“Now is the Time to Drink!”

Barley, hops, water, and yeast.

Humble ingredients.  Infinite combinations.  Brewers are both culinary artists and mad scientists, striving to invent libations that push their craft forward.  Temperature, sanitation, and timing influence bitterness, flavor, and aroma.  Yeast eats sugar and produces alcohol.  The result is both delicious and intoxicating!

“He was a wise man who invented beer.” — Plato

The origin of beer dates back more than 7,000 years to Mesopotamia.  Sumerians are credited with the oldest surviving recipe, and Egyptians used the beverage’s nutritional benefits to sustain themselves during the construction of the Great Pyramids.  Those living in Medieval Times embraced ale over bacteria-plagued water, and ship captains cured scurvy with the concoction.

Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, and Westvleteren.  Trappist monasteries, run by Cistercians of the Strict Observance, have produced Dubbels, Tripels, and Quadrupels since 1595.  Revenue from these recipes perpetuate the monks’ traditional, nearly silent existence.  For decades, if not centuries, ‘Westy 12’ has been revered as the best beer on the planet!

“Prohibition makes you want to cry into your beer and denies you the beer to cry into.” — Don Marquis

Before 1920, thirteen hundred breweries peppered the country.  For thirteen years, prohibition changed the landscape.  Coors pivoted to pottery, Pabst produced blue-ribbon cheese, and Anheuser-Busch shifted to soft drinks.  Only a few survived through repeal, and brewing didn’t see a resurgence until the mid 1990’s.

Boston Beer Company, Dogfish Head, and Stone rose to prominence on unique additions, bold flavors, and indigenous concepts. The mundane macro environment was put on notice.  A cult following developed, and the industry never looked back.

“Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, and promotes health.” — Thomas Jefferson

My obsession began in 2008.  Unfortunately, there weren’t any distinctive options on the shelf.  Only blind luck, an ability to travel, or a willingness to trade awarded anything different.

RateBeer.com and BeerAdvocate.com empowered like-minded enthusiasts to discuss, rate, and swap the very thing they loved.  The community was generous.  Value and scarcity was seldom discussed.  Boxes were filled with gems, and returning the favor wasn’t up for discussion.  Clearly, it was a simpler time.

“Let no man thirst for good beer.” — Samuel Adams

‘Limited Edition,’ once a catalyst for the craft revolution, is now overplayed.  Chic brews from Toppling Goliath and Hill Farmstead are almost unobtainable.  Only those with exorbitant wealth or access to international rarities have a chance.  Sites like BeerBlackBook.com and MyBeerCollectibles.com post obscene rates for rare beer. To provide perspective, bottles have been purchased for as much as $5,000!

Things continually change.  Distribution improves.  Prices increase.  Social media and other niche platforms rapidly evolve.  These factors make it difficult, and less necessary, to pine over impossible to acquire offerings.  More local breweries experiment with unorthodox ingredients and styles.  At the end of 2017, there were over 7,000 craft beer locations; up 450% from a decade earlier.  Why look elsewhere, when you have access to excellence in your neighborhood?

If you do decide to partake in the conquest for elusive imbibe, please ask for less than you give.  Approach the ‘game’ with a generous mentality.  Consider how you respond to a request.  Take only what you need.  Support local brewers.  Last, but certainly not least, drink with friends and be safe!

“All right, brain.  I don’t like you and you don’t like me.  So let’s just do this, and I’ll get back to killing you with beer!” — Homer Simpson

“Judge of Tastes!”

Improvise. Deconstruct. Reimagine.

“The people who give you their food give you their heart.” — Cesar Chavez

Regional cuisine communicates culture as effectively as spoken word.  It demonstrates love more than a smile, a hug, or a kiss.  Family recipes, like chromosomes, pass from one generation to another.  Secret ingredients and inherited techniques provide distinctive twists to traditional dishes.  

A good meal breathes life into every gathering, every celebration, and every reunion.  It starts conversations.  It elevates the collective mood.  It brings joy, nourishment, and satisfaction.

Salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami are instruments that should be used in concert.  The thoughtful inclusion of flavor combinations can transform a dining experience into a veritable gastronomic symphony.  One missing piece, one misplaced note, one over zealous element and the harmony falls apart.

“If you are afraid of butter, use cream.” — Julia Child

Cookbooks are antiquated.  In 1963, analog replaced print with a small menu of television programs.  Julia, Martha, and Wolfgang added sizzle to a bland medium.  In 1993, digital metaphorically supplanted analog with the addition of even spicier personalities.  The Food Network was born and became a culinary empire; Gen Y’s version of MTV.  Emeril, Bobby, Alton, Gordon and Guy became household names.  They’re no longer chefs.  They’re celebrities.  Youtube has continued this edible evolution.  Unlike any time in history, you can fast-forward, pause, and rewind instruction at will.  Don’t make excuses.  Jump in and play!

“Cooking is like love.  It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” — Harriet van Horne

I’m OLD.  I’m an AMATEUR.  I like to experiment, and I’m not afraid to make mistakes.  Mishaps occur so often I have to laugh.  Each epic fail is a teachable moment.  Remember, you can always order pizza!

