4 MINUTE READ
If you are a regular Google-er or Daily Mail reader (Guilty M’lud) you’ll know that if we adopt a more Mediterranean Lifestyle – eat fish with fresh vegetables, pluck olives from trees and enjoy a glass of wine every day – we’ll all live to 104ish.
Equally, you’ll be aware that if we drink anywhere near the UK government health limit (about 6 medium glasses wine – no, not per day, per week!) we’ll die of some horrible disease, after being struck down by early onset dementia.
You Can’t Win…BUT (evil laughter) You Can Wine!
Why? Because there are just some things in life that are much more enjoyable when alcohol is involved – and in my book, enjoyment is always good for your health.
Here are 10 of them…
Eating
Wine adds to the joy of eating. Ok, not Beans on Toast on a Monday night, but I just can’t imagine getting stuck into a steak & chips without a nice glass of red, or working my way through a Charcuterie Board, drinking a Pepsi.
Relaxing
Is your life is insanely busy and you spent most days dealing with difficult colleagues, clients and/ or family members, suppressing road rage and fretting about how you’re going to clear this month’s credit card bill? Well, do yourself a favour, when you get home after a particularly difficult day, put out a plate of crisps (those high-fat Kettle Chip ones), pour yourself a generous Gin and Tonic, switch on America’s Next Top Model and you’ll instantly go into relaxation mode, your blood pressure will probably drop and, I expect that your doctor would congratulate you on your self-care.
Hostessing
Got people coming over for dinner – including that annoying woman who has outshone you in just about every area of life – and you’re running about like a headless chicken trying to cook a headless chicken? STOP! Pour yourself a glass of bubbly, channel your inner Nigella, and stir that sauce, sexily.
Shopping
Now I’m not advocating getting steaming then stoating (erm, that’ll be the Scottish chat) your way around Sainsbury’s snapping up 36 BBQ chicken wings (even though you’re vegan) because they’re on 3 for 2. No, supermarket shopping needs all your concentration.
BUT, if you are looking for, say, a new pair of shoes for your cousin’s upcoming wedding, then the perfect way to go is to meet up with a couple of friends, share a long, lively lunch, with some wine, THEN hit the shops.
I promise, your shopping will go so much more smoothly because –
A. It’s 4pm already and you don’t have time to waste trawling the shops.
B. Your inhibitions will be (slightly) softened, so you’ll be happy to spend a little bit more than your budget AND you, and your friends, will think those purple leopard print stilettos are a great idea (just keep the receipt)
Fear of Flying
The minute you get through Airport Security hit the nearest bar, order a stiff one and by take-off time you’ll be so relaxed and engrossed in Red magazine you’ll forget to have a panic attack.
The End of a Relationship
Fed up your better half but can’t bring yourself to end it? Knock back a couple of vinos and spill the beans. Or if you’re on the receiving end of a chuck-ing, phone a friend and head out for an evening of Cocktails & Kleenex.
Holidays
A holiday only really begins when you’ve checked in to your hotel, freshened up, wandered around town, found the perfect spot to sit and watch the locals promenading or the sun setting, and you take your first sip of a glass of rosé…and breathe.
Dating
There’s nothing more awkward than a first date when you desperately spend hours trying to find something that you have in common
Education? Nope
Career? Nope
Politics? Nope
Favorite foods? Nope
Star Signs? Nope.
Make it much easier and more fun – order a Cosmopolitan, get a bit flirty and if you still don’t fancy him after an hour, hail a cab.
Celebrating
Family Wedding? Promotion? The Arrival of a New Baby?
Sometimes in life, things are worth celebrating.
Sometimes in life, a glass of sparkling Elderflower refresher and passing around a box Milk Tray just doesn’t crack it.
Sometimes in life, the only thing to do is pop open a bottle of Champagne and shout, really loudly, Cheers!
