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pancake fun!
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If only...
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Between Merida and Cancun, Mexico
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Salmon BLT Sliders with Chipotle Mayo by howsweeteats #Salmon #Bacon #Chipotle #Sliders #howsweeteats
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Lamb Sliders with Tzatziki by fotocuisine #Lamb #Sliders #fotocuisine
The Opposite Reaction
So I have reached the end of my 30 days of sobriety. I wish I could come out saying it was this wonderful amazing experience but for me, that happened within the first week! I think the reason it was such a powerful feeling the first five days was I boasted about my new challenge with anyone that stood around long enough to listen. I told office co-workers and bar customers, friends and family, but was I was surprised about – was the support. Even the heaviest of drinker friends didn’t try and pressure me; in fact I had people join me in my 30 day crusade, some during, some starting this upcoming month.
The effects went in immediately after stating that I wouldn’t be drinking for 30 days. I stop even wanting anything after the second day. I expected having many nights in, working out and going to bed early a.k.a. no social life. Instead the first week I was out EVERY NIGHT and similar schedule the week after. In fact, I think I have gone out and participated in more activities within the first 20 days of January then the last three months!
My nights were filled with dinner dates with friends, charity events, ice skating, school, Smash Putt, theatre shows, the stock show oh…and work. In the month of January I ended up having only two days off. Yes, that means I will have worked at least 29 out of the 31 days of January. I am amazed that I still had clean clothes!
Back to the activities… since I didn’t take pictures of everything that I participated in, I will leave you with the things that I have learned over the past 30 days (some related to the challenge and some not)
- scary how many of my activities revolve around alcohol
- once I announced my 30 days, many people wanted to join me
- many were too afraid to try though, knowing they might fail
- danced with a man for the first time (no snickering, just never had the opportunity) and found out that I need to learn how to follow, as in, not trying to lead (I play the male role when dancing with women)
- even the heaviest of drinkers supported me and didn’t pressure
- if you post on Facebook that you are getting set up on blind dates, no need for a dating service, men just seem to crawl out of the wood work, even those not on Facebook (and so far is working to my benefit)
- it isn’t as hard as you’d think to break or create a habit
- I should spend more time with family, mainly because I enjoy them (plus the little kids seem to grow up really quickly now a days)
- there are certain events that I now prefer to participate sober
- enjoying my journey re-discovering my faith, but just like school, it will be a long one
- my recent (small) weight loss might have been due to the lack of empty calories via alcohol (might)
- experiencing activities as an adult that I did as a child – not always the way I remember them, but still have the ability to evoke feelings
- true friends are always there for you, even when you think they’re not, and seem to touch base when you need it most, whether you were aware you needed them to
Plans for the future
While I may be out of adult time out, I am still on probation. I can’t just jump back in with both feet. I need to hang out in the wading pool for awhile. The next month, I will only be allowed to drink beer and wine and only two glasses per night or outing. I probably will have a beer or two for super bowl and some wine on Valentine’s Day. Also, I won’t be allowed to keep any booze in the house. Maybe after a couple of months, I can bring a small bottle, no longer the massive jug that one occupied the fridge. Not sure when the hard alcohol will come back into play but I’m in no rush; just taking one step at a time and everything in moderation. For now I will sip my pomegranate blueberry juice at night before bed and looking forward to encouraging the new round of friends that are giving the sobriety thing a go for the month of February. I TOTALLY SUPPORT YOU!
My Liver Needs a Vacation
While most people are setting New Year’s resolutions that they will most likely break within the first few weeks, I am altering my life for a different reason.
I am placing myself in an adult timeout for the next 30 days. Yep, that is right…30 days of sobriety. When everyone was out drinking it up on New Year’s Eve, I was good and home before 10:30pm however it wasn’t until the day after that I over indulged. I don’t remember everything that night but I do know that I most likely embarrassed myself at some point as well as those that I was with. I have never been a big drinker, but I would come home and have a glass of wine after work about 3 times a week. It wasn’t until working in a bar again that I started drinking more. Before I would have two glasses of wine with water, I now have found myself drinking three or four and water only at the end. Then there are the shots. I never used to do shots until working in the bar. There is only one purpose of shots, to get drunk quicker. For years I have watched people making fools of themselves in public and now I have found myself in that same place.
