LESS Alcohol ~ NOVEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
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Month 2 Day 5 AF done! Thanksgiving strategy:
1) husband agreed to cook 90% of the meal (less work for me!)
2) go for a family hike in the desert beforehand
3) make a gluten free pie made with tart green apple and one that will be something "new".
4) challenge myself to make my own NA fizzy rose. Many vineyards sell concentrated grape juice from their varietals online. I am interested in finding one that is not too $$, mixing it with sparkling water and adding the right flavoring agents (maybe lemon) to make my own, hopefully lower sugar, lower cost and awesome tasting NA sparkling wine.
I'd love to hear about everyone's Thanksgiving plans and please share recipes!
6 -
@Breathe57103 if you want, feel free to invite me as your MFP friend since you're practically my neighbor and we can plan to meet up like we had discussed before, either for a hike or coffee.2
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SunnyDays930 wrote: »@Womona
"Alcohol is a group 1 carcinogen like tobacco. In the body, alcohol turns into acetaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent. When this toxic chemical builds up in the body, it damages DNA and prevents the body from repairing itself."
Oh good Lord!!!! I swear, I had no idea!4 -
Two large glasses of wine, having dinner with a friend after a fun day of shopping.
Hmmm… my Thanksgiving strategy….
After a Turkey trot (family runs, I will walk this year), I am hosting (as we do every year) and have my sister and BIL staying with me. My husband has a large family so I usually find myself with that first glass of wine early to gird my loins for the onslaught of people and noise. Hate to say it, but it helps. And then I wind up drinking 3-4 glasses over the course of a very long day.
This year, I will stick to my LA white wine so I can still enjoy wine, but have about half the alcohol. So even if I have four glasses of that, it’s really only two large glasses. I’ll take the win.
Here’s a question… if you host, what time do you have people over for appetizers, and what time to serve the turkey? I never know what the right time should be. Seems wierd to have dinner at 4:00 PM but that’s usually what happens. Just don’t know what to do. Thoughts?2 -
I walked for one hour on Monday - Wednesday and loved seeing all the colorful trees in my neighborhood. Also went to a Barre class yesterday and am eating much cleaner than in the past few weeks. Slightly down on the scale too, so it feels like a good week so far.
November stats:
AF - 1
A - 45 -
@Womona great question, what time to serve appetizers and then Thanksgiving dinner?
My family likes to come early for nibbles and gather around 1:00-2:00. My adult kids bring their choice of a side dish. We do the Turkey and mashed potatoes, gravy and more. We aim to sit down for a big meal by 4:00ish. All the while we’re in the kitchen putting together the final touches together.
Then need a break between finishing dinner and dessert! A game or two usually breaks out. Our long day would likely wrap up around 8ish.
I’m grateful there will be little alcohol involved now that most of family members have quit.6 -
Feeling a little more in pain today then the past two days from oral surgery on Monday.
Guess I chat too long on the phone with my Sister yesterday. They say laughter is the best medicine but maybe not in this case.
Good thing is -
▪︎AF for last 5 days(31 day AF streak)
▪︎Been 95% sugar free in Novber, BONUS!
▪︎Exercise going strong , except during 2 surgery and recovering days.
My thoughts on Thanksgiving are the same as @Michieb125. Apps early, then turkey and dessert before 6:00PM time to say goodbyes and cleanup before the day gets way from you.7 -
Made it through another day with no desire to drink. I honestly don't think I've gone 6 days without alcohol since January 2022.
AF - 6
A - 09 -
Breathe57103 wrote: »Made it through another day with no desire to drink. I honestly don't think I've gone 6 days without alcohol since January 2022.
AF - 6
A - 0
That’s awesome!!3 -
@MissMay, sorry to hear that you’re still in pain from oral surgery. That’s definitely something that knocks you flat. Feel better soon!
@Michieb125 that’s my timeline too! Except, nobody leaves by 8:00! I have some family that will stay until 10 or 11!!! One way we’ve combatted that is to buy tickets for a drive through Christmas light show. That seems to work for getting people out of the house at a reasonable time, because they are timed tickets.4 -
AF = 3
A = 3
Well, I’m tied. lol Tonight will be AF just because…
Thanksgiving plans. We will have lots of family and friends as always. What is this appetizer stuff you are speaking of?? I don’t have time to make flippin’ appetizers! I’m too busy cooking the meal!
