Here’s a bit of life lately and totally random thoughts!
Heeeeeyyyyyyy!!
Photo taken from my new iPhone 14 Pro!! I skipped a year of iPhone (the 13) but was ready for an upgrade. When you trade in your old phone, the new one isn’t quite so much of a cost jump. The new iPhone is gorgeous, and I am loving the always-on lock screen. The iOS updates are great too (everyone can get those). If getting a new phone is a digital headache for you, you should check out my course, Digital Clutter! I help you solve the photo headache from today onward with a system I call the Mirror Method. It makes getting a new phone easy breezy.
Fall Weather Is Here!
We are enjoying a drop in temperature and the crisp air makes us want to be outside all the time! So many gorgeous September days.
And Fall Makes Me Crave Beer!
I just discovered the amazing Athletic Brewing! They make non-alcoholic beers that taste SO much like the real thing I was shocked when I first cracked one open!
I’d been seeing this brand around all summer, and they even sell it at our pool, but I did not have high hopes for a NA beer that tastes legit so I never ordered one. Recently I saw the Hazy IPA at Whole Foods and picked up a 6-pack and it was love at first sip! I placed an order on the website for all the flavors I wanted to try. Free shipping! (I was so bummed that the Oktoberfest was sold out already.)
I am here to tell you that these beers taste so much like the real thing I honestly don’t even realize they are NA! This is so great as I’m working to reduce alcohol in my life (I do not intend to give it up – just always trying to reduce for healthy reasons!).
My favorite so far has been the blue can – the Run Wild IPA – but the Cerveza Athletica was great too!
Also spotted around Cville in Vita Nova was this hop water that tasted delicious. Now if only I could find a NA wine I love! Do you guys have any that taste good?
Real Beer
We met some friends for real beer at Pro Re Nata brewery, halfway between Cville and Waynesboro where Birch’s BFF moved this summer : (
These guys play so well together!
The food trucks we were planning to enjoy were closed that day, but we went to Smoked for BBQ instead. Delicious!
They were born 4 days apart!
Mazen + Thomas
The bestest friends too! They love going to the downtown mall together and getting pizza then spending an hour looking through every item in the toy store : )
With Fall Comes Survivor!
I’m rooting for Lindsay Carmine who is about my age and from North Carolina. Should be a great season! Hillary and Ellen came over to watch the first episode with coconut popsicles from La Michoacana. Incredible flavor!
Fall On The Farm
We went to a friends’ housewarming party and Birch was all over this tractor. And the watermelon!
Best Carpet Cleaner: Folex
We’ve had these unknown stains in our bedroom carpet for ages, and I had forgotten about Folex until my sister recommended it again. Look how well it did getting the stain out!
Food!
Some delicious meals lately via Hello Fresh and Blue Apron (we’ve been switching around!) – you can find some great promos in my links.
Pork Tacos
Panko Steelhead Trout
Lemon Dill Chicken Soup
Peanut Chicken with Rice and Pickled Veg
Quaker Oatmeal Squares
And one lone bowl of cereal because this is the best cereal ever!!
Fall Beauty
Launching next week: new sets from Beautycounter! If you want to be the first to see them, get my newsletter here!
The 30% off code for first-time orders is going away at the end of September. So if you’ve been wanting to try new skincare or makeup for ages but haven’t taken the leap, now is the time! Fill out this form to get recommendations from me!
KiwiCo for Halloween!
KiwiCo has some great seasonal crafts starting with Halloween. Check out this STEM Halloween bundle that includes our throwing up pumpkin. There’s a DIY Halloween set too! We almost bought a domino machine recently, so instead Mazen will be making his own! If you’re looking for a good reason to order some boxes from KiwiCo directly, you can get 50% off your first subscription box with the code kiwipartner.
When you’re used to wearing a mask all the time : )
Kathryn says
Morning
Glad to read you are working to reduce alcohol . Ever since your reader Olvia mentioned beer/wine/ alcohol is poison it
made me grateful I never liked alcohol
K~
Kori Daniel says
I want to use Hello Fresh / Blue Apron at times to enhance our meals. Granted, we buy a lot of foods, and I want to be more motivated to make nice meals, but the reality is with Ansley, it can be tricky. I just get nervous over the price or being roped into a subscription. What are your suggestions? I saw that healthcare workers receive a discount on Hello Fresh, so I hope to use that and your discount.
