Back in January I decided to do a cleanse to give my body a break after a long month of December debauchery. That cleanse consisted of a vegan, veggie-centric diet and no booze. The first week or so was kinda tough, but as the time went on, I found that I didn’t really miss the booze at all.
During that time, one of my foodie friends mentioned that she had also given up booze–the year before. She said that she couldn’t be happier in her booze-free lifestyle and like school girls we emailed back and forth about all of the benefits of booze-free-ness. Well, folks, I have asked her to share her story with you all, as well as a flavor packed, booze-free beverage to give you an idea of the world of possibilities open to you, sans alcohol.
I will give this declaimer though, so that nooooooooo one out there claims I am a hypocrite. ;). Since February, I have indulged in a libation here and there (and there) :). I do not see anything wrong with drinking (precluding certain health conditions, of course) and am not preaching sober-dom for all.
I think the biggest thing for me is that in my new life in DC, which consists of a lot of ‘networking’ and engaging in after-work activities, I was drinking mindlessly. I was a robot. Work, go out with colleagues/friends, drink. Repeat. Never asking myself, ‘do I actually want a beer today?‘ ‘Do I actually feel like a glass of wine?‘
My cleanse in January provided the space for me to see that I had been drinking on auto-pilot and brought me closer to drinking mindfully. Sometimes the answers to those questions will be ‘yes! I absolutely want a glass of wine’ (i.e., see my last post :)). But other times, that answer will be, ‘actually, I really want sparkling water or some other beverage.’ Anyhow, not to beat a dead horse, but I just wanted to put that out there. And now… I introduce you to Parsley Sage! 😀
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So my super-chef hero, Tiffany, has jumped off the booze-cruise of life. Well done! It seems like grown-ups are just expected to drink alcohol these days. You might even get a ‘stink eye’ flashed at you or some snarky remark about how uncool you are for not drinking. Apparently peer pressure exists out of high school! I know all about it because back in August, I too made the decision to stop drinking booze. For no other reason than I had a ‘God, if you get me out of this I’ll never drink again’ moments during the world’s worst hangover. As I laid my face on the cold toilet seat, slowly willing my stomach to not spontaneously combust, I thought to myself ‘I didn’t even have that much fun last night…’
And that was it. No more alcohol. It turns out there are some benefits from me not drinking as well:
1) It saves me money.
2) I can stay out and party longer because I don’t get alkie-drowsy
3) It has increased my social life because now everyone wants me to be the DD
4) And most importantly, I’m the one that has all the funny, drunken photos of my friends to post on facebook 🙂
That being said, you do need some special non-alcoholic drinks to treat yourself to when you’re out on the town. Mine are cranberry and soda, grape juice and ginger ale or tamarind juice.
Tamarind Juice
You will need:
2 packets of sweet tamarind
8 cups of water
1/2 cup sugar
- Soak the shelled tamarind in water for half an hour, stirring regularly
- Strain the juice into a container and add sugar
- Chill and serve
This is such a great post. On my recent cleanse I went booze-free for about a month and never felt better.
It’s funny you mention the “mindless” drinking that comes along with social/networking events. I am guilty of doing that – thanks for making the point and a great-looking mocktail!!!
This post speaks directly to me and inspires a next step. I mean, it’s March already – time for me to get it together! Refreshing drinks like this are something to look forward to.
I suppose to have booze once a while like I do for occasions is still ok for anything done is moderation does not hurt. The same goes to food, that balancing between healthy and unhealthy because for me, I cannot just give on great food which at times can be sinful.
I use plenty of tamarind for cooking and this is the first time the discovery of using it for a drink. Sure I am tempted to give a try and see the effects.
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I have really never seen an actual tamarind and no, they do not look at all like I thought. However, I still want to try them and I think your drink is a great start for me to taste test.
I believe that drinking is for moderation. However, there are so many jobs out there that almost require the social drinking in order to be successful and it is a shame. I read once about a new hire being told, if you want to be one of us you need to be a part of our martini lunches…sad statement about that company. Anyhow have a great day you two!
Love it! Made me think of my happy hour-filled evenings as a “young professional” in DC years ago. Good times! But incidentally, I was also thinking just today about going booze-free for a month (or a couple of weeks at least). I’ve already cut down a lot since moving to Thailand where the fresh fruit shakes, iced green teas, etc. are much more appealing and also due to the fact that I don’t know too many people (as in potential drinking buddies) here yet. If I go for it, I think that I’ll try this juice…sounds refreshing and delicious!
This is so lovely to see you two teamed up. I have been alcohol free for years. I think I’ve had a drink maybe about 3 times in ten years. It really aggravates my IBS so I just avoid it. I don’t care for the taste of most anyway so it wasn’t hard for me. But I also am a control freak so I don’t like the idea of feeling out of control when drinking. I have gotten so many dirty looks, nasty comments and pressure from people over the years. It’s like when you say no people think you are making judgement on them, which is so not the case. I say if I don’t pressure you not to drink why pressure me to drink. It’s odd. Okay totally went off on a tangent there. Lol. I love this drink and hope there will be more sans alcohol posts in the future. It’s nice to have other options than soda.