I have a firm belief that you can’t eat at everyone’s home, and I don’t eat at potlucks. So, I cook everything served at my house. If someone wants to bring something, that’s fine. But, I am the main provider of the meal. I will only eat contributed items if I’m familiar with the home and trust the preparer’s cooking.
With that being said, I will start the cooking process about 2 days prior with desserts and casseroles/sides. (I have 3 refrigerators in my home mostly because of the way and amount I cook for holidays and special events. I have been told I need to start a catering company. lol) The morning of, I make anything that couldn’t be pre-made. And, food is normally available to eat around 3:00 and we have a revolving door policy. You can come and go as you want, stay to eat and enjoy the company of others or take a plate and go (I provide takeout containers). The day after Thanksgiving is my recovery day, and I don’t do ANYTHING!
I used to start drinking after food was served, but last year I held off until about 8:00 at night, and I ended up not drinking near as much. I was happy with that. We’ll see what this year brings.6 -
2 months, 6 days AF done, happily.
Thanksgiving - always at my house, skip appetizers, BBQ turkey and some years go non-traditional and make something else like BBQ ribs. Sides are usually grilled sweet potatoes and zucchini or asparagus, whatever can be made outside by my husband on the grill is great so I have full control of my kitchen space for making a big fat mess baking desserts. The gang arrives around 11:30am to drop off whatever they wish to bring (typically pricey red wine or fancy bourbon that I won't buy). We go out for a walk in the neighborhood where other walking family groups wish each other a Happy Thanksgiving, while my husband stays home cooking. We eat around 1-2 pm and hang out after till about 5pm.
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Love the Thanksgiving celebration day stories here! For many here, it’s about cooking delicious and carefully prepared food for our guests and family and friends. Many are much less fortunate.
@NonnieDoiron your home sounds very welcoming!
@globalhiker we also take a group walk through the neighborhood as well! A nice way to get fresh air and appreciate the day.
@Womona how fun, a Christmas light show!
One glass of good wine last night while watching a new documentary. I did not front load the month with skipping days and feeling like I’m now behind on my goals. But a couple days have been under my serving limits. Today is a fresh new day. Claiming an AF night now!
November stats:
AF - 2
A - 53 -
@Michieb125 We definitely want it to be! We love having family and friends around. It’s the highlight of our lives! We invite everyone… if ya’ll are in SC, come on over! 😉
I used to send out invitations every year, and they would say, “Don’t want to cook? Need to take a break from ‘Creep Uncle John’? Want to play a game of Cards Against Humanity without judgement? Come and sit, eat and run, take a to-go… just come! Get dressed up or wear your pjs… just come! Turkey is ready by 3, and BYOB!”
Now, it’s just kind of known in our circle, and I get to save on postage!😉5 -
Our large far-flung extended family for decades had a tradition of "whoever has the most recently purchased house hosts Thanksgiving".
For the past 20 or so years most of the cousins [1st-2nd-thrice removed] have met at one cousin's North Carolina farm for a pig pickin' the Saturday after Thanksgiving. As the campers drift in on Friday night and the wee hours of Saturday morning they help Cousin Bobert & son stoke the coals in the huge barrel smoker full of "pig". The pot luck offerings are stored on the second floor of the barn and a bonfire is started about noon. The young uns run wild, jumping down into the hay storage, wading in the river, riding the ancient horse...there are also 4 wheelers and B-B-type guns involved for the tweens. One year I got disturbed that the boys were taking pot shots at the squirrels and shouted out of the top of the barn " Y'all better not shoot at anything you don't intend to eat !!" From then on we have added fresh squirrel to the menu...not bad smoked with some Old Bay...YMMV.
The only person allowed to carve up the meat is a cousin from Virginia who brings a professional knife set and makes a huge production of it. Another brings his homemade moonshine, which is my beverage of choice for that weekend. One Mason jar and done...those stairs from the bonfire up to the top of the barn to get "seconds" are steep !!
Mealtime was from late afternoon til about midnight when the "catching up" was done, and everyone wandered away to sleep it off.
So...we don't do turkey anymore on Thursday, but we carry home lots of "piggie bags" to Michigan & Maryland & Pennsylvania.
Really nice to hear how everyone celebrates the holiday.
