Health for Body Mind and Soul

Holidays, celebrations, and special occasions usually involves eating special foods accompanied by special alcoholic beverages, both of which can have negative impact on our health. This does not mean giving up special foods, but rather preparing them in more healthier ways. Alcohol on the other hand, cannot be prepared in a healthier fashion. In spite of all the findings that suggest alcohol may be good for reducing the risk of heart disease, alcohol has many negative effects. The same healthful benefits attributed to the use of alcohol can be found in pure grape juice, without the negative consequences.

Another reason for enjoying more healthy alternatives to alcoholic beverages are the results of a recent study by Kwan and colleagues which suggest that breast cancer survivors who consume three or more drinks on a weekly basis have more than a 30% chance of their cancer returning and 51% increased risk of dying from the disease (WebMD). With that in mind we hope you will try some of the drinks included here. Experiment, buy, and/or create some of you own special non-alcoholic drinks, and share them with us to pass on to our subscribers. Cheers!

Canadians can enjoy the tantalizing taste and flavors of Champanade -”Champanade is a non-alcoholic champagne from Ontario, Canada. Champanade’s high-quality taste is nearly indistinguishable from that of an alcoholic beverage.”

Draper Valley Vineyards produce several non-alcoholic unfermented grape juices that are ideal for special celebrations, but does not taste like wine.

Martinelli’s offer several sparkling apple juice and apple-fruit blends that are perfect for the holidays. They also have great drink recipes.

Here is a twist on several alcoholic beverages that you can enjoy without the alcohol:

Pomegranate-Berry Splash

Pour 150 ml chilled sparkling grape juice in small pitcher
Add 5 blueberries and 3 raspberries. Mash against side of pitcher with spoon
Add 15 ml pomegranate juice and 1 T. powdered sugar to mixture. Stir.
Strain into tall champagne flute (makes one drink).

Citrus Sparkler

Combine 60 ml chilled pink lemonade and 60 ml chilled orange juice in small pitcher
Pour into tall champagne flute. Gently stir in 90 ml chilled sparkling white grape juice.
May garnish with basil.

Fruit Sparkler

Pour 60 ml chilled raspberry-lime sparkling water into a small pitcher
Add 60 ml chilled apple juice, 60 ml chilled white grape juice, 30 ml red grape juice
Stir in 1 T lemon juice. Pour over crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slice and serve.

Mocktails compliments of Raley’s Bel Air Nob Hill Foods

Raspberry Lemon Not A Drop

Wet the rim of a martini glass and dip into sugar.
Shake 2 oz. sweet and sour mix, 1 and 1/2 oz. chilled raspberry-lime sparkling water, 3 drops lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. sugar; strain into prepared glass.

Sassy Shirley Temple

Pour 6 oz. Canada Dry Sparkling Ginger Ale over ice in a tall glass. Stir in 1 oz. chilled grenadine or pomegranate juice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Baby Bellini

Chill ingredients before serving. Mix together 3 and 1/2 oz. sparkling grape juice and 2 oz. peach nectar; pour into chilled martini glass.

Orange Cream Dream

Combine 5 oz. chilled Orangina and 1 oz. chilled cream soda in a glass; stir well. Serve.