Below are my 5 biggest epiphanies:

• High quality ingredients improve what’s plated regardless of preparation, and the opposite is true too.
• Do not overcook!  Flavor, moisture, and nutrients are robbed from the dish.
• Taste as you go.  Liberally salt.  Trust what you like.  Your palate is more discerning than you think!
• Complex is easy, simple is hard.  Don’t drown in sauce or overwhelm with seasoning.
• If something is hard to prepare, you won’t put in the effort.  If you aren’t having fun, you’re doing it wrong!

Below are three simple recipes.  Don’t measure.  This isn’t chemistry, and we aren’t building rockets! 

Chicken & Strawberry Balsamic Salad

• Marinate chicken breasts in avocado oil, garlic, basil, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.  Leave overnight.  Remove from fridge for 30-minutes   Grill and thinly slice.
• Add a healthy pour of strawberry balsamic, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, crushed black pepper and a touch of salt into a sealed container.  Shake vigorously!
• Open a tub of pre-crumbled gorgonzola, a package of dried cranberries, and bag of chopped pecans.
• Finely shave red onion.
• Throw a handful of fresh arugula, mixed greens, and a healthy addition of the items above into a large mixing bowl.
• Toss and enjoy!

‘Bomb’ Brussel Sprouts

• Thinly shred 10 to 12 large fresh Brussels sprouts starting at the tip.  Separate leaves and discard stem.
• Heat two cups of canola oil in sauce pan.  Test  temperature by dropping in a small Brussels leaf.  If it bubbles, pops, and snaps, proceed!  Fry in small batches.
• When they are a deep golden color, remove from oil with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel.  Pat dry. Salt.
• Drizzle a web of agave syrup in a mixing bowl and add fried Brussels sprouts.
• Sprinkle in pre-grated Pecorino Romano cheese and throw in a small handful of boxed golden raisins.
• Toss and enjoy!

Tomato Jam and Burrata Bruschetta

• Slice silver-dollar, 1/4-inch thick pieces of Italian bread.
• In a small container, incorporate extra virgin olive oil, garlic paste, fresh ground black pepper, and salt.  Brush liberally over one side of bread and toast in oven under the broiler setting.  Watch closely, and remove when golden brown.
• Paint the top of each portion of bread with tomato jam (‘Carolyn’s Classics Tomato Preserve’ if available.)
• Place a dollop of milky Burrata mozzarella on every piece.
• Dress with a sprig of basil or arugula and serve.
• Share your recipes and remember to keep ‘em simple!

“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park.  Enjoy the ride.” — Anthony Bourdain

“To Err is Human, to Forgive Divine!” — Alexander Pope

“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.” — Mahatma Gandhi

An unhealthy competitiveness exists in politics.  Divisive propaganda and antagonistic rhetoric reign supreme. Both parties defend their philosophical differences with tenacity.  Sanctimonious and self-righteous attitudes lead to discord, distrust, and hostility.  ‘Degenerative’ could describe the current state of our union.

The issues we face are complex.  Nobody is right, and no-one is wrong.  The correct answer certainly lies somewhere in the middle.  Unfortunately, officials don’t congregate there.  While there are those at the end of every spectrum, I fundamentally believe we are more similar than different.

Republican or Democrat?  We are more sophisticated than that!  If someone was to ask me which party I was aligned with, I’d quickly say neither.  In the spirit of this thread, I should say both.

“Burning bridges behind you is understandable.  It’s the bridges before us that we burn, not realizing we may need to cross, that brings regret.” — Anthony Liccione

We vilify adversaries, but those we choose to lead aren’t good or evil.  Can we demonize political foes and actually expect support during a crisis?  Compromise is fueled by mutual respect, not distain.  Inclusiveness only happens when common values, not discrepancies, are recognized and celebrated.  Luckily, the parallels are unmistakeable and easy to identify.

Selfless, compassionate, committed people arrive in Washington.  Their personal positions probably pepper the political landscape, yet they’re coerced to follow the party line.  They make concessions, thinking it is the only path to serve.  During their campaign, special interests wield wealth to pressure and bully.  Money corrupts and expectedly, agendas change.  This isn’t the only time they’ll be influenced. 

Peer pressure is real.  Countless social experiments prove that we seek affirmation from others and blindly conform.  Our capital isn’t different than any playground in America.  The entrenched, the affluent, and the popular dictate the rules of engagement.  Why is this surprising?

Stop judging.  How often have you stood up against the status quo?  Be honest with yourself.  You wouldn’t behave differently!

“Too many people fought too hard to make sure all citizens of all colors, races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities can vote to think that not voting somehow sends a message.” — Luis Gutierrez

How do we remove toxicity?  We vote!  We vote for those encouraging civil conversations over name calling.  We vote for those that share accomplishments instead of their rival’s inadequacies.  We vote for those who possess acumen around the issues we care about.  We vote for those that display a moral compass that consistently points north.

Let’s digress for a moment.  A clear delineation exists between the parties on a number of controversial topics.  Gun ownership, LGBTQ rights and gay marriage, abortion, the death penalty, and immigration are a few hotly-debated subjects.  Military spending, taxation policies, and approaches to healthcare are equally polarizing.

