Memorial Day is coming up! Before we know it, the kids will be out of school and the chaos of summer will start (moms, you know what I mean). All of the craziness can make it difficult to keep up with your health goals.
At NL, we’re all about empowering and educating so that we can make informed choices for our long term health. Summer calls for endless cocktail parties, al fresco dinners, and beach picnics, and they’re all a blast. But for me, there’s always that little voice in the back of my minds that says, Should I drink tonight? Or how do I not eat all of these hors d’oeuvres?
The answer? Go easy on yourself, and follow some of my top tips for enjoying summer cocktail parties in a mindful way.
Snack before you go
I don’t like to show up starving to a cocktail party, because then I’ll eat anything that’s put in front of me. Instead, before I try to have a small snack beforehand that includes protein and fat, like a handful of nuts or an avocado with hemp seeds.
Choose alcohol wisely
I always go for spirits like tequila or vodka with club soda and a bit of lime or lemon. Wine tends to be high in sugar and will most likely give you a killer headache the next day – #redwinehangover. It will also help to stay away from mixers like juice, simple syrups, and non-diet sodas. Again, the key here is sugar content. Generally, the higher the sugar, the worse the hangover. Instead, have fun with healthy pops like mint, lime wedges or lemon twists, fresh ginger, fruit, cucumber, or herbs. Arm yourself with these cocktail recipes so you’ll never find yourself wondering what to sip!
NL Avocado Margarita
Half a small, ripe avocado
Juice of one lime
2 tsp lime zest
Splash of fresh orange juice (optional)
4 oz Tequila
Ice
Lemon zest, salt, and/or cilantro for garnish
If You Overdo It, Move ON
We all tend to overdo it sometimes. Honor your indulgence, forgive yourself, and then get back on track. There’s always another day.
BYOF
If you’re headed to someone else’s house, offer to bring something. Whip up a dish that you can indulge in and that others can enjoy, like a veggie platter or a healthy dessert, like my almond butter blondies with date caramel.
Water, water, and more water
Sipping water between drinks will definitely help you feel a little bit better the next day, and also has the benefit of making you feel more full, so you snack less. Stay hydrated, and you’ll feel your will power growing by the minute!
Stick with these tips, and you’ll be able to conquer any party that this summer throws your day. And most importantly: HAVE FUN!
