Weekend Wrap-Up: Are We There Yet?

Driving to Indiana from New York is always an adventure. Over the course of 12 hours, you cruise through New Jersey (where you can't pump your own gas), Pennsylvania (where the scenery doesn't change a lick for the 5 hours it takes to get across it AND there's absolutely no food in sight), Ohio (a much needed sign of civilization after PA) and finally Indiana (where cornfields suddenly spot the horizon, along with front porches and tractors). Usually, the drive is a breeze. Well, mainly a breeze for me since I have no trouble falling asleep in the car, snoozing the hours away while Adam drives.

But this trip... this trip was cursed from the start. Our rental car stunk of dead squirrel, though there were no dead squirrels (or dead bodies in the trunk, we checked!), and unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we weren't able to swap it out. Thank God for Febreeze! Next up was the "purse incident". We stopped at a gas station in Pennsylvania and somehow my purse managed to end up in the toilet... face down and open. Oh...and the bathroom sink wasn't working so I was unable to lather up after diving in for my valuables. Thank God for hand sanitizer! Then there was the torrential downpour in the middle of the night while driving through miles of construction and concrete barriers that IF they had been any closer, would have been inside the car. Oh, and let's not forget the 16-hour drive on the way back due to construction, with 2 hours spent basically parked on the interstate and running out of gas.

But though the black cloud traveled with us this time, it was worth every minute! I got to spend lots of time with Adam's family and his beautiful nieces outside under the big, blue skies. I went on a booze cruise with a band who shared my appreciation for Stevie Wonder, ZZ Top and Southern Rock. I found my wedding dress! And I ate like a queen! These people know how to cook!

And now, the long weekend in pictures...

The lovely Zuri (who now calls me Aunt Lauren, I melt)...

...and her equally beautiful older sister Arianna...

...and one of the two twins (is it bad I had no idea which one I was holding?).

The "big kids" rigging our fireworks display in a beer bottle.

Zuri took it upon herself to kiss the pain away after Uncle Adam got hurt (by the way, I called that one).

But he lived to see another day...

 

...and another sunset.

And then mustered up the determination to grill some corn on the cob (along with a snapping turtle... after all, we were in Indiana, y'all).

Dinner was delish - grilled shrimp, sauteed kale, corn on the cob and grilled turtle (guess which one I didn't try?).

And then there were sparklers!

The next day, the "fun girls" hit the streets.

And I was having so much fun that Nurse Zuri felt it necessary to take my blood pressure, just to be sure I wasn't overexerting myself.

Then we practiced a little soccer with the soon-to-be all-world pro, Ari...

...and tried to wear out Adam's dog, Tucker (to which we failed miserably). He never tires.

Saturday night, we booze-cruised down Lake Freeman on the Madam Carroll with the band Swim Skinny. Those hot pants say it all.

And can I just say that this is the most awesome 92-year old woman ever? She was the singer's grandmother and quite possibly his biggest groupie.

You know you've had too much fun when somebody's face ends up Sharpie'd.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! This week, we continue our series on GMOs, so get ready for another mind-blowing post from Shanna!

'Merica: Land that I Love!

Image via mericans.wordpress.com

There's nothing better than an impending holiday weekend, especially when it involves firing up the grill, slappin' on a bathing suit and sipping an adult beverage among friends (preferably by a pool or other sparkling body of water). Really... is there anything better?

Fourth of July was ALWAYS one of my favorite holidays. I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta and Independence Day meant a few things... the neighborhood parade (basically, a good old-fashioned hayride sans the farm), mouthwatering BBQ from the local BBQ joint, a "family-appropriate" DJ (who spun the likes of Ricky Martin and The Backstreet Boys poolside... it was the 90's OK?) and a terribly competitive cannonball contest (which my brother won almost every year). The day was topped off with tons of fresh watermelon, a fireworks show (duh!) and usually a whoppin' sunburn (at least in my case). 

Man, just writing about it all makes me want to shout 'Merica!

This week, I'll be hitting the open road for a Midwestern Fourth as we visit Adam's family in Indiana. I have no idea what they have in store for us on this fine holiday, but I can pretty much guarantee it involves corn on the cob.

In honor of the holiday, I'll be taking a break from the blog this week, and I hope you too take a break from the computer!

There are much more important things at hand... like practicing your cannonball!

And now, a few pics from the weekend...

Our CSA share - holy whole foods, Batman!

Adam and Walter cutting some fresh herbs for dinner from our rooftop mini-garden.

The thyme smelled heavenly.

Adam whipped up a lovely brussels sprouts, radish and kohlrabi dish over quinoa.

Lounging in Prospect Park - my peaceful haven in the middle of the city.

Enjoy the holiday and I'll see you next week!

Maybe Next Year: Preventing That Nasty Post-Holiday Hangover

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Alright, alright...clearly, it would have been more helpful to post this yesterday so you'd have a fighting chance... BUT better late than never. 

We all start off with the best of intentions, but somehow the party train makes a stop at our station and 'Choo Choo!', away we go!

"It's a holiday!
Cheers to America!
Just one more drink!
Ok...maybe just ONE more!
I'll stop soon...I promise!"

But a little 'patriotism' can land you a big headache the next day. Here are some helpful tips for making sure you wake up feeling fresh!






1) Eat before you drink - How obvious? Yet, how many times we forget! - If you eat something substantial before you drink, your body will absorb the alcohol at a much slower rate.

2) Drink one glass of water between every alcoholic beverage - Because alcohol is a diuretic, it flushes your body of water (remember all those trips to the bathroom?). Dehydration is a direct result and that's no fun for anyone.

3) Stick with one type of drink - If you do this one simple thing, you'll never have to try to remember the 'beer before liquor makes you sicker' rhyme. Just avoid that altogether!

4) Go for the clear beverages - Darker booze contains more congeners, chemicals that give alcohol it's taste and aroma but also intensify hangovers. Stick with vodka, gin, white wine...you get the idea.

5) Back away from the bubbly - Although champagne has fewer calories than your average drink, the bubbles in champagne increase the delivery of alcohol through the system, meaning you become intoxicated faster.


So as your holiday rolls on OR as you gear up for the weekend, remember to keep it classy (and smart)!