Monday, January 18, 2010

Organic Spirits...


The wife and I are fasting. We are cleansing our minds and our bodies for the new year. For us, it is a spiritual exercise. An exercise to get closer to God and each other. We did not come to this on our own. We have several friends who embarked upon this journey and we have joined them. I tell you this to set up my next find.

The fast prohibits us from certain foods. The only thing we are supposed to eat are fruits and vegetables, natural spices are allowed and unleavened breads. No meat, processed foods or dairy products. No carbonated or artificially flavored drinks and no alcohol. Since eating salads everyday would be less than interesting and making this fast a tad bit more difficult, I have found myself searching the net for vegetarian meals and different variations of such.


Enter SQUARE ONE BOTANICAL SPIRIT.

Square One Botanical Vodka (Bottle price $32.99) is rye-based and filled with organic fruits and botanicals. Not only is it organic, the packaging is "green". Also available is Square One Organic and Square One Cucumber vodkas.


From the website: Vodkas are prized for their purity, so the idea of an organic vodka was both viable and exciting…Thus Allison set out to create the greenest clear spirit yet. And she started at…square one, with the purest ingredients she could find: pristine spring water from the Teton mountains and organically certified North Dakota-grown rye. The ingredients are so pure that Square One obviates the need for multiple distillation, emerging through a single pass in the distiller with its unique flavor profile intact.
But Allison was not content to focus only on what’s in the bottle – the packaging had to reflect Square One’s philosophy of eco-conscious sophistication. That’s why the distinct square bottle is not frosted [a process that calls for some serious chemicals!] and the label is now printed on paper made from bamboo, bagasse and cotton, all sustainably grown and renewable fiber sources. And once the bottle is empty the label easily peels off so the bottle can enjoy a second life as a vase or other container.
Finally, while we at Square One embrace the square, we’re also happy to come full circle: Because the rye byproduct from our vodka-making process is organic and minimally processed, it is packed with protein and fiber, thus making it ideal for sale as feed to an organic dairy farm. We did not intend to sell off our “waste” but are now thrilled to be a vital link in the cradle-to-cradle process of growing grain, feeding cattle, and creating the best martinis you have ever tried!


Though I have yet to try Square One, I have definitely added it to my list of must haves/trys at the end of my fast. Everything in moderation - of course!

You don’t have to wait for me…and if you don’t…save me a sip...

Friday, January 8, 2010

Date Night with My Favorite Girl

Dallas always has something to do. Its just not always something I want to do. So keeping date night with the wife interesting can be a challenge sometimes. So when she was offered tickets to tonight's Dallas Symphony Orchestra Perfomance at the Meyerson, I affirmed without hesitation.
My love for music knows no boundaries. So I generally look foward to hearing something I don't listen to regularly. I have a cursory love for symphonies. However, I do prefer symphonic music with full brass and percussion sections - being an old band man myslef. My record collection includes the likes of YoYo Ma, baroque joints by Wynton Marsalis and classical work from Branford Marsalis as well.
We were treated to the DSO's renditions of Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 and Schumann's Symphony No. 4. I can't say I was familiar with either one. But I will say I enjoyed them both immensely. Beethoven was mild and melodic. Schumann's was quite lively throughout. Also, there was a world premier of a Concerto for Viola and Orchestra commissioned by DSO by composer Margaret Brouwer. I can't say that I enjoyed that at all. But I will acknowledge my limited experience and understanding of classical pieces of this magnitue. The performance was conducted by Paul Phillips. He is currently an educator at Southern Methodist University.

All in all, the wife and I had a great time with the music. This is the second time I've visited the Meyerson in three months. And I always enjoy the time I get to spend there. It is an excellent space and the acoustics make the experience that much more enjoyable.

In March, from the 5th - 7th, Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra will be visiting.

We'll be there...meet us for drinks before...and after.