Week in Review: Heartbeats, Music and My Favorite Summer Cocktails

Greetings to all my nosh readers!  How in the heck is your summer going?  I hope it is going as awesomely wonderful as mine. Happy Happy week it was!  There is nothing more in this world that nourishes my soul more than time with family and friends, aka my "heartbeats" (see the beautiful Carlena and Stacey above) and music. Seriously. This week was time with my heartbeats AND live music, all in the same day!

This is only a sneak preview to my summer concert music review, but absolutely one of my favorite musicians, Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness was back in the "Moines" this summer. Carlena, Stacey and I dined at John and Nick's delicious salad bar, prime rib and Orchid Martini's prior to the sold-out event. The Orchid Martini is one of my favorite cocktails because I really enjoy the taste of Chambord. Here is my favorite at home recipe from Williams Sonoma and Balthazar Restaurant in New York City. 

Balthazar French Martini:  Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. chilled vodka
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• 1/3 oz. Chambord
• Ice cubes

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, pineapple juice, Chambord and ice cubes. Shake vigorously to produce a frothy head and strain into a chilled martini glass. Serve straight up. Makes 1 martini.

Another great place to enjoy an Orchid Martini and my absolute favorite place is Francies. It was on their daily special from the day I moved here but recently has been taken off this past year. It is not on the menu, but if you order it, you will be pleasantly surprised!

The girls and I braved the hot temps outside, managing to sing our hearts out and dancing the night away at Wooly's. Well done Andrew!

The weekend brought a day of belated birthday celebrations of my friend Amanda and I's birthday. We started with mimosa's and mani's and shopping. I am most excited about my Yeti purchase (yeah I know, I am late to the game) and have started my own "melting" experiments with my first adventure being leaving the house at 8 am with ice, leaving the Yeti in my car all day and rechecking it when I leave work at 6:30 pm on a 90 degree day.  I will be sure to share my other Yeti experiments with you in a later blog post. Since it was blazing hot outside, again, we took a little siesta break and had the most delicious watermelon martini's from Bonefish Grill. Now I really thought I loved the Orchid Martini but nothing screams summer like watermelon. Amanda introduced me to this smooth and delicious drink with fresh muddled watermelon and cucumber all chilled by frozen watermelon cubes.   I was inspired to find a copycat recipe and upon my consulting with the "googles"  I discovered Bonefish Grille provides a video on how to make it and the recipe.  

Bonefish Grill Fresh Watermelon Martini

Ingredients:
1.5 oz – Your Favorite Vodka
2 each – Cucumber Slices
2 cubes – Fresh Watermelon
.25 oz – Simple Syrup
.50 oz – Fresh Sour Mix
Procedure:
Combine the watermelon cubes, cucumber slices and simple syrup in a glass and muddle well. Add your favorite vodka, and fresh sour mix. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass! Garnish with frozen watermelon cubes or a fresh cucumber slice.
 
Secrets to Shake it Up:

• Really impress your friends by making your own refreshing cucumber vodka! Slice a cucumber and place in your favorite vodka and allow to infuse for 24- 48 hours.
• If you like your cocktails on the sweeter side add a bit more simple syrup.
• Like Margaritas? Substitute Tequila for Vodka and increase your sour mix to 1.5 ounce, shake and strain over ice into a glass with a salt rim! Recipe Link here

After we decided to not indulge in another watermelon delight, we hit up a few more shopping stops and decided it was just too hot for us to be moving and grooving all over Des Moines. So we decided to find the closest place with AC and delicious cocktails, completing Amanda and Anne's Day O' Belated Birthday Fun at our new favorite neighborhood spot, Gilroy's Kitchen in West Des Moines.  This kitchen, pub and patio is a great central location between all of my heartbeats and we met up with Jason, Justin, Kevin and Ryan. My favorite thing about Gilroy's is the #RedHairDontCare theme with entertaining restaurant and menu design, names for their cocktails and delicious food (the food deserves an entirely separate blog post). I have tried a few cocktails off the menu, but today, I recently found my favorite in the "I Love Lucy."  Now, I do not have the recipe for this gem, so you will just have to swing by and enjoy one for yourself. It is a refreshing combination of cherry vodka, strawberry puree, muddled cucumber and signature ginger beer, brewed right here in Des Moines and famously known as Wertzberger's Ginger Beer.

It was the perfect way to end a pretty stellar day and the perfect mid-summer recharge retreat. Refreshing cocktails, relaxing conversation and my heartbeats. Who could ask for anything more?

