Fitness

5 Drinking Tips To Consider

Photo by Adam Wilson on Unsplash
assorted-color bottle lot on shelf

Every now and then you may want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage. Just as with the food you eat, make wise choices, drink in moderation and consume alcohol responsibly.


Here are 5 Tips to Consider When Drinking:

    1. Try to avoid drinking if: a) you have aggressive or strict weight loss goals, b) binge drinking is or has been a consistent problem for you, or c) you are an athlete, physique competitor or model with an upcoming event. Remember the benefit of a small sacrifice now!
    2. Try to drink at least 16oz water for every alcoholic beverage you consume since alcohol tends to dehydrate you. Doing this will help to keep you going to the bathroom which in fact can be a distraction and deterrence from over drinking. And in the event you are "over-served," drinking plenty of water may help mitigate the risk of having a nasty headache the next morning.
    3. Perform some form of exercise or activity the following day. This is to help those that may need a reminder to get back on track to accomplish their fitness goals. Nothing extreme – even a nice long walk will do. But just do something to remind yourself that the night before "was a treat."
    4. No drinking & driving. Drink responsibly.
    5. Opt for plain drinks with fresh fruits like oranges or strawberries over mixed, carbonated drinks. Mixed drinks tend to be loaded with sugars and preservatives. Some lower calorie options "on the rocks" or plain include vodka, red wine, gin, tequila, whisky and even some rums. Enhancing with freshly squeezed fruits – whenever possible – will help keep the calories low. And sorry bro, I did not include beer because it tends to be on the higher side; however, more beer companies are offering lower calorie beers.
    6. BONUS: Log out of or stay away from posting on social media properties. And technically, this one is not health related, rather "food for thought." Because there's nothing like waking up the next morning to find embarrassing pictures of yourself in compromising positions, or reading drunken rants on Facebook about "the one that got away and that you'd do anything to get her back…" (insert cricket noises here) Plus, it's good to just "be in the moment" with your friends and family.
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    Welcome to the start of something awesome

    For many sweet-toothed West Coasters, a visit to Salt & Straw ice cream shop is a must. Now, you can recreate the shop's Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons, Arbequina Olive Oil, and other inventive flavors at home with the new Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook ($25) by head ice cream maker Tyler Malek and writer JJ Goode. That might sound complicated, but the book proves that it's as simple as pouring a six-ingredient base into an ice cream maker and letting time do the rest. Don't believe us? Try Salt & Straw's famous Honey Lavender ice cream (recipe below), which reels you in with its purple hue and keeps you coming back for its sweet floral flavor.For many sweet-toothed West

    Coasters, a visit to Salt & Straw ice cream shop is a must. Now, you can recreate the shop's Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons, Arbequina Olive Oil, and other inventive flavors at home with the new Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook ($25) by head ice cream maker Tyler Malek and writer JJ Goode. That might sound complicated, but the book proves that it's as simple as pouring a six-ingredient base into an ice cream maker and letting time do the rest. Don't believe us? Try Salt & Straw's famous Honey Lavender ice cream (recipe below), which reels you in with its purple hue and keeps you coming back for its sweet floral flavor.

    For many sweet-toothed West Coasters, a visit to Salt & Straw ice cream shop is a must. Now, you can recreate the shop's Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons, Arbequina Olive Oil, and other inventive flavors at home with the new Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook ($25) by head ice cream maker Tyler Malek and writer JJ Goode. That might sound complicated, but the book proves that it's as simple as pouring a six-ingredient base into an ice cream maker and letting time do the rest. Don't believe us? Try Salt & Straw's famous Honey Lavender ice cream (recipe below), which reels you in with its purple hue and keeps you coming back for its sweet floral flavor.

