
Issue #34 | 01.02.26
Drink
One Bottle to Know

Señorio Mezcal Joven
The Story: Oaxaca-made, 100% Espadín agave, double distilled using two different methods. Traditional mezcal craft meets modern precision. This isn't mass-produced—it's artisan mezcal that balances heritage with drinkability.
The Pour: Crystal clear. Roasted agave and smoke on the nose with lime, grapefruit, and mint. Creamy mouthfeel. Long finish with earthy smoke and warmth. Silver Medal winner, 4 stars from Difford's Guide.
The Move: Neat at room temperature or slightly chilled. Works really well in Smoky Margarita or Oaxacan Old Fashioned if you want to mix. Pairs with grilled meat, spicy tacos, or dark chocolate.
The Mettle Take: Double distilled, balanced smoke, accessible enough for beginners but complex enough for mezcal veterans. This is your gateway into quality mezcal without the pretension. $50.
Not the drink they expect. The one they remember.

Mindset
Heavy Mettle
Aspirations become habits when they're repeatable. Habits become foundations when they're non-negotiable.
January is loud. Promises are everywhere. Gyms are full, calendars are rewritten, and intentions feel productive—but intention isn't the problem. Execution is.
Most resolutions fail because they're built on excitement instead of structure. They're too big, too vague, and too dependent on motivation. When motivation fades, the plan goes with it.
Real change starts smaller than most people expect. Aspirations only turn into habits when they're easy enough to repeat on an average day. Not a perfect day. Ten minutes of movement beats an hour you skip. One reliable meal beats chasing a flawless diet. A single focused block of work beats planning the ideal week.
Habits become foundational when you stop debating them. Same time. Same place. Same rules. No negotiation. When something requires a conversation with yourself, it's optional—and optional habits don't last.
If you want change this year, choose something you can measure—and someone who will notice if you don't follow through. Accountability removes debate. It turns good intentions into behavior.
Your move.
Hard paths forge successful men.

Wellness
Stay Sharp

Protein Without the Powder: 10 Real Food Sources to Fuel Your Year
Protein powder has its place. But if your New Year strategy involves more than just shakes, bars, and chicken breasts, here’s some ideas that deliver.
1. Shrimp: 30–33g per 5 oz
Low-calorie, high-protein, and cooks in minutes. Skip the butter—use cocktail sauce or garlic and lemon to keep it lean. Affordable and versatile enough for tacos, salads, or straight off the grill.
2. Cottage Cheese: 22–24g per cup (depending on fat content)
The comeback kid of dairy. High protein, low effort, and dirt cheap. Mix it with fruit for breakfast or use it as a creamy pasta base.
3. Canned Tuna: 20–22g per 3 oz
Pantry staple. Zero cooking required. Add it to salads, wraps, or sandwiches. Bonus: omega-3s for brain and heart health.
4. Greek Yogurt: 15–23g per cup (brand dependent)
The obvious choice that’s still worth mentioning. Use it like sour cream, blend it into smoothies, or top with nuts and call it dessert.
5. Edamame: 18g per cup (shelled)
Order it at sushi spots or grab a bag from the freezer aisle. Steam, salt, and enjoy. Also delivers iron and calcium for recovery.
6. Lentils: 16–18g per cup
Cheap, shelf-stable, and versatile. Swap half the ground beef in your bolognese for lentils—you’ll save money and barely notice.
7. Chickpeas: 14–15g per cup
Roast them for crunch, blend into hummus, or add to grain bowls and curries. The Swiss Army knife of legumes.
8. Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas): 9–10g per ¼ cup
Toss on salads, blend into pesto, or snack on them whole. High in magnesium and zinc—two minerals many people lack.
9. Chia Seeds: 4–5g per 3 tbsp
Tiny but mighty. High in omega-3s, fiber, and calcium. Add to oatmeal, smoothies, or overnight pudding for staying power.
10. Quinoa: 8–8.5g per cup
One of the few plant-based complete proteins. Use it like rice or mix it into breakfast bowls and baked goods.
The Mettle Take: You don’t need supplements to hit your protein goals. Real food works. Rotate these in and you’ll get variety, better nutrition, and meals that actually feel like food—no scoops required.
Live better. Think faster. Show up strong.

News
The Feed
This Week’s Sharp Clicks
Some Tech companies are giving employees nicotine patches to boost focus.
Microplastics are being found in penis tissue for the first time. Say what?
HopCulture has very intriguing list of their favorite 14 beers of 2025
We’ll try anything once…even PB&J Ribs.
Free pints of beer for pull-ups at this bar in January.
Stay Sharp,
The Mettle Team
