Hola Sober Sunday

Please enjoy sober motivation and inspiration, beauty and fashion on this New Year's Day.

For the adventurous sober soul hola sober

sunday

THE YEAR IN TAROT 2023

FASHION + BEAUTY Beauty Trends for 2023 Interiors Trends for 2023

THE VIRGIN MARY

NEW YEAR

Calendar

January

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Editor's note

Dear Sober Queens,

Welcome to the wonderful world that is 2023 on my morning calendar. I was not sorry to see the old year leave as it brought with it many challenges and I think my step feels somewhat lighter this morning as I embrace the possibility of a new day. I am not into resolutions or fancy word goals for the new year and wholeheartedly love the words sent to me by Lynn, our Aussie Host Leader who like me, is a fan of Donna Ashworth ❤️ " Why do we start a new year, with promises to improve? Who began this tradition of never-ending pressure? I say the end of a year should be filled with congratulation, for all we survived. And I say a new year should start with promises to be kinder to ourselves, to understand better just how much we bear, as humans on this exhausting treadmill of life. And if we are to promise more, let’s pledge to rest, before our bodies force us. Let’s pledge to stop, and drink in life as it happens. Let’s pledge to strip away a layer of perfection to reveal the flawed and wondrous humanity we truly are inside. Why start another year, gifted to us on this earth, with demands on our already over-strained humanity. When we could be learning to accept, that we were always supposed to be imperfect. And that is where the beauty lives, actually. And if we can only find that beauty, we would also find peace. I wish you peace in 2023. Everything else is all just a part of it. Let it be so." - Donna Ashworth I hope the morning finds you well and I ask you to please join me as we look skyward and join the dawn sober chorus as we say not today lady, not today.

Lots of love,

Susan Christina Creamer EDITOR + PUBLISHER

Susan Christina Creamer

Journey to WELLNESS

Not today lady, not today, without this pledge, all the healthy organic bullshit is window dressing and damn useless.

SUSAN CHRISTINA FOUNDER + CREATOR HOLA SOBER

SOBERGLOW

commit to your daily sober pledge

dai ly inspiration emai l

daily exercise get fresh air embrace nature

sober girlfriend connections

sleep hygience

show up for yoursel f

we can do hard things

Release Date : YOU decide

My favorite show of all time is “Ted Lasso”. I always thought I was positive, kind, and humorous. I did not see what alcohol was doing to me. Taking away the kindness and it was becoming sarcastic, backhanded compliments, put-downs followed by “I’m just joking” . I could relate to Ted Lasso in many ways; I was the only American working on many teams in my career. So I liked watching Ted learn all of the different sayings and customs of different countries as I did. I made some of the best friends but isn’t it funny that I don’t have many long-standing friendships with any of those people because alcohol just didn't let me truly connect and have honest conversations with anyone. Whenever I felt I was drinking too much or I had an embarrassing situation I just didn’t want to face it. I would find an excuse to quit and move on to the job, country, etc. I would slow the drinking and start a new adventure, this time was going to be different. I’m going to drink less, listen more, and find that kindness and healthy drive I had when I was younger. Eventually, I found myself doing the same thing over and over but in a different place. I cannot express my gratitude to all the sober women I have heard and met. Hola Sober has put a spark back into my step. My voice is coming back. I'm different now; I speak not for attention but because I have something to contribute. My kindness is back, and I no longer hide behind my humour. I wanted to say 'Thank You' ❤️

- Lizzie -

COLIN

Irish Times Interview Click here to read in full “Having gotten through the initial discomfort and self-judgments and whatever tensions were created inside me, it was easily the most rewarding film festival that I’d had. And it was the one I could remember the most.” Colin Farrell “After 15 or 20 years of carousing the way I caroused and drinking the way I drank, the sober world is a pretty scary world. To come home and not have the buffer support of a few drinks just to calm the nerves, was a really amazing thing. And I remember being more nervous and being more uncomfortable initially at the film festival than at any others because I didn’t have any booze.

LEGEND

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Love Gee xx fresh air To ensure our optimum mental health each week it is advised we do exercise in sobriety. Not everyone is a gym buddy or a yoga mat lady, so I recommend walking for at least 20-30 minutes a day in nature. Take a walk in the park, and schedule it in your sober recovery diary. It is a simple thing but each step in the right direction helps us change our world.

“Busy’ is worn as a badge of honor these days; the busier we are, the more important we feel. But busy doesn’t mean important. Busy just means you are preoccupied. And often it means you’re distracted. It doesn’t mean you are esteemed, fun, smart, worthy, valued, loved, appreciated, excited, or happy. Busy likely means you are not paying attention to the current moment but instead are hustling around in a fog of things you ‘have’ to do. Busy isn’t special. We are all busy. So why label yourself something so common? You’re better than that.” -Tara Schuster-

You have traveled too fast over false ground; Now your soul has come to take you back. Take refuge in your senses, open up To all the small miracles you rushed through. Become inclined to watch the way of rain

When it falls slow and free. Imitate the habit of twilight,

Taking time to open the well of color That fostered the brightness of day. Draw alongside the silence of stone Until its calmness can claim you.

― John O'Donohue

beauty + fashion

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BEAUTY TRENDS OF 2023 (EXTRACT) "A natural complexion is the new makeup. Both Khaite and Gabriela Hearst’s spring 2023 shows showcased the effects of Tata Harper’s masks and treatments, while Brandon Maxwell and Proenza Schouler focused no-makeup makeup that allowed fresh skin to take center stage. At Fendi and Altuzarra, would-be naked skin was enhanced by highlighter and pulls of brush or bronzer to sculpt and define, with dewy lips rounding out the looks. In all cases, the lesson was clear: There’s no replacement for a perfected skin-care routine."

