Recipes please!

Just finishing up a December non-bender.
Lots of probiotic ginger berry kombucha. Needed the edibles to remain credible.
Went to bars a lot less frequently; but was able to have a alcohol free Xmas party.
Looking forward to 20 Tutu (may he test in peace for all the joy and peace he created for South Africa and beyond)
Hugs, Joel

We're with you for dry January, Laura!

Is non-alcoholic beer OK?

The % of actual alcohol by volume is neglible as one would need to consume 24-12 oz. bottles to equal one atypical 4% domestic beer like Coors or Budweiser.

My kids have been bugging me to let them partake in this particular beverage and I don't see any major problem with allowing them to do so, providing they only have 1-2 at best.

We let our kids (10-12) drink St. Pauli Girl non-alcoholic beer with no adverse ramifications.

It's preferable to sugary soda pop which can contribute to obesity and tooth decay.

There's just one basic rule: They can only drink the non-alcoholic brew and Dad's Heineken is off limits.

Being old school Italian, we grew up drinking wine as early as six.

As parents, we allowed our children to have a glass of wine with dinner and they didn't grow up to be alcoholics or problem drinkers.

It is a longstanding cultural practice combined with parental responsibility.

Unlike the United States, in Italy and France, AA is practically non-existent and primarily reserved for those (i.e. expatriates from abroad)) who exercise minimal self-control and restraint when it comes to enjoying vino.

@Maria, I agree, I grew up the same way and think that led to a life of moderation para mi. We fast for many reasons - to stop and look is to learn. We want both, not either or.

@shtwo - well, you'll just have to come back in January!

Maria,
Addiction and "minimal self control and restraint" are not the same thing. Substance abuse and the roots of addiction are much more nuanced than just self control and restraint.

@sequoiadean Glad you are in!

And to everyone, Get your nonalcoholic drink recipes ready! Whatever our age, we are all looking for comforting libations that do not have alcohol and added/high sugar.

That "give a child a nonAl beer question is an interesting one.

“Substance abuse and the roots of addiction are much more nuanced than just self control and restraint."

* The lack of self-control and restraint are oftentimes the tell-tale signs of a substance abuser which is why they give out those sobriety coins at AA meetings...to celebrate self-control and restraint.

I have been that route and to blame family genetics or social environment is a cop-out.

I don't think kids should start drinking too early and to encourage it is a sign of poor parenting.

Serving them non-alcoholic beer is probably OK because one cannot get intoxicated from it.

Thank you for promoting a non-alcoholic holiday season. As Jack Mormons, we ordinarily abstain from partaking in alcoholic beverages with the exception of Easter Sunday as Jesus offered wine to his disciples at the Last Supper.

Recreational alcohol use (and abuse) is best reserved for those who cannot deal with the challenges of everyday life and the same applies to chronic drug abusers.

We will pray for these lost souls who lack a personal sense of direction.

Penny,
Your judgement towards people who drink alcohol is unfortunate. Plenty of drinkers have a sense of direction and are not lost souls. Does Jesus have anything to say about judging others?

Recreational alcohol use and knowing one's limitations is paramount to ensuring a safe and functioning society.

Those who cannot handle alcohol properly should seek treatment or in the case of an alcohol-related felony, be imprisoned for an indeterminant period of time in a state penitentiary.

>"Plenty of drinkers have a sense of direction and are not lost souls."

^Chronic alcoholics would most certainly fall into the category cited above as the majority of them have lost control of their lives.

It is one thing to enjoy alcohol in moderation and another to be an ongoing menace to society.

As far as Jesus is concerned...though he allegedly turned water to wine at a wedding reception, he most certainly was not endorsing public intoxication or drunkenly operating a camel or donkey during the drive/ride home.

And with Uber and taxis readily available today, there is absolutely no excuse for driving a motor vehicle at anytime while under the influence of ethyl alcohol.

- A MADD advocate wishing everyone a safe and sober New Year.

Correction:

>"Plenty of drinkers have a sense of direction and are not lost souls."

^Chronic alcoholics would most certainly NOT fall into the category cited above as the majority of them have lost control of their lives.

>> Plenty of drinkers have a sense of direction and are not lost souls. Does Jesus have anything to say about judging others?

One does not need alcohol to see the light unless they are utterly confused or disgruntled with life itself.

Enjoying a glass of wine or beer is one thing...to polish off a bottle of whisky in one sitting or over a period of a day should raise a red flag if one has any sense.

Unfortunately most alcoholics lack common sense.

Thanks for sharing! I really appreciated it

I like this one too - Web Link

A non-alcoholic New Year is a good way to start 2022. Thanks for posting.

The ones who feel they have to drink in order to get by are either in denial of their problem or alcoholics pure and simple.

There is a difference between wanting a drink and needing one.

Feel sorry for those 'in need'.

Chronic alcoholics often tend towards physical violence and/or verbal abuse.

They are best avoided and only make life miserable for others because as one poster noted, they often "lack direction and are lost souls."

And nobody wants to live or be like that unless they meet the above criteria.

This really devolved into shaming and blaming people with the disease of alcohlism. That's unfortunate to see. It's about to be 2022, let's show some empathy and grace.

Shaming and blaming is OUT at The Food Party! for 2022. We are aiming for "inspiring" everyone. :)

Any alcoholic beverage that incorporates a mixer (e.g. fruit juices, Coca-Cola, tonic, club soda etc.) can easily be prepared as 'virgin' and to overindulge on the alcohol content shows a real lack of restraint and common sense.

Moderation is the key while an excess is potentially problematic.

We eliminated distilled spirits as part of our 2020 New Year's resolution and are not suffering any withdrawal symptoms or want.

Old habits can be hard to break but willpower and a genuine desire to abstain can work wonders.

We still enjoy an occasional beer or glass of wine but do not go overboard like countless chronic alcoholics who cannot refrain from their overindulgences.

It is not about blaming or shaming anyone but rather an ongoing sense of pity for those who willingly (or unwillingly) allow alcohol to control their lives.

People were not born or nursed as infants with a bottle of liquor...it is an acquired affliction that one must take personal responsibility for regardless of one's genetics and/or environment.

Laura said it best, "a life of moderation para mi."

Unfortunately there are countless others who cannot abide by this common sense perspective and we have chosen not to associate with these types of individuals whether it be in a public or private gathering.

In some ways, the pandemic was a blessing by allowing us to further distance ourselves over the holidays from obnoxious & drunken relatives who boorishly expound their unappreciated and unwanted views on politics, religion, and sexual practices.

The flight closures were a blessing in disguise!

> "...the pandemic was a blessing by allowing us to further distance ourselves over the holidays from obnoxious & drunken relatives..."

^ we dodged that bullet too. as far as blaming/shaming problem drinkers, this issue is their own private cross to bear as
any resolution must come from within. the key is not to make other people's lives miserable due to one's own personal problems and addictions by taking personal responsibility.

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According to medical experts, heavy drinking is defined as being over 14 drinks per week for men and over 8 drinks per week for women.

That amounts to either two drinks a day max for men and about one drink a day for women.

Most regular drinkers exceed that amount and suffer no adverse consequences.

My daily ration is a pint of beer at lunch time with a sandwich and two glasses of wine at dinner.

Consuming this amount of alcohol (according to the so-called experts) defines me as a problem drinker because I consume 21 drinks per week on the average (7+ spread out over 7 days).

Hogwash!