Updating my Beer page

(Editor’s note:  I am doing some minor housecleaning to my blog.  Mostly I am updating the focus on several of the pages that you see at the top of the blog.  My writing has improved a bit since I started MrVintageMan and I felt that there needed to be some improvements.  However, I don’t want to lose my older writing, so I am converting these pages to posts for posterity.  Be sure to check out the new Beer page here!)

Why I won’t review IPAs.

     I am going to admit right up front that I am not an expert on beers.  I have only been studying craft beers for the past couple of years.  Thus, I am fully aware that I still have much to learn about the different types and styles of beers.

What’s worse than a bee sting to your testicles?  Drinking an IPA…

With that being said, there is one thing I do know about craft beers – I do not like IPAs!  I am well aware that IPAs (India Pale Ales) are really trendy right now.  Go into any liquor store here in Colorado and you’ll end up having to dig into the back of the refrigerator cases to find a beer that is not an IPA.

It’s just that I am not a fan of bitter, over-hopped beers.  I’m more of a smooth, mellow beer kind of a guy. I am partial to wheat beers and wits, milder red ales and Oktoberfest pilsners.  One of my biggest pet peeves is being told by some douche-nozzle that I actually like IPAs but I just don’t realize it.  No, I KNOW I don’t like IPAs you knuckle-head. Yes, I am aware that there are many different types of IPAs with some that are less hoppy than others.  Nevertheless,  I have tried many IPAs and have yet to find one that speaks to me.

I read the following comment on a Washington Redskins fan forum of all places (I’m writing this from memory, so it may not be an exact quote): “IPAs taste like someone shot a cannon full of hops into Sasquatch’s a**hole and he turned around and cr*pped them into your face”.  I don’t dislike IPAs quite that much, but this guy speaks for many of us who just don’t enjoy all that “flavor” in our beers.

IPA drinkers might be masochists…

There have been some studies that suggest that there are a lot of humans who are genetically coded to dislike bitterness.  Which means that a lot of IPA drinkers may be genetically pre-disposed to like all those bitter hops in their beer.  That would make a lot of sense.  However, I personally believe that some of these IPA “lovers” are actually trying to prove to their buddies that they can drink the most bitter beer in the bar.  Remember that fad from a few years ago where guys would eat ever hotter chilis, like habaneros and ghost peppers, to prove how tough they were?  I think a lot of today’s hipster IPA drinkers are doing the same thing.

I recently heard about an IPA that comes in at a whopping 106 IBUs (International Bitterness Units).  Most IPAs fall in the 45-80 IBU range.  Just thinking about drinking a beer with 106 IBUs makes my gag reflex kick in.

So, for those individuals who actually like IPAs, I say more power to you.  If you want to drink cough syrup and pretend it’s beer, well, what you do in the privacy of your own house is your business buddy.  But we don’t drink that sh*t in MY house.

I plan on doing reviews of beers that appeal to me, while trying to keep a open mind and expanding my horizons.   I also plan to use my blog as a way to pass along what I have learned about craft beers.  Kind of a “Beers for Beginners” section.

Hopefully I will get feedback from readers who can make recommendations or help further my education on craft beer and craft breweries.

But there will be no IPA reviews.

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Adopting the Mediterranean diet

      It’s only taken me nearly 60 years to finally commit to eating a healthier diet, one stocked with veggies, fruits, whole grains and a dramatic reduction in processed foods.  Better late than never I guess.

     What triggered me to reassess the way I eat was the realization that I am almost as old as my father was when he was diagnosed with Type II diabeties.  He was warned numerous times to change his eating habits and increase his physical activities to help manage the progression of his disease.  Sadly, he never did and he spent his last years suffering from diabetic neuropathy and the attendant loss of mobility.

     I now recognize that I need to change the way I eat now, while I am still healthy, because if I don’t I will eventually have to make these changes in a few years when I too will be diagnosed with Type II diabetes.  Today is as good a day as any to start on a new path.

