Embracing "Dry January" or Fasting

A Month of Alcohol Abstinence

Now that champagne is no longer flowing freely, some of us may be contemplating a more dry January or reflecting on the fasting period after Mardi Gras. This time of year, various accounts appear in major newspapers and magazines about individuals who have given up alcohol for a month – and how you can follow suit.

We hear about the numerous benefits that a month of abstinence can bring to your health. A simple search for “giving up drinking” reveals countless bullet points like “lower blood pressure,” “weight loss,” “better sleep,” and “less fatty liver.” Yet, amidst these undeniable health benefits, there is often a fair share of dogmatism involved. While it would be unfair to generalize, those participating in Dry January often delight in sharing their alcohol-free month with anyone willing to listen.

Abstinence has long been praised as a divine virtue, from Jesus's 40 days of fasting in the desert to David Blaine's recent 44 days in a glass box. Given the nature of Blaine's experience with reluctant fast-food delivery via helicopter, there seems to be less appetite for such self-congratulatory stunts in Britain.

In the absence of genuine health issues, significant acts of abstinence often lean more towards self-promotion than true “renunciation.” It's a subtle power play, a statement suggesting, “I can resist what normal mortals cannot,” and, to be fair, living without vices is admirable and strong (albeit a bit dull).

How do you know if someone is vegan?

Those participating in either Dry January or Veganuary tend to not shy away from sharing their judgements and “how great they feel” to what they perceive as an eager audience. Jokes like the old classic, “How do you know if someone is vegan? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you” remain popular, underscoring how abstainers can evoke particular ire. Some of it can be attributed to those who don’t stick to their own rules but preach instead – like a vegetarian who still eats fish. By insisting that our fish friends are indeed plants, they lay claim to a moral superiority for abstaining from meat, which can be irritating.

We Love the Rule-Breakers

Even those who adhere to the rules face a level of criticism rooted in jealousy. Thus, we secretly love the rule-breakers, those who can’t quite stick to their commitment, offering validation to the rest of us who don’t even try. Those who uphold their values nobly shine a light on our lack of willpower and, perhaps more worryingly, our own dependence.

So, for those curious about dipping a toe into the vastness of sobriety and joining the saints (even for just 30 days), here are some products to assist you.

Our substitute wine, the nearly zero percent alternative, is the Almost Zero Range from Van Loveren. This wine is de-alcoholized following natural vinification and fermentation processes. The result is an alcohol-free wine. The Ega, a unique blend of grape juice with antioxidants, would be our second alternative. Otherwise, you might settle for alcohol-free beer or water.

We've been practicing this for a while, breaking our regularity at least two days a week and occasionally refraining from alcohol during the fasting period.

Enjoy your abstinence!