tops

Wish we had this kind of bottle top in SA! I want to make an awesome motorbike!


Full details on this hilarious blog: http://beerblokes.blogspot.com/2008/08/things-you-can-do-with-bottle-top.html

Oooo can do this adorable coaster off another cute site http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=247768.0


Or if you feel really ambitious, like Molly B Right you can do portraits like this! http://www.mollybright.com/

88% of South Africans say fear of arrest deters them from drunk driving

Quick link, statistics from a year ago.... I really feel like there has to be a bigger point to me having a sober month than just losing weight / winning a bet. :-/

88% of South Africans say fear of arrest deters them from drunk driving

http://www.news24.com/xArchive/PressReleases/88-of-South-Africans-say-fear-of-arrest-deters-them-from-drunk-driving-20101130

More findings from brandhouse Drive Dry Responsible Drinking survey (News24.com)

- 43%of respondents were between 26-35 years old
- 43% of the respondents have driven under the influence of alcohol in the last month
- 5% of the respondents have drive under the influence of illicit drugs in the last month
- 82% of the respondents have been stopped at a roadblock
- 67% of the respondents will be encouraged to drink responsibly by the proposed demerit system
- 79% of respondents think that road blocks are an effective deterrent to drunk driving
- 64% have been or know someone that has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol
- 28% of the respondents do not plan on using a taxi service but will be relying on friends to get them home safely this festive season
- 77% of respondents said that they had not been given a breathalyser when they were stopped at roadblocks
- 23% of the respondents do not know what the legal alcohol limit is and when they have reached it.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Lusting after my prize...

Although I doubt that my cynical friends will actually pay up after I've stayed sober all month... but doesn't stop me lusting.... birthday is in November anyway.... so lusting already over Kindles.

Had my eye on this baby, with free 3G:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DZ1Y72

But if I can get the Kindle Fire in SA... then SCORE! *fingers crossed*
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Multi-touch-Display-Wi-Fi/dp/B0051VVOB2

Friend did ask me the other day "Why do you want a Ken doll for your birthday?" - classic ha?

xx

Fancy Lemonade

I went to Monday dinner, armed with two flavours of “Fancy Lemonade” – Woolies “Pomegranate & Green Tea” and “Fermented Marula” (alcohol free).

 Discovering this range was seriously a life changing experience for me, and actually makes a tasty and very social alternative to alcohol. They come in glass, so you know they’re good; and 6 packs, yippy for pseudo wine coolers!
Both flavours I tried were pretty sweet, so I sipped slowly. Great colour and flavour. They have what looks to be about ten varieties, including Ruby Grapefruit; Elderflower & Lemon; Lemon, Lime & Bitters (like hello? Sounds YUM!); and Sugar Free Gingerbeer – to name but a few.

Found a write up on the Shape Magazine site about the Pomegranate flavour, apparently it’s a low kjl choice. *pats self on back*


The Garden’s Woolworths is even running a special if you buy two 6 packs. So gooooooo my pretties, be healthy and sober ;)

Shout out to a sweet friend who arrived at dinner with a bottle of Orange Sparkling Water, determined to “support my cause”, but failed in the end… it’s ok darling, I know how seductive a succulent Merlot can be…

Monday 3 October 2011

The Vampire & The Virgin

One of my BFF's seems convinced that being around wine at Monday dinner will be agonising for me... akin to Edward's blood lust for Belle... one sniff of Merlot and I will rip my clothes and pounce... drinking long and deep, wine dribbling down my neck...

I best get myself some of that fancy lemonade from Woolies... just to keep my thirst slaked...

Wavebender

Ok... so I was insulting mocktails before... but this one sounds yummy and summery :) think I need to hit the shops later:

Wavebender



30ml orange juice
15ml lemon juice
1 tsp grenadine syrup
150ml ginger ale

Pour the orange juice, lemon juice and grenadine into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Top with ginger ale, stir well, and serve. 



Recipe thanks to: http://www.drinksmixer.com, I just converted the measurements to metric

Sunday 2 October 2011

Relaxed, warm and sleepy - without wine

So....weekend without wine... I have managed, by staying in bed :P Have an insane week at work ahead, been feeling run down, so decided it was best to just have a bed weekend. Let see how I fare at Monday night dinner with friends....

Just discovered that Cherry Med Lemon gives the same warm, sleepy embrace as a glass of wine...

In other news: just started a "How I Met Your Mother" marathon... bound to lose a few hours of my life :) Bliss!

If you haven't voted yet, please do the poll on the side bar.

xxx

You can, but I can't: Drunken Rocking The Daisies

Does RTD even need a write up? http://www.rockingthedaisies.com/

If you have never, then you must... hate to admit... this is a classic October activity where I've lost my reputation but made some lasting friends :)

Do horribly have too much working going on during this time... so maybe better I'm sitting it out... (unless I magically win tickets... maybe I'm just cheap? Could I do it sober?)

Saturday 1 October 2011

Dry Weekend(s) & Mocktails...

Looks to be a quiet weekend ahead... my cousin postponed our girly weekend together due to work - a likely story, I suspect that she just caught wind of my challenge and decided to wait a few weeks :P

Wasted some time last night researching Mocktail recipes online... some highlights:

- Seriously, surely "rum essence" is made of rum?
- Apparently combining pineapple juice, white grape juice and ginger ale = mock champagne??? *groan*
- Adding grenadine to any fruit juice makes it a Mocktail?
- "Mint Spinach Mocktail" is clearly a summer soup served in a glass, right?
- a "Julius" is a fruity milkshake (no comment), they come in peach and orange
- a "Purple Cow" is a synthetic grape Julius"

Bottomline... think I will stick to normal fruit juice.... :-/

Sober October Begins...

Who would bet against ME? I'm a picture of sobriety :) Go vote on the poll in the side bar...