     After much pondering, I have decided to follow the Mediterranean diet.  I’d considered living the Mediterranean diet before, but I got scared off by all the veggies and seafood that are part of the Mediterranean lifestyle.  I can’t deny, I’m not much into either seafood or veggies.  However, I have determined that the Mediterranean diet is one I can follow for the rest of my life.  I’ve looked at the Keto and Paleo plans because of their weight loss potential, but these diets are so restrictive I’m not sure I can follow them long term.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

Harvard Mediterranean diet pyramid. Click to enlarge.

     So just what is the Mediterranean diet, and why is it the ranked number one diet according to US News?  Let’s start with a short history lesson. In 1946 an American physiologist named Ancel Keys studied the eating habits of the denizens of Greece, Crete and southern Italy, and discovered that most of the worlds centenarians resided in this region.  His hypothesis was that the non-saturated fats sound in olive oil and seafood, along with copious amounts of fruits and vegetables,consumed by Mediterranian dwellers kept their hearts much healthier than the typical western diet of meats and diary of the time(note: parts of Ancel Keys research have come under intense criticism because some of his methods and conclusions are now considered sloppy and incomplete.  Even so, most health experts believe his theory of consuming fresh produce, whole grains and seafood is still the best way to go for healthy eating.  I would also point out that Keys lived to 101).

     The diet that the Greeks and southern Italians followed in 1946 was centered around vegetables, fruits and lentils.  Lots and lots of vegetables.  Additionally, they ate plenty of whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil.  Their primary protein sources fish and poultry, which they ate a couple of times a week, and  beans.  Red meats and sweets were for special occasions and usually only consumed 2 or 3 times a month.  Oh, and they drank red wine almost every day.

     What’s the one thing you will notice about this way of eating?  There are NO forbidden foods!  Carbs are not taboo.  Even sweets are allowed, if only in small amounts.  As long as the breads and grains are whole grains and not refined, and by making sure not to go overboard in eating them, then these carbs are considered healthy.  Because this diet is inclusive rather than restrictive, it much easier to adhere to long-term.

     The Mediterranean diet also calls for daily physical activity.  In the 1940s there were very few cars in Greece and southern Italy, so people walked or bicycled everywhere.  To work, to the store, to school and so on.  They also performed other physical demanding activities such as gardening and cooking.

     Let’s see, bicycling, gardening and drinking wine. Replace the wine with beer and I’ve got this part covered!

     One other important aspect of the Mediterranean diet is to make meals (lunch or dinner) a social occasion.  Long lunches, sometimes for two or three hours, with family and friends are (or were) daily events in Greece and southern Italy.  A lot different from our modern age, when we barely taste the food we shovel into our pie-holes because we are too busy looking at our smartphones and not at the people around us.

Deviating from the plan

   With all that being said, there are parts of the diet that I’m going to deviate from. I am a little concerned about the amount of protein that the diet provides.  I am not sure it is enough for me.  I strength train on a regular basis, and this requires more protein than the FDA standard recommendation.  Also, recent studies indicate that we may need more protein as we get older (see here). The Mediterranean diet protein amounts, if followed correctly, comes to about 15-20% of  daily calories.  My aim is for 25-30% of my calorie intake to come from protein. 

     I’m also going to eat more red meat than the Mediterranean diet recommends.  If you look at a Mediterranean diet pyramid, you will see that red meat is only supposed to be consumed once or twice a month.  I am fully aware that the American Heart Association frowns upon red meat because of its saturated fats.  But I like red meat and I’m going to continue to eat it.  I will just eat a little less of it.  Perhaps once or twice a week tops.

Besides, recent studies have shown that saturated fats aren’t necessarily “bad”, that in fact they are more of a neutral fat.  While the American Heart Association downplays it, some studies show that we might actually need some saturated fat (see here).

     The other major change I’ll be making to my version of the Mediterranean diet is the type of alcohol I’ll consume.  Red wine is a big part of the Mediterranean diet and a glass or two each day is actually recommended.   But since I’m not a big fan of wine, I’ll be sticking with my beer.

Preparing tuna steaks and a Greek salad.

What’s has worked so far:

Greek salad: tomatoes, zucchini, avocado, cucumber, orange pepper and red onion; topped with crumbled Feta cheese and an olive oil based dressing.

