Happy Virgin

In the Carribean there’s a drink called “Happy Virgin” and in this time and age, what kind of virgin is a happy one? But nevertheless, if you’re in the carribean without a date and no one to entertain you, might as well get yourself a happy drink...so here’s the recipe from the book, “Don’t drink the water” : Bartending in the Carribean.

Happy Virgin

1 1/2 oz. Kahlua 1 1/2 oz. Bailey’s Irish Creme Liquore
spalsh of rum 3 oz. pineapple juice
rocks glass

Fill rock glass with ice. Stir in all ingredients. Enjoy

Beer Class

Did you know that a beer a day keeps alzheimer’s away? That’s according to a 2005 study that moderate drinking (one bottle a day of beer) lowers the risk of mental decline by up to 20 percent compared to the non-drinkers. In addition, more women who downed one drink a day scored more than those 18 months “younger” on tests of mental skills  compared to  non drinkers.

I would have wanted  to have that kind of answer last week when I attended a “Beer Class” at the Bartenders Association.  Allan, our teacher, gave us the history, process of brewing beer and the different kinds as well.  Because of his extensive technical experience on beer, (he was the CEO for  that famous brewery above EATALY- a famous Italian establishment owned by famous chefs, Mario Bataly and Lidia Bastianich in Manhattan)  - he was able to distinguish different kinds of beers he had tasted from all over the world.  Presently there are 5,000 different kinds of beers in America alone.  Home made breweries from different localities, have been sprouting and have reached many a store’s shelves across the U.S. aside from those overseas.

Beer, like wine, has many advantages and it’s not just a second rate anaesthesia, but rather there are medicinal purposes. Dr. Oz , in his show, said that you can have a beer bath to treat psoriasis or similar skin problems.  Just add 2 cups of beer to a warm bath to have that healthier skin.

Also it is a cure for many diseases like cancer, avoids kidney stones, and reduces the risk of heart disease.  Moreover, those who drank beer had 30% more vitamin B6 than the non-drinkers.

If a sommelier is for wines, a cicerone is for beer.  There are three levels in beer connoseiur before one becomes a real expert  .  Initially, one first becomes certified as a beer server, which then leads to another certification into being a cicerone.  Finally one becomes only a master cicerone when one has fully complied with all the requirements of a full pledged beer expert.  From brewing, storage, process, tasting, pairing, including   sales and services among those that one needs to learn.  Although this educational process is fairly new since it was established in 2008, there are only about 10,00 cicerones in the U.S. 

And the saying about "wine before beer is queer, but beer before wine is fine" is totally a myth.  I am presuming whoever said that worked for a beer company thinking  you would be  too drunk to consume wine after downing several beers. Thus beer would up sales....smart but not really since it has been paired with higher spirits!

As a matter of fact below are some popular beer cocktails...

Beer Buster Sake Bomb

glass of beer half a glass of beer

1 1/2 oz. vodka 1 oz. sake 

2 dashes Tabasco Sauce drop the shot of sake

Stir gently into the half glass of beer   then drink

I am Woman!

“Nothing Shocks me anymore”, is a typical phrase we hear nowadays.  The world is getting more crazy  because then the ultimate question of why people go bonkers  is, “where’s it coming from”?  And this is the reason why I’m writing this piece.

Last weekend, I was at an all-women’s group talking about Integrity, Sensuality,  Self love expressed at it’s best, which to my mind probably is kinda cool.  And i found a different perspective unlike some of the previous all women group I had encountered during my early years.

The first guest speaker was Jessica Delfino, a stand up musical comedian who rendered a song with her  ukelele  about wanting a ‘man slave’.  It was hilarious and was an ice breaker for the topic that evening.  Her brief bio about being a funny lady was accidental, but chosing her passion instead of her parents expectations was indeed fulfilling.

Our main speaker, Melody Kiersz was candid in her discussion on sensual matters particularly about integrity and authenticity.  Metaphorically, women wear as many ‘attires’  depending which best holds the mood at every given moment.  Whether it be a mother, daughter, whore, chef...we are all of it and one in it.  But many a times women would put  on some particular safe ‘robe’ only because of many a conditioning brought by controlled upbringing which is often very suppressing.

As the discussion progressed, there were interactions  about  experiences, relationships and even personal opinions .  Many women dress either for validation, acceptance or just wanting the attention.  Others don clothes that allow little left for the imagination causing controversies.  Eventually, it could be offensive to others  but for some, it might be somewhat liberating.

Melody then narrated her weekday incident at a beach, where she went topless . From her point of view, it was the only way to go for an even sun tan.  But not the same for 2 grandmothers with toddlers, who complained such ‘indeceny’ to the cops. Melody knew she did not violate any laws and explained a 1992 N.Y. ruling regarding the bearing of the breast, that since it was all right for men therefore women should not be discriminated to do it as well.  But she had compassion to move and besides, she had had enough tan for the day.

Two hours with 13 women of different culture, interests and experiences and  still wanting to chitchat was not enough time.  However different our upbringings were, or how we perceive life to be, we are still citizens of the world.   And how we fulfill out our existence  is best when we are atuned within ourselves.  And by just knowing who we really are, and not as the world sees us, should be liberating enough.  

And once you have found what it is that makes YOU,  then it is sufficient ground for activating your MOJO....and it is there that the wonderful, sassy, refined and sublime craziness of being a woman begins. And you know what?! you will always say TGIF  (Thank God I’m Female)