Drinkmate: Effervescence…

I love bubbly, carbonated, healthy beverages that tickle your nose. Since I’m not a fan of the regular sodas you purchase in the stores, I make my own. Not only are they healthier, but they’re delicious and contain “real ingredients.” I’ve been making my natural sodas from kombucha and water kefir grains for the past several years. However, yesterday, I ordered the DrinkMate from Amazon. It arrived the same day.

Is it just like the SodaStream?

Like the SodaStream, it creates carbonation; but, it differs from SodaStream, the trendy, carbonated drink maker in that I can carbonate anything as long as it isn’t pulpy. The SodaStream, you’re limited to what you can add to water, which means that with Sodastream, you can ONLY carbonate water. You add the flavors after the water is carbonated. With DrinkMate, I can carbonate ANY liquid as long as it doesn’t have pulp/sediment. I see myself using the Drinkmate to make my own carbonated water; however, I’ll also use it to carbonate my bulk teas, juices, and of course, water. I’m curious to experiment with a watermelon carbonated soda with this device. I’ve made it using water kefir grains, and I liked it immensely. Later today, I’ll be making ginger ale. Granted, I already know how they’re supposed to taste since I’ve already made these natural sodas by fermentation; SCOBY (kombucha) and water kefir grains.

Are other CO2 carbonated systems compatible with DrinkMate?

I know that the Sodastream 60l C02 canister is compatible with the Drinkmate; in fact, I have the 60l C02 SodaStream installed in my system now. Why? The Drinkmate that I ordered on Amazon, to be delivered the same day, didn’t come with a CO2 canister. They have them available. However, that would have arrived later this week. I wanted to receive the unit on the weekend, where I had more time to test it out.

C02 canisters can be exchanged?

I already knew the canisters could be exchanged locally or by postal mail. However, yesterday, before making the purchase, I double-checked to see the locations near me that were offering this service. There are several such as; Target, Home Depot, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, and several other stores. If I exchange them, the canisters received would be half the price of purchasing a new canister.

 

 

 

Also, checking Youtube, I discovered hacks for these canisters to reduce the cost of replacing CO2 even more. It would require me to purchase a few more items, including a much larger beverage-grade C02 canister, and that’s most likely the route I will take. I’ll look to purchase the C02 from a brewing company.

Initial thoughts about the Drinkmate

I really like it a lot. My daughter and I have enjoyed the carbonated hibiscus soda I made, and we’re both currently sipping on carbonated water that has fresh squeezed lemon and orange added. I squeezed both citrus fruits into my small glass pyrex measuring cup and then poured the juice into my Drinkmate bottle. I used the 1L bottle and filled it up to the fill line. I depressed the button on top of the machine four times to carbonate the water.

 

It all adds up

Iron Flask Water Bottle

Although I drink water throughout the day, I realized that I’d been slacking and that I could easily up my intake of water by only not having to refill my container when I’m at work. Because of that, I swapped from my 32 oz glass mason jar to my 64 oz Iron Flask steel bottle that I purchased last Sunday. I’d told my daughter that my challenge would be to make sure that I continued to consume the same amount over the weekend when I was home, but guess what? That’s been a non-issue today. Because I’m almost done drinking my 64 ounces of water, typically, I’m done by 2:00 PM when I’m at work. I purposely try to do this, so if I have to use the restroom, that urge ends when I leave the office at 5:00 PM.

I have noticed that my sleep is becoming more restful again. More rest is excellent news! My appetite was never out of control. However, I have observed that I’m eating less daily.

Oven-baked garlic fries

Take, for example, today. I just ate about twenty minutes ago, and I only ate some (oil-free) home-baked fries. I bake them at 400 F. Guess what? They’re as crispy as fries cooked in oil. I must say, these fries sure are tasty, and they are one of my favorite baked treats, but I wasn’t able to finish this bowl; I’m just not hungry. I’ve saved half the bowl and will eat them either later today or perhaps tomorrow? That’s the thing; I won’t force myself to eat if I’m not hungry.

I did make my daughter a fish sandwich, and much earlier today, I prepared lunch for my father (hamburger with caramelized onions) but preparing the food didn’t make me the least bit hungry. For the most part, I will say that I typically only eat when I’m hungry throughout my life. Being this way has saved me from unnecessary weight gain. I might increase my water intake a bit more since it’s the weekend because I find that I crave even more water. I’m sure if I weighed myself, I would see that I’ve dropped a few pounds also. However, I’m not increasing my water intake for weight loss. I’m doing it because I should. I will say that I’m now back to the amount of water that I usually drank, and it does feel great. When I was actively going to the gym  (I currently work out at home), I drank even more water, at least a gallon (128 ounces) daily.