AE

Celebrating Family

This summer has been full of some much needed family time. I think my family is pretty damn awesome.  We may not see each other a ton every year, but when we get together, we enjoy every single minute. 

Mom and I headed to Denver for a fantastic family wedding with the Huebert/Myers clan. Claire and Mark were married in a beautiful garden surrounded by the mountains. 

It was fun hanging out with cousins both young and old.  Growing up, summer vacations meant a trip to Colorado. 

My Aunt Tedde, Uncle Jim and their clan of kiddos was always a highlight of the summer. My sister and I were usually the baby of the cousins and we just adored our older cousins. I remember feeling so cool hanging out with them. When we spend time together now, I still feel like a giddy little girl. 

The start of July always means the birthday of one of my heartbeats, Miss Brenda!  We have spent the last few years celebrating her and it was great spending her special day with her. It was a beautiful day boating on the lake, sun, cocktails and a ton of laughs with her friends. So lucky to have another year of Brenda in my life! 

July 4th was another family celebration and food! We always try to get a few photos of everyone together because it doesn't happen often enough. This is only a small representation of the big group of the Huebert clan. 

I also spent some quality time with these lovely ladies. Miss Lindsey is the little sister I never had and she is also the  proud mama of Miss Ally and Miss Lucy. I couldn't get enough of Ally's kisses and tickles. 

Another collection of memories in my life of people who make my heartbeat...

AE

Friends, Memorial Day, Golf, Music, Future, and Real Deal Kind of Weekend

I think summertime likes to give me more time than I know what to do with by providing longer, sunny filled days and endless opportunities of excitement. However, it does rob me of known indoor activities like writing and blogging. So being the wise adult that I am, I know now to place an alert in my phone that says (no joke):   "Hey Anne,  I know you're having a blasty blast but it's been 2 weeks, have you blogged?"  

The first official holiday weekend to kick off summer fun started with a little trip to Omaha to have Happy Hour with my frista and other lady friends. We dined on sushi, had a few Grey Goose and waters and had endless laughs. Those girlies just make my day and it is always fun to go back and catch up with them. 

One of our favorite spots is Kona Grill because they have killer happy hour sushi and cocktail specials on their amazing patio. The only thing I wonder about Friday's in Omaha is does anyone work past noon?  Geez.....

After a delightful night with the girls, I headed back to my roots to enjoy seeing my beautiful mother, family and the peace and quiet.

There was a time in my life I felt leaving Panama and not looking back was the best thing in the world. Thing is, all roads lead back to the foundation of my life. There is a sense of peace and calm in this small but mighty Iowa town 

(cue John Cougar Mellencamp and the sweet sounds of Small Town). 

When I am back in the hood, I love to head out and hit the pavement with an exploring run. So many fun memories come rushing back and I feel like I could run for endless miles (which let's be honest, 4 miles is more like it and realistically my limit).  The train tracks line the east side of town and run through Whispering Pines Park, which was frequently traveled on by a slew of girls on bikes.

There is this calming sense of comfort as I drive up Main Street and see the homestead on the right. The home I spent the majority of the youth in, sprayed endless amounts of hairspray in, sang karaoke to Cyndi Lauper with my girl gang, ate homemade pizza under the kitchen table, slammed a few doors in, shed a few tears in and shared a life with my amazing parents and sister. I may have also kissed a few boys on the front porch as well.

We picked beautiful peonies in our backyard to take to my sweet Papa and sister on Memorial Day.  Peonies are one of my favorite flowers and they are everywhere in Panama. My mom has these stunning pink ones in the back yard.

 I had a little help from my friend Gypsy. She is also my fur baby, Lil g's momma. She loves to tag along in the backyard and supervise all the happenings.

I also couldn't resist one of my most guilty pleasures from my Mom's garden:  ONIONS!  Oh my goodness, I seriously can pick this straight from the ground, wash it off and eat it like candy. I don't mind dipping it in a little salt if it's handy. The best part about this is I know she planted them for me because she runs as fast as possible away from onions. So thank you Mom for this produce pleasure!

After a relaxing time back home, another work we started. Except this week was not only short, but it was our annual managers golf outing. 

There were over 300 managers who spent the day out on the links. Even though our team didn't win anything,  I would say our team won in the entertaining and a blast to be with division.  Thanks Matt, Jason and Stacey for making it such a fun day!

Each year, my summer officially starts with the first concert I go to.  Last year, I pledged to attend 3 concerts (minimum) a summer because there is nothing better than witnessing music in its most vulnerable and creative space: live. I also pledged to be open to new and different types of music to expand my horizons and the first one up did a lot of expanding.  It was an enjoyable night of creative outlaw country at Wooly's. 

