What I’ve Learned During Dry January
2021 is the first year I have participated in Dry January. The second weekend has been the most challenging so far, but overall it has gone by pretty quickly. Will I be doing it again in 2022? Yes! Keep reading to know why.
First, some background that led to my decision to start the year alcohol-free. I tested positive for COVID-19 in late October and subsequently lost my senses of taste and smell. Food and beverages are not nearly as enjoyable when you can't smell or taste them! Eating became strictly about healthy nourishment to recover. It's what my body craved. Before I realized it, it had been four weeks since an alcoholic drink passed my lips.
When I did start drinking again, I consciously limited the number of days I imbibed and began to contemplate the idea of dry January. After all, it was only a few days longer than the break I had just taken. When I decided to commit, I knew it would be A LOT more challenging if my husband didn't participate. I asked him to join me, and, being the supportive husband he is, he agreed!
My reason for kicking off 2021 with a dry month boils down to one reason: a reset of my physical health. Having recovered from COVID, I wanted to know how I would feel after 31 alcohol-free days when I was in good health otherwise.
Today is January 21st, and I have ten days to go. Here are the lessons I'm learning:
Alcoholic drinks have more calories than you realize. When you stop drinking (and don't replace the calories with something else), you lose weight.
Sleep quality improves when you aren't drinking. One caveat here- perimenopause may override it! I've had nights of high-quality sleep, and I've had nights where I'm awake between 1 AM and 3 AM (an issue I've dealt with since entering perimenopause). But those good nights make up for it!
A dry month is self-care. An alcohol-free month allows you to experience physical and mental benefits and begin new healthy habits.
You save a lot of money when you aren't buying alcohol. Do I need to elaborate on this?! Think about the percentage of your restaurant tab spent on drinks and your liquor bill from Costco or Total Wine!
Drinking is ingrained in our social situations. It may be having a glass with dinner, making a toast with friends, relaxing at the end of a hard day, or enjoying a Mimosa or Bloody Mary at brunch. The solution I've found is to have a fun substitute available. See below for my recommendations!
Over the past two years, I have heard about the increasing popularity of mocktail bars and non-alcoholic spirits. During the second weekend of January, my husband and I were feeling bored and decided to head to Total Wine to investigate our options. When we found the right section, we realized we are not the only ones participating in dry January!
Our selection was limited, but we ended up with a bottle of Seedlip Spice 94 for me and a bottle of Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey Alternative for my husband. Our biggest surprise was the calorie count. The Ritual is 10 calories per serving, and the Seedlip is 0 calories! My husband does not love his selection, but I am quite pleased with mine. I plan to try the other Seedlip spirits and the Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative. Non-alcoholic spirits will be in our bar from here on out!
Here are two mocktails I created using Seedlip 94. Visit the Seedlip website for their recipes!
Ginger’s Not A Mule
2 oz Seedlip Spice 94
1/2 oz lime juice
4 oz Ginger Ale
Serve with ice in a copper mug or highball glass
Garnish with lime wedge
January G & T (G is for grapefruit!)
2 oz Seedlip Spice 94
1 oz grapefruit juice
4 oz Tonic
Serve over ice in a highball glass
Garnish with grapefruit twist
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