REVIEW: Trying Out Daily Burn

While fitness is not a thing I would typically go out of the way to mention, having talked about signing up for Daily Burn throughout my Small Things posts and occasionally on Twitter and getting the odd interesting remark and comment, I thought I would come to share my first nine weeks using the program.

If you're not familiar with Daily Burn, what is it? Basically DB is an online fitness program, comprising 16 different programs from expert trainers alongside offering a live daily workout. DB also offers meal plans, recipes, supplement recommendations to lifestyle tips. Workouts tend to last between 15 to 45 minutes depending on the program. Streaming online and or through TV steaming services, currently the first month is free, then it's $12.99 monthly.

So tomorrow actually marks the final day in the True Beginner program that me and Joe have been working through for the last nine weeks. It's a program that takes you right back to the basics, and for someone who's never loved, enjoyed or even worked out really it's the best place it start. It combines and rotates between cardio, strength, mobility and core workouts, every couple of weeks inching up the challenge level. Without having access to scales for the first couple of weeks I can't say how much weight I've lost during this workout, which actually probably works out for the best. Yes, I've lost weight but it's also made me aware of other improvements, I feel stronger, I'm much more flexible, more stable and I can do exercises (planks, push ups) that I couldn't do before. But more importantly, it's made me feel awesome inside and out. In fact it's started an inner revolution for me. I never thought I'd come to enjoy exercise.

The last couple of weeks we've started exploring the Daily Burn 365 workouts. The 365 workout's is perhaps the part of DB you might have seen advertised - each day there's a brand spanking new 30 minute workout shown live (at 9am EST) and on demand throughout the day with a different trainer. These are far more intensive than the True Beginner workouts but it was time to try pushing ourselves, mix things up a little and they are certainly shows I'm going to try and join in live on weekdays because they make me feel great.

Like True Beginner there's a library of workouts that you can challenge yourself too, they typically seem to last between 16 days up to 3 months depending on which you choose and are at a variety of intensity levels from beginner to expert. Whether you like yoga, Pilates, what to work on your core or even dance workouts. There really is something for everyone, you can mix it up day to day, do it whenever you fancy and at your own pace. 

So I thought I'd string together a quick list of pros and cons about DB:

Pros:

• You don't need to be an expert - there is something for everyone regardless of fitness level, strength, experience and interest. 
• Not needing lots of fancy equipment: basically (for the True Beginner and DB365 sessions) you need a sturdy chair, most likely a towel and maybe a yoga mat (which I ended up buying for like a cheap $8). You don't need fancy weights, lots of equipment. Just yourself.
• Mixing it up - I know lots of people love YouTube for exercising, but I just could never stick to it. One on one with the trainer, not having that variety just wasn't working for me. Daily Burn offers that variety, it mixes it up for me, I don't have to remember what I did or didn't do yesterday or last week. It makes you feel included, makes it different.  

Source

• Modifications - workouts pretty much always offer a modification to work to your level of strength. While you're encouraged to push yourself, you're encouraged to do it to your own level and workouts nearly always come with various ways to achieve your goals.  
• Positively: going on from the above, the trainers and community (which I'll speak to later) everyone is positive and not in a patronizing manner. You're encouraged, you're made to feel welcome, that you're worth this. This is a big big biggie for me.
• Streaming options - I love that you can stream it through the website, on your phone, the app and steaming devices. It makes it so portable. But especially because you can stream it through devices like the Roku I can stream it full size on my TV. 
• Website - the website is really easy to use which is pretty important when it's an online based service. The website is also full of interesting articles - offering tips on exercise, the aforementioned recipes and lifestyle tips.  
• Community - the DB community seems to be pretty active through Facebook and through the webchats around the 365 program. You seen regular faces in the workouts and the trainers are pretty awesome in making you feel included and part of the team. 
• Recipes - I can never have enough recipes I will be honest but I could probably do with some on the healthy side. The Daily Burn has a collection of recipe inspiration for all kinds of meals and drinks.
• Improvements - nine weeks in, like I mentioned I'm feeling stronger, I've improved my balance, I can do exercises I couldn't before and I'm feeling positive. 

