365 days without booze... join me?

[Smitters]

Good luck to those on day one of a week, month, year, whatever. The toughest days are those close at hand, where the habits are yet to be tamed and broken, and the temptation can loom large over the achievement. Get to a milestone, whatever that is, have a reward planned (early Sunday drive, new DVD, flowers for the OH just because), then set another milestone and crack on.

For what it's worth, it's done me the world of good. More money in my pocket, 10kg lighter, more productive at work, feel better on a Sunday morning, the list goes on.

[funinhounslow]

Smitters said:

Good luck to those on day one of a week, month, year, whatever. The toughest days are those close at hand, where the habits are yet to be tamed and broken, and the temptation can loom large over the achievement. Get to a milestone, whatever that is, have a reward planned (early Sunday drive, new DVD, flowers for the OH just because), then set another milestone and crack on.

For what it's worth, it's done me the world of good. More money in my pocket, 10kg lighter, more productive at work, feel better on a Sunday morning, the list goes on.

Just over two years for me now - and I stopped as a direct result of this thread!

For me it has also all been positive. I am the healthiest I've been for years. At a recent health check I found out that I've lost 15kg since my last check! (I commented that that was almost a suitcase and the nurse replied "or two pieces of hand luggage - depends on the airline" )

What was more surprising for me is the vast amounts of time, energy and money even moderate boozing takes up (a "quick pint" after work is the best part of an hour gone for example). Not only am I reading a lot more, I'm learning Spanish and have joined a scuba diving club.

I do have some friends I rarely see now as I can see now we had little in common apart from a shared love of boozing. But time spent with other friends is more productive - gong out to do things such as see bands rather than spend the whole evening in the pub.

Partner also happy as she always has a designated driver on nights out.

For anyone starting out, good luck. There really are no downsides in my experience. Grab a copy of the Allen Carr book and go for it!

Happy New Year!

[funinhounslow]

If anyone starting out on Dry January needs a bit of encouragement, the experience of staff at New Scientist might be of interest:

"Less liver fat, cholesterol and weight – just some of the benefits that New Scientist staff enjoyed in a pioneering study into a month's alcohol abstinence"

One participant said "If someone had a health product that did all that in one month, they would be raking it in."

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22129502.600...

[Sebo]

Good luck all to a healthy and happy 2015. Be 4 months dry for me next week. Only regret is not doing this 10 years ago

[soad]

Chaps, I do have a crafty question...cooked (live) mussels last evening (using some white wine) which has made me think...

Say, there's (evil) ready meals/items to be had from the supermarket/s - Steak and Ale Pie, Pork Steak With Cider Gravy, Chicken Madeira With Rice, Peppercorn and Brandy Sauce, Barbecue Bourbon Sauce, Jack Daniels Steak Sauce, etc etc etc.

Then, there's offerings such as Rum Ice Cream...Irish Coffee (okay, this one is for the drinkers).

Do you completely avoid these? And what about eating out?! Even small amounts of alcohol enhance the flavour - you can taste it...

[JFReturns]

I would suggest most of the alcohol is burnt off during cooking and therefore fine. Chocolate liqueurs probably best avoided though

On a side note, day nine for me and I feel great! Sleeping well, better at gym, felt fine first day back at work when everyone else was grumpy. The list goes on.

[jmorgan]

Think there is a difference in food additive and hammering your liver. I know alcohol is not boiled off that easily but the small amount you consume is not really an issue I would have thought?

[Smitters]

I think eating rum and raisin ice cream is different to pouring rum over your ice cream...

Likewise, a dessert with a champagne mousse and strawberries versus a glass of champagne with a strawberry in it.

[Sebo]

i try to avoid it wherever possible although i had a Bombardier beef burger the other day and could hardly taste it. i don't think it's an issue if added to cooked food i just try not to. An Irish coffee or Lemoncello over sorbet would be a no-no though (obviously)

[soad]

Yes, I was thinking of it almost like gluten intolerance/sentivity - hardly the same thing.

[Super Slo Mo]

jmorgan said:

Think there is a difference in food additive and hammering your liver. I know alcohol is not boiled off that easily but the small amount you consume is not really an issue I would have thought?

Alcohol boils at 78 Celcius, so I'd expect most of it to disappear. It's the rest of the drink's ingredients that are adding flavour I suspect.

[jmorgan]

Super Slo Mo said:

jmorgan said:

Think there is a difference in food additive and hammering your liver. I know alcohol is not boiled off that easily but the small amount you consume is not really an issue I would have thought?

Alcohol boils at 78 Celcius, so I'd expect most of it to disappear. It's the rest of the drink's ingredients that are adding flavour I suspect.

Something on a cooking program in the last year os so mentioned it, so looked it up and there are discrepancies. It can range from a small amount remaining to quite a lot depending on what you are doing and what the ingredients are. Apparently.

[Super Slo Mo]

jmorgan said:

Super Slo Mo said:

jmorgan said:

Think there is a difference in food additive and hammering your liver. I know alcohol is not boiled off that easily but the small amount you consume is not really an issue I would have thought?

Alcohol boils at 78 Celcius, so I'd expect most of it to disappear. It's the rest of the drink's ingredients that are adding flavour I suspect.

Something on a cooking program in the last year os so mentioned it, so looked it up and there are discrepancies. It can range from a small amount remaining to quite a lot depending on what you are doing and what the ingredients are. Apparently.

Yes, I suppose so. It won't boil off instantly, so if your cooking time is short, or you add it towards the end, then it's probably likely that there'll still be some alcohol content left in it.

[jmorgan]

I have seen a table somewhere with cooking times and type vs alcohol remaining. In the real world though I expect it is a lot f what ever you are cooking to be an issue.

[grumbledoak]

I wouldn't count a Steak and Ale Pie, but I wouldn't order an Irish Coffee. It's not to do with the remaining alcohol content, but the intent. There is something like 1% alcohol in ordinary sliced white bread!

[trackdemon]

grumbledoak said:

There is something like 1% alcohol in ordinary sliced white bread!

Whaaaaaaaat?????

[grumbledoak]

trackdemon said:

Whaaaaaaaat?????

Do you not know how bread is made? You know, yeast? It is a fermentation process, creating alcohol as well as those lovely air bubbles. That isn't all cooked off, especially on short bake time stuff like supermarket white sliced.

[soad]

grumbledoak said:

Do you not know how bread is made? You know, yeast? It is a fermentation process, creating alcohol as well as those lovely air bubbles. That isn't all cooked off, especially on short bake time stuff like supermarket white sliced.

I don't eat that!

[trackdemon]

grumbledoak said:

Do you not know how bread is made? You know, yeast? It is a fermentation process, creating alcohol as well as those lovely air bubbles. That isn't all cooked off, especially on short bake time stuff like supermarket white sliced.

Thanks for the lesson, oh patronizing one. Yes I understand how bread comes to be, but rather assumed any alcohol would be gone in the cooking process.

Wonder if 'sorry officer, I was wasted on three loaves of white' would work

[GrumpyTwig]

Adz The Rat said:

I was 2 years dry on the 28th December, yet I still get asked by family members if Im going to have a drink at a party or a meal out. Some of them just can't grasp that I dont want to drink.

10 years on and family still ask.