The end of week was full of new adventures. I met up with this lovely, who I haven't seen for a long time when she was my intern!  I am proud of Jena and all of her dietitian accomplishments thus far. It is great reconnecting with dietitians I have worked with in the past and hear about all the amazing things they have done and are doing. 

The Principal Charity Classic was back in town this past weekend and it was a pretty kick ass day out on the course. I enjoyed a few beers, soaked up some sun (with SPF 30 slathered all over of course!) and hung out with some of my favorite people. 

Whew! Holy Sh*% that was a crazy, busy, beautiful week!  I love this time of year. I love making memories and being with people who make my heart beat. 

AE

Joyful Weekend

This weekend was so full of joy!  I started off digging into my big jar of joys and reading notes to myself from the past year.  

My friend Amanda gave me one of the greatest gifts I have ever gotten in my life. This started my joy revolution. Instead of ending each day with any negative thoughts, I wrote down a joy or many joys I experienced that day. At the start of my new year (my birthday), my intention is to settle in with a cocktail, a fire roaring and a snuggly blanket to read the great things that happened in the year before. This was the first completed year and it was such an amazing experience. I cannot believe through all the madness of 2015, I still had so much joy. Start your giant jar of happiness right now!! You will be so happy you did. I am already starting to fill it up with my joys of 2016.

Speaking of Amanda, she has the sweetest most loveable and well mannered man in her life, Brody. Brody and I spent a few days together this week and it was fun to be a doggy furmama!  I do love dogs and I couldn't resist snapping a shot of him chilliaxin in my backyard. Lil g handled him pretty well considering he has her beat by about 90 pounds.

The weekend brought this sweet lady into town, my momma, for a little cocktail club with friends, massages, pedicures, shopping, a little home maintenance, and some delicious food. 

We had a few Manhattans...many laughs and a little dancing....I will spare you those pictures 😆. 

We brunched at Gilroy's, our favorite new dining spot in Des Moines. I forgot to take a picture of our delicious breakfast. An amazing omelette with pastrami, sautéed onions and mushrooms, covered with a decadent mornay sauce. The hashbrowns, rye toast and coffee paired perfectly with this tummy pleasing plate. I couldn't resist ordering a fresh and perfect sweet Blueberry Smoothie with Mango Honey to-go. Next time I will not forget to take pictures. Make sure to go and experience breakfast at Gilroy's! 

The weekend was beautiful and we spent some time out in the sunny and 70 degree weather. I love my crab apple tree in my front yard, I wish it would stay this beautiful all year long. 

We ended our fun weekend with brunch, courtesy of yours truly. (I remembered to snap this photo, only because I do not cook this way often!). Nothing like a late morning mother/daughter chat with the windows open and the sweet spring air flowing through the house. 

Off to put these joys into my jar. Hope your weekend was full of them too. 

AE 

Happy New Year!

February 2016...my New Year has begun! This new year has been the best to date and I got to spend it with all the important people in my life that I care for deeply! 

It started with a surprise get together with my Des Moines tribe of Amanda, Stacey, Jason, Justin and Kevin. I was truly surprised and that does not happen very often! They so thoughtfully baked me this delicious cake, made my smile and laugh so hard my cheeks hurt and it was the perfect start to the 2 weeks that followed. 

My travels took me west to spend Valentine's Day with my Mom and family. 

Red, pinks and hearts galore, Chef Christine (also one of my soul sisters) prepared a fun spread of delicious treats of my favorite things: roses, goat cheese and roasted tomatoes crostini:

Garlic, red pepper and artichoke toast:

Jalapeño breads with a creamy red pepper dip:

All paired with libations, fancy espresso in beautiful cups and ending with chocolate, candles and wishes....

After a beautiful evening and a night full of slumber, Chef Christine whipped up more delicious eats and we indulged in a couple more libations before my western departure to the next leg of my travels. 

After a tummy full of pizza, I left to spend some time with my Omaha tribe. I was greeted with hearty homemade soup and  my absolute favorite dessert, key lime pie. The night was finished with champagne and a movie. And you think that would have ended possibly the best New Year a girl could have...but then it was time to head to somewhere tropical...

More to come! 