Source

Cons:

• Can't use Paypal. Biggest issue of all for me. I rely on using Paypal pretty much constantly for being able to pay for apps online, to me it's just easier and I don't have the hassle or the fear of typing in card details. But Paypal sadly isn't an option for monthly payments. Sucks. 
• Playing the wrong day - granted I'm not sure if is this more of an issue with DB or because we stream it through our Roku, but often loading the app through the Roku it'll want to reshow the work out from the previous day. Which all means logging on through the computer, clicking the correct show, loading it a little, logging back through the app on the Roku to get it streaming

I guess only being able to think of two cons is pretty awesome.

I have a goal in mind for what I want to achieve with DB and I believe it's going to get me there. For me, the fact that the program has me excited for the next session when I'm worn out and tried after the day's workout, for me says something huge. For me, it means it's working and it's something I'm actually off to stick with.

So there you have it, i'm a full DB convert and I love it.

Rachael

READS: February's Graphic Novels

These monthly round ups of my graphic novels are fast becoming one of my favorite regular posts and it's been great to receive such positive feedback them the last couple of months or so.

So let's get to the point - here is February's round up by starting off with my favorite read of the month!

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Remember all those bedtime stories of your childhood featuring mystical and eerie dark woods? Of lurking shapes, unexpected happenings and the abyss? 

Well Through the Woods perfectly captures that horror, that mystery through the five unsettling tales that come to make up this graphic novel. Every tale ends on a cliffhanger which forces your mind into overdrive for hours after. As for the art work, it's as fantastic and as creepy as the tales themselves.

I'm not normally spooked by books, but yeah this one made me feel a little jumpy afterwards. 

 

Sisters (Smile #2) by Raina Telgemeier

After reading and loving Smile by Telgemeier, I set out to read some more of her works. As the sequel to Smile, Sisters features Raina and her relationship with her little sister Amara. A sister she longed for yet their relationship has always been tense. Set during a family road trip from San Francisco through the Colorado Rockies for a family reunion, tension between their parents and a the addition of a baby brother. 

Being an only child, I can't relate or speak to how well Raina speaks of sibling relationships but it was still an engaging read. The ending was a little flat with lots of things hanging in the air, but I'm hoping the story will continue in the future.

The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam by Anne Marie Flemming

I have to admit to not having a clue who Long Tack Sam - one of China's greatest magicians was when picking up this book. Born in 1885, Sam went onto become a magician, a key act in vaudeville, a restaurant owner, to world traveler in case you didn't know either.

Now his great granddaughter brings his life to color in this graphic memoir, pretty much a companion to the documentary of the same subject. Which is part of the problem. While I really loved the addition of photographs of Sam and his act, his family etc, stills from the documentary were blurry, still covered with the documentary subtitles. The author herself admits to not being good at drawing so we're left with stick fingers It felt messy and rushed. The story and life of Sam was very interesting to read, but I feel it would have been better has a straight forward non fiction biography.

How to be Happy by Eleanor Davis  

First things first, the various forms of artwork in this graphic novel is phenomenal, from pencil drawings to lush watercolors, it all brings you right into each of the short (some very short) tales that comprise How to be Happy. But that's where all this positive talk ends. Some tales felt far too obscure that they just didn't make sense, it lacked a sense of flow and felt very disjointed throughout. 

Weeks on, I still don't really know what to think about this book. It seemed to be missing a point - (maybe that is the point)?! Even the author narrates that the book is not about how to be happy. Hmmm.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier 
This happens to be one of those teen graphic novels that is matched with a lot of controversy for featuring a gay character. The book isn't about being gay, it's not even the main character who happens to be gay. Because apparently teens shouldn't be reading about such things ... but if you have trouble finding this book, that might be why.

