Mindful New Year’s Eve | Preparing Your Space & Spirit ✨

Mindful New Year’s Eve | Preparing Your Space and Spirit

Hosting New Year’s Eve for your family and friends? Here are our tips to keep the vibe chill and positive. Excitement along with anxiety kicking in? How long before someone drinks too much? Whether you're attending parties or waiting for that lovely evening with family and relatives, here's how to prepare before the fun! Do you have new goals for your health this year and want more of a mindful experience? Read on, and you will be set for a new path in 2024.

Before You Dive In:

Before you leave your space or if you're hosting, take a moment to STOP. Breathe. Exhale. Spend 10 minutes focusing on positivity, letting the anxiety slide off. Pause, breathe, and embrace the calm. Release stress, savor the anticipation of joy. Whether you're welcoming loved ones or heading out to join them, center yourself. Inhale positivity, exhale gratitude. Be present, be peaceful, and carry this serenity into the New Year's festivities. Your energy sets the tone, so make it one of warmth and a chill vibe. Let the holiday spirit fill your heart. Use visualization meditation, sending positive vibes into the universe for a peaceful family & friend event ahead.

Hosting Tips For Preparing Your Space & Spirit :

If you're hosting, make your space chill and inviting. Choose music your crowd will enjoy or mix it up, keeping it at a lower level for easy conversation. When I have a party I usually put on Cafe Anatolia on YouTube, beautiful imagery on your screen and an instrumental beat to keep your party vibin' .

Lighting matters—use low lighting, use those dimmers, and candles for a chill ambiance. In the bathrooms, create a tranquil escape with candlelight and essential oils, even leave some bottled water on the counter.

If you have an outside space, even a mini spot set it up with a candle and chair. Let guests take a mini break out doors and breathe in some air.

Make sure you are ready to get your guest a ride if they have had one too many.

Tip: Offer a mocktail in between cocktails, have sparkling or flavored water in ice buckets and nurturing food along with the holiday treats.

Mindful Mocktails

The holidays are known for cocktail time, but if you're on a healthier living vibe, check out our favorite mocktail recipes that are sure to please guests and make them feel they're enjoying something special.

Important Tip: Don't serve specific non-alcoholic look a like beverages to someone in recovery, like non alcoholic beer. This can still be a trigger for some in recovery. I know someone personally who decided to have a zero-alcohol beer, that looks and tastes like a regular beer. The taste was so close to regular beer; they were immediately triggered, waiting for that familiar boozy feeling to kick in. It was a mistake for them.

Instead, as a gracious host, offer something special and ask where they'd like to take a trip to tonight with one of your destination mocktails below. And for those who drink, add their alcohol of choice to make a festive mixer. Remember to be mindful and considerate of everyone's journey when you are the host. Help them set the tone for their 2024 to be a healthier one!

Nurture your guests and serve a variety of hors d'oeuvres, including ones that will have a lower sodium count that will be less likely to provoke another cocktail like a crudités platter with a delicious home made dip like our matbucha recipe.

If you can afford it, swag bags are a nice gift for 2024. Doesn't have to be expensive items.

Handmade soap, home made cookies, and hand written note wishing them a positive year ahead.

Destination Mocktails:

The Casbah

Inspired By The Flavors of Morocco

Method:

Prepare Simple Syrup:( or leave out)

In a small saucepan, heat equal parts water and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Allow it      to cool before using.

Combine Ingredients:

In a shaker or mixing glass, combine pomegranate juice, club soda, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add a pinch of ground cinnamon and or some mint.

Shake the mixture well to blend the flavors. If you prefer a lighter carbonation, you can stir gently.

Prepare Glass:

Fill a glass with ice cubes.

Pour the pomegranate mixture over the ice in the glass.

Stir gently to release the mint's aroma.

Garnish with a sprig of mint and try a cinnamon stick.

Rio Breeze

Rio On My Mind

This mocktail celebrates the exotic and tropical essence of Brazil with the bold flavors of passion fruit, pineapple, and coconut water. The garnishes and presentation evoke the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup passion fruit juice

• 1/4 cup pineapple juice

• 1/4 cup coconut water

• 1 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust to taste)

• Ice cubes, mix in blender

• Pineapple wedge and mint sprig for garnish

• Optional: A splash of sparkling water for extra fizz

Method:

Combine Ingredients:

In a shaker or mixing glass, combine passion fruit juice, pineapple juice, coconut water, and agave syrup.

Shake the mixture well to blend the tropical flavors. If you prefer a lighter carbonation, you can stir gently.

Prepare Glass:

Fill a tropical or vibrant glass with ice cubes.

Garnish the Rio Breeze with a pineapple wedge and a sprig of fresh mint. This adds a touch of freshness and visual appeal.

Optional Sparkle:

For an extra burst of energy, top the drink with a splash of sparkling water.

Nordic Frost

Herb Bliss

This mocktail combines the fruity and slightly tart flavors of blueberries and apples. The rosemary garnish adds an aromatic element that evokes the fresh, crisp air of Scandinavia.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup blueberry juice (or blueberry-flavored sparkling water)

• 1/4 cup apple juice

• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (adjust to taste)

• Ice cubes or mix it all in a blender to have a frozen version

• Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish

• Blueberries for garnish

• Optional: A splash of sparkling water for extra effervescence

Method:

Combine Ingredients:

Prepare blueberry base

In a shaker or mixing glass, combine blueberry juice (or blueberry-flavored sparkling water), apple juice, and honey or agave syrup.

Shake the mixture well to combine the flavors. If you prefer a lighter carbonation, you can stir gently.

Prepare Glass:

Fill a frosty glass with ice cubes.

Pour the mixture

Pour the blueberry base over the ice in the glass.

Optional Sparkle

If you'd like to add extra effervescence, top the drink with a splash of sparkling water.

Garnish the Nordic Frost with a fresh rosemary sprig and a handful of blueberries. The rosemary adds an herbal note reminiscent of pine, enhancing the Nordic theme.

Make sure the glass is frosty, and the drink is served chilled.

Bssaha ! Saúde ! Skål !