Heather- Tell me more about how you make nitro cold brew at home? I’m so jealous!
Oh man ok where to start.. so my husband has a beer keg in our garage refrigerator where he can have two beers on tap at the same time. He decided that it would be awesome to have one side of the keg be nitro cold brew coffee since that’s what we both drink every morning. He basically just had to buy the parts to assemble it.. it’s pretty easy to google it or find parts on Amazon or a beverage website. However, if you don’t have or want an industrial size keg, you can buy something like this and make your own as well.
Then, we researched how Starbucks makes their nitro and as it turns out, it’s a pretty complicated blend and highly secretive. They use a blend of a few different African beans for their nitro coffee so we were like, ummm nope.. and just decided to go with their standard Pike Roast. Instructions are to go with the highest quality coffee you can afford for cold brew and we thought Pike was just fine.
Essentially, if you have a keg situation already set up at home the process is fairly easy. You place your good quality coffee in a muslin or nylon grain bag and add filtered water. You allow it to refrigerate for 24 hours allowing for a rich coffee concentrate. Then you transfer the coffee into the keg (I think ours is about 5 gallons of coffee). You put the keg under the pressure with the nitrogen/beer gas and serve! My husband would roll his eyes at this explanation so if you’re curious, he can write a more in depth response on DM via Instagram 😉
I’m needing new rain boots for the rainy months ahead…what are your favorite ones that would look cute with both jeans or over leggings?
It depends on what you’re looking for.. if you want the best rain boot for real rain, it’s going to be Hunter’s. If you want boots that don’t necessarily look like rain boots, my favorites are the Jeffrey Campbell version linked below. If you want a little more sporty but not the full blown rain boot, Sperry has a great option. I’ve owned all of them linked below and wear them all differently depending on occasion.
Have you heard of Liquid IV? Is this stuff legit or just a scam?
I haven’t…but off the top of my head I think it’s a similar concept to hydrogen infused water which I wrote about here. Everyone knows drinking water is beneficial so companies are exploiting that and the fact that many people don’t drink enough water and marketing a solution to hydrate folks easier while making a buck. So, these types of “fancy water” might be beneficial if you have a difficult time drinking enough water or you’re an athlete needing extra hydration and electrolytes. After doing a little research on Liquid IV here’s what I’ve found…you buy the Liquid IV in a small powder packet that, when mixed into a 16oz. of water, should give you the same amount of hydration that you’d get from drinking around three bottles of water.
The science behind this is called cellular transport technology (or CTT) which creates an optimal ratio of sodium to glucose so the water is transported into the body quicker than when you drink standard H20. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals as well. I don’t see any negative consequences to using this product, but there is no need if you’re drinking adequate water and eating well 🙂
What did you girls think of your first Pure Barre Reform class? I want to try it but I’m nervous!
Heather: I really liked it.. it’s fast paced and 50 minutes so you feel like you’re getting a good butt kicking in a short amount of time. However, being pregnant really limited me. Pure Barre Reform is essentially replicating a pilates reformer but using your body weight instead of a machine.. and I’m not exactly strong enough to be holding all of this up right now. You use gliders and bands for resistance.. no weights or balls in this barre class. I’m excited to try it a second time and definitely incorporate it into my routine postpartum as I think it’s a great way to tone up.
Alix: Like all Pure Barre classes this is a fast paced class and when you’re doing it for the first time you might feel a little lost at times, but don’t get discouraged. I definitely felt the burn…I mean there are gliders involved throughout the class…enough said! This class is more strength based like their classic classes, but your heart rate is up and I was dripping sweat (bring a sweat towel). Their Empower classes are more cardio based (like the old platform classes that no one liked haha) so I’m looking forward to going back now that I know what to expect! I would recommend trying it for sure for anyone one on the fence.
Do you have any good recovery workouts? My legs are killing me but I want to do something.
Alix: On rest days I usually take a yoga class or go for a walk (or just sit on my butt!).. all of the above are acceptable 😉 Here is a good treadmill walking workout, here is a good upper body workout video from TIU if your legs are donzo, and I like this yoga sequence for a good stretch!
Drink lots of water, eat well, foam roll, and epson salt bath to help with the soreness.
Did you follow any particular book or guidelines when starting solids with your kids?
Heather: I didn’t read any books before starting solids with my kids.. I always referred to Pinterest for mommy articles and opinions. I started Jackson on solids at the 4 month mark.. probably to the date because #firstkid and #rulefollower. However, I didn’t start with Cam until 5 or 6 months. With Jackson, I did pureed food only and spoon fed him. Nothing baby lead. I was too scared of choking #pyschomom. With Cam, I was a little more lax and gave him soft foods like avocados, steamed carrots and mushy broccoli and he is a MUCH better eater than Jackson.
I wish I had done baby lead weaning with both of them from the start because honestly, Cam will eat anything for the most part. Jackson eats the five main food groups: applesauce, yogurt, cheese, fruit and bread lol. Once you get your kids introduced, I loved the pouches you can buy at the grocery store because it was quick and easy and I knew my kids were getting fruits and veggies at every meal.
And now for Alix who’s going to tell you all about the food she MADE and pureed herself because she’s #momgoals..
Alix: Ha thanks for that intro Heather. I did try and make a lot of Quinn’s food using this baby food maker in the beginning. I loved the Beaba and I bought this cookbook for recipes to go with it. I would freeze a lot of the purees I made to have on hand and I also used these type of pouches to make my own squeeze packs. I didn’t follow any type of “program” or read any books.. just talked to my doctor and took his recommendations for adding in new foods. If I could do it all again I would do more baby lead weaning. I would have followed this and this book more closely and maybe Quinn would be a better eater…who knows??
If you could buy a pair of boots right now, what would they be?
Funny you ask because I have been LUUUUSTING over a few pairs but I’m holding back because I have so many pairs and rarely wear them because I’m chasing after crazies all day. BUT, if my life was a little more fabulous, you’d find me purchasing these newbies. Something Navy (Arielle Charnas) came out with her line last week and the boots are GOOD. And Marc Fisher’s western style bootie is just all the heart eyes.. but I have a similar version and really don’t need another pair.. right?! Slouchy ankle booties are huge for fall and the ones below are perfect. I hope some of you can snag these and rock them this fall!
I have all white bedding and I’m wanting to add some something fun…maybe a few throw pillows, or textured quilt/throw blanket…any ideas?
Heather here.. my idea would be head to your closest Home Goods and scour their pillows and throws but that’s my happy place and I understand it’s not for everyone 😉 I also have all white bedding and my throw pillows are these from Pottery Barn. I add texture with faux fur or linen pillows. PB’s throws are really good quality and will last forever. Again, my favorites are cable knit or faux fur. My goal is to always make the comfiest bed possible.. from the sheets to the comforters to the throws and I want to feel like I’m sleeping on a cloud. I also want it to LOOK like a cloud, hence why everything in my room is white or cream or fluffy! So that’s what my style represents but if you’re looking for something fun and funky and colorful.. you might want to ask someone else lol 😉 Again.. Home Goods would be the place to find color and funky without breaking the bank!
Thanks for stopping by and sending in your questions! Keep them coming and email us at champagnetheory@gmail.com. Happy Weekend xx
