21 Day Keto: Day 7

Well, we've been at it a full week (technically, The Hubs is on Day 9). The websites (and friends) tell me we should feel a change...but I don't.  Does that mean we're not actually in ketosis, and this whole week has just been a waste?  ...it better not. The scale does say I'm down about 3-4 lbs but I suspect that's mostly water weight.

Breakfast:  Raspberry coconut muffin and sausage, coffee with DIY creamer
Lunch: Leftover Egg Roll in a Bowl & half a cucumber, Powerade Zero

Dinner:  I took our favorite Zuppa Toscana recipe, which is already pretty keto-friendly, and swapped the potatoes out for thinly sliced turnips. Also added some mushrooms (we have a bunch that need to be used up), and used heavy cream in place of half & half.  Taste was good, but the turnips + the cream made it a little sweet, so if I made this again I'd use 3 cups of chicken broth and an extra piece of bacon to up the savory side.

Totals: 1165 kcal, 95g fat, 21g carb, 49g protein

My Thoughts: Not much new.  No real cravings.  But I still can't quite get over the feeling that this isn't really a good, sustainable diet. It feels very unbalanced. I don't like that I need to take supplements to help make up for things I'm not getting from actual food.

The Hubs' Thoughts: The muffins don't really stick with me as much as other foods.  Definitely getting hungry for lunch earlier in the day.

Kid-Friendly Breweries: Springfield, Missouri!

If we're going to do a series on the kid-friendliness of  breweries, it only makes sense to include a post about right here in our own stomping grounds.  Because good-ol' Springpatch, when I was in college, only had one brewery-- Springfield Brew Co.  Now, in 2019, we're up to eight with more reportedly to come in the next few years.  Not bad for a college town!

So, we'll be grading each brewery based on 3 criteria:

1) Beers:  There's no point in worrying about whether you can take your kiddo to a brewery if the beers aren't worth trying.  We'll give a brief overview, and then tell you our favorites.

2) Entertainment:  Do they have some way to distract your kid for 30 minutes to an hour while you sip on a cold one?


3) Changing Station: This is more geared toward the parents of younger kids, but as we probably all know--it's a pain in the butt to have to try to change a diaper on a bathroom floor, or in the back of your car if the bathrooms are beyond gross.

NOTE: if you want to try out this area's breweries, I suggest picking up a free Tap & Pour Passport from any of the participating breweries, the Visitor's Center, or airport--after you get all your stamps, you can pick up a free pint glass!  Also: check this link to see if there are any half-price "Ozarks On Tap" discount cards left!

Springfield Brewing Company
This is the original craft brewery in the Springfield area.  The current incarnation began in 1997 (the original opened in the 1870's but went under during Prohibition): they have a 2 story building with a small outside patio dining area as well.  There's two bars--one on each floor.  The downstairs is mainly for dining, while there are private rooms available upstairs, along with several pool tables and darts.

Favorite Beers: They make a pretty solid gose and like to play around with small batches of their sours, but our favorite year-rounder is the Greene Ghost IPA.  And I don't usually like IPA's.  So that's saying something.
Food: Since they're a restaurant, they have a full menu. Personal favorite here is the fish & chips or fish tacos.  They are also open for breakfast on the weekends!

Entertainment for Kiddos:  Pretty limited, since this is mostly a restaurant.  But if your kids are old enough to fiddle around with a pool table, you can keep them occupied. They also offer crayons and a kid's menu for keeping little ones entertained at the table.
Changing Station: Yes!  Bonus points!

Mother's Brewing Company
Mother's is probably one of Springfield's best examples of redevelopment of an industrial space.  Historically, Mother's was a Butternut bread factory (I can remember delivering pizzas here in college).  The factory had been defunct and abandoned for about 10 years when the Mother's family moved in and transformed it into a brewery. The brewery owners have done a great job of repurposing items from the factory (like old conveyor belts and fan blades).  