     Surprisingly, eating more vegetables and fruit has not been too difficult a transition.  I make sure I have a wide variety to choose from, and some olive oil base dressing for the veggies.  Purchasing a rotisserie chicken from deli department makes for easy cooking, and is tasty (for chicken) as well.  My grocer has pre-made green leaf mixes that help reduce prep time and makes for easy and delicious salads.

     With all the fruits, veggies and beans I’m consuming, I find I feel much more sated throughout the day.  I now eat a piece of fruit most evenings as dessert.  However, what I especially like about the Mediterranean diet is that there are no “forbidden” foods.  Even sweets are allowed (in very small portions) and so Mrs. Vintage and I have some ice cream or a donut after dinner on the weekends.

     Because there are so many new foods available to me and so many ways to prepare them, I have been able to drastically cut back on fast food and processed foods.

What has been a struggle:

     As I mentioned above, I really like my red meat and I am not a big fan of seafood.  Reducing my red meat intake to just once a week and increasing seafood consumption to twice a week has been a bit of a struggle.  I’ve found quite a variety of seafood recipes.  Hopefully I can find a few that I like.

      Finding breads actually made of whole wheat instead of enriched flour is proving to be harder than it should be.

     Reducing sweets so far has been a bitch.  I’m still craving sweets after dinner during the week.   I’ve been replacing them with fruit, but every 2 or 3 days I start to get withdrawals and then I backslide a bit.

     I’ve also come to realize just how much I like dairy products.  The average American tends to consume 3-5 servings of dairy and cheese a day, where on the Mediterranean diet you’re supposed to keep dairy to no more than 2 servings a day.  I’m compromising and aiming for 3 servings a day.  This adjustment may take a little bit of time.

Change can be hard:

     As I take up this new way of eating I constantly remind myself that perfection is the enemy of the good.  This helps to remind me that a major change like this takes time, and that trying to be perfect is self-defeating.  If I am able to follow this plan by 80-90%, I have made huge strides in achieving a healthier lifestyle.  It’s okay to be imperfect.

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Book Review – Along the Med on a Bike called Reggie

Editor’s note:  I have set a goal to read 26 books in 2019, and review them upon completion.  Below is my review of Along the Med on a Bike called Reggie, the 3rd book I have completed so far this year.

    Without meaning to, I have been reading Andrew P. Sykes books about touring across Europe in reverse order.  I read his newest book, “Spain to Norway on a bike called Reggie” back in December.  This month I finished his middle tome, “Along the Med on a bike called Reggie”.  Guess I’ll have to read his first foray into bicycle touring across Europe, “Crossing Europe on a bike called Reggie”, soon.

    Mr. Sykes is not only excels at describing the day to day travails and triumphs of long distance bicycle touring, he is an outstanding tour guide of the places and sites that he travels to.  We get history and cultural lessons of the towns nad countries he passes through, vivid descriptions of the passing landscapes and humorous interactions with many of the locals.  His books are fun and informative.

     Along the Med with a bike named Reggie finds Mr. Sykes beginning his journey in Greece, and follows his adventures through the 11 European countries that border the Mediterranean Sea until he finishes up on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Portugal.  Along the way we take a tour of Greek ruins, a Croatian war memorial, backstreets of Venice and much more. I envy Mr. Sykes very much.

     Along the Med is a pretty thick book for a bicycling touring book.  Most books of this type usually clock in around 300 pages, while this one pushes close to 500.  All those details add up!

      Near the end of the book,  Mr. Sykes describes how he was becoming physically and mentally weary as his trip drew to a close.  As much as I enjoyed this book I too was getting a little weary of reading about it as I neared the final chapter.  It was becoming a tad tedious.

     Still, I highly recommend this book if you are at all interested in bicycle touring.  I give it 3 and a half thumbs up.

     A fun account of a bicycle tour along the Mediterranean Sea, filled with history lessons, beautiful scenery and interesting characters along the way.  Entertaining, but a bit of a slog at the end. 

Epilogue:  Hope you enjoyed this post.  Comments, book recommendations and writing tips are always welcome.  If you don’t wish to post comments on this site, feel free to email me at:  Mrvintageman2@gmail.com.

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