Anyways, so this is my second Telgemier book within one review - (you can tell I really like her work can't you?!) about purple haired Callie (so jealous of her hair) - one of the set designers for her schools drama production who comes to struggle with production wise, friendship challenges and boys. It's a great little humorous graphic novel, full of wonderfully vivid artwork, a diverse cast and a nice little story line. 

Lumberjanes Vol 1. (#1-4) Beware the Kitty Holy by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Broke A. Allen and Marta Laiho

I'll openily admit to sneaking Lumberjanes into this lot of reviews. I know there's not too much of a clear line between comics & graphic novels, but I've been trying to keep them separate*. My justification is reading Lumberjanes in the volume format. Anyway to the important details - The Miss Quinzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqual Thistle Crumpet's (how awesome is that for a name!) summer camp is the setting for five best friends and all their adventures. Think coming across three eyed foxes in the middle of the night, falling into caves and supernatural animals.  If you're a fan of Nimona - plot and style (also by Noelle Stevenson) you'll love this tale, it's funny, it's engaging and cute, plus it's filled with rad artwork. I can't wait to pick up volume 2!



So that was my graphic novel reading for February, read any? Loved, liked, hated any of them?

Rachael

*otherwise I would be swamped with reviews and you would all be yawning at your screen. But if you're interested my favorite monthly comic book reads are Ms Marvel, Captain Marvel, Spider Gwen, Pasty Walker AKA Hellcat and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. You can tell I'm a Marvel fan can't ya?! Maybe that's all a post for another day ...

FOOD: Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea

All things Alice in Wonderland greet you once you step inside Birmingham's Mad Hatter bar and bistro. From the doorknobs, to walls of mirrors, clocks and the red & black upholstery and furniture throughout, you'll feel like you just fell down a rabbit hole and earned yourself a spot for some delicious afternoon tea for your troubles. 

It has been far, far too long since our last afternoon tea adventure to The Whitney and after coming across Mad Hatter on a visit to Birmingham in December, the bar and bistro ended up on our to try list. Feeling a little homesick, Joe booked us a reservation for afternoon tea a couple of weeks ago. 

Everything Mad Hatter is very whimsical but without going too overboard. Table are adorned with pretty mismatched tea cups and saucers. Tea is presented in quirky teapots and food is severed upon traditional three tier serving platter to round things off. 

With our teacups filled with hot cinnamon spice tea, it was time to dig in. We started with the traditional finger sandwiches (think cucumber with minted cream cheese, artichoke, smoked salon and caper - my favorite and roasted pepper and hummus) all small, but all very filling.

Now, as with my fish and chips adventures in the US, I always love to see how the US takes on and caters British food traditions to the American market. Scones being one of them - because you know as Brits, we're rather picky about them. According to the menu the scones presented are the choice of the chef, we were served chocolate chip and poppy seed. Probably not something you'd see on traditional afternoon tea back in the homeland. Served with mascarpone cheese and lemon curd, I have to be honest, they were delicious and make a nice change from the norm. 

To finish things off, the top tier was filled with wonderfully cut and presented fresh fruits surrounding a selection of cakes - chocolate brownies, lemon tarts and a wonderful Oreo dessert.

Everything is served with your choice of tea. With fourteen regular teas, alongside decaf there's probably something for everyone from the Mad House Blend, Chocolate Mint to say Chinese Flower to name but a few. We even purchased a caddy of the Hot Cinnamon Spice to take home with us it was so delicious. Even better, you can try multiple tea blends throughout your stay. 

For $24 per person, you'd be hard pressed to find something so delicious and well serviced (our server was both friendly and very attentive throughout our stay). The venue is also a bistro and bar and it has me very tempted to return, for more tea drinking and the rest of their menu. 

Plus anywhere with a chandelier comprised of tea cups and spoons is a winner in my book. 

Mad Hatter Bistro: 185 N. Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009. 

Afternoon tea by reservation 11am - 3pm. 

Are you a fan of afternoon tea?

