What is Mindfulness The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘mindful’ as being ‘conscious or aware of something. According to Greater Good Magazine mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and surrounding environment. When mindfulness is practised, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than reshaping the past or imagining the future. Mindful Drinking Mindful drinking, therefore, is the practice of being aware of and present with your physical and mental sensations including your thoughts and feelings while drinking.  It involves paying attention to our body and mind while we are being mindful of what we are drinking and realising how it is affecting us. Although it doesn’t necessarily have to relate to alcohol, the expression is now synonymous with alcohol, and a mindful drinker tends to be someone who is aware of the effect alcohol has on them and is interested in finding ways to minimise it   It is therefore by association with being healthier both physically and mentally. Drinking too much alcohol is one of the biggest global health problems today.  Alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15-49-year-olds in the UK. 24% of adults in England and Scotland regularly drink over the Chief Medical Officer’s low-risk guidelines.  The main focus of mindful drinking is to help people cut down on alcohol intake slowly and gradually, rather than completely abstain. There are many benefits to mindful drinking, including improved health, reduced stress, and increased enjoyment and awareness of the present.  This empowerment and control is what makes the practice of mindful drinking so appealing to so many people and is the reason why the movement is gathering traction so quickly.  Benefits Of Mindful drinking There are many benefits to mindful drinking for our overall physical and mental health it may also lead to: Less Anxiety: Excessive alcohol causes imbalanced hormones. Mindful drinking can help reduce this imbalance and combat the anxiety they produce. Easier Weight Management: Without the calories in the many pints of hard drinks being consumed, losing and managing weight may be much easier. Better Liver Function: Without the added load of having to get rid of all the alcohol, our liver can finally catch a well-deserved break. Improved Social Awareness: Cutting down on alcohol means a clearer head. This will make it easier to practice mindfulness in other areas of life. Mindful drinking promotes the idea that being aware of yourself and your drinking choices translates not only to better health but better relationships and overall a more contented life.  How To Be A Mindful Drinker? Being a mindful drinker might be hard as we aim to change deeply entrenched drinking habits and behaviours.   However, there are a few principles that can help us along the way.  Have a game plan: There is no progress without a plan. At least have a goal in mind. Going into mindful drinking without a clear knowledge of what we want might set us up for failure. Give yourself room: Don’t set rigid rules. It’ll suck all the fun out of trying mindful drinking and make it feel like a chore. Just have the general goal of a healthier lifestyle in mind. Question yourself: We should all ask ourselves why we are drinking? Is it just to fit in? Feel Free to experiment: Now that we’re resolved to looking into low and no-ABV drinks, make it an adventure. We can be confident and go out there, and try new things. It’ll make the process of reducing our alcohol intake easier. Be the first to order: Order first in order not to be pressured into a drink we weren’t planning on having just because everyone else is having it Pitfalls On The Journey To Mindful Drinking: Nothing worth having comes easy. The transition to mindful drinking is no exception. Below are some of the pitfalls that we may encounter.  Once we are aware of them, it becomes easier to manage them.  Old habits die hard: Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. drinking habits become such an inextricable part of our daily lives that it can become challenging to change them. Therefore, we can’t expect our drinking habits to change overnight. Be wary of peer pressure: Peer pressure can be very compelling, especially in social situations. It may be best to avoid certain situations altogether, at least at first. Temptation is everywhere: There will always be occasions that call for a drink or two. Remember, it may not be our aim to give up alcohol completely. Therefore it is fine to have a glass or two. Start slow but be consistent in reducing the intake of alcohol and other harmful drinks.  What’s With All The Buzz? The hype currently surrounding mindful drinking is because of its perceived benefits which align with an increased interest generally in our health and wellbeing.  This in turn goes hand in hand with the rise and rise of the No & Low Drinks category as a growing number of us look for alternatives to alcohol that are made with the same craft and served with the same style and sophistication as that of any alcoholic drink. Research by the Portman Group (2021) shows that almost “one in three (32%) of UK drinkers consume low and no alcohol products on a semi-regular basis compared to one in four (25%) in 2020”.  