February 2022

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Walk to Rock

Fitness / By

US News reports that physical activity helps keep the aging brain sharp, according to the latest of many studies showing a link between exercise and brain health.

This study included 90 adults, ages 50-74, who wore devices to measure their levels of physical activity and completed thinking tests at home.

The participants did better on the tests on days when they were more active, and worse on days when they got less exercise, according to researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

A neurologist recently told us about the importance of mental exercise to help keep the brain sharp. “The brain is like a muscle. Use it or lose it.” And these studies remind us that physical exercise can help with brain function as well.

Ready, march!!

  • Jet Cannon
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Raise your glass!

Food and Drink / By

The U.S. Treasury department is investigating the $250 billion annual U.S. alcohol market and outlined reforms it said could boost competition and save consumers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.  Go Uncle Sam!

Like disappearing pubs in England, many smaller breweries in the U.S. either went out of business or were swallowed up by giant corporations.  The craft brewing revolution offset that but even those successful ones get bought up resulting in higher prices and often fewer choices.

New merger and acquisition scrutiny, different tax rates and lifting regulatory burdens to new entrants in the wine, beer and spirits market would make the market fairer for new brewers and cheaper for consumers.

Per Reuters, the two largest brewers selling beer in the United States – Anheuser Busch InBev and Molson Coors – account for 65% of U.S. beer revenues.

“American consumers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and workers should not have to suffer under the thumb of a highly concentrated beer industry,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter. “Enforcement and regulatory authorities should have the courage to learn and the fortitude necessary to enforce the law and protect competition.”

We raise our glass!

– Jet Cannon

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Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

1 Comment / Food and Drink / By

We’re quoting from CNN:

“An English pub that claims to be the oldest in Britain is closing due to financial problems worsened by the pandemic. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans, just north of London, has been in business since 793 AD, according to its website. Now it has closed its doors “after a sustained period of extremely challenging trading conditions,” according to a statement from landlord Christo Tofalli, posted on the pub’s Facebook page on Friday.

Britain’s pub industry was struggling even before the pandemic, as people ditched drinking in pubs for bars, restaurants and their homes. 

Between 2008 and 2018, more than 11,000 pubs closed their doors, according to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, reducing the total number by almost a quarter.

The main structure of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks was built in the 11th century and was originally used as a pigeon house, according to the local tourist board. The pub took its name from the cock fights that were held there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Oliver Cromwell reportedly slept one night at the inn during the English Civil War.Ye Olde Fighting Cocks used to be recognized as the oldest pub in England by Guinness World Records, but the record title is now inactive, a spokeswoman for Guinness told CNN.

Record holder or not, this may not the pub’s final chapter.A spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers, the brewery that owns the premises, said it was working to reopen it.”

We hope so. It’s a shame that the pub culture has faded. We need more places where locals can go to their local and everybody knows their name.

  • Jet Cannon

Photo: Wikipedia

Big Gin

Food and Drink / By

After a Dry January, we went to a steak house and asked for the gin martini that customers were excited about.  The waitress produced a Big Gin martini.  It was refreshingly flavorful without seeming like it was trying too hard.  Their web site says the flavor comes from a blend of Nine Magical Botanicals.  “Big Gin unites a blend of nine botanicals from all over the world to be distilled in the Pacific Northwest. Our 100-gallon copper pot stills bring new-fashioned flavors to life.”

  • Juniper – Pine flavored with a pinch of sprite
  • Cassia – A little sweeter than cinnamon
  • Coriander – Spicy and citrusy, nutty when crashed
  • Bitter Orange Peel – Bright and zesty
  • Grains of Paradise – Peppery and aromatic
  • Angelica – Earthy and medicinal
  • Cardamom – Sweet – spicy and resinous
  • Orris – Floral, earthy and woody
  • Tasmanian Pepperberry – Sweet, followed by a short-lasting heat

If you like gin, let’s just say they’ve really nailed it.

– Jet Cannon

Winter Olympics Cocktail

Food and Drink / By

Makeitgrateful.com provided the inspiration for this cocktail.  Grab your favorite clear liquor or beverage and drop some Lifesaver candies in the glass.  Stand and sing the National Anthem and remember that you were only a notch or two away from being an Olympic athlete, if it wasn’t for those bone spurs in your foot.

– Jet Cannon

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This Won’t Hurt a bit

Endorphins / By

It was a boring Dry January and then, due to some medical concerns, we cut out weed and caffeine.  So nothing left to catch a Buzz with except some exercise endorphins.  But finally, we got that long awaited doctor’s appointment. 

Doctor: I have some bad news and some very bad news.

Us: Well, might as well give me the bad news first.

Doctor: The lab called with your test results. They said you have 24 hours to live.

Us: 24 HOURS! That’s terrible!! WHAT could be WORSE? What’s the very bad news?

Doctor: I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday.

– Jet Cannon