Can I get a Round of Mocktails Please!

This seems to be the year of babies! I am 15 weeks into my first-time pregnancy and noticing the lack of non-alcoholic drink options in restaurants. I enjoy our time dining out, but I have been to several eateries and there will be a whole drink menu all alcoholic, and no options for Mocktails. When you ask what your choices are for alcohol-free drinks you are given options of juice, milk, tea, coffee, water, and pop. Some places I have been to don't even have those drinks listed on the menu. When I question what types of tea or juice it's almost as if you are inconveniencing your waitress. I have gotten responses "Well what kind of tea do you usually have?" To which I answer "It depends what is available!" Just list your choices on the menu then I don't have to pestor you with my questions to make an informed decision.

Why do non-alcoholic drinks have to be so boring? 

Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I don't want to feel part of the crowd and drink something divine and extraordinary. My starter drink of choice has been a virgin caesar, which I love. I find myself wanting an increased quality of culinary experience, by having a superior Mocktail, paired with my meal. Not everyone drinks alcohol for a variety of reasons.

I challenge restaurants to step up their game and think about the population that are prohibited to drink alcohol. Show us your creativity and make up a menu full of concoctions bursting with flavour. I have had some mock mimosa's or fruit juice with soda, which was fine but very basic. Not to mention I was charged almost the same price as an alcoholic beverage for that simplicity. I don't mind spending $6 on a mocktail, but the standards need to be high for that price.

NASH is the best establishment for Mocktails I have been to located in Calgary, Alberta! 

I told my waitress "I'm pregnant and cannot consume alcohol can you make me an exciting drink?" Without hesitation, and a couple more questions of preference, I was brought the most exquisite Mocktails with fancy garnishes. As an outsider looking in, you would not be able to tell I was not drinking booze based on the appearance of my amazing Mocktails. My guests were even surprised by the taste and appearance. Kudos to Nash for knowing exactly how to serve your clientele. Other establishments should be coming to you for education and advice on how to make Mocktails. On a side note, everything at Nash is outstanding; we go there at least once to eat when we are visiting Calgary!

Pinterest is loaded with fun non-alcoholic beverage ideas! So hostesses don't forget to check out some of these pins for your expectant mothers attending your party.  It will make her feel appreciated and special that such detail was taken into consideration. Not to mention other people will benefit too. Designated drivers, children or underage guests, maybe someone battling alcoholism can all enjoy your non-alcoholic concoction you have created and still feel a part of the celebration.

My advice to all eatery establishments is to take a look at your menu and see how you can improve beverage choice without the alcohol consumption. Accept my challenge and help increase the cultural change of Mocktail's to our society. I still have another five months of pregnancy and wish to have more enjoyable dining experiences!

Basic Hair Care 101

I am probably the most hair impaired women out there. I will go to a salon to have a hair-updo for special occasions, because no matter how many times I try to work a bobby pin I fail. I can do two styles basically which consist of either a ponytail or curls. French braids, or attempts to any DIY Pinterest styles, all end up unsuccessful and a last minute ponytail.

 

What I find most interesting is learning about how to care and maintain healthy hair. I used to wash my hair daily in extremely hot showers. Shampoo my hair from roots to ends with tons of shampoo, followed by conditioner. As I educate myself I find out all my habits are detrimental to the health of my hair.

Shampooing Basics:

Start off with washing your hair in lukewarm water. Hot water weakens the hair roots making it easier to damage your hair. If you have a vibrant colour, such as red, you should consider cold water for washing your hair to preserve the colour. Cleansing your scalp is the only reason for shampooing. So don't bother wasting a ton of shampoo to create foaming suds all over your head of hair. Your scalp produces oil that naturally cleanses and moisturizes your hair. When you use shampoo it rinses out the built up oil and gives your scalp a reset. Having said that, daily washing of the hair can interrupt the process of natural cleansing. It is recommended to wash your hair every second day. This too will help maintain coloured and treated hair to grow stronger.


Conditioner Basics:

Some people miss the step of conditioner when cleaning their hair. I would assume in most cases it's because conditioner can leave your hair feeling "heavy" or "greasy". Lets go back to the anatomy of the hair. The outermost layer of the hair is called the cuticle. When you shampoo your hair the cuticle is lifted allowing the oil and dirt to be removed. But you don't want the cuticle to remain lifted. The results of a slightly lifted hair cuticle is dull and lifeless hair. It will not feel smooth or healthy. The only way to seal the cuticle is to condition the hair. A reason conditioner might feel heavy is improper technique. As shampoo is meant only for the scalp and roots, conditioner is meant only for the ends of the hair. If conditioner is applied to the entire head of hair this can result in the hair feeling weighed down and greasy.

Now lets get into the heated debate of what type of hair products should I use?

Well lets start of with asking yourself do you get your hair professionally coloured or treated?

If you answered yes to the above question,  my next question is why would you not use professional products? I find it funny when people don't take the advice of professional hairstylists. They are trained to care for your hair. I work in the health industry and I don't see patients going to the doctors, finding out their diagnosis, and then picking their choice of treatment or antibiotics. You pay top dollar and invest in your hair when your get a colour or hairstyle why not protect your investment?

Some people believe that hair professionals selling hair products are all financial incentive and sale based. In some cases maybe that is true. It all starts off with trusting your hair stylist. Once trust is established they can provide you on advice to specific products for your hair needs. The bigger pay off for your hair stylist is the ultimate health of your hair and successful styling.

You might not notice the difference between salon products versus drugstore products just by comparing the ingredient labels. When you buy professional products you are getting a more concentrated and better quality ingredients to protect your hair. More concentrated means you require less to do the same job.  Cheap brands are typically watered down, hence why they are not as concentrated. The surfactants (cleansers) in professional brands are gentler than drugstore brands and produce true results.

Buyer beware of Salon name products being sold in drugstores and grocery stores. These products are not guaranteed and not authorized by the professional distributors. Sure it looks like a good deal right? Half the price and the packaging looks the same. It's a diversion and more than likely the product is defective.  In fact some of these products have been known to have bacteria contamination from them being tampered with. The Professional distributors are constantly battling this matter. This is a Grey-market industry that deals with counterfeit, out-dated or stolen merchandise. If you want to ensure you are getting the guaranteed professional quality product you need to ensure you are purchasing from an authorized retailer.

Number one reason to invest in your local hair salon: you are supporting a small business and when purchasing products directly from the salon you are helping them to maintain their supplies, tools and continuing education. If you love your stylist and local salon your continued  support will boost your local economy in return.

I still haven't mastered any hair updo's but I am successful at maintaining and managing healthy hair. I hope reading this blog has at least given you something insightful and knowledgeable information. There is so much more to shampoo/conditioner products that I haven't discussed but I have provided the bare basics. Food for thought on a daily or every other day routine.