A fifth (20%) of those who have tried low and no alcohol say they are more likely to drink these products now compared to a year ago, a figure that has almost doubled from a year ago (11%).   The Mindful Drinking Movement Club Soda is a pioneer and leader  in mindful drinking.  From small beginnings, it has led the way to what is now a global movement. The team provides information, courses and techniques to help change people’s relationship with alcohol all within an upbeat supportive community. Club Soda has also promoted the widespread availability of non-alcoholic drinks. The community regularly organises Mindful Drinking Festivals, which have lots of non-alcoholic brands and events, showing the vast array of choices there is out there for those interested in mindful drinking.  This year’s event is in Brighton from 9 -10 July at the Open Market. Another trailblazer in the mindful drinking movement is Camile Vidal (don’t forget to check her out on Instagram) and her mindful drinking platform www.lamaisonwellness.  Camile promotes the benefits of mindful drinking, illustrating the benefits of a healthier and hangover-free lifestyle.  She is also a skilled mixologist developing and mixing up lots of interesting and great tasting alcohol-free cocktails. Check out the below recipe designed by Camille using Sea Arch, especially for Live Well London, a Health and Wellness Festival.  Live Well Cocktail  50ml Sea Arch Coastal Juniper 20ml Fresh Cucumber Syrup 20ml Coconut Water 20ml Fresh Lemon Juice 2 Fresh Basil Leaves Shake in a cocktail shaker, strain into a highball glass Top up with Lemonade Kombucha by No1 Living Drinks. Garnish with Fresh Lemon and Basil. Mindful drinking can help us all to enjoy a healthier relationship with alcohol which can really enhance our lives. And with so many amazing alcohol-free drinks out there, we don’t have to miss any of the fun! We can all raise an AF toast to that!

Hosting a garden-themed cocktail party is the perfect way to celebrate the early summer weather and enjoy time with friends outdoors. There are many different ways to make your garden party special, but one of the most delicious ideas is to serve some alcohol-free cocktails. You can find some recipes, get the ingredients in and have lots of fun. Before we share our non-alcoholic cocktail recipes with you, let’s look at why your garden is the best place to host the party, as well as a few tips on how to set up your outdoor space in a way that guests will love. Why host a cocktail party in your own garden? It seems much easier to host a cocktail party at some venue – no hassle of decorating the place, no hassle of cooking food, and most importantly, you don’t have to clean up the mess. However, having a party at home comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of them: 1. Customised theme You can customise your garden to suit the party theme perfectly, instead of depending on the limited options that venue organisers may provide. Depending on what kind of cocktails you are serving (e.g., fruity drinks, spritzes, mocktails), you can decorate your garden with flowers and decorations that reflect these elements. 2. Flexibility in setting up the atmosphere When hosting a cocktail party at home, you have a lot more flexibility to set the mood and atmosphere of your event. For example, you can play classic cocktail party music, hang festive string lights around the garden, or even light up some fire pits for added ambience. Or you can crank up the volume and go for it! 3. Privacy The biggest advantage of the at-home party is the privacy and intimacy you get. This is especially important if you are inviting close friends or family members, as it allows everyone to feel comfortable and relaxed in the setting. 4. Cost It will usually be much more cost-effective at home as you don’t have to pay for venue hire and you can buy everything at much cheaper prices. Now that we know why hosting a cocktail party in your garden is such a great idea let’s take a look at some of the tips you can use to set up your garden in the most elegant way. Tips on decorating the garden for the cocktail party You can’t go wrong with these simple, yet effective tips Create a beautiful tablescape Take some time to style your outdoor table with pretty flowers, candles, and other decorations to really set the mood for your party. Look online for some garden party theme inspirations if you aren’t sure what would look best. Food Keep it simple, you don’t want to be spending too long in the kitchen prepping! Often you can buy delicious Quiches and salads from your local deli or supermarket. Just make sure you cater for all the dietary requirements of the guests you’ve invited. Always make sure there is plenty of water available, especially on hot days. Flowers Fragrant flowers and the summer season go hand in hand. And when it’s a garden party, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful flower arrangement as your centrepiece. It adds a touch of elegance and helps to create some real outdoor glamour. Or just choose a few wildflowers in little bottles or jam jars for a really effective and sophisticated feel. Choose the right glassware Part of what makes cocktails, so fun is enjoying them in special glassware. Choose glasses that fit the theme of your party, but also ones that are easy to drink from. Straws aren’t necessary. Add some fun activities A garden party is a perfect chance to have lawn games like croquet or bocce ball, so make sure you add them to your list of party ideas! Be prepared for the weather change No matter how clear the weather is or what the forecast says, it’s always a good idea to have a contingency plan in place. Set up a few umbrellas or canopies in the garden in case it rains or gets too hot and sunny. The other option is to have a covered area on one side of the garden where you can shift all the stuff if the weather changes. 