Tag: Thirsty Thursday

Fit is a Feminist bloggers: our favourite non-alcoholic drinks
fun · habits

Fit is a Feminist bloggers: our favourite non-alcoholic drinks

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I love a good group post. Last month I did a three part series called “Thirsty Thursday”. It got a lot of traction, especially from friends and colleagues, people want to talk about other options than drinking alcohol while out on the town or celebrating at home. Here’s our favourites.

Catherine

Honestly, right now I’m treating myself to the occasional fresh-squeezed orange or grapefruit juice. Several evenings this week I poured myself a small glass half-full of OJ, and drank it with great pleasure. The tart citrus, the texture of pulp, even the bright orangey-yellow color are sensory delights during the dark cold winter. It’s intense, so it’s perfect for sipping. I am squeezing grapefruits myself for the next round of after-dinner citrus concoctions. Yes, you add grenadine for color/flavor-sweetness, and/or seltzer or tonic for fizz, but at the moment I’m into the pure power of citrus.

Sam

I’m a big fan of Geez Louise. The company is Canadian and women-owned. The drink is
prebiotic sparkling water with 5g of plant-based fiber, zero sugar, and no sweeteners. I like Melon Mint best,
Lemon Lavender second best, and
Grapefruit Basil third.

There’s a lot I can’t drink now, coffee after noon, very carbonated beverages any time. Luckily I’m happy with plain water most of the time. Also, mint tea. But the Jeez Louises taste good and don’t upset my stomach so they’re a win.

A picture of four cans of Geez Louise Melon Mint.

Elan

I haven’t tried this yet but the Juicer at Pearl Morrisette, One of only a few two Michelin star restaurants in Ontario, creates a tisane with herbs infused in water, then mixes with a fresh pressed juice. The result is depth and complexity without too much sweetness. Try infusions with basil, nettle, sea buckthorn, oregano, or lavender!

Martha

The Carbon Bar has a great mocktail menu. My favourite mocktail is any variation of a Moscow mule. I love the zip the non alcoholic ginger beer gives to fruit syrups!

It’s in Toronto. It’s also quiet, conducive to conversation and the meal we had there a few years ago was lovely.

Diane

I love my sparkling water with a splash of flavouring. I use a SodaStream because it creates less waste, and preferred flavours are lemon or some sort of shrub (an old syrup recipe that I make using fruit, vinegar and sugar). You can find the recipe here:https://siglindesarts.wordpress.com/2024/01/01/rhubarb-shrub/

A funnel shaped crystal glass containing a drink the colour of ginger Allie on a white lace tablecloth.

Tracy

Day to day I like flavoured sparkling water. But my favourite two mocktails are both at Planta: the cucumber mule and the cosmic colada. So good.

Nicole

I have had some good shrubs and similar in restaurants, but really, I’m happy with good coffee – or – a Diet Coke!

Cate

I like RISE hibiscus kombucha for a sparkling middle of the day treat.

Nat

There are so many great mocktails. My favourites are Edna’s mojito. It’s crisp and served over a glass full of ice so the tall can goes far.

Clever G&T is available at grocery stores in Ontario and is a modest price point.

Chill Street Gin Fizz from Nova Scotia is tangy and blueberry flavored.

As a side note, I loved reading everyone’s go to drinks. I remember the first fresh squeezed orange juice I ever had. It was in Florida and it tasted like sunshine.

Often I’m looking for complexity or intensity of flavour, a different kind of stimulation than water, tea or coffee.

I hope you found inspiration to try something new!

Nat invites folks to de-center alcohol when socializing
alcohol · celebration · fun

Nat invites folks to de-center alcohol when socializing

natalieh (she/her)1 Comment

This is my final installment of Thirsty Thursday where I write about how I’m leaving alcohol behind.

Growing up in rural New Brunswick the epitome of hospitality was offering guests an alcoholic drink when they arrived.

Birthdays, graduations and most events had alcohol at the center. We got together to have drinks at home or in bars. Drinking was the activity and the socializing came second.

Inadvertently we excluded anyone who didn’t or couldn’t drink.

Many years later I’ve learned that socializing doesn’t have to be centered around drinking alcohol.

That’s not to mean I’m asking people to not drink but rather have other things as the reason we are getting together.

My friend Jess and I regularly get together over crafting events, like making clay ornaments.

A star, heart and tree shaped white clay ornaments with red ribbon loops.

Michel and I have dates swimming, walking and working out.

Friends are coming over for a pre-concert hang next weekend. The plan is making pizzas and playing board games.

I invite my eldest over to help me on projects around the house.

