Jet Cannon

Earl Grey Tea And Me

Caffeine /

Earl Grey is a type of tea traditionally made by flavoring black tea with the oil of bergamot, a type of citrus fruit native to Italy. Earl Grey tea is made with a blend of black tea and bergamot oil, which is extracted from bergamot orange, a citrus fruit native to Italy. According to Health.com, black tea, which is the base of Earl Grey tea, is an excellent source of plant compounds that have antioxidant effects in the body. 

Antioxidants help protect against cellular damage by neutralizing highly reactive substances called free radicals. When free radical levels get too high, it overwhelms the body’s antioxidant defenses, which leads to a condition called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, which is associated with tissue damage and chronic inflammation, is considered a main driver behind the onset and progression of several health conditions, including certain cancers and heart disease. Studies show that people who regularly consume black tea, are less likely to develop certain health conditions compared to those who don’t.

For example, regularly drinking black may protect against ovarian cancer, depression, heart disease, and several other health conditions. Black tea drinkers may also have a reduced risk of developing oral cancer. Additionally, drinking Earl Grey tea may help reduce heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure. 

But where’s the Buzz?  Well, black tea can boost cognitive and exercise performance.Though the caffeine content of black tea varies, research suggests it contains around 47 mg per cup on average. That’s a little more than half the amount found in a cup of brewed coffee.

Sounds like some pretty good reasons to throw some Earl Grey into the mix!

– Jet Cannon

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Crying Versus Laughing. For A Buzz

Endorphins /

Endorphins are the bodies natural feel-good painkiller, producing a nice natural Buzz. But as we age, producing them with exercise becomes more challenging. And when alcohol and marijuana become more toxic as we get older, what can be done to safely catch a Buzz? Well, here’s an idea. We read in The Guardian that watching movies that make you cry can release endorphins. “Researchers at Oxford University say that watching traumatic films boosts feelings of group bonding, as well as increasing pain tolerance by upping levels of feel-good, pain-killing chemicals produced in the brain.”

Not anxious feel so sad that you cry? “Previous research has found that laughing together, dancing together and working in a team can increase social bonding and heighten pain tolerance through an endorphin boost. “All of those things, including singing and dancing and jogging and laughter, all produce an endorphin kick for the same reason – they are putting the musculature of the body under stress.”

We think we’ll try funny movies first.

  • Jet Cannon

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Alternative Martinis

Uncategorized /

We truly enjoy a London Dry Gin martini, dry, with a lemon twist yet we acknowledge that we are in a bit of a rut. There are a host of variations out there that do pique our interest. Check out these recipes in Olive Magazine. Inspirational. They include:

  • French
  • Lychee
  • Passion Fruit
  • Dirty
  • Vesper
  • Sake
  • Vanilla
  • Gingerbread Espresso
  • Bacon and Egg
  • Bitter Orange
  • Elderflower
  • Chocolate
  • Saffron
  • Port
  • Very Dirty
  • Christmas Cake
  • Pickles

Love the Bacon and Egg! What’s not to like about that?

  • Jet Cannon

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Bloated Boomers

Fitness /

After Dry January, our weight loss has plateaued a bit so an article in Women’s Health caught our eye. It covered tips for losing weight when over 60. There are not too many surprises here but it’s a good reminder.

  • Do some form of aerobic exercise
  • Do some strength training to build muscle mass which burns calories
  • Avoid processed foods (damn!)
  • Keep a food journal
  • Drink lots of water
  • Eat healthy snacks (damn!)
  • Get fiber in your diet
  • Eat protein (see muscle mass above)
  • Manage stress (while doing all this??)
  • Prep nourishing meals (while doing all this??)
  • Lean on support system (naturally, since we’re exhausted)

So there you go! Problem solved!

  • Jet Cannon

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National Margarita Day

Food and Drink /

Tired of the same old Margarita year after year? Liquor.com suggested this variant, among others.. The Shrubarita. “A shrub, also known as a drinking vinegar, is a combination of fruit, water, sugar and vinegar. It adds a balance of sweetness and acidity to cocktails, making it a versatile ingredient for all sorts of drink formats. In the Shrubarita, Casey Elsass, the founder of Bushwick Kitchen and creator of this drink, combines a maple-beet shrub with mezcal, lime juice, salt and maple syrup, garnished with a salt-and-pepper rim, for a unique take on the classic. It’s the perfect Margarita riff to try for adventurous cocktail enthusiasts willing to give new flavors a go.”

     

      • Jet Cannon

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    Of Course It’s Bad For You!

    Cannabis /

    Scientific American published an article recently regarding what is known about the dangers of marijuana.  We skimmed it.  What we gathered was that young people and pregnant women might want to be very cautious.  But not much was said about Baby Boomers.  We figure it’s like most everything else that tastes good or is fun.  Moderation or avoid it altogether.  But we’re not scientists so best not pay any attention.

    – Jet Cannon

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    Piercing Eyes and Menacing Scowls

    Good Clean Fun /

    We like Tiki bars.  Why?  It’s a culture of people with the passion for this specific art of innovative cocktails (think rum-based mixed drinks such as the Mai Tai and Zombie) and the exotics of Polynesia and the Caribbean.  We think of escaping to romantic tropical locations without getting on an airplane.  

    The Tonga Hut, set in the California desert, offers such an escape.  It even has a secret room for Tiki connoisseurs.  We would tell you how to find the secret room but… we can’t remember how we got in.

    – Jet Cannon    

    Photo:  Imbibe Magazine 

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    Retirement Cocktail

    Food and Drink /

    A good friend recently announced his retirement. That got us wondering (online) about great retirement cocktails. We found many many. And ANY of them will do but we liked Adios, Muchachos the best. Not so much the cocktail. Just the sentiment. Goodbye, boys!!

    Adios, Muchachos

    1. Line up a highball, rocks or collins glass.
    2. Create sour mix using one-part freshly squeezed lemon juice and one-part simple syrup — a mix of sugar and water.
    3. Add 30 millilitres of sour mix.
    4. Add 30 millilitres of blue curacao, which is an orange-flavoured blue liqueur.
    5. Add 15 millilitres of blanco tequila.

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    Celebrate VD!

    Food and Drink, Uncategorized /

    Valentine’s Day Champagne Cocktail.  Sparkling!  Check.  Pink!  Check.  Fancy Chambord liqueur!  Check.  Romantic!  Check.  Emergen-C 1,000 mg Vitamin C Raspberry Flavored Fizzy Drink Mix!  Sad but true.  We immediately thought, “Hey, we can make this a little bit healthy!”  Don’t do what we do. Or say.

    –  Jet Cannon

    Photo: Freepik

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    French Blonde

    Uncategorized /

    We’re reading Taylor drinks French Blonde cocktails. Need we say more? Why not serve them for the Taylor Bowl? Gin, the French aperitif Lillet, St-Germain liqueur, and grapefruit juice.  Combine ingredients in a Super Bowl-sized pitcher, drink, and then make a pitcher for your guests.

    “If you’re not going to go ALL the way, why go at all?” – Joe Namath, New York Jets

    • Jet Cannon

    Photo: News. am Style

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