Did break my AF streak, but tried to not drink away my anxiety and depression. Actively researching ways to combat those feelings without alcohol. My MIL #2 used to say "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". I HATED HEARING THAT !! Now, I see her point....8 -
I went on a hike with a friend and her sister yesterday. Afterwards we went to dinner and we each ordered one glass of wine. I would be fine with daily drinking if i could just have one glass. When I got home I had 2 cocktails. That is my main issue....one is never enough. Back to wracking up more AF days for the month.
AF - 6
A - 1
Have a great weekend. All of your Thanksgiving traditions sound wonderful.6 -
AF = 3
A = 4
Last night ended up not being AF, lol. Oh well!5 -
Nov:
AF=1
A=6
I'll be away a few days and probably won't be checking in (I usually do any MFP stuff on my desktop, not my phone). Talk to you all when I get back mid next week
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@globalhiker1 I absolutely loved reading about your Thanksgiving holiday tradition! At the end, I literally said to myself I wish I had a family like that lol. Sounds so full of fun, laughter, with all the “catching up” and “piggy bags” that traveled back to the homes from several states. You are blessed!4
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BTW - love reading about all the Thanksgiving traditions. Ours is pretty boring, generally just a little family and the usual Thanksgiving fare. Although there's always a pasta dish too.6
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@SparkSpringtime69 have a great vacation, and enjoy the well deserved time away! Our stats are similar this month.
I have been more hyper focused on my newer habits of exercise, sleep and upping my protein while knowing LA has and continues to be a great way of life for me.4 -
@Michieb125 I think forestdweller1 gets the piggy-bag credit
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2 months and 1 week AF done. And today was tough. I was 75% going to say the hell with it and go out to pick up wine. Very close. I got up too early and started working at 3 am (yes) and kept going until 4pm (yes, that is 13 hours), I had a serious work deadline and I had to format hundred of pages and I just hate it and nothing was co-operating and of course Word was crashing repeatedly and I kept loosing information. Talk about worn out. I wanted to hurl my laptop into the swimming pool and drown it. I didn't. I felt so fried and headache-y, instead I took "me and my feelings" for a time-out hot bath which helped a tiny bit. Now I am on my second Corona NA getting full and decompressing watching tv.
I really want to drink tonight but it's not a good idea to drink away my bad feelings. Plus I am way too exhausted to go wine shopping.10 -
@globalhiker Great choice on the bath versus the wine! You will appreciate that choice tomorrow morning. You have an amazing AF streak going.
No alcohol for me today.
AF - 7
A - 18 -
@globalhiker what a tough day at work!! You pulled through and kept your promise to yourself. You are doing amazing (understatement).6
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Truth be told, it’s been a week for me!
I’ve been so lax with my AF goals while I’ve got my mojo back with exercise and nutrition. That 5 o’clock wine devil is a drag. Need some distractions but it’s hard when it’s dark at 5:00 pm now, ugh!5 -
2 months, 8 days AF done. Trust me, your support is keeping me going. I didn't drink last night. I put myself to bed at 7:30pm just to end the day and put the wicked wine devil to sleep. Today got in 2 hours at the gym. Taking a B-complex and magnesium now to help.
5 o'clock wine devil strategy: have a relaxing herbal tea at 3pm, eat dinner early along with AF drinks to address the hunger and thirst, throw in a magnesium or whatever else to relax. Anything but alcohol. Then I use the distract technique of watching a movie or show at always put myself to bed super-early like 7:45pm to read. That shortens the pm drinking "window". Plus, no cravings while I sleep.
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No alcohol for me again today.
AF - 8
A - 1
I have also found myself going to bed earlier than when I drink. Unfortunately it then results in waking up super early, but at least I don't crave alcohol in the morning!5 -
Sunday morning gratitude
Thankful for my small, yet beautiful townhouse backyard. Still adjusting to what Florida Fall is. Actually, it is like Spring in New England . The outdoor plants all take a deep breath and regain control of their ability to flower properly with the right conditions.
Hmmmm....sounds familiar. Isn't this what we do as well with drinking LESS? When given the proper conditions., we bloom?
Fuel for thought
Take in the beauty of something you look at almost everyday.
November accountability-
A = zero
Alcohol free streak 35 days8 -
AF = 4
A = 6
Bestie was here this weekend, so we drank.5 -
No alcohol for me again today.
AF - 9
A - 1
I went golfing today and many people do shots for birdies. I was the only one who had a birdie (2 of them). They appreciated getting to do shots for my birdies, but I abstained. I call that a victory!
Awesome job @globalhiker and @MissMay. You have great streaks going!7
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