Quaintrelle Weekender

It turns out, I'm fine physical specimen.

Toronto hit 13 degrees yesterday. Gorgeous, but a little tricky for walking.

At the risk of sounding like that kid in Jerry Maguire, did you know the average human head weighs 10 pounds?

That weight turns into 60 pounds of pressure on your spine when your look down. For a minute or two navigating a crack on the sidewalk, that’s what the body is designed to do. For hours at a time on your screen, it’s leading to an increase in migraines, disc misalignments, pinched nerves, arthritis, all conveniently umbrellaed with the cutesy term, “tech neck.” And it’s not just a problem for the old folks. Apparently, there’s a notable uptick in children seeing their doctors over these conditions.

Ever since hearing about this, I’ve been conscious about holding my phone up to my head, rather than lower my head to look at my phone. And reading in bed has become a orthopaedic game of pillow stacking and arm rests.

Of course, last night I slept in a weird position and now my neck is so sore and stiff, I can barely turn my head.

Hello and welcome to Quaintrelle Weekender, my weekly postcard of what’s on my mind this week.

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Balancing Act

Thank you for all your nice comments on last weekend’s post on money saving ideas, and last Wednesday’s post on creating a 10-year vision for my life. I promise I’m not having a nervous breakdown. Well, I hope I’m not.

With my eyes open, I can stand on one leg, easily, and without threat of falling over, for one minute. I know this because I timed myself. I can actually go for longer, but a minute was all that was required, and boredom sets in fast, so having nailed the test, I moved on to the next: standing up from a chair using only my legs, no support from my arms, at least 18 times in 30 seconds.

I was reading Brodee Myers-Cooke’s newsletter Road Trip to Younger. Her latest post had four simple home tests, including the ones I just explained, to assess your biological age. These evaluations are used by places like the Mayo Clinic to gauge how long you would be able to stay independent based on current performance.

Reassuringly, if you don’t do well on these assessments, with a little practice, improvement comes fast. For the test of standing on one leg this time with my eyes closed, I totally bombed, managing a paltry 3 seconds on each leg. However, I tried again after I completed the rest of the exercises and managed to reach the “above target” category of 10 seconds on each leg. I’ve always been a fast learner.

Listen to This

Speaking of falling over, I’ve very much loved two podcasts one wine this week.

The first, Special Sauce, host Ed Levine talks to The New York Times’ long time wine columnist Eric Asimov. I loved this 30-minute chat about the state of wine consumption today. Eric (or, Mr Asimov, as NYT’s writing style dictates), not surprisingly came through with thoughtful, sane, realistic, balanced, and normal ideas. He also echoed what many wine pros have been saying for a while: if you don’t want to drink, that’s fine, but don’t not drink because of the hysterical health warnings currently screaming headlines at you. It’s been reported, widely, that the health organizations making these suggestions have been heavily lobbied by temperance groups.

Next, Professor David Nutt, a neuropsychopharmacologist (wow.) was on the Zoe podcast, where the host was determined to demonize alcohol as a straight-to-death kind of poison. But, to my ears, Prof. Nutt stayed firm, saying, point blank, that he is not anti-alcohol at all. In fact, he said that for those with healthy relationships to booze, the negative physical health effects are balanced by the positive mental health outcomes, as drinking is usually a social sport. Of course, the good professor admitted it’s inadvisable to go on black-out benders every night, but a glass or two (heck even three) a few nights a week is perfectly fine. (Irritatingly, the host, like a starving dog with a meaty bone, wasn’t having it and kept returning to the chances that alcohol is the demon’s drink.)

Roll Call

Speaking of booze, benders, and great journalism, please welcome two of my friends to the Substacksphere.

Many of you might already know Christopher Waters his weekly wine column in the Globe and Mail. I’ve known Chris for a long time and know him to be a true, honest, and entertaining journalist. If you like engaging insights on wine and culture, you want to read his stuff.

And Rebecca Felgate, who knows a thing or two about being in the centre of the, “clicks, likes, and follow” tornado is writing about her experience hosting a You Tube channel with millions of global viewers, and how she untangled herself from it. She’s a smart and sassy writer. She also voices her pieces and since she speaks British it’s an instant validation of her wit and insight.

The Weekend Menu

Last Night’s Dinner: Colu Henry’s excellent and speedy Sheet Pan Chicken with Apples and Fennel (gift link) (NB* I didn’t have apples, but tossed in some turnip because I’m rebellious like that.)

Tonight’s Dinner: Lasagna Bolognese

The Weekend Cocktail: Clover Club

The Weekend Wine: (On Christopher’s recommendation) Vite Colte Fosche Chardonnay, Piemonte, Italy $17 (ON pricing)

I’m the one doing jazz hands on the left

See You Wednesday

Before Christmas, I mentioned I was part of a panel speaking about growing a business for a big bank. I asked if any of you were interested in hearing what I did to take my business from zero to providing a decent living for me. The results were unanimously yes, from those who chose to chime in, so that’s what we’re talking about on Wednesday. for premium subscribers.

Until then –

xo – Erin

Thank you for reading Quaintrelle.

This newsletter is written by me, Erin Henderson, journalist-turned-sommelier-turned-entrepreneur. I literally drink and throw parties for a living, and on the weekends, I share some thoughts on stylish living.

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