I get together with friends to read each other’s writing.

Alcohol can be involved in these things but they are not what is bringing us together.

When I move alcohol to the periphery I center time with friends, creativity and wellbeing.

That sounds pretty dang interesting doesn’t it?

Nat confronts some harsh truths about alcohol
alcohol · fitness

Nat confronts some harsh truths about alcohol

natalieh (she/her)2 Comments

This is Part 2 of 3 in my Thirsty Thursday series.

I was working at the Canadian Cancer Society when research we had funded unequivocally connected consuming any amount of alcohol with increased breast cancer risk. It was around 2008.

Our staff, all women, all drank wine. We had fundraising events marketed around drinking.

We changed our fundraising policies but most of us did not change our drinking habits.

On July 23, 2011 Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning. I was working at the AIDS Committee of London where we provided safer drug use supplies. Drinking alcohol was a big part of our culture. Harm reduction and abstinence sat uncomfortably next to each other but it didn’t cause me to stop drinking alcohol.

I did, however, try to find information on the total social harms of alcohol. Not just the deaths from alcohol poisoning or drunk driving but where was the data on how alcohol was affecting our communities?

It turns out we don’t track those kinds of things much. There is a great interview with Dr Ian Gilmore from 2014 that covers the key issues.

https://youtu.be/M9zmUpD-EPM?si=oPVRpbBQUtCxGqM7

In the 12 years since that interview the deregulation and opening up of access to alcohol has dramatically changed here in Ontario, Canada. You can now purchase beer, wine and premixed cocktails at gas stations and grocery stores at all hours of the day.

This month The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health published their 2025 monitoring report.

CAMH monitor, full report 2025

The news is mixed, many people in Ontario continue to consume alcohol at a greater volume and frequency than they did before the pandemic.

While slightly fewer people drink compared to the year before, those who do are drinking more.

Access and price are well known factors that affect alcohol consumption. Looking back at the video from 2014 it is as though Dr Gilmore already saw the future.

Our access and pricing are at odds with our public health guidelines in Canada.

Canadian Low-risk drinking guidelines

Since alcohol is a carcinogen the guidelines start with reminding us that any amount of alcohol can have risks to your health. That is a very harsh truth.

It’s one I’ve been mulling over for nearly two decades before deciding to stop drinking.

I don’t think everyone needs to leave alcohol behind. I do think we need honest discussions about why we are comfortable increasing access and consumption without considering all consequences.

Nat’s January is dry, here’s why
alcohol · habits

Nat’s January is dry, here’s why

natalieh (she/her)1 Comment

I’m doing a three part series “Thirsty Thursday”Part 1 of 3

Over a year ago I started breaking up with alcohol. I’ve flirted with the idea a few times over the years.

What made the past year different?

Changing Metabolism

For one, my tolerance has gone way, way down. There were times when I could have three or four standard drinks and feel fine the next day. Lately, even one serving could lead to headaches and an upset stomach. Not always, but often. Gross.

Danger

Over the holidays in 2024 I saw someone who was dangerously close to dying from drinking. It was scary and really changed my feelings about alcohol. It was no longer fun for me as I associated the tastes and smells with not feeling safe. Uh. Ya. I’m good thanks.

Family History

There’s no denying I have high blood pressure. It’s well managed with medication, diet and exercise. But I need to stack the deck in my favour. I’m burly, have a sensitive stomach and struggle with sleep.

If I want to protect my cardiovascular health, less alcohol is better for me. My maternal grandparents both died in their mid-60s of cardiovascular issues.

More importantly, I just don’t wanna

My beloved has an occasional beer and I just don’t feel the urge. We are both surprised. Of the two of us, I was the boozier one. Who knew it would be not challenging in the least?

Occasional drink?

I have had a handful of drinks in the past year. I don’t experience it as a slippery slope. When I do have a drink, it’s one serving and on purpose.

I’m very fortunate to experience it that way.

More mocktails and near beers

Thankfully there are more and more alternatives at restaurants and bars that offer complex flavours. Yay!

I am also ok with a glass of ginger ale. Even better, ginger beer. Yummy and easy on my tummy.

This zero alcohol gin adds juniper deliciousness to mocktails. It adds the complexity of flavours I enjoy.

Is cutting back or abstaining from alcohol something for you?

You get to decide! There are many ways to be well. Whatever your relationship is with alcohol, I hope it serves your needs.

There are lots of folks who pick a month to not drink, like Dry January.

Other people pick a day of the week, no alcohol on Mondays.

Others are perfectly ok without any rules. These are all valid choices.