I love this – beautiful recipe, and very good motto. I drink only rarely, and have never batted an eye at people for their remarks. I think I am too much of a control freak to get drunk in the first place, but often I simply don’t feel like alcohol. Kudos to both of you for being mindful 🙂
No one needs alcohol and drunken people do stupid things. Drinking mindfully works for me (I rarely drink) and abstaining works for those who can’t control their drinking.
Great post! Such a good reminder to keep everything in check and in perspective!
I never was much of a drinker in my youth… now I don’t drink at all. The last time I had a sip of champagne was on New Year’s Eve and I felt awful the next day. I decided that I can cook with alcohol… but drinking it…. not for me. I love tamarind…. it’s used a lot in Sri Lankan cooking. 🙂
I love this! I also have really cut down on the drinking over the past year. I’m not sober, I just don’t do it as often as I used to. I love being able to go out at night while also knowing that I’ll be able to jump out of bed the next morning and tackle the day without feeling tired and cranky. My body loves me more when I don’t drink.
This juice sounds delicious! You guys are both awesome, love that you teamed up for this great post!
Wonderful guest post!
We used to have a tamarind tree in the Philippines when I was little, and my mom loved making tamarind juice! Haven’t had this for ages. Thanks for reminding of this refreshing drink.
I love using tamarind while cooking.. never really made a juice out of it! But i bet it will taste amazing.
What a gorgeous looking juice and a great guest post! Thanks for sharing, girls! Have a great weekend.
I had to giggle at the idea of a foodbuzz most unappetizing photo…too funny! Great drink recipe…so pretty…I wish tamarind was not so elusive around here 🙂 Tiffany, such a wonderful guest post…I’m a fan of you both!
Everything in moderation — or not at all (for a variety of compelling reasons) — it’s great to see the dialogue sparked here and also the respect for personal choice. (I liked your glass bowl with the palm trees, too, in spite of your worries over “most unappetizing photo.”) 🙂 Very interesting guest post — thank you both!
This is such a lovely post, well done ladies! Tamarind drink looks very interesting (I’ve never tried one before). I believe it’s everybody’s choice in what they drink or don’t and how they want to live 🙂 Having said, that I probably enjoy wine far too much to ever quit 🙂
What an awesome tag team the two of you are. I love the look of this drink and the tamarind is very interesting. It sounds cleansing and refreshing. Thanks ladies!
love,love tamarind juice!! great guest post Parsley!!
LOL!!! I had the best laugh with the “unappetizing photo category” remark!
We have tons of tamarind here and believe it or not, I’ve never had tamarind juice. I’ve seen it being sold but have never tried it. Good for detox? I’ll give it a go.
I mean, I’ve used it in cooking but not as a drink. 🙂
I use a lot tamarind in my cooking but never made them as a drink! This is worth to try out next! Thanks to both of you for this great post!
Nice job girls! The drink looks so bright and refreshing! Hope you both have a great weekend!
Congratulations! The drink looks delicious! I’m usually the DD as well….I happen to adore diet soda and I’d rather have that! Besides, alcohol makes me loopy!
The drink sounds really healthy and great!
Great to see you two working together today. 🙂 I’ve had tamarind before but not in juice. I see tamarind in Asian market but never bought it before. I like tamarind candy that Vietnamese restaurant offers at the end. I’d love to try this drink!
Yay! What a dynamic duo! I’ve never fallen into the social drinking trap, though I can readily see how it happens with some jobs! This was such a wonderful and intriguing post, because I have no idea what tamarind tastes like. But your juice looks pretty and refreshing. And now I have a reason to try it! Wonderful collaboration ladies! : )
Very interesting recipe.
And funny post, I can relate to it:) About staying at parties longer, maybe, or maybe not, there is a possibility of leaving early out of boredom!
What a great guest post and a delightful looking juice!
Thank you everyone for the comments! 😀
Hopping over from Parsley Sage’s blog 🙂
YUMMERS! I love tamarind juice — perfect for cleansing!
Love seeing you both here together and boy, do you both rock that cruise boat! I say that because I am partial to wine. Adore it. But I needed to read your inspiring post, girls, since been wanting to cut down but don’t have the courage. This exotic tamarind juice does look tempting and you’re so right – if you have delicious alternatives you won’t even need the alcohol. Hey, I may even get up more easily in the mornings! Great post. xo
I love tamarind and we can find it very easy even fresh in Publix. I have made a pitcher of this for my book club before. I like the tang of tamarind. I must admit I often just pick up a can of tamarind nector it’s too easy. 🙂