Rachael

BOOKS: The Start Where You Are Journal

If I could sum up my intentions for 2016 it would be restful. Especially restful in mind. For the last ten years, perhaps more I've had a brain that won't much to my increasing despair stop thinking, panicking, overthinking, stop. 

I stumbled across Meera Lee Petal's Start Where You Are Journal while flicking through page after page of books claiming to solve all my problems. Perhaps it was the gorgeous cover, the bold colors, but probably more of the notion of opening the pages and starting that quest for mindfulness and "self exploration" finally ticked the box.

The journal is comprised of around 50 or so questions, suggestions, projects and the like, each with it's own bold and wonderfully colorized water-colored illustrated quotations from Thomas Jefferson, Roald Dahl to Shakespeare and other figures, writers and artists alike. And while I'm not someone who is big on quotations, they all seem fitting to the following work page. Such questions and prompts as drawing self portraits using colours and patterns, coloring in world maps to listing sources of happiness are designed to set you upon the path of navigating the daily chaos that is life. 

The questions and projects are simple enough that you don't feel like you're digging too deep in learning about ourselves. In fact it's a very quiet and completative journal, it's simple in reminding us that by taking the time to spend five or so minutes to come to know ourselves better, we're not only appreciating the world, our dreams but ourselves.

Which is probably why, after several weeks I'm still working my way though my self-exploration, unlike other previous journaling attempts. Which for me, is a bit of a big deal and the reason why i'm even sharing it on my blog. I'm not normally one to take stock, reflect, like I mentioned, I'm not a restful kind of person. But this journal, fitting in the prompts, reflecting on the quotations, it's helping me get there. 

What is your journaling story?

Rachael

READS: Janurary's Graphic Novels

After all the great comments (thank you muchly) from sharing my favorite graphic novels I read in 2015, I thought I would turn it into a monthly feature. Like I mentioned previously, knowing where to start with graphic novels can be a little daunting, and whether you've never picked one up or you're a seasoned reader, maybe you'll welcome some more suggestions to add into your reading list.

Each month, I'll feature one, or like this month, perhaps a couple of my favorite graphic novel read and everything else I came across. This time we're actually getting started two graphic novels that Joe brought me for Christmas. He's awesome in getting the memo to add to my collection.

Read(s) of the Month;

Lady Killer by Joelle Jones & Jamie S. Rich

Enter Jose the quintessential 1950's American housewife, cooking the meals, looking after the children and being the prefect wife. She has, on the surface the perfect life. But a life that has a hidden dark side, Jose happens to also be a killer for hire. But what happens when someone happens to want the killer killed?!

Lady Killer is on point for a number of reasons, the artwork, the gritty dark humor and the plot leaves you craving more and more with the turn of every page. Not to mention lusting over Jose's killer wardrobe. 

I long for news that Jose will make an appearance in another series. As someone who spends a lot of time between the pages of many a 1950's cookbook finding them new homes, it's often easy to wonder about the lives of such a housewife, even better to daydream about their naughty side. In fact I loved this novel so much, Jose was my phone wallpaper for a while (before going back to Dragonball Z's Bulma, she has my heart).

The New Deal by Jonathan Case

Dark Horse publishers were on point with their late 2015 graphic novels, alongside Lady Killer, The New Deal saw it's release. Set during Depression hit New York is the backdrop to glamorous hotel (the Waldorf Astoria no less) based crime novel. When Nina, our beautiful and charming fem fatale checks in for a stay sparkles a series of mysterious jewellery thefts most felt by the bellhop, Frank and Theresa, a maid. 

Admittedly the 1930's is my favorite era of history and The New Deal is a great glimpse into the race relations and class misconceptions of the time. All too quickly are the employees blamed for the thefts particularly Theresa, the black maid who happens to be in my perspective more of the lead protagonist than Nina.

And the rest;

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki

Spanning a vacation to Awago Beach, This One Summer captures Rose a girl on the verge of teen-hood and battling with her parents constant fighting. Meeting up with Windy - the sister Rose never had they find themselves entangled in local secrets . 

