Balanced Bartender

Stay healthy, Bar Meisters

Balanced Bartender Las Vegas 2022

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Hey New Year Pals, it's The Healthtender, Amie Ward, with your New Year Balanced Bartender Pep Talk!

I hope you had an incredible holiday season and are ready for another 365 days of Balanced Bartender goodness. This year I will be introducing you to a host of awe-inspiring hospitality folx committed to wellness from across the country through quick and quirky interviews. For our first installment of 2022, I traveled (virtually) to Las Vegas, Nevada, to chat with Tas Upright, the founder of Booze Yoga. Booze Yoga functions to kick down the barriers often associated with yoga studios by providing attendees of all levels a judgment-free opportunity to learn, move, and socialize. Tas cultivates a fun and welcoming space by operating out of bars and breweries, being her gregarious self, and playing the music that speaks to her soul (e.g., UK Punk, New Wave, The Twilight Soundtrack). Enjoy this interview with Tas Upright!

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Press Play ▶️ on the Interview!
Scroll Down to Make & Indulge in Amie's Snacks & Sips.

Tell us a little bit about your experience in the hospitality industry and what you're doing currently for work.

I started working as a hotel front desk agent in the hospitality industry at a major hotel on the Vegas strip. After I left that job, I explored the food and beverage industry world, working as a server at various restaurants around town. I also became a yoga instructor in the middle of all of this and have been teaching yoga for nine years now. I've always wanted to bartend and was lucky enough to have a job bartending at a mixology bar and restaurant downtown on Fremont in Las Vegas. So, my first bartending job was at a mixology bar—not the easiest task, but I just had to wing it. Sink or swim, and I'm a strong swimmer! Then I worked at a few other spots throughout downtown Las Vegas. I was very fortunate. Between the two worlds of yoga and bartending, I created Booze Yoga! Not intended to get people drunk, no one has gotten drunk at any of my yoga classes, but more to create a comfortable space for new and seasoned yogis to do yoga—something healthy—in a different environment. Through all of that, I ended up working a special event bartending gig at Route 91 in 2017, now known as "1 October" because of the mass shooting that happened there. From what I experienced and what I witnessed, I realized at that moment what my calling was and started pursuing a different path working towards a career in public service. I won't say what job, but it's in that realm. They're all very rewarding in their own ways, and I get to make an impact on people's lives. 

Tell us a little bit about your experience in the hospitality industry and what you're doing currently for work.

What prompted you to get into practicing and teaching yoga?

I used to do Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu a long time ago, and it gave me some injuries. I wanted to find ways to heal my body and help with circulation and figured I'd give yoga a try. I found out quickly that yoga is more than just the physical practice, that it was helping me emotionally and spiritually. It taught me to always be present, control my breath, control my mind…there are things that will be out of my control, but no matter what, I am always in control of how I respond to them. 

Yoga is an incredible self-care practice. Are there any other forms of self-care you partake in?

I'm all about self-care! Besides yoga, I like to get outside; I go hiking, rucking, running, go to the gym, paddle boarding when it's not so cold out. But I also get a massage at least twice a month, go to the infrared sauna, and get a pedicure regularly. I make sure to put myself first when I can because self-love is extremely important. It's not selfish to take care of yourself; you can better serve others when you're well and happy. 

What is one wellness tool you cannot live without?

Besides my Thera-gun, massage chair, and foam roller? HAHA. The ability to adapt and overcome! Life throws curveballs all the time, and the ability to be able to adapt to any situations when they arise and take control of your response will make you strong mentally. And when you're strong mentally, no one can touch you. Be able to adapt, be in control. 

If you could challenge our viewers to a wellness challenge for the month of January, what would it be?

Don't complain. Before complaining about what you're about to, just literally let it go. It'll make you grateful and happier if you don't complain.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

Amie's Snacks & Sips

Heaven is a Cnnoli

This treat is a showstopper. Take your favorite cannoli shell or chip, combine it with this tasty Jägermeister Cold Brew upgraded filling, and drizzle some special sauce on top to knock it out of the park.

The Cannoli

Trust me, unless you have your Nona's secret recipe, and you're prepared to spend an entire day executing, you'll want to hit up your local Italian deli and grab their premade cannoli shells or chips. Nothing beats the real deal, so let the experts handle the heavy lifting for you.

The Filling

1 cup Full Fat Mascarpone Cheese, drained
1 ½ cups Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese, drained
1 ½ cups Powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon Almond Extract
1oz Jägermeister Cold Brew
4 Tablespoons Mini Chocolate Chips

Method:

Combine cheeses, extract, Cold Brew, and powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl and whip on medium-high until thick and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Fold in chocolate chips and keep cold until ready to serve.

The Sauce

6oz Jägermeister Cold Brew
¾ cup Packed Brown Sugar
¼ cup Honey
2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

Combine ingredients in a saucepan, stirring frequently. Bring to a boil, and then down to a simmer for 25 minutes while dipping sauce reduces. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Get to Know The Healthtender

Amie Ward

Amie Ward is a Veteran Bartender,

Exercise physiologist and has been outspoken on her fellow service industry members' health and wellness. You can find Amie appreciating the finer things in life when she is not pulling trucks and training for Strongwoman competitions, like Jägermeister.

January 2022

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