AE

February

Soon I will be celebrating my New Year again with the welcoming of February.  This year is all about designing a life that suits me.  I will share my insights and hopefully help you take steps to discovering how to build a life you love. I have been reading a ton lately and as my New Year approaches, I tend to read about being an Aquarius and I really have many of Aquarius traits. While reading about lifestyle design and pursuing a life that is fulfilling, a little astrology can help see into the holistic side of living a life I want to live by becoming more in tune with myself.  The more I awaken, the more I can evolve my true purpose, vocation, and lifestyle. Astrology has been an excellent tool to help me identify my life potentials, knowing the basics and guiding me. 

Many moons ago, a teacher friend of mine encouraged me to take the Myers Briggs personality test. At the time, I honestly didn't care about the results. But in my recent search of developing a life I want to live, it was another way for me to be in tune with myself by understanding my core. So I wanted to take it again. This time, I cared. Why should you consider taking the test?  I feel it helps develop a framework of understanding yourself. The way you work/professionally, how you are in personal relationships/friendships and how you deal with situations in your life. When you have a better understanding of the core that makes up you, you can better work toward your goals to living out the life you want. 

If you are at that place where you want more and need a change, this might be one of your steps to discovery of what that is and designing your lifestyle. 

For more information on the Myers-Briggs:  http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/

Or if your just testing the waters, I recommend trying this free personality test:  http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

Now I won't be all business today, so I will share how I ended my year of "Aquarius." I did have a little fun while I was working on my life designing skills. 

I got to spend some times with a couple of my favorite boys this weekend, Carter and my godson, Charlie. We watched some of the original Goosebumps (which I didn't realize were as scary as they are). These two are quite the pair, brothers who love each other....for now. 

With seeing the boys, comes spending quality time with my "frista" (Friend/Sister), Carlena and a pretty amazing group of ladies. This group of mine is full of love, compassion, trust and of course fun! It is good to be around different people to help me grow and be aware of what and who I want in my life.  We ended up rewarding ourselves by dancing the night away. 

Sunday is always a day for reflection. I spent the afternoon listening to some pretty amazing music, absorbing myself into conversations with a dear friend and just relaxing. It got me thinking of what happened over the weekend that made me feel so off on Monday. I was on a weekend high and then after a little research, I realized why. 

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter released by the brain that plays a number of roles in humans. Here are a few of them.

• movement
• memory
• pleasurable reward
• behavior and cognition
• attention
• sleep
• mood
• learning

Dopamine is released from behaviors of reward like food, friendship, dancing and could be the neurotransmitter behind all our most luxurious behaviors. Dopamine is love, motivation, attention, feminism, and addiction. No wonder I had silly levels after this weekend. 

AE

Thanksgiving: The OG GBC (Green Bean Casserole)

There is not a lot that can compete with a green bean casserole (GBC) at Thanksgiving (ok well if my friends chimed in, corn casserole would kick GBC out of the running). Sure, there are a lot of "fancier" casseroles out there, you know ones made with fresh green beans and homemade sauce and other special twists. But this girl likes the OG GBC.

The best part about this whole experience is I have not made GBC in a long time. So I will be honest, I forgot what was in the casserole. With Friendsgiving fast approaching, I volunteered my culinary skills to bring the GBC. As I was wandering around the grocery store (of which I work at), my friend Stacey (who happens to be the best chef I know) asked me what I was doing because of the massive look of confusion and me doing a recipe search on my phone. Thankfully, Stacey helped this lady out and told me exactly what I needed to make the OG GBC. With one tiny secret...

Diced baby bellas sauteed in butter.

3 tablespoons, melted to be exact.

Over medium heat...

For about 5-7 minutes or until they are a golden brown.

Then pop open 2 cans of canned cut green beans. (I was leaning toward the French style green bean because it is my all-time winner of the canned vegetable in Anne's world, but Stacey said she preferred the cut and I was sticking to her expertise on the GBC).  One of my dietitian tricks is to rinse off the green beans to reduce the sodium content but not the taste.  No worries, plenty of salty goodness even after a good rinse off.  (I love my colander, it was my Grandma Jose's..vintage).

Then I prepare my beautiful white dish by popping open the 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup mixed with 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 1/2 cups of fried onions, the beautifully sauteed mushrooms and my secret ingredient, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan. Mix until well incorporated.

Toss the green beans into the pool and coat them with the creamy goodness.

Make sure to hold onto a good 2 cups of the crispy onions for the later part of the baking magic.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. Place the remaining onions on the top of the casserole and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

And there you have it, my OG GBC masterpiece!  Whatever traditions you have on Thanksgiving, they are original to you and to your family. Holidays are time to enjoy family, friends and food. As a dietitian, everyone thinks I am always on the hunt for a healthier version of holiday recipes, but there are certain things that should just remain the way you always remembered them.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.....