As someone with Type II Diabetes, let me tell you that the worst thing you can do is drink diet soft drinks. The artificial sweeteners may not affect your blood sugar levels, but they can have a negative affect on the rest of your body. I was drinking two or three a day and then cut back to maybe one or two a week a couple of years ago. My blood pressure is lower and I've lost 30 lbs in two years without otherwise changing my diet.
Your mileage may vary.
PS: I cut back on beer and alcohol consumption also. Stopped buying the cheap booze and spending the money on the more premium alcohol and craft beers. Drink the whiskey straight, over ice or with a shot of spring water.
Went to the New Orleans Pipe Club meeting last night at Winston's Pub & Patio. Had three beers: Bell's Octoberfest, Gnarly Barley's Milk Stout Porter and Gnarly Barley's Juicifer. The Juicifer (if you can find it) has a clean, grapefruit taste to me and I think it pairs well only with a straight Virginia.
@motie2 yes it is and I have found jumping goat in Helan Ga. To be a fine supplier of whole beans they carry many blend and even some flovored blend for the wife. I usually make a trip once a month to pick up my stash.
@motie2 Jumping Goat gets theirs from the sidamo region it has a wonderful earthy flavor with a hint of what seems to be berry. Its just a great morning brew especially since I grind my beans fresh every morning.
Lavazza espresso beans freshly ground and brewed in a French press. A splash of unsweetened coconut milk added, and Tsuge Summer Daydream in a Bruce Weaver acorn. Life is good my friends.
@Londy3 - 1-Q was one of the first aromatics I picked up after deciding that it wouldn't be English/VaPers this time around (Life 1 was mid 60's to mid 80's, Life 2 began late last summer). After not enjoying a couple of Russ' English/Orientals, nor good old Escudo, I bought some Carey Classic Black Aromatic , Erinmore Flake, and 1-Q (because of all the accolades it got in the pipe world; I had never encountered it.... I don't know how far back it goes). I dismissed the 1-Q because while it had a fine tobacco taste, that wasn't what I was after, and I wasn't impressed with the , I dunno, topping? flavoring? top dressing? Whatever, it didn't have what I wanted. Then, I stumbled upon Sutliff, and worked my way through Molto Dolce, Maple Street, Vanilla Custard, Creme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse, and three Sutliff bulk rum blends. Then I found Barbados Plantation, and other than an occasional bowl of Mrs. Hudson's, that's all I smoke, day after day. I wound up doing the same thing in the 70's, but then it was Cousin's Aromatic Mixture after a decade of Balkan Sobranie, a couple of Dunhill's, and Escudo. I smoked only Cousin's for about ten years, quitting in the mid to late 80's..
I tried something new, I put one of them Water additives (Berry flavor) in a Sprite Zero (first soft drink aka pop aka soda I have had in a while) and drank it with a bowl and a Alec Bradley Mundial and it was a great pairing. Can't remember what the Tobacco was in my pipe bowl but it was not an aromatic this time.
@motie2 Ugh, I like Pumpkin Spiced coffee, but not in a pizza. I mean, I do enjoy a Hawaiian pineapple pizza, which some people despise, but pumpkin is too much.
I'm drinking a homemade cold brew iced coffee of Highlander Grog in a mason jar. Mrs. Badger and I keep a few mason jars that have been set aside for drinks. I keep them far away from my cellar, because while I enjoy smoking pipe tobacco, I don't fancy drinking it.
Speaking of Pumpkin Motie2 my Nephew and sister stopped down last weekend and brought some pumpkin mixed drink, don't remember what it was exactly or who made it or even what was in it but darn it was GOOD, tasted like a pumpkin milk shake with a little alcohol bite, not strong, I could have drank the whole bottle myself! Three of us finished it off in less than 5 minutes. Got to call them and find out what it was, when I do I will let you know. That would be good with some Halloween themed Tobacco in the pipe!!
Got up this morning with a nice cup of jumping goat expresso bean coffee to go with a nice bowl of pelican they complement each other rather well. @thebadgerpiper good luck on you new job.
Comments
Your mileage may vary.
PS: I cut back on beer and alcohol consumption also. Stopped buying the cheap booze and spending the money on the more premium alcohol and craft beers. Drink the whiskey straight, over ice or with a shot of spring water.
Just. Say. No.
I'm drinking a homemade cold brew iced coffee of Highlander Grog in a mason jar. Mrs. Badger and I keep a few mason jars that have been set aside for drinks. I keep them far away from my cellar, because while I enjoy smoking pipe tobacco, I don't fancy drinking it.