 

More listening than reading…

I’ve always enjoyed reading a good book, and I read daily. However, in the past few years, I’ve found myself listening to audiobooks more than I read them. Years ago, I was resistant to listening to books this way. However, I’ve come to appreciate that I can still fill the desire to have book content daily; I’m just using a different medium. Looking back at my younger self, I’m amused that I was so resistant. But at times, we can be resistant to certain changes, right? Since I got over my hang-ups about physically holding a book, it’s opened up an entirely new level of “reading” that wasn’t available to me before. Besides listening to books at work (at times, I can listen to my audiobooks eight hours daily), I can now listen to books while I’m cooking, riding in the car, sewing, or knitting. Awesome!

Audible has been my “go-to” source for reading books. For myself, it made sense to choose Audible. I’m an Amazon Prime member, and the same company owns Audible. A few weeks ago, I finished the Demon Cycle series by Peter V. Brett. There were five books total, and the sixth should be available sometime in May. The last few books, I didn’t like as much as the first two books. The characters were made softer, than how they appeared in the first few books. However, I still enjoyed the listen. I’m currently downloading, Theft of Swords: Riyria Revelations, Volume 1 by Michael J. Sullivan. It’s my first time hearing of the series or the author. However, since I’ve listened to the Demon Cycle series, it was on my recommended list. I checked out a sample reading and it seems interesting.

Here’s the summary…

Publisher’s Summary

Audie Award Nominee, Fantasy, 2013

Acclaimed author Michael J. Sullivan created instant best sellers with his spellbinding Riyria Revelations series. This first volume introduces Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, two enterprising thieves who end up running for their lives when they’re framed for the death of the king. Trapped in a conspiracy bigger than they can imagine, their only hope is unraveling an ancient mystery – before it’s too late.

Theft of Swords contains The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha, books 1 and 2 of Riyria Revelations.
©2011 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

With audible books, for myself, I also am more inclined to listen to a book, if I like the narrator’s voice. Listening to Tim Gerard Reynolds voice from the audio sample, I know I won’t be disappointed with the narrator.

My daughter loves mushrooms…

The freshest mushrooms I’ve ever had are the ones that you harvest yourself. Well, the mushrooms I had on hand today, weren’t harvested at home. They were purchased at the local grocery store, and while not as tasty as freshly harvested shrooms, they were still delicious.

I didn’t feel like heating any of the meal-prepped food I’d prepared when I arrived home from work today. I have a few weeks of food made by myself. As I thought about something quick to prepare, I remembered that my daughter had commented on mushrooms, how much she liked them, and that I hadn’t made anything with them in a little while. Since I’d just purchased several pounds of mushrooms this weekend, I decided to make something simple with portobello mushrooms.

In a skillet, I sauteed mushrooms, onions until the onions were becoming translucent. I then added a marinara sauce and let simmer for a few minutes. To that dish, I also added a variety of spices and herbs. While that food was simmering,  I cooked noodles in a small pot. I chose to cook the dishes separately. The good news is, my daughter loves this dish. I didn’t make too much. In hindsight, I should have made more, and right now, I’m too tired to make another round of food. No worries, it’s something I’ll prepare tomorrow morning before heading to work.

In other news…

We received more snow today. However, it didn’t start until I was at work. It snowed for at least three hours. By the time I left work for home, the roads were clear. However, the steps at work were iced over again in some places.

Outlook maintenance, Claims adjuster studies, and bread-baking

My goodness, has it been busy!

Yesterday, I spent a good part of my morning trying to get Microsoft Outlook to play nice with my Google email. Why? I’d decided to use Microsoft Outlook as my default email platform. I haven’t used Outlook in years. I’ve just navigated to Gmail online or used the app on my mobile devices, iPhone, and iPad. However, I started using Microsoft 365, and I’ve always liked Microsoft Outlook, so I figured… why not? Accessing Gmail via Outlook was easy, however, when it came to sending emails. MS Outlook was not cooperating. Initially, I thought it might have to do with my Antivirus Software (Norton); however, I tried everything else before addressing that issue. A few hours later, I decided to disable Norton when it came to scanning outgoing emails, and guess what? I no longer have any issues with MS Outlook sending my emails.