The artwork in This One Summer is what sets this book apart - monochromatic in it's purpley blues and whites it's simple but eyecatchingly detailed and really pulls you in and brings everything to life. But the plot, well that's the one down side, it plods along not really doing much of anything. By the end, I was actually wondering what the purpose behind sharing this story was. Because for a summer of personal growth, firsts and exploration, I don't particularly think either of the two girls particularly changed.

AD New Orleans After the Deluge by Josh Neufeld

Taken from a webcomic AD [...] depicts the horrors and humanity faced by six survivors of Hurricane Katina when it hit New Orleans in 2005. Featuring the real experiences of a doctor drinking it up in the French Quarter,  Denise, who faced surviving in the Superdome and Abbas battling to keep alive and braving the storm on the roof of his store AD [...] follows it's characters through the hurricane to it's aftermath and lingering effects years later.  

AD brings to life the human tale, of making last minute decisions between staying or evacuating. Of political decisions and of the ultimate power of Mother nature. Speaking with survivors and those facing the hurricane on the ground, Neufeld challenges the misconceptions of black thugs, rape and murder, instead showing the positive human actions particularly within the Superdome which made little headlines after the disaster which makes well worth a read.

 Fun Home - A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

Alongside Are You My Mother?, Bechdel's adult graphic novel Fun Home is often a graphic novel you'll find upon those "must" read lists. Sadly I just couldn't get into it. It was perhaps a bit too repetitive, the narrative flies around, it felt labored, far from engaging and left me irritated.

Fun Home happens to be a graphic memoir, one depicting Bechdel's relationship with her late father. The author sets about exploring the legacy of having a closeted father, and who may or may not have killed himself soon after she came out as gay in college. 

In honestly, it's not often I finish a book not really caring about it. But this was one of them. 

What have you been reading lately?

Rachael

FOOD: Nakd Bars - a Wholefood Alternative

One of my favorite aisles to wander down on any given shopping trip is the natural foods aisle especially around all the treats and snacks. I'm guilty of being a big snack eater and with choosing to be a bit more selective and healthy in our buying choices, a whole new range of goodies have been opened up. And it's pretty fun getting to taste them all out, finding some new favorites. So when Natural Balance Foods got in touch with me about trying some of their Nakd bars, I was excited to try yet another temptation.

Natural Balance Foods are all about iron rich foods. British based, they are branching out into the US market (online at least - you can make your purchases through their website) offering a wholefood alternative - with snack bars free of those unnatural processed foods using natural sugars (like those found in dates and raisins). But it's more than that, their bars are wheat, dairy, gluten free and 100% vegan.

Delving into their goodies and you'll come across some tasty flavors - caffe mocha, rhubarb and custard to cocoa orange and ginger bread to name but four. Soft and chewy they give you a great boost whether you need a mid afternoon snack or you're busy on the go. Speaking of being out and about they are the perfect size for fitting into your pocket, your bag, or popping into your lunchbox. What I really love is how clear and bright their packaging is especially with how clear the ingredients are labelled - so it shows you just how simple their recipe really is.

Using natural sugars found particularly in dates (43% of the Nakd cocoa crunch bar was made up of dates) they aren't low on the sugar front so you do have watch your intake. Not being a huge date fan sometimes it was a bit over powering, but still edible. I have to admit the more British of the flavors - the Bakewell tart and rhubarb and custard (although oddly enough rhubarb is not listed in the ingredients which was a bit of a let down that it's probably just a "natural flavoring" which was a bit of a downer) had to be my favorites.

The bars certainly fill up a hunger gap, they are a great size and come in a great variety of flavors. It's a shame they aren't available to buy in stores - because for me, that's just how I tend to do my shopping - picking whatever flavors rather than brands that I fancy. But for me, the high date content and flavor puts me on the fence a little.

Have you ever tried Nakd Bars? 

I received a complimentary sampler box of Eat Nakd bars in exchange for an honest review. However as always, my opinions and photographs are all my own. 

