Well, it’s January - which for many of us means resolution time. Time to pay our dues for all that over-indulgence in December. January is also a time for reflection on the past year and how can we improve as we now head into a new decade. Fresh starts typically beckon forth a new healthy lifestyle starting with diet, no alcohol and exercise.
Is it necessary to go so extreme though? Personally speaking, I have never been much of a fan when it comes to resolutions. No doubt, I’d like to take better care of myself as I head into the new year. However, with resolutions I have often felt they are a bit of a set-up for letting ourselves down. The whole ‘all or nothing’ approach does not always work for everyone.
Who started this whole resolution thing anyways? Well, let’s go back to some 4,000 years ago and blame the ancient Babylonians. They were the first to record celebrations in honour of the new year along with offering promises to their gods in hopes it would bestow favours upon them during their planting and harvest seasons. This makes sense.
We also had the Romans who would begin each new year making promises to the god Janus for which January was named. They offered sacrifices in promise of good conduct for the coming year.
These days resolutions are more secular in nature; instead of making promises to the gods, we make promises to ourselves. Our sacrifices are typically along the lines of self-improvement which may explain why there is such little success. According to recent research, 45% of North Americans make resolutions and only 8% ever succeed. Hence the propensity for letting ourselves down, but we are unlikely to stop anytime soon as we have been doing it for 4000 years!
Here’s an alternative for those of you that are finding the ‘all or nothing’ approach too daunting. Perhaps cut back on alcohol consumption with lower alcohol options. Lower alcohol options are trending globally with many drink companies now offering lower alcohol alternatives:
Ketel One launched its lower alcohol botanical vodkas last year bottled at 10% lower than their regular range at 40% alcohol with no added sugar and 100% natural flavouring. Mixed with a tall glass of soda, this gives a lighter appeal for cocktails and lower in calories too.
Ketel One Peach & Orange Blossom Vodka
30% alcohol, $34.99
Available at all JAK’S Stores
If you want to cut out alcohol completely but are having a hard time giving up your gin & tonics. Sheringham from Vancouver Island just launched their non-alcohol gin called Lumette. This award-winning gin distillery has crafted this using distilled classic gin botanicals, you gain the experience without the feeling of sacrifice.
Sheringham Lumette Non-Alcohol Gin
0% alcohol, $33.99
Available at these select JAK’S Stores: New West, Granville, Maple Ridge, Parkcrest, Coquitlam, Discovery, Timberline, Cherry Lane, Prosperity Ridge
When it comes to wine, white wines as a rule tend to have a lower alcohol content than most reds. Rieslings from Germany can be as low as anywhere from 7-12% alcohol. Most of these lower alcohol rieslings will have a touch of sweetness. A favourite of ours is the Baumer Rhine Riesling that shows a slight hint of sweet, with juicy apple lime flavours. Perfect for sushi and spicy foods!
Baumer Rhine Riesling 2018
9.5% alcohol, $19.99
Available at all JAK’S Stores
Aside from some of the Belgian ales and the trend of Imperial stouts and IPA, most beers fall in the range of 5-6% alcohol. However, if you wanted to go lower you could try this great local alternative from Strange Fellows that is lower in alcohol but still big on flavour.
Strange Fellows Talisman West Coast Pale Ale
4% alcohol, $3.99 per can
Available at these select JAK’S stores: New West, Granville, Maple Ridge, 41st, Parkcrest, Richmond, Westwood, Coquitlam, Discovery, Cherry Lane and Prosperity Ridge
The behavioural shift towards drinking less alcohol, but better quality, is one that is becoming a lifestyle choice for many people and not just in January. For myself, I am personally choosing to be remiss and I’ll be diving into some riesling soon but for those of you that are resolutionists, we applaud your resolve and may the force be with you.
Happy New Year from all of us at JAK’S!