How Alcohol Fits Into My Healthy Lifestyle

If it isn't already obvious, I love to live a holistic healthy lifestyle. I like to fuel my body with foods that make me feel good, keep me hydrated, and I love a good kick-ass workout! But I also like to indulge. I don't track calories, but I do practice intuitive eating and sometimes, more than not, I want ice cream. At times it's a burger, others it's chocolate, and sometimes it's a nice refreshing drink :)

Yes, I do indulge in alcohol. Alcohol has never been "off limits" to me. I have never had a bad relationship with it like I once had with food. I think it's just as fun to create a nice light and refreshing drink as it is to create the best chocolate peanut butter brownies or radiant green smoothie. I know a lot of people cut out alcohol because of their health or due to how it makes them feel, which is totally fine and I respect that. There have definitely been days where I don't like how it makes me feel— dehydrated, headaches, bloated, cravings, etc., but there are also days where I just need to cozy up with Netflix and a glass (or two!) of wine. Sometimes only a happy hour with my girlfriends can cheer me up from the long day I've had.

I certainly don't drink everyday or even every other day, but I do enjoy it on an occasional and social basis. For me it's a balanced part of my diet and not overdoing it. Everyone has their own personal opinion based on what works for them and their needs—just like anything else!

That being said, if you are a fan of some spirits like me, then I hope you enjoy this post! I have quite a few favorite drinks, but I have grown up loving and learning about wine. My dad is a huge wine fanatic— he collects it and knows everything about it. We have a wine cellar at home in Virginia... because of him, I have become a wine snob. I don't mean that literally, but it's true! I am very spoiled when it comes to wine because I have learned what's good quality, how to let it age, how it's supposed to taste, the different flavors, and the texture of a good wine. This is something that I take joy and pride in because it's something my dad and I bond over.  There's always a great supply of quality wine at all family dinners and events thanks to my dad :) I would never give up this enjoyment and knowledge just to be "healthy".

I love both red and white wine. When I drink red wine, it's usually with a heavier dinner like meat or pasta. Now, me being a 23 year old right out of college, I obviously can't afford my dad's taste so I do find cheaper alternatives that are still pretty good quality (to his taste). I like to get Cabernets and Pinot Noirs. I'm not a huge cheap Merlot person. I usually choose red over white, but when I do enjoy it it's with a lighter meal like fish in the summertime. It has to be a very dry white wine though because I am not a fan of cheap, fruity, or sweet white wine, which is usually why I go for red.

Another one of my favorites is Rosé— I'll take it any day! This has actually been my summer go-to drink lately and I've been loving it. It's so light and refreshing! A lot of people think it's just mixing red and white wine together, but it's not. Rosé has to do with how the grapes are fermented. Anyways, less on the science— if I have a rosé it also has to be very dry and not too sweet. You can usually tell if it's dry based on the light pink color— the lighter, the drier. However, this isn't always the case because you can have a really good quality rosé that's dry and darker in color.

I also enjoy Sangria on special occasions. It's lighter than wine, not as harsh as vodka, but still very refreshing. It really depends on the place though because any sangria can be made with excessive amounts of sugar. I usually try it at local places, but if I can taste the sugar grind against my teeth, I ditch it. Remember that you never have to force yourself to consume (or pay) for something that you don't like. I know sometimes it's a little embarrassing and hard to be that person, but the choice is completely up to you! I also like making my own sangria with just pure fruit, wine, sparkling water, lime, and ice. It's that easy!

For a more casual setting or night out with friends, I most likely will be sipping on something refreshing with my liquor of choice, which is vodka. I enjoy having it with club soda, a splash of grapefruit, and some lime. I also use La Croix and Spindrift a lot for mixed drinks because it doesn't pack on calories or excess sweetness. Sparkling water and some lemon or lime makes it more refreshing and also subsides the dehydration effects from the alcohol.

Another one of my favorite simple drinks— which can be loaded with sugar and calories, so I always make sure to ask what the ingredients are if I'm out and not making my own— is a simple margarita. I'm talking a pure silver Tequlia, lots of lime juice, sparkling water, and some agave for light sweetness. Some places will add sweet and sour, which I try to substitute unless they are pre-made. I live a little bit :) Don't get me wrong, I won't modify every margarita I ever have, but I know what I like! And more importantly— what my body responds well to.

There is this place in Memphis that has different types of margaritas, which is what really got me hooked. They have seasonal margaritas made with seasonal fruit such as blueberry, watermelon, or strawberry. I think it really takes a positive experience like this to have the ability to change your opinion or stance on something, but that also takes being adventurous :)

Lastly, my favorite drink to celebrate is champagne. The champagne cheers emoji is simply my favorite one. The light bubbliness of champagne make me so happy and is perfect for a special occasion. These are the times that I really do enjoy drinking alcohol— celebrating, catching up with friends, happy hours, wine with family, or exploring new bars with my boyfriend. It's fun and something I enjoy. It would be silly to cut it out of my life because it was something I thought didn't fit my healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle to me is including all things you love, learning how to honor your body's needs, and knowing what you actually like vs. what you don't. Health goes both ways in that you don't need to force yourself to eat or dink something because it's healthy. If alcohol is genuinely something you don't enjoy, then don't drink it. If you like it but aren't a fan of how it makes you feel, only have it occasionally. Learn your body's limits and respect them.

stay vibrant

xo lindsay