FOOD: The Chicory Cafe

The Chicory Cafe seems to be a very welcomed edition to the main street of Rogers City. Specialising in local and organic foods, the Chicory Cafe offers warming and filling soups, huge thick sandwiches and the most delicious of coleslaws as a side. Walking in your met with a farm house feel - wooden tables and chairs, an old oven range celebrating local produce for sale, small chalk boards suggesting the specials of the day. Behind which the wall is painted, the menus chalked, notated upon it, old fashioned paninis offered alongside buffalo meatballs or squash soup with an organic soda to wash it down. Whatever your fancy you'll feel satisfied. For $8.75 you can feast on a full sandwich with a side, granted it's more than your Subway but it's tastier, the ingredients local, free range and organic. As a couple who eat predominantly eat organic fruit and vegetables, it's great to find local businesses offering the same. 

With free wi-fi you you could make this our home for an hour or so, local art lines the wall, old classic cars drive along the street, you can sit a while soaking up the real America, the local America. 

You can find The Chicory Cafe at;

View Larger Map

179 N. Third St,

Rogers City, Michigan. 

FOOD: The CSA Cookbook

If there's one thing i'm looking forward to this year it's getting my fingers dirty and starting off my veg patch. But what's daunting is what to do with all the veggie goodness that the earth gives up. Let me be honest here, i'm not the biggest vegetable fan, I should be, I want to be, but I need help. I need inspiration. I need recipes that get me thinking outside the box, that liven them up a little. Luckily there's a new cookbook that, if you're anything like me, will get you rethinking, gets you creating and gets you working in your garden and kitchen. 

The CSA Cookbook by Linda Ly offers over 100 seasonal and globally inspired recipes for vegetables whether you receive a community supported agricultural project, you pop to your farmers market or you're growing them yourself. And if you're not doing any of these, then this cookbook might get you curious enough to start. 

Recipes are no waste, so they'll challenge you to using all parts of the plant parts you might otherwise throw away - from the leaves, to the flowers and seeds. As Ly states, the CSA Cookbook is all about celebrating "the art of using the whole vegetable in your day-to-day cooking" (page 15). And that is something I can get behind!

Drawing on her own experience homesteading on the California Coast and celebrating the good life, Linda Ly is also the author behind the award winning blog Garden Betty (which is awesome btw!). Recognized by HGTV and Country Living, Ly provides a down to earth, hands on approach to thinking creatively. The CSA Cookbook shines with her personality, her creative approach in a way that's approachable and inspirational. 

Recipes are presented clearly with vegetables you're more than likely to find in produce boxes or ones you might have growing in your vegetable patch. Additional ingredients are ones you'll most likely already have, or they are easiest enough to come by which is always a winner when i'm hunting for recipe inspiration. With gorgeous photography throughout, you'll be drooling as you flick though, bookmarking the recipes as you go. I certainly have my eye on the herb infused vinegar's.



This cookbook will certainly be a big inspiration and help in getting my vegetable fix that's for sure!

I was provided the CSA Cookbook for review purposes, all thoughts as ever, are my own. 

FOOD: Celebrating Easter with the British Hamper Company

Even as an adult, you gotta love Easter for all the chocolate. While America too loves it's "candy" this time of year, there's nothing like some British tasting chocolate celebrations. Whether you live in my British homeland, you're an expat or have an interest in trying out some British chocolate wherever you are in the world, there is a great company to head to for satisfying that chocolate craving at Easter time! The British Hamper Company is here to answer all your British food needs.

Based out of Lincolnshire, The British Hamper Company prides themselves on offering quality service in producing imaginative luxury gift hampers. Whether you're looking for an Easter gift, craving some retro sweets, fancy giving something different for a wedding gift or need some early ideas for Christmas, they all offer a taste of Britain. Inside their hampers, you'll find a great selection reflecting the "exciting and passionate British food landscape" with food from award winning British artisans and independent food producers.

