So, starting January 1st, I made an oath to myself that I would not have any alcohol for one month. This was inspired by a Andrew Knowlton, a writer for Bon Appetit. He says he goes alcohol and meat free every January. So my plan was, alcohol none, meat yes. While I'm not really a big drinker I am a social one. I love to have a glass of wine with a good meal, usually only on the weekends. Occasionally during the week, if there is a work function or the meal just screams for it.
I thought this would be easy. NOT SO MUCH. So my plan included SB he said he'd do this with me, only he wasn't sold on the 31 days. He suggested one week, I didn't think that was much of a challenge. So he reluctantly agreed. Did he make it, NOT SO MUCH. After one week, we went out to dinner to Ye Olde Kings Head. Nice English pub, he didn't last a minute. I told him he was "weak" he said that wasn't true that I had to look at it as he made it one "week." Whatever, I was not to be deterred.
So here's where I remained strong:
1. Company Potluck function - This happened the first full week in January. Everyone brought a nice french dish to our bosses house, and our lovely host served the best champagne and someone brought a few really good bottles of wine. How I handled this: I thought ahead and gave myself a "talking," to remain strong. So I bought a bottle of Martinelli's Apple Cider, you know the ones in the nice Champagne looking bottle. My host graciously gave me my own ice bucket to keep it chilled, he filled up my Champagne flute constantly and, voila, no peer pressure as everyone thought I was having a cocktail. I do have to say it was interesting listening to conversations when your the only one not drinking.
2. Ye Olde Kings Head - I spent so many of my single days here. Having a nice black & tan pint. Making fun of my friends for ordering wine in a PUB, who does that, apparently my friend did. I had a Rootbeer, it's all psychological, right?
3. The very next week - We had friends over and I offered them many choices of booze. The girls wanted to try the Sparkling Mandarin. Seriously hard, as I have yet to try it. I made it, they loved it, I drank water, ooooh this was hard. But I did make Tiramasu, yes I reverted to the 90's favorite dessert. The ladies fingers were soaked in rum and espresso, I did have some, but technically this is NOT drinking, right?
4. Drinks after work - An old co-worker wanted to catch-up and share with us her new job endeavor. So we met at the Alibi room. Thankfully they have a decent food menu of Kogi truck delights. I reverted to my 7 year old self and ordered Shirley Temples. Didn't they use to pour in the pink sweet juice from the cherry's. I only got one cherry. Come ON people don't you know this is a poor substitution for a Gin & Tonic?
So the month is over, I made it, if you don't count the tiramasu. Tuesday, February 1, I had my first glass of wine in a month. A glass of Pinot Grigio. Was delightful, and I immediately turned red, this never happened in the past, but I guess the detox made me a bit sensitive.
What I learned? I have more will power than I thought. It's really about setting your mind to a goal and anticipating the situations that may tempt you and determining alternatives before you get there.
What am I going to do now? Well a much loved radio station, no longer on the air in L.A., (called Indie 103.1), use to do a segment called "Wino Wednesday." They'd have a wine maker come in, try wines and talk about it every Wednesday at 8am. Can you believe that was part of their job, made my morning commute so much more enjoyable. While I am NO sommelier I am an average Jane. So I will officially make Wednesday's, "Wino Wednesday." I will pick a wine and give my very average observations. I'll tell you where I got it, how much I paid, if I ate anything with it. I may throw in a few of my co-worker's observations, as they will be willing if unknowing participants in this. I have one observation for you already. As CC said: "we're no wine snobs here, so shut up and drink the wine." That's what we intend to do.
I thought this would be easy. NOT SO MUCH. So my plan included SB he said he'd do this with me, only he wasn't sold on the 31 days. He suggested one week, I didn't think that was much of a challenge. So he reluctantly agreed. Did he make it, NOT SO MUCH. After one week, we went out to dinner to Ye Olde Kings Head. Nice English pub, he didn't last a minute. I told him he was "weak" he said that wasn't true that I had to look at it as he made it one "week." Whatever, I was not to be deterred.
So here's where I remained strong:
1. Company Potluck function - This happened the first full week in January. Everyone brought a nice french dish to our bosses house, and our lovely host served the best champagne and someone brought a few really good bottles of wine. How I handled this: I thought ahead and gave myself a "talking," to remain strong. So I bought a bottle of Martinelli's Apple Cider, you know the ones in the nice Champagne looking bottle. My host graciously gave me my own ice bucket to keep it chilled, he filled up my Champagne flute constantly and, voila, no peer pressure as everyone thought I was having a cocktail. I do have to say it was interesting listening to conversations when your the only one not drinking.
2. Ye Olde Kings Head - I spent so many of my single days here. Having a nice black & tan pint. Making fun of my friends for ordering wine in a PUB, who does that, apparently my friend did. I had a Rootbeer, it's all psychological, right?
3. The very next week - We had friends over and I offered them many choices of booze. The girls wanted to try the Sparkling Mandarin. Seriously hard, as I have yet to try it. I made it, they loved it, I drank water, ooooh this was hard. But I did make Tiramasu, yes I reverted to the 90's favorite dessert. The ladies fingers were soaked in rum and espresso, I did have some, but technically this is NOT drinking, right?
4. Drinks after work - An old co-worker wanted to catch-up and share with us her new job endeavor. So we met at the Alibi room. Thankfully they have a decent food menu of Kogi truck delights. I reverted to my 7 year old self and ordered Shirley Temples. Didn't they use to pour in the pink sweet juice from the cherry's. I only got one cherry. Come ON people don't you know this is a poor substitution for a Gin & Tonic?
So the month is over, I made it, if you don't count the tiramasu. Tuesday, February 1, I had my first glass of wine in a month. A glass of Pinot Grigio. Was delightful, and I immediately turned red, this never happened in the past, but I guess the detox made me a bit sensitive.
What I learned? I have more will power than I thought. It's really about setting your mind to a goal and anticipating the situations that may tempt you and determining alternatives before you get there.
What am I going to do now? Well a much loved radio station, no longer on the air in L.A., (called Indie 103.1), use to do a segment called "Wino Wednesday." They'd have a wine maker come in, try wines and talk about it every Wednesday at 8am. Can you believe that was part of their job, made my morning commute so much more enjoyable. While I am NO sommelier I am an average Jane. So I will officially make Wednesday's, "Wino Wednesday." I will pick a wine and give my very average observations. I'll tell you where I got it, how much I paid, if I ate anything with it. I may throw in a few of my co-worker's observations, as they will be willing if unknowing participants in this. I have one observation for you already. As CC said: "we're no wine snobs here, so shut up and drink the wine." That's what we intend to do.