I consider myself a gun enthusiast who advocates for reasonable and responsible regulations around ownership.  I believe in the death penalty, but think the time between sentencing and execution should be drastically reduced.  I am pro-choice, recognizing that not everyone is prepared or equipped to bring a new life into this world.

More broadly, I applaud love and would never condemn it regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation.  I know climate change is real, and profess that we have a moral obligation to mitigate our impact.  I’m appalled that racism remains, and that inequality exists on a number of levels.  I’m convinced that poverty is a force multiplier and exacerbates stereotypes.  I embrace the thought that assistance programs should be available for those in need, but acknowledge that we must reward effort instead of inaction.  

Those are my beliefs.  I accept and appreciate diversity of thought.  I’d like to encourage those that have other opinions to share in a constructive and professional way.  Healthy debate yields positive outcomes.  Always.

“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” — Confucius

For those elected, listen to learn from others!  Invite criticism!  Disregard what your donors, special-interests, and peers think!  Remember, we appointed YOU!  YOU represent US!  Be our beacon of light!  Regardless of political affiliation, be a good human!

I am an eternal optimist, and believe things will change for the better! I agree with the proverb, “The darkest hour is just before dawn.” It’s up to you.   Make us proud!

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

“I Will Find a Way, or I Will Make One!”

Inquisitive. Reflective. Eclectic.

Each of us possess a unique combination of affinities, aversions, and aptitude emulsified through a delicate blending of nature and nurture.  We are similar to snowflakes in that no two humans in history share the same chemical composition or experiences.  Our stories are unequivocally unique. It is this exclusivity that makes each of us compelling.  My hope is that the journey I am on is interesting enough for you to follow.

I am in the midst of a rebirth.  Risk-averse tendencies consumed me.  They drove my thoughts, influenced my behavior, and limited my potential.  I refuse, however, to allow them to control my life.

A quick search using ‘The Google’ to define success returns with, “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.”

Simply stated, do you achieve what it is that you set out to?  Affluence, excess, and opulence aren’t mentioned.  While I have an extreme appreciation for craftsmanship and artistry, I needed to decide what was important; possessions or people?  Which should prevail;  funds or family?  Should I invest solely in those I lead, or devote an equal amount of time experiencing those I love?

A dozen years ago, I was blessed to join an organization that aligned with my values.  They focused on the details that produce excellence and disrupted many industries in the process.  We were never first.  We were always best.  Content distribution and devices to consume it, mobile and personal computing, gaming, health, telecom, finance, wearables, and retail changed radically once we arrived.  Despite the pride I felt in working for the world’s most-admired brand, something was missing.  I yearned for more.

“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” — Unknown. 

This spoke to me.  I worked before work, at work, and after work.  The expectations were that I was plugged in, turned on, and always accessible.  I lived in a perpetual state of trying to get ahead or attempting to catch up.  Good enough, wasn’t.

Anxiety is corrosive.  It eats at you mentally, emotionally, and physically.  It breeds unhealthy behaviors.  It creates distance.  You overthink, over-examine, over-critique.   Fatigue is a battle you fight every day.  Despite the symptoms, you persevere.  You fight to continue, but eventually, it wins.

Laying in bed, my mind was consumed by awaiting tasks.  I was still, but my heart raced.  169.  62.  189.  56.  164.  66.   My watch buzzed and illuminated, “Irregular Heart Rhythm Observed.”  After multiple exams, it was an anomaly.  I was fortunate this time.  To avoid a relapse, a seismic shift in my priorities was clearly needed.

This was a problem I had to tackle holistically.  A career change wasn’t enough.  I needed a multifaceted adjustment to my life.  I required a complete mind, body, and spiritual overhaul.

Self discovery.  Consume everything in moderation.  Permanent commitment. 

What brings me joy?  Does a child-like curiosity still live inside me buried under the muck of responsibility?  How do I unlock passions that I had as a youth and reintegrate them into my life?  Where do I harvest the discipline to improve my health and sustain it over time?  Why is this different than other episode or season where my obsessive-compulsive tendencies returned?

The answer was simple.  This was a departure from the past, because I believed it.  I am determined to change my trajectory, and I am blessed with a supportive family that will galvanize me when I have doubts.

This venue will be used to chronicle my journey.  I promise to be transparent, hoping to help others find harmony in their personal and professional lives.  It’s a marathon, not a sprint. There isn’t a finish line!  I can never stop.  I’m building my endurance for the long haul!

“If you are sitting around waiting on someone to save you, to fix you, to even help you, you are wasting your time because only you have the power to take responsibility to move your life forward.” — Oprah Winfrey

“Live So That You May Live!”

The Paradox of Our Age

“We have bigger houses, but smaller families; More conveniences, but less time; We have more degrees, but less sense; More knowledge, but less judgement; More experts, but more problems; More medicines, but less healthiness; We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.  We built computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we have less communication.  We have become long on quantity but short on quality.  These are times of fast food but slow digestion; Tall man but short character; Steep profits but shallow relationships.  It is a time when there is much in the window, but nothing in the room.” — Dalai Lama