About

I’m a twenty-something wife, daughter, friend, employee, and goofball.  I’m a health nut in theory, but I have plenty of indulgences to keep me grounded.  This brings us to the brews.  Yup, I’m also a beer nerd.  Throughout my blogging, you’ll see how I embrace my passions (and my nerdy quirks), so I’ll just give a brief synopsis to get everyone up to speed.

Just Me Being Me

I love meeting new blogistas and followers, so feel free to drop me a line at lovesweatandbeers@yahoo.com!

Fitness

I enjoy being active, so I hit the gym 5 to 6 days per week (or go for a run at home to mix it up).  Granted, I would love sleeping in an extra hour at least 3 days per week when my alarm goes off at 5 a.m., but the runner’s high makes it all worthwhile.  I get a runner’s high from any good workout, not just running.  A sweaty spin class or an empowering weight-lifting session also does the trick.

I’d love to tell you about my typical routine, but there’s really nothing typical about it – except that it’s almost always in the morning.  Yup, I’m one of *thoooose* people who is chipper in the early hours.  Sometimes I go for a full-body weight lifting plan that I follow three days per week.  Other times, I go for a 3-, 4-, or even 5-day split that works different body parts on different days, which allows me to lift heavy.  Go big or go home, right?  I also change it up constantly with cardio.

I don’t ever remember a time where I didn’t work out regularly.  Sure, I’ve gone through periods where I’m more or less fit, but I’ve always been up to something.  I started soccer at age 4, and I played all four years of high school on the varsity team before kicking the habit.  (Get it?  I told you I was nerdy.)  I also ran cross country for a few years in high school before my joints told me they weren’t down for that kind of activity.  I still run from time to time, but I cannot run more than two or three days per week without injuring myself.

Run Run Run

Despite only running three days per week, I managed to run my first 10k in November 2010.  I ran it in 50 minutes and 53 seconds.  Woohoo!

Food

Food and I have always gotten along pretty well.  I can hardly name any foods I truly despise.  I guess that’s a good thing because it makes dieting, kitchen experiments, and traveling much easier.

I try to stick to a healthy diet most of the time, so prepare for food pictures, recipes, and tales of kitchen mishaps.  However, I’ll be the first to admit that I indulge… a lot.  I wish I could pick out one weakness, but that’s not possible.  I guess that’s how it is when you’ll eat about anything.  Pizza, bratwurst, baked goods, ice cream, and of course, beer, are all regular weekend treats.

It’s a good thing I really love wholesome stuff, such as apples, sweet potatoes, kale, berries, and Brussels sprouts.  I need something to keep me on-track during the week!

Yummy Sushi

Beer

I guess this naturally brings us to the beer section.  I enjoy tasting new brews, touring breweries, learning about the brewing process (there’s that nerd part again), and just enjoying a cold one every now and again.

I cannot pick one type of beer I like the most.  I joke with my hubby that I’m a “seasonal drinker.”  I love marzens and brown ales in fall, porters in the winter, American IPAs and ESBs in the spring, and hefeweizens in hot summer months.  Granted, I don’t actually restrict myself to seasons, my handy guide helps me make up my mind when I can’t decide what to order!

I guess this part of me fits my foodie side.  There’s just something special about a good beer.  It’s served in cool hangouts (I’m a tavern/pub chick), it pairs well with food, and you always know what you’re getting.  Ever had a too weak or too strong margarita?  That doesn’t happen when you order your favorite beer!

Crawfish Fest 2011

Family

I’m an only child, and I love it.  Period.  My parents are my buddies, and I’m sure I’ll mention them from time to time.

My husband is pretty awesome too.  We were married in October 2008.

Wedding