If You Booze, You Lose! Owen + Alchemy

Do you juice?

Friends, I did it! I went two full weeks without consuming alcohol. This may not seem like a big deal but for someone who enjoys a glass {or three} of red wine while watching The Bachelor, after a long day,  during the weekends and for no reason in particular, it’s quite an accomplishment. Have you ever tried Dry January or taken a break from adult beverages? So FULL DISCLOSURE: I had three teensie weenie tiny sips over this time frame and almost caved twice. But that is pretty darn good and doesn’t count in my book. I made the rules!

So why did I do this? Well I am very serious about my 2015 goals. There are only two for heaven’s sake. With one of them being health (shocker I know!), I felt that re-setting the start button in the alcohol department was a great way to kick off the new year. This way I can incorporate this little vice of mine in a better way.  I actually like to start goals when I feel inspired versus January 1st – but the holidays are truly difficult to avoid parties and celebrations. So January it was!

This past Sunday I randomly went with some of my friends Lindsay, Shaheen and Laurie to Owen + Alchemy, a chef driven juicery (is that a word?) in Logan Square. The aesthetic and ambiance took my breath away. It’s one of those places where you want your home to look just like it. My photos do not do it justice. Side note – Chicago Q and The Public Hotel are additional places I want my someday house to look like!

After mulling over the menu I decided on the #1 – a green juice composed of kale, parsley and apples – and a #54 – a hazelnut, almond, cocoa and cinnamon milk. Guys. They were SOOOOOO good. Not in that – oh I love weird healthy stuff so it is good way. I truly think anyone would like these. It was the perfect way to end my last two days sans booze and I looked forward to my mornings and nights. To elevate my experience, I chilled wine glasses and poured each serving into my fancy stemmed ware. I treated the green juice as my morning wake up and the hazelnut milk as my nightly dessert – I even sprinkled a little cinnamon on top for a garnish. It gave me that same feeling as sipping a night-cap. I will tell you they are pricey but way more affordable than a bottle of wine.

I have tried a few juices (the one in Whole Foods) and a few Chicago spots over the years. Owen + Alchemy just blew them out of the water. This may sound like a sponsored post but guess what? It’s not at all. I could not recommend Owen + Alchemy enough – they seem to have a real cult following too. I cannot wait to get back here again and definitely trying their coffee, almond milk next time around.

All in all, I loved my two weeks of no boozing. I slept better, my skin looks great and I felt my head was clearer. My juices were just the icing on top!

Tonight I am cashing in my chips and grabbing a drink with my husband at Chicago’s new Virgin Hotel – which is the company’s first hotel ever! It just opened today and I am excited to check it out. I cannot think of a better way to have my first cocktail in 2015.

Cheers friends!