Sunday, June 6, 2010

Pressing matters


Another good day yesterday . Shopping for groceries, but a detour to pick up a replacement to our French Press coffee maker. It met with a tragic fate as I accidentally knocked it off the counter in a rush to do all things that needed to be done, and if shattered. At one time french press pots were very hard to find in this area, but now they are becoming common. Not only did we find another large pot at Target, but these handy dandy wonderful personal travel presses

I was about dancing in the isles, and so was Bob . Now good coffee can come with you anywhere ! What is the deal with French Press pots ? For many it is a taste issue, but for me it is a health one. I used to drink coffee from a Mister Coffee type machine , and after the unit got to be about 2 weeks old , coffee would start to make me sick. No matter how many times I cleaned the pot, the machine and the tank, I would get sick if I drank coffee. If I drank from a commercial coffee maker or an old fashioned percolator , I would not get sick. I finally figured out that it is the little rubber hose that delivers the water from the reservoir at the brewing part that was doing it ( commercial units have copper pipes and not rubber hoses), and the answer was find a percolator or something else. I learned about the french press, and not only did it prevent me from getting sick from coffee, but it made the best cup of coffee ever. I would encourage anyone who has a problem with coffee ( other than getting too jittery) to give a french press unit a try. It can also be used to make loose tea in a way that is superior to teabags.

So excitement from shopping, home for lots of chopping and 35 minutes riding my new little friend. Years ago , before pregnancy, I had an old stationary bike that I would ride for an hour 6 days a week , along with a 45 minute walk most days. I used to pedal while watching my favorite shows , or chatting on the telephone with a friend. I want to work back up to that level- not so much for the weight loss benefits( my hormones have more to do with that than any intake or output of calories) , but for the stamina and mobility. We are going to take out first vacation in 20 years in a couple of weeks to The Great Smokey Mts, and I want to be able to hike a few trails and explore Cades Cove while on foot.There is something about that place that makes me feel like I have come home, and I have a suspicion that one of my ancestors may have lived there or something else. I don't know, but I want the opportunity to wander around there pain free and in freedom.

5 comments:

Kim said...

I want a French press too. Looks like it'd make awesome coffee. :) Oh, and do you ever go to Gatlinburg when you visit the mountains? That's our honeymoon spot. It's near Cade's Cove. Gatlinburg is awesome and they have all the Ripley's attractions. They have a great ghost walk too for we cemetary fans. lol. I've always wanted to go to Cade's Cove. We haven't been on vacation in a couple of years now b/c of money stuff, but the next time we do get back there I am going to Cade's Cove. I hear it's fabulous. Where do you stay when you go to TN? I know several great places if you ever need recommendations. Thanks for the great info by the way. It's interesting you said something about my lymphatic system....I have lymphedema. Although my lymphs in the lower extremities are the ones that give me the most trouble. I have noticed that I've been swelling more as of late...even in my hands. There might be something to what you said. I'm also going to look into something else that another follower told me about.

Marisa @Loser for Life said...

You know I'm a press fan!!! Can't live w/o mine!

Di said...

Kim- Gatlinburg is the destination ! We have been there twice and as I kid I was there once. With my husband I stay in hotels/motels there but as a kid I camped in the Smokey Mts. Gatlinburg is a terrific place with a ton of things to do and see, and some of the best prices for lodging and attractions, PLUS all of the beauty of the mountains. If you ever get back there, Cades Cove is so worth it ! We are not sure where we are going to stay at yet- there are a couple of really great package deals being offered through the internet, and we are trying to remember the name of the place we stayed at last...if it is even still in business ( back in 1983). At that time there was also this resturant that had what they called The Bountiful Breakfast, which came to something like 17 courses. We have always wondered if the place was still in business ( not that we would eat there , but just curious if they have survived)

Marissa- French Press ROCKS !!!

Kim said...

So cool! I looove Gatlinburg. I wish I could go the same time you do so I could meet you! :( Well, I hope you'll do the ghost walk. It's pretty neat...well at least when I did it. Then you can say you've walked in my footsteps. lol! haha. We used to stay at Nestle Inn...it's where we had our honeymoon actually. It was great for several years, but the last time we went there it was kinda ran down. I can't remember the place we stayed last time, but I didn't like it. My sister in law told me of a really good place to stay that was reasonable in price. I haven't stayed there yet, and there's no telling year to year how these places fare, but here's the website if you want to look: http://www.oldgatlinburgplace.com/welcome.php
Dixie Stampede is a fun place to go if you've never been there...it's a very good feel of the south. lol. The aquarium is great too. Sometimes they have a night where children and parents can sleep in the tunnel--I've never been but hear it's fun. Oh, and the motor nature trail. It's awesome and you can get out and roam around. We've actually seen bears on the trail in past years. Ok, so you have to take pictures so I can live vicariously. When are you going? :)

Diane, Fit to the Finish said...

I used to have a french press but something bad happened to it! I'm off coffee right now, but if I get back on it I'm going to get a french press. Then I can just do one cup and be done - no more temptation to drink more than I should.

I've never been to Cade's Cove but have heard great things about it - I hope you will be able to do all the things you want to do!