Shrubbery, ASSumptions, On a train!, and Scissor Kicks
HALT on Hump Day 6/12/25
Nobody makes good decisions when they feel Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. HALT on Hump day looks at ways I manage those things in my life. Hopefully you’ll find something that will help your life.
HUNGRY
Shrubs are so in. And I’m not talking about the kind the Knights who say “Ni!” demanded from King Arthur, though I do think they had a point. I’d love a nice “two-level effect with a little path running down the middle.” Sounds lovely.
I’m talking about the beverages. But there are similarities. The knights demanded shrubbery that looked nice without being too expensive. The drink is both sweet and tart.
Cocktail professionals have been using shrubs since the boom of craft cocktails fifteen or more years ago. I first got introduced to them in the Atlanta scene.
They combine fruit, sugar, and vinegar to deliver a multi-layered flavor that you can add to seltzer for a refreshing and tangy experience.
Recently I took a trip to Santa Barbara, and every menu had a shrub. The most exotic kind we saw featured pink guava. Other options included lemon/ginger, strawberry, orange, and a dozen others.
They don’t take much to make at home, either. The basic recipe calls for:
Equal parts fruit chopped or sliced, sugar, and vinegar.
Optional: Add herbs like mint or basil.
Macerate the fruit and sugar for 24 hours. Stir it from time to time. This will release the juice from the fruit and most of the sugar will dissolve.
Stir in the vinegar so everything mixes thoroughly.
Let it sit for another 2-3 days so the flavors infuse.
Strain through a fine strainer or a cheesecloth into a clean jar.
Add to a plain seltzer water. A little will go a long way. I like big flavor, and my wife says I’m heavy handed. I’ll use an ounce in a 12 oz glass. She prefers two tablespoons.
Need some inspiration? Here are some flavors you could consider:
Lemon, ginger, apple cider vinegar.
Peach, mint, apple cider vinegar
Raspberry, mint, red wine vinegar
Blackberry, sage, thyme, white vinegar
Strawberry, pineapple, apple cider vinegar.
Strawberry, basil, balsamic vinegar
Pear, star anise, sherry vinegar
ANGRY
Have you heard the old saying, “Do you know what happens when you assume? You make an ass out of you and me?” A teacher said that to me in like elementary or middle school one time. Her use of “ass” caught me off guard like a guy standing in front of Mike Tyson (in his early years).
But hey, it was the ‘80s.
As I grew up, I found it’s really hard to keep from assuming things about people. I always say most conflict stems from miscommunication, not malice, and assumptions lead to miscommunications all the time.
It especially pops up at work, and this prompt helps us identify where we’re making assumptions so we can rethink them, clarify them, and work more effectively with our teammates.
How do your assumptions about others affect your ability to collaborate effectively?
LONELY
I used to take a four-hour train ride every six weeks, and I miss it. It’s such a civilized way to travel. You can show up a few minutes before your departure time, not have to submit to a pat down, x-ray, or bad airport food.
We recently took a 9 hour train ride as part of a weekend away, and it ruled. I had grand plans of reading, napping, and writing. Instead I spent a lot of time looking through the window and bit of time talking to strangers.
The staff on the train highlighted the communal aspect of railway travel. Every party shares a table with another during meal time. It’s one thing I miss about taking the Amtrak from DC to NY so often. I enjoyed sitting in the dining car or at the seats facing each other and meeting interesting people doing interesting things.
Many restaurants have embraced communal tables, and I like those as well. It’s fun to see what other people order, have a quick conversation about what brings them to the restaurant, how they heard about it, and what they plan to do after the meal.
I encourage more communal dining, and friend-making during those meals. And I also recommend the train. They’re beautiful, peaceful, and grounding.
TIRED
Many of the most popular ab exercises target the upper or middle abs. I find myself finding more ways to make sure I don’t forget about my lower abs. One exercise I’m doing more often now to help with that is scissor kicks.
The horizontal version, where you hold your feet slightly above the ground (maybe an inch or two), and slowly move your straight legs open, then close them, and cross them over, has been great.
I mean, effective. It’s hard. But it means it’s working. It also helps strengthen the inner thigh and builds general core stability.
Shoot for 25 reps per set and fold it into your regular routine to get those pesky lower abs that usually get left behind in a regular sit-up or crunch.
Thank you for reading. If you liked something in here, send it to a friend. There’s a good chance they will smile, I’ll definitely smile, and I bet you will, too. Trifecta!