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Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, and whether we’re Catholic or not, many of us give up something for Lent – and that “something” is often alcohol.  So here’s the #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge:  Use this time for a self-experiment to see what’s really happening inside of your body during this detox.  And make it easier than ever to stick with your #AlcoholFreeFor40 resolution with Big Easy Bucha’s Berry Bucha Fauxjito!

 

THE CHALLENGE:

Give up all alcohol from Ash Wednesday until EAster.  Establish the following pre-Challenge metrics, and repeat again at end of Challenge to see the impact that going alcohol-free has on your body:

  1. Weight
  2. Close-up photo of face: details of eyes and skin in particular
  3. Labs:
    • CBC (Complete Blood Count)
    • Liver panel including enzymes AST & ALT
    • Lipid Panel (includes triglycerides, which can be affected by alcohol)
    • GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase, a specific liver test that’s most affected by alcohol)
    • Vitamin B12 and Folate Panel
    • hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; a marker of inflammation)
    • ESR (sedimentation rate; a marker of inflammation)

POTENTIAL BENEFITS:  Less inflammation, better sleep, less anxiety, improved mood & energy, potential weight loss.

 

NOTES:

  • Molly will be offering weekly reminders, tips & recipes via social media (@mollykimballRD) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using the hashtag #AlcoholFreeFor40.
  • Share your own experiences using the hashtag #AlcoholFreeFor40.
  • You can also email Molly (molly@mollykimball.com) to accept the challenge and keep in touch throughout to let her know how you’re doing.  All personal information will be kept confidential.

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Big Easy Bucha | Berry Bucha Fauxjito

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup strawberries
  • 4 lime wedges
  • 2 mint sprigs
  • 6 ounces Big Easy Bucha Bayou Berry Kombucha
  • Slice of strawberry, for garnish
  • Lime wheel, for garnish

Instructions:

Muddle fresh strawberries, lime wedges, and mint sprigs in a mixing tin. Strain mixture into a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice. Top with Big Easy Bucha Bayou Berry Kombucha. Garnish with strawberry slice and lime wheel.

 

Per serving: 50 calories, 0 fat, 0 saturated fat, 7 mg sodium, 13 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 3 grams sugar (0 added sugar), 0.5 grams protein

 

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Want more from Molly?  Click here to sign up for Nutrition Bites, her weekly e-newsletter with links to her Get the Skinny TV segments here on WGNO, and her weekly column in NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune!   And you can follow Molly on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram:  @MollyKimballRD