Do you remember a few decades ago, what a joke we all thought it was, that people would bottle up water, and then put it up for sale in bars and restaurants and stores, and people would actually buy it? And now the water section in the grocery store has almost as many choices as the soda section. Crazy, huh? That’s sort of what I was thinking when I heard there were bars that did not serve alcohol. I mean, isn’t that sort of the definition of “bar”? What’s a bar without all the beautiful liquor bottles lined up behind the bartenders? I never seriously thought that there would be bars that didn’t serve alcohol. While this trend has not yet been embraced by the bars in our community (as least not that I am aware of), I do think it will come. It may come slowly, or in small, almost unperceivable shifts that we hardly notice, in pieces, and not all at once. But mark my words – as surely as I’m sipping on my $3.00 bottle of water, some form of this is coming.
Let me introduce you to the “Sober Curious” movement (and yes, it is already actually a movement – Google it and you’ll see). These are the people who are starting to wonder, or be curious about, what their lives would look like without alcohol.
- No foggy feeling the next morning, or worse yet, a full-blown hangover.
- No reason to call a friend or Uber for a ride home, or take the risk of driving after having a few drinks.
- The best sleep ever (this one I cannot stress enough).
- Always being present (in the moment) and remembering those precious times with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors.
- Fewer calories – can probably drop a few pounds.
- The money you save from buying drinks out, and/or wine or beer from the grocery store – maybe buy a new dress since you’ve dropped a few pounds? Just saying…
While my journey didn’t really start with a ‘reset,’ there is a huge community of women with whom I am now friends who have done just that. Called Sober Sis, and founded by Jenn Kautsch, it’s a program called the 21-Day Reset Challenge. For some it’s just to be more mindful about their drinking, but for others it’s about a completely new lifestyle. Jenn’s goal for women is for them to know that the cards are absolutely NOT stacked against them, and for each woman to individually have her “own journey to a more mindful approach to their drinking.” You may wonder if you can still have fun without alcohol. Or you may have no desire to cut back. Being sober minded or sober curious is not for everyone. But do you have just enough of that competitive nature that you’d be willing to challenge yourself to a 21-day reset? If so, let’s do it together! See page 116/117 for more information on the 21-Day Reset Challenge. (Use code forsythmags $15 discount.)
So now, as one of my newest friends and sisters said, I choose ME. I choose my family, my friends, meaningful conversations, quiet contemplation, coffee, meditation and gratitude. I choose joy, pain, heartache and reconciliation. I can now feel it all! This IS my freedom and I’m just getting started! Thank you, Jenn and thank you to each and every one of my new sisters… I am so, so grateful!
OCTOBER MOCKTAIL RECIPE: Moscow Mule
1 lime (1-2 Tablespoons juice, fresh is best)
1 Tablespoon *Simple Syrup (detailed directions below)
¼ cup Club Soda
3-4 Mint Leaves (torn &/or muddled)
¾ cup Ginger Beer[**the name is misleading – most commercial ginger beer is a soft drink and contains no alcohol]
Crushed ice
- In bottom of cup, pour juice from lime, *simple syrup and club soda
- Add mint leaves if desired.
- Fill cup about half-way with crushed ice.
- Pour approximately ¾ cup Ginger Beer over ice.
- Garnish with mint leaves and lime wedge (if desired) I like to use copper cups for this one!
*Simple Syrup: I make this ahead and store in fridge in glass container. Makes 1 ½ cups.
1 cup water (filtered), 1 cup granulated sugar
Fill saucepan with equal amounts of water and sugar simply bring to a boil simmer over low heat until sugar is clear. Pour in glass container and refrigerate. (If just a small amount for the day or night, refrigeration is not necessary.)
