Non-alcoholic January

We have 4 days to go to complete our Dry January, I have found it quite hard some days and I know Philippa has too. The toughie moments seem to have been:

dinners with friends   -    gigs and concerts    -   relaxing days
family events   -   stressful times

We have been overwhelmed with everyone's support and donations; they have helped me get through the start of my chemotherapy and its side effects, helped Philippa feel she is doing something too and will certainly help those in the future who will sadly be travelling this path too ... thank you.

Clare and Philippa - Drop the Gin

Headwear time

In my previous posts I mentioned Ceder's Gins and they have certainly been a huge help. I would drink these again if trying to reduce or not have any alcohol ... my issue is they cost as much as gin and recommend double quantity per serving!

I have also had all three Sainsbury's non-alcoholic wine, they all served a purpose, the red wine was great to have when our friends came for dinner. All the wines were pleasant drinks but you would find more flavour in fruit and soft drinks, and wine does need the alcoholic depth.

Sainsbury's red

My overall opinion is these non-alcoholic wines are not going to replace wine, however they are pleasant drinks.

They are great for the 'mind' - the pop of the fizz bottle for that special occasion, the pouring from a wine bottle into a wine glass at a dinner with friends, the pouring of a chilled white after a busy day

.... a bottle of wine gives more than it's nose and flavour, think how you feel when you hear a cork pop or a screw cap twist .... the satisfaction starts right there!

I've taken great comfort from still having a G&T in my large gin glass. It was nice too to have a 'bottle' with my dinner at the pub, although again my Kopparberg was expensive, more than Hubby's pint! There is certainly a psychological side to having an alcoholic drink.

My alcohol free Kopparberg 

I was delighted last week to have been chosen as one of the winners of Fever Tree's competition to win a case of their Ginger Ale. Absolutely perfect for me just now with not only Dry January but the chemotherapy has altered my tastebuds and what my tum wants (it's like having a piccy toddler) - Ginger Ale is great for both, although I am looking forward to trying one with a 'wee dram'.

My Ginger Ale prize 

'A wee few from our Scottish holiday'
my competition entry photo

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Huge thank you again to everyone for your support, Dry January will soon be complete but I do have a longer road to travel .......