Oh, How She Let Herself Go. What a Shame.

It's somewhat of a sexist notion, more so in the past than today, but the idea of "letting oneself go" is a terrible thing.  What gives it the true edge of fright is the fact that it's a real threat.  Everyday is a an opportunity to overeat, avoid exercise, forget to put on your sunblock, or not take your vitamins.

There, in the wings, waiting to pounce are strange aches and pains, funny skin blotches, and that slow and steady weight gain that will ultimately be my undoing, I'm just sure.  It's not just that, even.  If you don't eat right (whatever that means), exercise, and actively manage stress, it can affect your mood and how well you sleep,  which can't help but to mess with your personal relationships.  It's just really not cool.

I go through phases, myself.  Sometimes I'm on top of the game.  There is nothing more satisfying that drifting off to sleep knowing that I don't have to exercise tomorrow because I did today.  Oh, I take that back.  I found a pair of favorite shorts in my closet that I had squirreled away for leaner days as they were too tight last summer.  Not only did they fit when I tried them on again this Spring, but I found $20 in the pocket!  That's the best feeling.  Of course, they're now getting a little snug yet again.

So, today I'll do yoga which always makes me a nicer person.  I'll also resist having mon mari (my husband, for those of you without a year of beginner French) throw a 10 pound brisket on the smoker.  And, I'll just say, "no" to baking a cake.  Ho-hum...

Ho-hum?!  Well, what could possibly be the use of all of this self preservation if it's just lending time to a longer life of humdrumnity?  I'll do the yoga, and I'll eat grilled fish and a salad, but I'm having a fun fruity bourbon drink and that's all there is to it.  That way, I won't mind so much as I let myself go.

Blackberry Bourbon Slush

Ingredients:


1 1/2 C of bourbon


1 1/2 C of sugar


2 (6 oz.) cartons of blackberries (12 oz. total) washed


2 C of water


2 C of orange juice




Directions:


Whiz sugar and water together in food processor to try and force the sugar to dissolve (3 minutes) . 

 If you want to do it the right way, you can bring the water and sugar to a simmer and stir until dissolved and then chill in the fridge until it's cold.  I'm not doing that.

Add sugar/water, bourbon, orange juice, and blackberries to a large mixing bowl.  Stir and then using a potato masher (or if worse comes to worse, you can crush them with your hands) mash the berries a bit.  

Divide the mixture into two 9x13" baking pans, stick it in the freezer, and rake the mixture with a few times with a fork while it's freezing to break up the ice crystals.  A glass dish would be best so you can assure you're not including leftover carbonized cheese from last week's dinner in your cocktail.  

If you want a frozen daiquiri kind of feel, you can pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker however, mine wasn't large enough to do the whole batch at once-- fine with me, I'll save some for tomorrow!  Still though, I'm going this route as it is quicker, and it's almost 5:00.  And one last note-- for serving, use a lemon/lime soda to dilute as you and your guests see fit.

Cheers!  Here's to staving off the inevitable transformation that is life.