They offer free tours at certain times so you can get a peek at the interior of the building as well.  They've been around since 2011, but have quickly grown and now distribute throughout most of the Midwest.  They love to experiment and have many brews that are exclusive to the Tap Room. And once a month, they have First Firkin Friday, where they tap a small batch experimental brew, like a Strawberry Vanilla German Lager, or Lil' Helper with blood orange, basil, and jalapeno.  Their beers trend toward the hoppier side, so if you're a hop-head, this is the place to be.

Favorite Beers:    Flagship-Towhead. Seasonals-Winter Grind, and the Backyard Strawberry Ginger Gose.

Food:  Not in-house, but they do host food trucks for some events. Watch for London Calling, we're big fans! 
Entertainment for Kiddos: They have an AMAZING giant backyard, with lots of space to run around and burn off energy.  There's always plenty of families and pets.  They also have some yard games like cornhole.  There's usually plenty of seating, but for big events you might think about bringing a lawn chair.

Changing Station:  Yes! They just recently added them.  Even in the men's room!

Lost Signal Brewing
These folks moved in a couple years ago and are probably one of our favorite places to go in town, because they're constantly releasing new beers.  It helps that they're only a few minutes from my office.

Favorite Beers: Smoked Pecan Porter, hands down.
Food:  They have BBQ onsite (delicious BBQ, at that), and on Sundays offer brunch.  I recommend the pulled pork nachos, or the jalapeno poutine.

Entertainment for Kiddos:  They have a nice fenced-in outside space behind the brewery, with yard games like cornhole and giant Jenga.
Changing Station: There's a small dresser in the bathroom that can be used to change diapers.  

White River Brewing
White River opened up on Commercial Street in 2012, an area of town that has seen a huge amount of revitalization in the last few years.  Since then, dozens of restaurants and shops have opened up, and the C-Street Farmer's Market is one of the most hopping places to be on Thursdays & Saturdays!

Beers: For year-rounders, the C-Street Pale Ale is pretty solid.  As far as seasonals go, I'm a fan of the Queen City Hibiscus and the Shadow Rock Vanilla Stout.
Entertainment for Kiddos:  If it's warm outside, their outdoor space is fenced with plenty of roaming space, but the indoor area is a little cramped.  There is a shelf with a variety of games for older kids.

Photo Credit: 417 Magazine

Changing Station: Nope, sorry.

4X4 Brewing - Our "Most Kid-Friendly Brewery" Winner
This spot recently opened up down in Galloway Village, near our old Inside Scoop stomping grounds.  They've had a lot of success, both with solid flagship beers and some great small batch experimentation. They also recently expanded (their new indoor space is huge and VERY family friendly) and are gearing up to start distributing!

"Well Behaved Children are Always Welcome! The rest will be turned into beer."

Favorite Beers: Java the Kolsch, both for name and wow-factor--you just don't expect that much coffee flavor from a light colored beer!  They do a lot of experimentation, and most are really solid--The Gatekeeper (pepper porter) that was recently released is great, and the County Fair (a cotton candy blonde, shown below) was amazing.

Entertainment for Kiddos:  They have tons of games, a free popcorn machine, and a nice outdoor space for those kiddos who need some space to run. Their new indoor expansion features a ping pong table, giant jenga, picnic tables, and lots of space for a tot to play. 

Changing Station: Yes!

Tie & Timber Brewing
One of the newer members of the Springfield craft brewing family, T&T moved into the Rountree neighborhood to provide a great venue in Central Springfield, but outside of the downtown area.  They have a large selection of beers and always seem to have something new rolling out. They're within walking distance of the Missouri State campus as well.

Favorite Beers: Kokomo Chocolate Porter (it's like Almond Joy in a glass), and Brick & Timber (it's a coffee amber made with locally roasted beans from Brick & Mortar).
Entertainment for Kiddos:  They have a few board/card games, and a nice large yard for kids to run around when it's warm.  Also a very dog-friendly spot!

Changing Station: There's a small dresser that can be used as a changing table.

Show-Me Brewing
This place is actually a home-brewing store, but they also have a few taps of their own stuff as well. 

