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Remove petals from stems and run them under luke-warm water to remove any leftover residue and/or bugs and critters.
Ashwagandha has been referred to as the ‘king of Ayurvedic herbs’ and is used in many traditional medicines to reduce stress and anxiety My experience with each of the drinks was that they tasted enjoyable, they served their purpose, you could dress them up and down to your own desire, and miraculously I found that their claim to alter your mood wasn't unfounded.The Volvo, on the other hand, while lighter, still weighs a massive 1862kg. Its body control is just about acceptable in normal driving, but becomes comically soggy if you try to up the pace. And because the suspension comprises traditional steel coils and passive dampers, there’s no way to sharpen it up. Combine that with overlight steering, a sluggish gearshift map and no shift paddles on the wheel and you’ve got a car that’s most definitely not cut out for getting anywhere in a hurry. As mentioned earlier, I am not someone who drinks alone, nor am I someone who often partakes in a nightcap. My version of a nightcap these days is sitting down with a monstrous mug of chamomile tea. Some people share their newfound curiosity on social media, which helps to normalise wanting to be more thoughtful about your drinking. As Laura Willoughby, founder of the world's largest mindful drinking movement Club Soda, adds, "connecting with others online creates a sense of community and is a way to create some accountability for your change – it’s important to know that you are not alone." And then it's once you actually decide to take permanent action following your curiosity, that you may become a mindful drinker, or completely sober. But what does it mean to be sober curious, and how is it different from mindful drinking or going teetotal? Here, we asked two experts to dive into the benefits of wanting to be more conscious of what you drink and what the experience is really like. The floral, exotic aromas in the Livener are given by a rather simple ingredient; rosewater. Typically made from Rosa damascena, but any well-fragranced rose will do. The simplest recipe method of all is the simmering method, and it’ll take you 30 minutes tops!
of people who are choosing to cut down their booze consumption or stop drinking altogether. Over 140,000 people took a month off drinking for Dry January or Sober October in 2022, and the amount of quality alcohol-free drinks brands on the market has been steadily – and thankfully – increasing.Lion’s Mane mushroom (which tastes a bit like chocolate) is a mood-booster and energiser, which studies also suggest improves overall cognitive health There are practical ways to explore that curiosity. "You could try keeping a journal of any benefits you experience after choosing not to drink, like better sleep, no hangovers and less anxiety. This evidence could help you see that you can have fun, relax and cope without alcohol," she adds, which in turn could help if you decide if being sober is right for you. "This is a very personal journey and it’s important to focus on yourself and how alcohol is making you feel." You’ve got to hand it to Three Spirit, the styling of these drinks is pretty special. When I’m opting for a sober night of drinking I still want to be able to feel ritzy and like I’m having a treat, and there’s something incredibly pleasing about all of these bottles. Anyway, I know it looks like I’ve made the same drink twice but I promise it’s a Livener and tonic in this one. Here’s the inside scoop on the palate and the point. Flavour: Three Spirit’s core range of drinks includes the Livener, Social Elixir and Nightcap – and we were very fortunate to be gifted with all three for a taste test and review. Give me three Social Elixir & gingers and I will start to become mischievous. Whether that’s a placebo effect at play or the magic of plants, I can’t tell you, but there’s definitely more going on in a glass of this than you’ll get from a standard 0% spirit. All Three Spirit Social Elixir ingredients:
The ginger in this one gives it a more immediate warmth than Livener when you drink it over ice. That said, the maple syrup and botanicals blend the ginger flavour neatly so that while you are getting that spiciness it doesn’t just taste like a glass of ginger beer. I didn’t have any Angostura bitters to hand to try this out as an alcohol-free Old Fashioned, but having sampled it solo I’m confident it’d be a winning combination – so that one’s on the to-do list. Function: I was most excited to try the Social Elixir. I'm someone who only drinks alcohol in the company of others, so this bottle seemed to be the most suited to me out of the three. This one’s all about energy and euphoria. While Shisandra berry is better known to some as a plant that helps to fight symptoms of the menopause, and is also one of the OG adaptogens, it’s the Guayusa and green tea that do a lot of the heavy lifting in this concoction. Cacao bean contains several active compounds, including mood-booster theobromine, and is the most potent way to get the stress-busting benefits commonly associated with chocolateThe botanicals within the Nightcap include lemon balm, turmeric root, valerian root, Hüll Melon hops, white willow bark, liquorice root, vanilla, ginger and ashwagandha (an ancient medicinal herb found in India, Africa and parts of the Middle East). Discard petals and place water in a dark glass jar to store in a refrigerator, and use within a few weeks.
With many of our social occasions being centred around drinking alcohol, and summer lingering just round the corner, I have found myself frequently on the look out for alcohol free alternatives that still feel fun-filled and exciting to enjoy alongside my friends in the sun. This month, Chris is comparing his new V60 Cross Country with his outgoing VW Touareg. You can read earlier VW reports here. Understandably, it's likely that its the botanical magic that customers are paying a premium for, so if like me, you're the kind of tree-hugger that buys into herbal mood-enhancers, then this is definitely something for you to try. The no/low alcohol market is continuing to grow, with a moderation trend that’s showing an increased demand from consumers for reduced alcohol, or alcohol-free drinks. By 2024, consumption is expected to grow by 31%, according to the IWSR.Garnering its properties from tree saps, aromatic plants and ancient remedies used to relax and unwind, the Night Cap did fit in perfectly with an evening drink, and I did find myself to be relaxed. Guayasa is said to give you a euphoric feeling, fuelled by naturally-occurring caffeine, theobromine and powerful antioxidant compounds Social Elixir is perfect for sipping, its “balancing effect” will keep you “blissful and tuned-in” throughout the evening. Health benefits inside the Social Elixir
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