10 Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktails to serve at your party So you have decided on a theme for your garden. Now is the time to make up your mind about cocktails. Here are some suggestions which work well for people of all taste buds 1. Sea Arch Strawberry & Lime Spritz A summer party in a glass! Ingredients – Sea Arch Coastal Juniper– Fresh strawberries– Strawberry sugar syrup– Fresh lime and Lime juice– Soda– Pink peppercorns and lime zest to garnish How to make it Fill a cocktail shaker with ice Add 50ml Sea Arch Coastal Juniper 50ml fresh strawberry syrup and 10ml lime juice Shake and strain into a glass Top up with soda Garnish with fresh strawberry, lime zest and pink peppercorns 2. Spicy Grapefruit Ginger Fizz A tasty cocktail with a spicy ginger and jalapeno kick! Not for the faint-hearted!! Ingredients – 50ml fresh grapefruit juice– 20ml Lime juice– Fresh Jalapenos to taste– Ginger beer– Fresh mint How to make it? Add grapefruit juice, lime juice, mint and jalapeno slices to a cocktail shaker.  Muddle or then shake.  Strain into a copper mug or glass over crushed ice.  Top up with a good quality low sugar ginger beer.  Garnish with grapefruit slices, jalapenos and mint – enjoy! 3. Raspberry Mojito What could be more perfect for a spring-summer garden party than a refreshing Mojito? It’s an excellent way to beat the heat as well as enjoy a refreshing guilt-free glass of something tasty. Being non-alcoholic, this particular option is healthy too, since it’s mostly fruits and juices. Ingredients – Non-alcoholic rum– Handful of raspberries– 4 mint leaves– 4 lime wedges– Brown sugar syrup 1:1– Soda How to make it?  Muddle all the ingredients in a highball glass  Add crushed ice, top up with soda and garnish with lime wheels, mint leaves and raspberries. As simple as that! 4. Virgin Bellini Ingredients – 50ml Peach Puree– Top up with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine– Garnish with fresh peach How to make it Add peach puree to a chilled glass Champagne flute  Top up with the non-alcoholic sparkling wine Garnish with fresh peach Enjoy! 5. Blackberry & Rosemary Sparkler Ingredients – Alcohol-free sparkling wine– Fresh or frozen blackberries or other berries– Fruit syrup 1:1– Fresh rosemary– Sparkles for the rim How to make it To get a sparkle on the rim use your finger to put honey around the top inside and out then dip into sparkles of your choice. Make the syrup by combining water, sugar and berries to a pan, let it simmer for 10 minutes then strain. Add a couple of tablespoons of syrup to the glass Top up with non-alcoholic sparkling wine Garnish with a large sprig of rosemary 6. Virgin Pina Colada Cocktail Creamy and indulgent, the Pina Colada is the one drink that comes to mind when you think of party cocktails, think relaxing summer days and Caribbean heat. Be warned, this one does take a little bit of prep time, but it’s worth it! This delicious staple is welcome at any outdoor party, and we feel you’d be remiss not to consider it for yours. Ingredients – 400 ml of chilled pineapple juice– 400 ml chilled coconut milk– 400 ml two tablespoons of lime juice– Sliced lime for garnishing– Four teaspoons of icing sugar. How to make it? Shake all the ingredients in a shaker and pour the mixture into a one-litre bottle.  Chill this mixture for about a day (for the best taste)  Serve with a slice of lime for a refreshing drink. 7. Basil & Cucumber Smash Looking for a cocktail that’s both refreshing and delicious? This one might just be the pick you’re waiting for.  Crafted with inspiration from the Gin Smash cocktail, the alcohol-free Basil Smash is sure to be an uplifting and tasty serve at your party! Ingredients – Eight large basil leaves– Cucumber ribbons– Cucumber ribbons and a sprig of basil for garnishing– 20 ml of lemon juice– 10 ml of sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water)– 60 ml non-alcoholic spirit Sea Arch Coastal Juniper is great for this. How to make it? Start by muddling the basil leaves in the shaker.  Then add all the other ingredients and shake well.  Strain into a tumbler over ice and serve with a fresh basil sprig, and cucumber ribbons  8. Alcohol-Free Espresso Martini If you want to get everyone back on the dance floor this is one drink that will do the trick. Ingredients – 45 ml of fresh espresso– 10 ml of premium vanilla syrup (not essence)– 45 ml of alcohol-free coffee liqueur– 15 ml of alcohol-free white rum How to make it? The recipe is simple. Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all the ingredients and shake well.  Strain into a cocktail coupe and garnish it with a couple of coffee beans.  Cheers! 9. Virgin Bloody Mary Great for a Sunday Brunch party, you can make it as spicy as you like! Ingredients – Good quality tomato juice– Worcester Sauce– Tabasco sauce– Fresh lemons, limes– Salt & Pepper– Fresh Celery and olives to garnish How to make it Add Ice to a glass Add tomato juice, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper, a dash of Worcester sauce, a dash of Tabasco  Stir then garnish with lemon and lime slices olives and fresh celery. 10. Non-Alcoholic Irish Cream Recipe Who knows better how to enjoy their spirits than the Irish? This non-alcoholic version of the deliciously creamy and spicy drink is sure to delight your guests. Not only this, it’s dead simple to make! Ingredients – 50 ml of evaporated milk– 150 ml of double cream– A pinch each of cinnamon and orange zest (finely ground, of course),– A tablespoon of vanilla extract– 2 tablespoons of maple syrup– A fistful of ice– 25 ml of fresh espresso How to make it? As we said, the recipe is simple. Put everything in a jug or shaker and shake until the outside is cold. Then double strain and serve cold on the rocks. Ready to drink cocktails If you’re short on time or don’t want to be tied up mixing or washing up, then maybe the ready to drink alcohol-free cocktail is for you. They come in cans or bottles and with so many to choose from are a super easy choice. Just chill them in a bucket of ice and let everyone help themselves.  They can be enjoyed straight from the bottle or can or dressed up in a glass with ice and a garnish!.  A delicious option here is the Sea Arch Sea & T or the Rose Sea & T both options are full of flavour and will make life very easy for the party organiser! Shop now So let’s party! Now that you know how to set up your space for a garden party and what to look out for when planning one, life should be a whole lot easier for you and your guests.  And with the vast array of tasty cocktail recipes at your disposal, we’re sure you’ll dazzle everyone’s taste buds! So what are you waiting for, get working on that guest list! 

Looking to get inspired by others who maintain a healthy lifestyle? We have searched out some of the best and sometimes unconventional wellness influencers on Instagram and picked out some that we think you’ll absolutely love having on your feed. From delicious and nutritious recipes to workouts that will make you break a sweat, these accounts will motivate you to start living a healthier life in no time. Follow along for daily doses of wellness motivation! What is Wellness and its different types? Before we get into the details of the best Instagram accounts, let’s first truly understand what wellness is. Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. There are different types of wellness including physical, mental and emotional. Physical wellness involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep. Mental wellness is about maintaining a positive outlook, managing stress, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. Emotional wellness encompasses all sorts of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-esteem. Importance of Wellness Wellness is important because it helps us maintain our overall health and well-being. When we are physically well, we have more energy and stamina. We are also better able to fight off illness and disease. Similarly, if we are mentally and emotionally well, we are better able to cope with stress and challenges. We are also more likely to make positive choices that lead to a healthy and fulfilling life. In short, wellness helps us to be our best selves. When we feel our best, we are better able to contribute to our families, our communities, and the world. Poor physical health can lead to fatigue, illness, and pain. Similarly, poor mental health can lead to anxiety, depression, and addiction. It is clear that wellness is essential to a happy and fulfilling life. Let’s find out how we can go about achieving it. How to be mentally and physically healthy? There are many different paths to wellness. The most important thing is to find what works for you and make it a part of your life. Here are some tips to get you started: Eat a healthy diet Diet plays a fundamental role in everyone’s health. In the UK, over 68 percent of adults (over the age of 18) are considered obese which can have adverse effects on both physical and mental health. An increased focus on eating a healthier diet to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein is considered by the medical profession to be beneficial for us all. In addition to sugary drinks and alcohol is also damaging to health. It is important to moderate the intake of alcohol or avoid it altogether. With so many healthy non-alcoholic drinks available in the market, it is now not much easier to cut back on alcohol or even give up alcohol altogether. Regular physical activity We are all aware of the vast array of benefits that exercise has for both physical and mental health. According to the NHS, regular exercise reduces the chances of many major illnesses such as heart attacks, cancer and type 2 diabetes. It can even lower the risk of early death by as much as 30%. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. You can also break up your activity into shorter bursts throughout the day. Get enough sleep Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you are tired during the day, you are not getting enough sleep. Sleep is important for physical and mental health. It helps to repair the body, reduces stress, and improves mood and cognitive function. To ensure you get the best sleep, it is thought by many experts necessary to limit your screen time a few hours before sleep, as well as avoiding caffeine and alcohol before going to bed. Take care of your mental health Make time for relaxation and activities that make you happy instead of working all day. Seek professional help if you are struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. There is no harm in it! Best Instagram Accounts to Follow Now we know about wellness and how to maximise it, let’s find out some of the Instagram accounts that can motivate you to help you adopt a healthy lifestyle. 1. Wim Hof, The Iceman It is said that age is just a number and Wim Hof is a testament to it. At 63 years of age, Wim Hof defies the odds by taking daily ice-cold showers and plunging into freezing water – there is a reason why he is known as “The Iceman”. However, cold showers are just the beginning for Wim. He has a number of extreme records to his name such as running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in mere shorts and staying in a container full of ice cubes for around 112 minutes. In short, Wim pushes his mind and body to extreme limits and is on a mission to teach the same to the world. He also has a YouTube channel and hosts the “Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof” show on BBC One with Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack and a group of celebrities who face various cold challenges designed to test body and mind. If all this excites you and you want to get firmly out of your comfort zone, Wim Hof’s Instagram account is full of inspiration. 2. Charlotte Aligned, Life Coach and Blue Health Facilitator Do you know that merely spending time by water on a regular basis can be mentally and physically refreshing? It is increasingly thought to be true and is known as ‘Blue Mind Theory’ Wallace J Nicholls is a recognised expert in this field. Charlotte Lodey is a blue life coach who believes that connecting with the ocean can play a significant role in the physical and mental well-being of a person. Charlotte is an ACC-level accredited ICF coach and has a Diploma in workplace wellbeing so you know that her tips and tricks can truly transform your life. The best part is that Charlotte offers a 1-to-1 coaching programme that goes for as long as 10 weeks. So whether you want daily doses of motivation (via her Instagram page)  or one-to-one coaching,Charlotte is worth following. 3. Chopra, Meditation and Ayurveda Expert Founded by meditation master Deepak Chopra, “Chopra” is a wellness brand focusing on meditation and personal improvement, and its content has garnered 1.1 million followers. Their tips are easy to follow and the recipes are simple to make. The brand aims to make wellness and self-care less of a fuss. This is why their posts are deliberately simple. The account aims to cleanse your newsfeed with affirming and positive posts. Not only this but the curated and well-presented guided meditations are also a pleasure to follow. The Chopra Instagram account is definitely worth a follow if you’re looking to bring a bit of positivity back into your life. 4. Well & Good, A Wholesome Wellness Brand Who says a wellness brand has to be bland and boring? Most people think a wellness account or brand will be full of boring zen sayings and diet recipes. Well & Good, on the other hand, is a fun account with good healthy recipes, exercise tips, health advice, and much much more. Best of all, they present it in a fun and light way. Their reels entertain you while informing and reminding you about your wellbeing. Every once in a while, you’ll get easy-to-follow exercises or meditation tips, all in a fun and breezy way. No wonder they have over 1 million followers! Their account is so fun to follow. 5. Mind Body Green, Connecting Soul and Science What could be more refreshing after getting exhausted by the endless scrolling than to find a beautifully written reminder to care for yourself? There is no fluff, no heavy visuals, just a nice little image with an affirming message. That is precisely the kind of content you can expect from Mind Body Green. Not only this, but they also have short, well-researched tips to help you boost your overall health and vitality, with a real environmental conscience in the messaging too. too. Mind-Body Green is out on a mission to bridge the gap between soul and science. They bring bite-sized, quality, wellness content that is backed by science, And with 1.2 million followers, we have to say they’re succeeding! Ready to have a healthier Instagram feed? What do you think of our picks for wellness Instagram accounts? We hope at least one of our recommendations has made its way into your “followed” list. Have fun and stay well!