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Sober October
BOOing – it’s not just for kids
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo
By Carin R. Kirkegaard
The hot summer days have made the change to chilly crisp fall nights in the Castle Pines community. As the calendar ips to October, neighbors will soon be hearing knocks at the door. When they go to greet their caller, all they will nd is a bag on their doorstep and the sound of giggles disappearing down the street. BOOing season has arrived.
Starting in early October and culminating with trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, the tradition of BOOing began in the 1980s. Families sneak, after dark, a bag of treats with a note attached announcing, “You’ve
There are many new low- and no-alcohol beverages on the market, part of a sober curious trend.
While “Dry January” may be more popular, the sobriety challenge “Sober October” is a movement that is catching on. Some people commit to cutting out alcohol consumption for the month of October as a way to donate to a charity; some make it about their health and wellness as they look ahead to the indulgences of the upcoming holiday season.
Sober October is part of an overall trend
of the “sober curious” – a term created by Ruby Warrington, author of Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol. In the book, Warrington de nes being sober curious as, “choosing to question, or get curious about, every impulse, invitation, and expectation to drink, versus mindlessly going along with the dominant drinking culture.”
The sober curious movement has given rise
to sober bars that serve handcrafted, creative mocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks that give people the opportunity to socialize. Sober- focused events can be found for yoga retreats, meditation sessions, book clubs, dinner parties and morning dance parties like Daybreaker which, while virtual this year, includes DJs who play upbeat music.
Online communities have sprung up, providing resources, support and connection for anyone who wants to change their relationship with alcohol, in whatever form, whether abstaining, taking a break, or just understanding it better. Annie Grace’s 30-day alcohol experiment community sprang from her book The Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life. The Hello Sunday Morning community is connected to the Daybreaker dance parties that got Oprah’s 2020 Vision Tour audience up on their feet and dancing.
Distilleries, breweries, juice companies and soda manufacturers are all jumping into the low- and no-alcohol beverage market, giving the sober curious many options. Check out Curious Elixirs, Lyre’s, Ritual and Mocktails, which all offer booze-free cocktails or mixers.
Seedlip, which has distilled spices and botanicals, has become very popular for those craving a craft cocktail. Beer lovers can try the IPA-inspired hop water from the Lagunitas Brewing Company. Wine lovers might like wine water from O.Vine, which is made from the skins and seeds of red or white wine grapes.
The bene ts of cutting out alcohol for a month may mean better sleep, more free time, higher energy levels, clearer thinking and other health bene ts. There are enough intriguing options for at least 31 days.
Been BOO’d” on a neighbor’s doorstep. They ring the doorbell and hide before anyone answers. Tucked in between the treats is a picture of a ghost to hang on the front door and a directive to go out and “BOO” two other neighbors.
To help facilitate this engaging community tradition, The Castle Pines Connection has done the hardest part for you. Open this month’s E Guide insert to nd the ghost and the directive already printed and ready to go – now you just need to supply the treats. Check the bulletin board page of the E Guide insert for an easy and tasty Halloween treat to share.
Check the October E Guide insert for premade BOO tags and also an easy- to-make popcorn snack for hassle-free Halloween BOOing.
Special thanks to The Bundt Shoppe and Tammy Lopez, Allstate Insurance for their sponsorship participation.
October 2020