You can organize brew days here with a group of friends and design your own batch of beer, let it ferment at their facility, then come back a few weeks later when it's ready and use their facility for bottling as well. It's a neat option for folks who don't have space at home to try out brewing.  Since it's a store, it's not super kid-friendly, unless your kiddos are older and don't feel compelled to touch EVERYTHING.  They do have a long table with some games for folks who are hanging out brewing or having a beer.

Bricktown Brewing
This Oklahoma-transport just opened a couple months ago and is gaining popularity. I've eat/drank at other Bricktown's while in OK for work and was excited to see them come to Springfield.

Favorite Beers: At the time of this writing, they had a limited selection of their own beers on tap because they're still gearing up to brew onsite, so Piney River is helping them out by brewing 2 of their flagship beers (Ol King Kolsch and Blueberry Wheat) at their facility in Bucyrus, MO.  Of these, Blueberry is my fave, though the OKK is pretty solid too.  And, they have tons of taps with other local beers, and a huge bottle selection as well.  
Food:  Honestly, I've had nothing bad here.  We love their Hatch Green Chile Burger (there's a chicken version too, but the burger is better), and the sweet potato fries with bacon and salted caramel--O.M.G.  SO GOOD.  They also have a happy hour when you can get $3 appetizers--which makes those salted caramel fries even more delicious.

Entertainment for Kids:  They have a few games in their waiting area, and then crayons/kid's menu for the table. Since this is mostly a restaurant, there's not a lot of play options.  However, their kids menu is stellar--great serving amount for the price.

Changing Tables:  Yup!

Great Escape Brewing
As of the writing of this post, this is the newest brewery to Springfield, having opened right before Christmas 2018.  They're located in Quarrytown (a development within the Galloway neighborhood, so just a few minutes from 4 By 4).  This is a new development with a very "Colorado ski village" vibe.   All the beers we tried there were solid, and there were several families with kids the last time we were there.

Beer: I don't normally like hefeweizens, and theirs is good.  Also their porter is nice and roasty, and the Scotch Ale and Altbier were excellent.
Entertainment:  They have long tables and a basket of games to play with.  The upstairs area has lots of space to spread out and keep kiddos entertained, and there are balconies when the weather is warm enough for them.

Changing Station: Yes, both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms have them!

Adventures in Parenting: Welcome to Your Almost 2-Year-Old (An Owner's Manual)

Hello, and Congratulations on your acquiring an Almost Two Year Old (ATYO)!  You've made a wise (questionable) decision with choosing this model.  This set of instructions has been designed to help you as learn to navigate the waters of a growing toddler and their accessory packages.

SAFETY TIPS:
Use outlet covers.
Lock all cabinets with sharp or breakable items. 
Employ safety gates judiciously.
Do not attempt to remove batteries.  Removal or attempted removal of any components will void the warranty*.

COMPONENTS:
Mouth:  This is where fuel should be added to your ATYO, approximately 4-6 times daily.   You may notices that the preferred type of fuel is also widely variable, particularly as your ATYO unit learns the word "no".   The mouth is also the center for verbal commands.  You may notice that the verbal capabilities of your unit increase over time.  This is good!  (Or at least, that's what we're told.  We've also been told the opposite is true.  It's all debatable.)  

Fingers/Arms: These can now reach counter tops, so Owners should be very wary of leaving anything lying about.  If there is a Pyrex dish of cookies on the counter and you hear a crash, you can't say you weren't warned. 

Nose: The "finger" component fits here.  

Waste Disposal Component:  You're still a ways from potty training.  Sorry. ATYO User Manual recommends continued purchase of the "Diapers" and "Wipes" accessories.

Hair: This grows at an alarming rate. You may want to find a kid's haircut provider (KHP). For short haircuts, the idea of a KHP using loud clippers may be alarming to your ATYO...but it will make the process much faster, which is ultimately worth it in the end.  ATYO User Manual recommends the "bribes" accessory pack. (Note: This accessory pack is also handy for weekly maintenance of the "fingernails" component.)