Thank you, Kath!
Kath Younger says
I would just start with 1-2 meals per week. ALWAYS get the 4 servings so you can cook once and eat twice!! I think cooking 2 servings is what trips people up as it being “too much work.” The Blue Apron app is really easy to use too – you can skip a few weeks with a few clicks. Just put a note in your calendar to plan meals and skip weeks once a month and you’re all set. 🙂
Kori Daniel says
Ok I will talk to Matt and see if we want to try a few to supplement our meals! Thank you, Kath.
ellie says
ahhhh I’m so jealous you have the new iPhone – I’m loving the new iOS (idk why but the new font on the Lock Screen is *heart eyes emoji*), but I can’t bring myself to pull the trigger on the 14 yet. enjoy it for the rest of us! I’m also really enjoying your review of Athletic Brewing — I’ve seen it at a few stores, and I’ve been so tempted. I love the *idea* of it, but I have a hard time drinking my calories when it’s not an actual alcoholic beverage, if that makes sense! My normal drinks are black coffee, water, seltzer, and the occasional kombucha, so when I unwind with a beverage, NA doesn’t come to mind first. And that’s now officially the most I’ve ever thought about that…it does seem like it’s been top of mind for many of my friends recently, including you! lol sorry for the dissertation there – I hope you have a lovely fall weekend ahead – can’t wait to read about it next week!
Kath Younger says
I hear you on drinking your calories. They are still less than a real beer though – 65 calories vs 150-200 for a high alcohol IPA so I call that a win and a good compromise!
Laura says
I was skeptical about the folex but it is seriously AMAZING! It even took out some old pet stains that I couldn’t get out with the other carpet cleaner. The best is that it doesn’t have a strong perfume smell, or really any smell at all. Thank you Kath (and Laura!).
Kath Younger says
It’s amazing!
Debra Powell says
I am also looking for NA or low alcohol wine. I have tried a few, but YUCK!
Kath Younger says
You have to try these!!
Christine says
Does Folex remove odors along with the stain? We have some cat odors from revenge peeing, lol. Nothing we’ve tried has removed the stink!
Kath Younger says
I’m not sure but I’d imagine if it lifts the stain it would at least help with the odor.
Julie says
I love beer but hate the way I feel after I drink alcohol. The older I get, the less tolerance I have. 1 drink is usually my max and that’s only a few times a year. I’m happy to see more and more good options for non alcoholic drinks!!
Sarah says
I have basically quit drinking over the last two years (have maybe had a glass of two of wine total but between pregnancy and mixed feelings about alcohol’s role in my life, I really haven’t done it much and have no desire to). I have enjoyed trying mocktails occasionally at dinner or on a date so it prolongs the enjoyment (Y’know, drinks first, then dinner) of the event and through a mocktail out, I have discovered Ritual. It’s an alcohol substitute that tastes like tequila. I’ve loved making “no Jitos” on a summer weekend to enjoy something special when my husband is also drinking. I also had a girlfriend over for a NA margarita night and she loved it. Definitely recommend trying! They have good coupons for your first time.
Kath Younger says
Oh cool! I love virgin margs in the summer!
Liz says
Rituals is so great! I also like Heineken O.0. Also stopped drinking 4 years ago, and yes alcohol is a neurotoxin and also associated with higher risk of various cancers, including breast cancer. The only decent NA wines I’ve liked are the sparking ones. Nosecco, St. Regis, and Fre all make decent ones.
Bethany says
I’m so glad you are loving the Athletic Brews too! I meant to comment on your last post about them. I’ve been 99% alcohol free for about a year due to anxiety. I missed the taste of beer so gave these a try. They are a staple for me now, i love them! Also – i would recommend not trying Surely wines – they tasted like really sweet grape juice, so a big no for me!
Kath Younger says
Oh darn I just ordered some Surely!!
Bethany Huckins says
well, i’m hoping you got a better bottle than mine 🙂 LOL