It's the season of open bars, clinking glasses, and the quiet assumption that everyone is drinking.. I don't drink. I did until second year university, but I didn't like the taste, didn't enjoy being drunk, and the hangovers? My stomach couldn't take it. I'm not shy, so I didn't need it to loosen up. And drunk me? Not an upgrade.

Sometimes other people seemed uncomfortable with that. Some would say I wasn't fun because I wasn't drinking. One has nothing to do with the other.

Now? More people than ever are starting to ask: "Do I actually want to drink… or do I just feel like I should?"

Exciting news! Love What's On Your Plate was just named a Finalist in the American Book Fest Best Books of 2025 — Cookbook Category.

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This isn't about telling you not to drink. This is about awareness, choice, and feeling good in your own body.

It's worth asking: is it the drink you want... or is it avoiding the awkwardness, the overwhelm, or feeling out of place?

A couple of interesting stats:

More people are asking: do I actually want this drink, or am I just on autopilot?

What alcohol really does:

Energy: Even one drink disrupts REM sleep for up to 72 hours.
Mood: It spikes cortisol, then drops it — leaving you a little more anxious the next day.
Digestion: It slows everything down, making meals feel heavier.
Emotional bandwidth: It numbs… but it also disconnects.

And the holidays can already feel emotionally layered enough.

This isn't about "quitting." This is about giving yourself permission to choose what supports you.

This Week's Recipe: Fizzy Watermelon Mocktail — bright, refreshing, and exactly what you want in your glass.

There's this unspoken script at holiday parties: arrive, grab a drink, hold it like armour while you navigate the room. What if you could skip the armour?

Here's how to move through holiday gatherings with a little more presence and a lot less pressure:

Decide your intention before you go. Not rigid rules — just a gentle, personal promise to yourself. "How do I want to feel tomorrow morning?"

Put something beautiful in your hand. A mocktail, a sparkling water with citrus, a ginger spritz. Or try the new alcohol-free options — Nozeco, 0% beer. They taste remarkably like the real thing (which is great if you like that taste - I don't). People won’t question your choice when your glass looks festive.

Give yourself a time you'll leave by And actually stick to it. You don't owe anyone your exhaustion.

Give yourself options Not "yes or no." More like: "Maybe later" or "I'm good for now."

This is how you stay in your centre — without making alcohol the focus of the night.

No judgment. Just support.

If you do drink, here are three ways to support your body afterwards:

This Week's Practice: Pay attention to how your body responds. Honour what it's telling you instead of pushing through.

Remember: You don't have to give up alcohol to feel better this holiday season. You just need to give yourself permission to choose what helps you feel balanced, clear, and grounded.

Here's to a softer season, in every way.