TROUBLESHOOTING:
Teeth: While essential for fuel processing, you may note that your ATYO using their "teeth" on non-fuel sources, such as pets, parents, siblings, or other ATYO's.  If the latter, you will likely receive notification from the ATYO's Day Care Provider (DCP).  While alarming, your DCP will notify you that this malfunction is normal, and likely due to their instinctual reaction to having toys stolen from them.  You will get at least one of these calls a week.  This is normal. In fact, any call from your DCP that isn't telling you that your ATYO unit is sick and needs to be picked up immediately is generally considered good news.

Head: Your ATYO unit comes equipped with a highly durable cranial "noggin", designed to protect the central processing unit (see "Brain").  This component is also highly susceptible to periodic wear and tear due to the natural instability of your ATYO unit.  Typical wear & tear is not covered under the warranty*.  ATYO User Manual recommends purchase of the "first aid kit" accessory.  

You may also note that your ATYO unit is resistant to water being applied to the "head" component, unless the ATYO performs the application themselves.  Getting squirted in the face at a splash pad appears to be a joyful and entertaining event, whereas periodic washing results in howls as though you were trying to remove one of your ATYO's components.  ...Solidarity, new Owner. We don't get it, either.

Communication:  As previously noted (see "Mouth"), your ATYO unit has the ability to learn additional verbal commands over time, much like a Furby.  Also similar to a Furby, these commands may at times be garbled or not include any actual English words.  Unlike a Furby, your ATYO unit may become increasingly agitated as you try to interpret, for example, what "muh" means in this particular instance. Your unit may be asking for "more" food, liquid sustenance (aka "milk"), or perhaps its favorite book ("moo", aka "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?")...or perhaps something entirely different.  This is frustrating for both Owner and the ATYO unit.  When you successfully communicate and satiate your ATYO unit, feel free to reward yourself with a well-earned drink or self high five.

Strange Smells: If you notice an unusual odor emanating from your ATYO unit, first check to see if there is a leak from the "waste disposal" component. Then immerse in warm water and wash gently with mild soap (see also "TROUBLESHOOTING-HEAD").  Use of garden hoses, sprinklers, or pools is also effective.

Temperament: You may notice that your ATYO sporadically and with little notice can burst into fits of rage over relatively inconsequential events, such as: 
- being told they need to sit in their chair to eat breakfast, or
- that you can't get them their milk because they're sitting in front of the fridge door and refuse to move.  

The loud noises and tears may be accompanied by wild gesticulations and rolling around on the floor. Despite what you may have been told about this behavior occurring after the unit's 2nd birthday, THIS IS NORMAL. When these incidents occur, two options are available:

a) remain calm, steady, comfort the ATYO and attempt to explain why life is unjust, or
b) cave and give them whatever they want.

Owners of older models may note that there used to be an Option C in the manual; however, as "physical adjustments" have generally become socially unacceptable, we are no longer allowed to recommend that option.   Make physical adjustments at your own risk, as these may void the warranty*.

The "binky" accessory can also be useful in many troubleshooting scenarios.

ACCESSORIES:
All accessories are sold separately; prices vary by location. 

You may notice your ATYO unit taking great interest in accessories for the Almost Three Year Old (ATYO 2.0) or higher models. While these are not compatible with your ATYO unit, good luck trying to keep them away from them.

User Notes:
* Unit does not come with any warranty.  Good luck, sucker.

Earth Day: Geocaching & CITO

I don't think I've shared much here about this, but lately I've become infatuated with Geocaching.  It tapered off a bit during the winter months, so it's safe to say I'm a "fair weather cacher" (much like I'm a fair-weather SCUBA diver--I don't like being cold and I want to be able to SEE!).  But now that it's warming back up, Caching Season is back!

If you're not familiar, geocaching is like a global scavenger hunt.  People hide "caches" (containers of various sizes--VERY various sizes) with a log inside of them so you can sign it when you find it, and then share the GPS coordinates of that cache and perhaps a hint or two for finding it, or a few interesting facts for WHY they chose to hide something there.  Some caches are big enough to leave behind trinkets so you can trade with other cachers, while others can be VERY tiny.