Sounds good right?!

Full of delicious goodies, the Easter gift hamper comes with a fine selection of nine delights of artisan chocolate from Britain's leading chocolatiers. An Easter egg made with butterscotch truffles (mmm) from London's Monty Bojanges to incredibly cute little Easter chicks and some tasty looking drinking chocolate from Chocca Mocca. It all comes in this adorably cute British themed bespoke packaging that is so getting reused in my craft room! Those raining clouds, are just too cute.

If you find yourself living on this side of the pond like me, the final final order date for guaranteed Easter delivery of the Easter Hamper to the USA and Canada is today (Friday 27th) so get your fingers filling in that order form asap! Fear not if you're in the UK, you have extra breathing room with final orders up to April 1st. 

International customers need not worry about delivery times nor poor packaging because the British Hamper Company make international delivery easy, secure and low fuss!  Typically USA bound delivery takes 4 days (perfect!). They also work on a preferred delivery date system, so if you're planning ahead for future celebrations, you can choose when you'd like your hamper to be delivered by. They also do an excellent job in securely wrapping not only the perishables, but also the hamper itself. Which is an added winner in my book! If you're an expat or thinking of treating yourself to some British chocolate from overseas, you can find out more about international delivery and service here.

Whether you fancy an Easter treat for yourself or you know someone who deserves one, you can't go wrong with this hamper! Personally I think I'll be hinting for that Retro Sweet hamper in the future for myself - there's so many childhood memories contained in that hamper! Right now, well I'm looking very much forward to getting very well acquainted with all this chocolate over the Easter weekend!

You can find out more about the British Hamper Company through their website, twitter or facebook page.

Disclosure: I received the Easter Hamper from the British Hamper Company for review purposes. all words, photographs and thoughts are all my own. 

FOOD: Fish & Chips at McShane's Irish Pub

I guess you could say I'm pretty boring when it comes to food choices in restaurants and bars. Visit any new place and i'm most likely to order fish n chips regardless of where we are eating. I'm calling it a personal mission of mine to find the best place that serves up fish n chips - whether that's in Michigan or whatever state I happen to be in. 

After finding some pretty awesome fish n chips back in Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving in the Scottish themed Pipers Pub (which sadly I was far too busy eating to stop and take a picture). It was the first place i've come across in my little challenge that serve the said dish with the traditional thick chips (or fries if you're American). As tasty as they were, 400 odd miles is a long way to go for some fish n chips so the Michigan search continued. 

Joe's taken it upon himself to search the interwebs for recommendations in the Metro area. So when we found McShane's Irish Pub it was a bit of a winner - Irish themed - tick, a whiskey bar - double tick, close by - tick and super high praise for their fish n chips, well it would have been rude not to try.

(please excuse grainy picture, twas dark)

McShane's is I guess you could say at the quieter end of Michigan Avenue in Detroit's, Corktown, I say quieter because it's a way from the hub of Slows, Mercury Bar etc, and can be found on the corner of Michigan Ave and Trumbell, right next to the former baseball pitch - which with the plans for redeveloping the area, I can see this part of town growing from strength to strength. 

So to the all important - how were the fish n chips. Well, lets say they knocked the Grand Trunk Pub off the top of my Michigan league on the fish n chip front. The malt beer batter was crisp and delicious, the cod tender, the thyme steak chips thick and huge. They certainly know what they are doing. Many reviews credit them for making a dish worthy of being from, or even better than those found in the homeland, stick them next to one from the UK and I don't think you could tell the difference taste wise at least. The coleslaw might throw a Brit off mind you. 

McShane's menu features another British staple Shepherds pie, alongside the best wings I've tasted and thick, juicy sandwiches. Plus the bar has 89 different whiskey's. After drinking a delightful rye whiskey - Templeton on the rocks, i'll certainly be back for some more fish n chips and a try of another one of those 88 whiskey's that remain to be tried! 

