ACV on the rocks and I'm ready for some SHOTS!

I had to go there.  Partially because you guys have been flooding my inbox with apple cider vinegar questions and partially because I hold a soft place in my heart for the song my title pokes fun of.  Yes it was played at my wedding.  The same wedding where we cleaned out the bar in record time and also shut down the reception venue AND the beach bar we held our after-party at. [what? don't all weddings have after parties?]  I had *quite* the wild streak.  Past tense.  These days the simple act of wine tasting is enough to send my liver packing [and my inhibitions out the window].  Growing up is terrifying.  Let's never do it.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way with, I'd love to address a few of the questions that you crazy kids have sent my way.  Though I have my a BS in Dietetics and a fierce love of anything and everything holistic, I'm still not an expert or a doctor - so consult your health professional if you're considering making any major changes to your diet + lifestyle.  It's the smart thing to do =)

Anywho! I'm going to do this Q+A style and keep it short and sweet -- we can keep the discussion going in the comments section of this post if you'd like since I'd LOVE to know what your relationship with ACV is and hear all about your routine as well!  So feel free to share it!

What is apple cider vinegar?  What kind do you use?

Essentially it's exactly what it sounds like!  It's vinegar made from apple cider or pressed apples [with all the good parts included!].  I use is Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar since it's raw, fermented, organic, unpasteurized, and just plain awesome.  They don't know I'm writing this post, I just really like their products.  Their liquid aminos are a fabulous gluten-free alternative to soy sauce!

Umm.... why are you drinking it!?

A few friends [Laura, Amanda + Calee] were raving about ACV on twitter so I decided to try it for myself.  I'm a huge fan of Kombucha, which is also acidic + fermented, and was curious if I'd like this too!  Long story short - I loved it!  See below for the "cocktail" I drink daily.  I've done a little bit of research on possible benefits, and they include everything from alleviating muscle soreness, to promoting digestion and balance, to clearing up troublesome skin.  You can read a bit more here.

That explains why you tried it, but why are you still drinking it?

I'd love to say the potential slew of health benefits are what keep me coming back for more, but I'm terribly shallow at times.  The main reason I hit the ACV bottle every morning is because my skin hasn't been this clear all year.  The time I clock in the gym usually leaves me with breakouts around my hairline and arms as well as a few stragglers on my forehead, chin, and nose.  Fun right?  Ugh!  Since starting my day with a little ACV-Kombucha "cocktail," my skin has been much clearer.  I also occasionally pour it over my hair in the shower to remove product build-up.

Do you suggest it?

Technically I can't, because I'm not your doctor =)  But I do love it so!  Like everything, moderation is key and going overboard [like having a ACV chugging contest with your bestie] could do more harm than good.

ACV Kombucha Mocktail

1/2 glass ice water

1/2 glass kombucha [trilogy is my favorite!]

1 shot [1oz] of apple cider vinegar

tips + tricks
1. Always shake the apple cider vinegar beforehand.
2. Never shake the kombucha... unless you want to paint the walls of your kitchen sticky.
3. Start with 1/2 a shot [1/2oz] of vinegar + add a lil more as you acclimate to the taste.
4. From what I've read/researched, fermented beverages do their best work on an empty stomach.  For this reason I usually have it first thing in the morning on non-gym days or post workout on gym days.  If I'm too hungry to wait, I dig in alongside the drink.  The stomach wants what the stomach wants =)

Cheers!

This post is dedicated to Cat.  Who is guilty of #2 from the list above.

Silly Rabbit.