Can You Relate? Staying Social without Alcohol
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
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If you’ve been reading my posts for a while, you know that I’m a “sharer.” The way I see it, if I can help someone with an experience or lesson I’ve learned, why not share it?
Today, I’d like to share the secret to feeling on top of the world every day. Are you ready?
It’s not just about putting the good stuff in (i.e., salads and smoothies); you must also put the brakes on anything that keeps you from feeling on top of the world.
For me, that something was alcohol.
Wine with dinner used to be like peanut butter and jelly; the two just seemed to complement each other beautifully. I never abused it, but I also never questioned it. It wasn’t until I started tuning in to how my body responded to food and drink that I realized how much my body disliked alcohol. Can you relate?
Of course, in the moment, that glass of Malbec was just what my inner doctor ordered—it helped take the edge off a stressful day so I could spend quality time with my husband. But then tomorrow came, and I always woke up feeling “less than” on top of the world. Not hungover; just “less than.” Ironically enough, while I was sipping the wine, I would stress about not feeling on top of the world tomorrow. The whole scene was just plain silly! Why not simply remove the offender?
That’s just what I did. I made a deal that I wouldn’t swear off wine forever (that would be the kiss of death!), but instead I’d simply take a little break from it. I’ve been on this journey for four months now, and I’ve never felt better.
If you’re looking to put the brakes on alcohol too, but wonder how you’ll handle social situations, here are three Fx™-approved functional drinks at your local Heinen’s to help. The beauty of these mocktails is that they are made with ingredients that support your body’s natural stress response, helping you relax without any negative side effects.
3 Fx-Approved Mocktails at Heinen’s
- De Soi Très Rosé Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Apéritif: Offers key ingredients that soothe stress, sharpen your mind, and calm your mood, including amino acid L-theanine and Lion’s mane and reishi mushrooms.
- Recess Black Cherry Mood: Sparkling water infused with magnesium and lemon balm to help you unwind.
- Kin Euphorics Bloom: A functional beverage made with schisandra, a medicinal berry that helps fight adrenal fatigue and the negative effects of stress. Another key ingredient is ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration.
Key Takeaway
How can we possibly know what it’s like to feel on top of the world if we’ve never been there? We must experiment. If you’re dissatisfied with the way you’ve been feeling lately and know that alcohol is part of the problem, decide to give it a rest and watch what happens. If you’re like me, you’ll soon discover that you don’t need alcohol to take the edge off, or to enjoy a nice dinner with your family. In fact, I’ll bet your joy will double knowing that tomorrow, you’ll be unstoppable.
Note: Please consult with your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements to your regimen.
