Alcohol-free socialising; without the stigma.

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It’s been a year now since I stopped drinking alcohol and I have honestly never felt better in my life. 

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The obsession just sort of creeps up on you. I was a massive wine fanatic and wouldn’t mind guessing I had one of the best wine collections in Australia. I would spend hours in my cellar, just tasting, researching and planning out which wines I wanted to get my hands on next. 

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But after spending the last eight years focusing on exactly what products were going on my face and body – I was ready for the next step in my wellness journey and that was cutting back, right back on my alcohol intake!

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I remember back in 2012, when I was making the switch to natural, toxin-free beauty, it was because I feel was feeling so exhausted and sluggish, my skin was unpredictable and I had no idea just how many chemicals I was slathering all over myself say after day. Making so many positive changes to what I was putting in and on my body was the best thing I ever did for my health, so it just made complete sense to shift the focus to my alcohol intake. 

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I finally realised that while I was being incredibly careful about avoiding chemicals and going natural in so many parts of my life, I did enjoy a glass of wine or two, or three of wine (even if it was organic) and that alcohol was most definitely not good for my body or gut health.

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It wasn’t that I was drinking that much, I just loved a good glass of red at a restaurant with my hubby or sipping champagne by the pool on the weekends. 

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How could I possibly give up those things? How could I socialise without alcohol and not feel like I was missing out? In Australia, alcohol is so engrained into so many aspects of our lives. After work drinks on a Friday, cocktails by the pool on Saturday… I mean, we even pre-drink at home before going out to drink some more… as if we just can’t get enough alcohol into us while we’re out! 

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And after all, there was no possible way I was switching to alcohol-free wine. Surely, it couldn’t have the same complexity or taste I pondered. Isn’t it just grape juice? I soon realised just how wrong I was and found that quality, alcohol-free wine was just as pleasurable palatable as it’s alcoholic cousin. The best part was, I wasn’t waking up with a hangover and I didn’t feel like I was getting major FOMO at the family BBQ. 

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Within a week of my discovery I’d sent my entire wine collection off to auction. I was a convert. I’d realised that I actually hated the way I felt when I drank and I didn’t want to feel like that anymore. I haven’t looked back since. My gut health has improved tremendously, my energy levels are back and I am consuming so many less calories. Yes, don’t even get me started on how many calories are in alcohol!

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But best of all, it sparked a passion in me that I’d not felt in a long time. The struggle it was to find decent de-alcoholised wines not to mention the judgement I’d received from shop assistants was the catalyst I needed to start Sans Drinks, an online retailer dedicated to mindful drinking. 

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I wanted people to know that you can still enjoy a beautiful, crisp white or a full-bodied red, at home or with friends, without the guilt, addiction or social stigma of ‘why aren’t you drinking?’. Switching to non-alcoholic wines was the ideal solution for me, to curb my drinking, focus on my health and still get to do all the things I love but without the nasty side effects.

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Since giving up alcohol, my head is clearer and my gut health has truly improved, and did I mention less calories? I’m more present for my family and my passion for life has been reignited. I challenge you to do the same and see the difference it makes. 

 

If you’re feeling brave enough to make the switch, here are my top 3 non-alcoholic wines to try: 

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Best Sparkling - https://sansdrinks.com.au/products/thomson-scott-noughty

Best Red - https://sansdrinks.com.au/products/newblood-non-alcoholic-shiraz

Best White - https://sansdrinks.com.au/products/mcguigan-zero-sauvignon-blanc