View Larger Map

If you fancy trying it out for yourself, pop along to;

McShanes Irish Pub

1460 Michigan Ave,

Detroit, Michigan

REVIEW: Craft Fail, When Homemade Goes Horribly Wrong

We've all had those tries, those attempts at recreating something we've seen on Pinterest regardless of your craft or baking skills. The attempts of times I've tried to make something I've pinned and turned into a failure has been often I will confess. Like this twig wreath I attempted when autumn arrived which ended up being far more cardboard then twigs, or the Christmas bauble wreath that had more baubles on the floor within a week of it hanging. Plus let's not talk about all the times I forget to measure in the baking powder or soda into a loaf or cake. Trust me, there have been many fails on my part.

And yet I still love to try. I guess that's all part of the fun. 

Now there's a book that is great for the crafters in your life if you're needing some inspiration for Christmas gifts already. The Craft Fail book comes out of the craftfail.com by "failure enthusiast" Heather Mann filled with real life tales and confessions of all those Pinterest projects be it home decor, fashion to food fails, anything and everything that never turned out quite right. With over 200 colour photographs and oh so many craft fails, you can't help finding yourself gigging along.

You don't need to be a crafter or baker to appreciate the fails, nor to laugh along. And you really will laugh. But that is part of the fun. Craft Fail reminds us that those failures, those mess ups are part of the fun of crafting, or baking or DIY. Mess ups help us recognize and appreciate the times they do go right but that even when they don't we're still learning something.

Our crafts may never turn out Pinterest perfect - but you know what, we can darn well try.

I'd love to hear what some of your craft fails have been! 

Craft Fail - When Homemade Goes Horribly Wrong by Heather Mann

Workman Publishing // November 2014 // ISBN: 9780761179924 // RRP $12.95 (US)
 A copy of Craft Fail was sent to me for review purposes, all opinions expressed are my own.

FOOD: Slows BBQ

Slows BBQ is one of those places that always features on the must visit list when it comes to eating out in Detroit. Opening in 2009 it's now one of the key businesses along Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown. It's a causal place, popular and trendy with us young folk to say the least in one of the most up and coming areas of the city outside of Downtown and Midtown (one historically linked to Irish immigrants if you didn't guess that from the areas name).

With a menu filled with southern inspired slow cooked meats their ribs are coated and rubbed in 13 spices leaving a spicy caramelized crust, slow cooked for hours until they are delightfully trendy. But if ribs aren't your thing they have lots of other delicious dishes and sides alongside a lot of Michigan beers and fancy beers on tap too.

So what did we start with? Well first things first we shared a plentiful appetizer of sweet catfish in a tempura batter with a delightful sauce to accompany it. While Joe oped for the full plate of ribs I went for the big three - a selection of three of their best - pulled pork, pulled chicken and sliced brisket. Each entree and combo comes with your choice of two sides - so mac n cheese (the best ever) and some spicy baked beans for me (mmm) and waffle fries covered in Hoffman's cheese (rather tasty and very cheesy) and some coleslaw (nom) for him. Seriously you get so much food, pratically everyone leaves with a doggy bag full.

I should probably admit before moving to the US I had little experience eating barbecue foods so i've always been a little daunted by it, especially with how messy you can get doing so. I'm not an expert at knowing the best and the rest when it comes to BBQ but Slows certainly pushed a certain chain place I've eaten at prior to this off the radar. They know how to do their food. Everything is served pretty quick, the spice is just right. Four sauces to accompany your meal are offered on your table which take everything to next level. Service is great, friendly and there's no rush to leave if you fancy having a special drink after your meal.

Parking could a bit of an issue, especially on a busy summer evening, Michigan Avenue is a bit limited for parking but there is a lot behind the Mercury Bar literally over the road and for $3 you can park for as long as you like, plus your money goes into funding the guy who keeps an eye on your car and goes into looking after Roosevelt Park.

View Larger Map

Slows can be found at;

2138 Michigan Avenue

Detroit, Michigan, 48216 

How do you like your barbecue grub?