THE END
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I need little encouragement! Shopping and drinking – well, my worst habit is having a lunchtime drink then ‘spontaneous shopping’. You know I really believe I need that pair of Louboutins….for an hour or so of mild inebriation;)
Author
Yep a lazy lunch could lead to Loubs!
Reading that has suddenly made me yearn for a cold glass of bubbly or even an amazingly delicious Bellini cocktail. Will be a while before I can delight in a drink – it’s been nearly a year now. Got to love pregnancy and breast feeding!!! Still by the time summer comes, I shall be able to partake in summer bubbles with the rest. I agree with all points on your post. Cheers!
Author
Thanks Donna. You will most definately deserve a nice chillled glass of bubbly this summer. Jill
Stoating…I like that! I agree with a lot of these.
Author
Stoating is one of my fav words!! Is it used in Ireland? Thanks for popping on x
It all sounds good to me 😉
Author
Thanx Cathy
Well now I fancy a glass of red at 10.28am!
You never fail to make me chuckle.
Author
Haha. It’s almost lunchtime !! Jx
Cheers! I do love a good reason to have a glass of wine. I am really looking forward to having a friend from the US visit in June, we will celebrate with several glasses of wine!
Author
Hey Cherie that sounds like a great reason to celebrate! Jillx
I love this! Strong supporter of the eating and shopping 😉
Jas xx
Author
Hey Jas, yes you can’t beat a nice lunch then some shopping. Jill x
I’m pretty sure that the addition of alcohol makes any and every scenario/event/gathering better. I might be wrong, but why take that risk? 🤣
Author
Absolutely it is not worth chancing that scenario!!
I haven’t toucheed a drop for three months… but I know those get togethers with friends are always better with a little fizz!
Author
Well done. I keep reading about all the health benefits of abstinence but not tried it yet!
I’m one of those people who would actually rather have a Coke than a glass of wine with food. I don’t mind the occasional drink but I think as I’ve got older I’ve gone more off alcohol. I like a nice fruity cider or a nice glass of sweeter prosecco. If I’m out out I quite like a Malibu and coke.
Author
Anything goes. Fizzy water is my go-to non-alcoholic drink. Jx
You make it all sound so sensible!! How do you do that Jill??
Author
Haha. I have no idea 🙂 Thanx for swinging by x
I misread the title on Facebook. I read it, “9 Things that are More Fun Than Alcohol” and I had to stop over to defend my wine’s honor. Then I read through and realized my mistake and began shaking my head in agreement with all of these. I concur with all of these. I would also like to add parent teacher conferences and binge watching shows.
Author
Oh Smart Thinking! -I’m adding ur suggestions to my list. Jill x
Plus one for loving the shopping and drinking idea! I didn’t do that for ages, but it is such fun!! <3
Author
Totally! I’ve bought some of my best (and worst!!) purchases after a nice lunch. x
Author
Hey Josy, yes nothing much beats a lunch with some friends then shopping. Thanks for swinging by Jx
I prefer to stay away from alcohol. That’s my individual choice but I guess there must be something nice about it which keeps people hooked on it. 🙂
Author
Hey Arv, yes each to their own (as they say). Much better for you I expect. Thanks for swinging by . JIll
There is a certain appeal about having a drink at lunchtime, but it always leaves me feeling more tipsy than if I had a drink in the evening! I’m not a big drinker but I do enjoy the odd tipple when it’s a special occasion 🙂
Author
Very true. Everything in moderation 🙂 Thanks for swinging by
Thank you for that post. I liked to read.
Author
Thank you for visiting and commenting
Cheers! I wholeheartedly agree! If it weren’t early morning here in the States I’d raise a glass to you right now!
Author
Haha! It’s 5 o’clock somewhere as they say! Cheers
Also, a great relaxing bath with a glass of wine is just fine. Great list, and I definitely like a glass of wine before I shop. Since I don’t love shopping as is, it’s better with wine and a friend.
Great list Jill 👍🏻