    For many sweet-toothed West Coasters, a visit to Salt & Straw ice cream shop is a must. Now, you can recreate the shop's Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons, Arbequina Olive Oil, and other inventive flavors at home with the new Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook ($25) by head ice cream maker Tyler Malek and writer JJ Goode. That might sound complicated, but the book proves that it's as simple as pouring a six-ingredient base into an ice cream maker and letting time do the rest. Don't believe us? Try Salt & Straw's famous Honey Lavender ice cream (recipe below), which reels you in with its purple hue and keeps you coming back for its sweet floral flavor.

    For many sweet-toothed West Coasters, a visit to Salt & Straw ice cream shop is a must. Now, you can recreate the shop's Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons, Arbequina Olive Oil, and other inventive flavors at home with the new Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook ($25) by head ice cream maker Tyler Malek and writer JJ Goode. That might sound complicated, but the book proves that it's as simple as pouring a six-ingredient base into an ice cream maker and letting time do the rest. Don't believe us? Try Salt & Straw's famous Honey Lavender ice cream (recipe below), which reels you in with its purple hue and keeps you coming back for its sweet floral flavor.

    I scream You Scream

    Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash

    strawberry ice cream on cone forever

    You'll learn in Salt & Straw that each ice cream starts with a simple base of dairy, sugar, corn syrup, and xanthan gum, which is easy to find (it often replaces gluten's stickiness in gluten-free desserts). You'll also realize that you don't have to invest a ton of money in an ice cream maker (Malek spent $16 on his first four machines at Goodwill!). And best of all, the book teaches you how to make sorbet, gelato, and dairy-free bases in addition to the classic, so you can get in on the creamy creativity no matter your diet or cravings. If you still have doubts, Malek eases them in the preface by writing, "When you start with a good ingredient, add cream and sugar, then churn it, the result, no matter how badly you screw up the process, will taste pretty great." Now warm up that churning arm for Salt and Straw's Honey Lavender ice cream.

    salt & straw's honey lavender ice cream

    (Makes about 2 pints)

    Ingredients:

    • 1/4 cup wildflower honey
    • 1/2 cup dried lavender (buds only)
    • 3 cups Ice Cream Base (recipe below), very cold
    • 10 drops natural purple food coloring, preferably India Tree brand (optional)

    Directions:

    1. In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup water and the honey. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then take it off the heat. Stir in the lavender, cover the saucepan, and let steep at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight.

    2. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a container, pressing on the flower buds to extract as much liquid as possible. Chill until cold and use it right away, or refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

    3. Put the lavender syrup, ice cream base, and food coloring (if you're using it) into a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and turn on the machine. Churn just until the mixture has the texture of soft-serve (depending on the machine).

    4. Transfer the ice cream, scraping every last delicious drop from the machine, into freezer-friendly containers. Cover with parchment paper, pressing it to the surface of the ice cream so it adheres, then cover with a lid. It's okay if the parchment hangs over the rim. Store it in the coldest part of your freezer (farthest from the door) until firm, at least 6 hours. It will keep for up to 3 months.

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    Think back to yourself 15 years ago on any given Thursday night. What were you doing? Well, if you're anything like us, you were probably glued to the television watching the wonder that was The O.C. While the juicy plot lines and dreamy California settings drew us in, it's the fashion on the show that really hooked us. Seriously — who didn't want to dress like Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts in 2003? They were each fashion icons in their own right, with quintessential California girl wardrobes. And to be honest, with the rebirth of some of the most popular 2000s trends, their style is just as relevant today. To celebrate 15 years of The O.C. style (can't believe it's been that long!), we culled some of our favorite fashion moments from the show, showcasing all the trends that are just as buzzy today. California, here we come …

    www.brit.co

    The Band Tee: Sure, band tees have been around since long before the premiere of The O.C., but the graphic must-have look popped up throughout the season — most famously on Marissa Cooper. These days, you can find band tees at a slew of major retailers (and of course, at actual concerts). We love pairing this go-to with jeans, ankle boots, and a moto jacket for a night out. (Photo via Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution/FOX)

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