Using psychology to improve your mental health
We are just over half way through the challenge of Dry January, with a couple of more weeks to go. I think I have handled it better than I imagined at the beginning. I miss drinking alcohol in the same way I miss a friend. It would be lovely to meet up and have a chat to put the world to rights, but it doesn’t have to be today, or this week, as long as it is not too far into the future.
Continue reading “Day 17 – with a little help from my friends”
The grey blanket that has been our sky for the past few days has been torn asunder today to reveal lovely shades of blue streaked with some white clouds. It has brought colour into the world, giving vibrancy to the landscape and causing the snow to glisten and showcase its whiteness before melting away. How important colour is to our understanding and appreciation of the world. It adds so much….
Continue reading “Day 16 – adding a little something”
Well, not the most subtle of titles to introduce today’s topic – cider! Apples have gained fame and notoriety throughout history, from the Garden of Eden to hitting Isaac Newton on the head when gravity started to become a force to be reckoned with. We find them used in common sayings such as “Apples never fall far from the tree” (not attributed to Newton, but it is gravity again), “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” and “She was the apple of my eye”. It was the Romans around 55 BC that started to produce alcohol beverages from the fermentation of apple juice. In my book, that’s probably the best and kindest thing to do with apple juice.
Continue reading “Day 15 – an apple a day”
We are a month away from St. Valentine’s day – red wine, red roses, red hearts and maybe red faces. A time of love and romance, if your intimate life has not been cursed by failing to look someone in the eye while toasting (see yesterday’s post if you are worried!). However, here in Bulgaria the day has another meaning – it is the day they celebrate St.Trifon Zarezan, also known as Trifon the Pruner.
Continue reading “Day 14 – a little bit of viticulture”
It is not a Friday but the number 13 still carries a lot of weight when it comes to superstition. I thought I would use this opportunity to take a little look at some of the traditions and superstitions around alcohol and its consumption – fingers crossed it will be a good post!
Continue reading “Day 13 – something to toast if you dare!”
Winter has truly arrived here in Avren with a good covering of snow. I must admit that as I trudged back from the village shop earlier today it entered my mind just how comforting a glass of brandy would be. Thankfully, there is a big difference between thinking and doing, and my abstinence remains intact. Similarly, my answer to the title of this post is a resounding “No”. However, I thought the cold weather and my idle thoughts would provide a good starting point for this post.
Continue reading “Day 12 – anyone for a snowball?”
Understand Yourself Better 