I’m making advancing with Adjuster’s Pro, and the processes are becoming easier to understand the more I delve into the course. The past reviews/quizzes I’ve been receiving 100% my first time taking them. If my understanding of this course continues, as it has over the past few weeks, I’d be willing to take the exam within a few months.

Later today, I believe I will hop on my exercise bike while I knock out a few modules within the online class. Last evening, I attempted to play Skyrim on my computer. However, that didn’t go too well. The settings within the game were actually making me nauseous. My daughter explained to me it had to do with the harshness of the landscape within the game. She also mentioned that they have mods that address this. Perhaps I’ll try to install the game again. Hopefully, I won’t have the same issue.

In other news…

Amazon offers updated delivery options

Did you know that Amazon has delivery within a few hours? It’s different than the two-hour delivery which has been active for at least a few years. With this new feature, you can order at night, and get your order delivered in the wee hours of the morning. Or… if you order during the day, you have a few choices of when you get your order later that day. It’s gradually becoming available in more areas. This feature was available in my area a few weeks before Christmas. It was my first time hearing about it when I received the offer with an order that I’d placed. Granted, you need to have an Amazon facility near your location in order to take advantage of this feature. Updated to add graphic and to differentiate between the two-hour delivery that’s already in place. 

Iron Flask Water Bottle

Iron Flask Water Bottle

About two hours ago, I purchased this 64 oz Iron Flask water bottle. I have several steel water bottles. However, not all of them are insulated. This one will keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot liquids for up to 12 hours. I should receive it sometime today between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM. hopefully; it will arrive in the early evening since evenings before work, I’m usually in bed by 9:30 PM.

Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Japanese Milk Bread
Japanese Milk Bread
Japanese Milk Bread in a Pullman Pan
Japanese Milk Bread in a Pullman Pan

Fresh Baked Bread

Later today, I’m thinking of baking bread. Although I don’t eat too much bread, I enjoy baking it and sharing it with others. My daughter is very fond of my home-baked bread also, and so I do my best to keep it on hand. A household favorite is Japanese Milk Bread and Fluffy dinner rolls; both recipes are from America’s Test Kitchen.

Why do the weekends seem to fly by so quickly? Sighs…

 

 

 

 

Ice storm and website update

This morning I awoke to the tinkling of ice on our rooftop.

They were calling for 4-6″ of snow in our area; however, thus far, it appears that we’ve only received the ice. Yikes! They have liberal leave (all day) at my job, and since the ice isn’t letting up yet (almost four hours later), I called out of work earlier this morning.

Monday, I was able to get my website showing the images correctly. As seen above, related post images appeared. However, images embedded within the post did not. Well, it’s finally working, and that’s only because I followed up with customer service at Hostgator (my hosting provider), and Shania, the person I spoke with in live chat, was able to assist me. In my case, the issue was with the .hta access file. Shania made the appropriate changes, and now images aren’t missing on any of my websites. Thanks, Shania!

In other news…

Since I’m off today, I’m working on my Aduster’s Pro Claims Adjuster’s Course.

With some of the modules, I find that I need to spend more time on them to ensure that I understand the terms and can use them correctly, and that’s perfectly fine.

 

Plush Faux Fur Zebra Blanket

A few weekends ago, my daughter and I went to the fabric store and I purchased zebra print plush faux fur for my nephew. He’d seen a cow print faux fur blanket that I’d made for my daughter about a month ago. He liked it so much that I told him, I’d make one for him. Since they were sold out of the cow print fur, I sent a few alternative options to my brother. My nephew chose the zebra print. I used a walking foot on my domestic sewing machine (Brother Deisgnio) and I didn’t have any issues sewing the blanket, even though it was bulky. In total, it took me about an hour to complete. For small projects, such as this, I didn’t have any issues. However, I would not make a habit of using my domestic sewing machine for bulky fabric. Since the machine isn’t designed for that. Later this year, I’ll be buying a Juki DU-118N Walking Foot Industrial Sewing Machine.

Last evening, my brother texted me the above picture and said, “Your nephew loves his blanket. When he’s downstairs playing video games, he has this blanket wrapped around him, and when he’s sleeping, it’s on his bed. Their home isn’t cold. My nephew just loves how soft it is. Since I self-lined the fabric in the same faux fur, this blanket is heavy. I’m tempted to make one for myself since I do enjoy sleeping under heavy covers. Yes, even when it’s warm outside.

In other news…

I talked to my father this evening and he said that they are calling for 4-8” of snow in our area tomorrow night. I haven’t been paying attention to the weather, however, I’m hoping we receive snow. My co-workers don’t share my enthusiasm.