I am not saying that I am stumbling in and out of bars at 11am or downing bottles of wine in one sitting but I do have a habit of having a good time and end up drinking that one too many. And I noticed that it has become a pattern which needs to stop. If I can’t drink responsibly, then I shouldn’t be allowed to drink at all. I have to relearn moderation and responsibility.
If you are wondering why I am posting my “dirty laundry” on the internet, it is actually for a few reasons. One, I know that I am not alone. Others may have told themselves the same thing that I have but never stopped. Two, I know that it is going to be tough at times, like while out with friends, and I might need some support. I am looking forward to feeling “clean” on the inside. To becoming more aware of how much alcohol plays in a role in my everyday life.
I have 30 days filled with mocktails and early nights home. A special thanks to Luisa and Gretchen who I know will be there when I need them and are already supporting me on the sobriety bandwagon. So today starts the first day sans booze. I’m not sure what will happen after the 30 days but I will make sure to post a follow up.
By the way, if you are interested in giving your liver a break or working more on moderation, I found two websites!
If you are wondering if you drink too much, take the survey at Drinkers Checkup
Moderation Management is a great website about teaching you how to moderate your drinking habits.
Witches, Pumpkins and Ghosts. Oh My!
It has come that time again… a night when ghouls and goblins roam the night. The first holiday that starts the string of big ones and the next thing you know its March! What a wonderful night for children, exploring all the things that you want to be! Whether you wanted to be an astronaut or a coyboy or someone famous at that time, it was a chance pretend to be that for one full day/night. I remember as a child going to school that day, always excited for the Halloween parade to see what else everyone as going to be! A time when the holiday was innocent and fun; yet as an adult I am not a fan… Ugh… nights fill with crazy drunks in disguise running around downtown causing mayhem. The one night that women believe they can get away with dressing as skanky as possible. Just because the holiday grants you to be anything you want, doesn’t mean you should go gallivanting around town in an outfit that you would be embarrassed to be caught in by your mother! Seriously ladies, why can’t you show yourself a little respect? I’m not going to lie, in high school I wore some smaller costumes but nothing like what 21+ are donning now a day.
It’s funny, I was out with my friend Michael and we started talking about past dates that we went out on and it got me thinking about past Halloweens. I remember one about 3 or 4 years ago where I actually gave my number out to a male that I met on Halloween night. My girlfriends and I ended up at a singles event, one that I didn’t really want to attend but I figured I would play wing-woman to my girls yet I was the only one that was asked for a phone number. I will tell you it was probably because I was one of the few ladies there who were fully dressed. A man isn’t going to take you seriously when your butt cheeks are hanging out of your skirt, but he will think you are available “for a good time” that night. It upsets me to see women do this to themselves which is another reason I can’t stand being out on this holiday. In fact, I think one of my favorite Halloween nights was 2008 in Illinois. I had the house to myself and spent the night in, handing out Halloween candy to all the little trick-or-treaters. Watching the thrill on the childrens faces as they explained what they were in their homemade costumes was so much better than watching drunks make fools of themselves, stumbling down the street and making out with strangers in the corner of the bar.
Here’s the thing, I am not saying that you need to dress up as a nun to be covered from head to toe, but maybe think about your outfit before you go out. Would you be embarrassed to see people from work in that outfit? I am sure a more creative costume will get you more attention than dressing as a “sexy” whatever. Let your confidence shine through instead of your insecurity like every other girl and you’ll be destined to stand out.
I will be spending this holiday at work tonight, just like I did last year however I plan on going home and going to bed instead of going out for “fun” and the only sober one amongst masses. No matter what you decided to do or wear this evening, whether it is bar hoping or house parties, corn mazes and haunted houses or just staying at home to hand out candy and watch scary movies, I do want to wish everyone a danger free and spook-tacular Halloween! May the candy calories not stick to your thighs, your costume come out the way that you wanted, and you go to bed smiling from the fun you had, safe and sound, ready for work day ahead.