The varying sizes of caches-- watertight Tupperware makes a good container for medium to large caches & trading trinkets, whereas "nano" caches up the difficulty and contain only a log.

And there are various types of caches--some are traditional, some are "mystery" caches so you don't actually know what you're supposed to be looking for, there are EarthCaches & Virtual Caches that don't actually have a log or box hidden anywhere--but you go to a certain location and gather information, then answer questions presented by the author of the cache, which proves that you visited that spot (these are often in state or National parks that don't allow the placing of a physical cache).  There are "multicaches" that require you to find the first clue, and then clues at each stop lead you to the final cache/log location.  Oh...and then there are "puzzle caches" that require a bit of effort to get to the actual log...

Our first puzzle cache, found about half a mile from my house in a tree.  You had to turn the structure to move it through the pipes & get the little log container out.

Geocaching has been around since about 2000, so prior to the days when EVERYBODY had a GPS built into their phone. Back then, the cache locations were shared on a website, and you had to print off the description page and then type in the cache coordinates to your GPS, and off you went.  The advent of the smartphone and apps has made geocaching much more easy & popular, and new caches are added every day. (You can download a free basic version of the app for both Android & iPhone--then there are some "premium" caches that are only visible on the app if you pay for the "member" version.  I recommend trying out the free app first to see if you enjoy it.)

I started geocaching about a year ago, though I had heard about it probably 10 years ago--back then, most caches were off the beaten path.  A friend went to Chicago and talked about all the fun they had finding urban caches and showed me the app.  Until then, it hadn't really occurred to me that there might be caches IN MY TOWN.  But, in fact, there are hundreds.  There are over 2.5 MILLION caches across the globe, so there's probably at least a few near you.  Even my little tiny hometown of 2,500 people has a couple--my husband's hometown has even more than that!  They're EVERYWHERE!  The first one I found was hidden on a guard rail at the auto parts store next door to my office.

This sneaky "log only" cache was hidden at a site I was working at!

Anywho, with Earth Day coming up on April 22, I wanted to share a bit about this super-fun way to spend a little more time outdoors (which is my favorite aspect of it--any excuse to not have to go to the gym for exercise, amiright?), because another big aspect of geocaching is the concept of "CITO": "Cache In, Trash Out".  Essentially, if you're going to be out treasure hunting, bring a bag with you and do a little cleaning up while you're out there.  It's good for the planet, good for your community, and good exercise---win-win-win. And around Earth Day, many areas organize "CITO Events" where you can gather together with other geocachers and join a cleanup effort.  For example, on Earth Day there's a cleanup planned for the shores of Lake Springfield, here in my area.

A super-sneaky cache hidden it what looked to be part of a fence... They even make caches that look like bolts.

If you haven't tried out geocaching, I highly recommend it--especially if you have kids (really, the more eyes the better on some of these).  With kids, the bigger caches that have trinkets are probably the best at first--you can have your kids gather up a small baggie of little items that they wouldn't mind trading from around the house (stickers, small toys, keychains, erasers, etc.) so that when they find a cache, they can leave a trinket in exchange for whatever they take.  Once the "thrill of the hunt" is enough for them, they may enjoy the smaller "log only" caches that don't have room for trinkets.

My trinket stash.

There are also these things called "trackables"--you can get trackable tags from Geocaching.com, and attach them to a trinket, and then give the trinket a "mission"--like "I want to make it to Canada!" or "Take pictures of me in all the National forests!"--then register the trackable online and place it in a cache.  You'll get notifications when people pick up your trackable and can follow it virtually as it travels the globe!  

This little car was trying to make his way back to Utah, so I picked it up from a cache in Louisiana & brought it back to Missouri to shorten the trip.

Some of my coworkers and I set up one near our work using one of those fake rock hide-a-keys.  And if you decide you're ready to try hiding your own cache, there are beginner kits that can help you get started.

Have you tried geocaching before?  If so, I'd love to hear about your favorite finds!  And remember to CITO!