Read more here in Vogue

SHOP NOW ➤

GUICCI

In celebration of a new year, as well as the arrival of Spring, the House presents a wide-ranging selection of colorful leather accessories featuring various combinations of materials alongside the Gucci logo. The Web stripe appears in vibrant new colorways in a contemporary revival of an archival detail

MASSIMO DUTTI

SHOP NOW ➤

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

31 CHAPEL LANE HAND-KNITTED SOCKS| MOSS

Naturally un-dyed, and spun from the natural fibre of west of Ireland sheep, our unisex ANDERSON aran wool socks are truly one-of-a-kind winter essentials.

The composition of Irish fleece used for our socks is well examined, from the organic colour of the sheep, to the length of the natural fibre, curls in the wool strand and micron, this rigorous consideration is to guarantee the provision of consistently high- quality yarn for the socks. The top-quality natural material is then processed using eco-sensitive method a single time only, this 'under-processed' approach results in the wool at their purest and finest condition, aiming to preserve strength and warmth. CLICK here

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

Cashmere from Phase Eight is fabulously colourful this month coming in this lovely Pink tulip that you can brighten up any winter wardrobe with. SHOP NOW ➤

CAMPER KOBARAH WHITE SANDALS

Long coat made of a wool blend. Lapel collar and long sleeves with adjustable tabs and buttons. Tie belt in the same fabric. Made of 100% by Italian Fabric, a recyclable fabric designed to guarantee high standards of durability

SHOP NOW ➤

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An Unexpected Spin On a Classic, This Soft Unlined Loafer is Handcrafted From Tangerine Orange Patent Leather and Features a Distinct Square toe, Stitched apron Detailing, Raw Edges and a Block Heel.

CLICK here

(Image taken from website)

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TO DIET OR NOT THAT IS THE QUESTION

by Sophie Pelham-Burn NMEDSCI, ANUTR

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January - the diet / cleanse / detox month! Hooray! Said no-one, ever, except of course the diet industry. But this year will, I suspect, be a little different. Whilst the diet industry is certainly not about to disappear, there is a new kid on the block who is set to disrupt the pervasive diet culture chat and provide an alternative to the January detox / cleanse / body transformation prattle. The new kid is Intuitive Eating and its best friend, Body Positivity. That, ladies, is fantastic news. The diet industry definitely has a lot to answer for and it’s wonderful that there is now a scientifically valid alternative that has some great research behind it. However, I still have one major problem with both body positivity and the diet industry: Both are trying to tell you what to do with your body! I’m guessing you didn’t quit alcohol and all of the societal norms surrounding its consumption to step right into another socially accepted framework that doesn’t take into account or respect your autonomy over your own body. So with that in mind, here are a few facts to help you navigate what choices you make for your body this New Year. Weight, or Body Composition? From a health perspective, body composition is vastly more important than weight. So what’s the difference? Essentially, body composition takes into account the proportions of the different tissues that, together, comprise our total weight. The simplest differentiation is lean mass and fat mass. The latter is fairly self-explanatory while the former is everything that isn’t fat, including bones, internal organs, muscle, etc. Fat mass; the amount of energy you have stored as fat, tends to change fairly slowly while lean mass can fluctuate by huge amounts over very short spaces of time, especially for women. A 2kg fluctuation in 24hrs is perfectly possible and that’s largely due to changes in hormones, glycogen storage (we store a certain amount of carbohydrate in our muscles and liver as glycogen, but for each gram stored we also store 2.4g water with it)

and what we have eaten / drunk that is still in the system. Lean mass, almost irrespective of fat mass, is an independent predictor of health and longevity. So what does that mean when it comes to diets? Essentially, anything that drastically reduces the amount of carbohydrate you’re consuming will reduce your weight quickly, as you will use up all of the stored glycogen in your muscles, but that doesn’t translate to any meaningful improvements in body composition. Instead, you’ll probably feel a bit low, maybe have some headaches, and your immune system is likely to take a bit of a dip. A lot of the low- carb research has been done on men, and the results on women aren’t quite the same. There is even some evidence that in peri and menopausal women cutting out all carbohydrates and whole grains can have a detrimental effect of body composition as you are more likely to lose muscle mass. In addition, sources of carbohydrates such as wholegrain rice and pasta, quinoa and other grains, bread, and skin-on potatoes are really important sources of fibre which is essential for a healthy gut, and in turn, is key to regulating hormones and keeping our immune systems fighting fit. Detoxes and Cleanses Your liver, kidneys, skin, and lungs are all responsible for removing toxins from your body 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The best things you can do to help them do their jobs to the maximum is eaten a regular, balanced diet and breathe. I’ve also seen a number of diets referred to as resets, claiming that by consuming only certain foods you are giving your digestion a ‘rest’ after the excesses of Christmas. Anyone who is trying to sell you something that will detox or cleanse your body, or rest your digestion, in any way has clearly misunderstood some pretty basic fundamentals of biology. Furthermore these kinds of diets, no matter how short in duration, usually cut out at least one of the major food groups

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by Sophie Pelham-Burn NMEDSCI, ANUTR

which often results in nutritional deficiencies and also has the potential to really disrupt your relationship with food. Any weight loss is usually from reducing your overall energy intake and using your glycogen stores so will rebound as soon as you start to eat normally again. No reset diet, cleanse or detox diet has ever been demonstrated in the research to have any long- term health benefits, and no reputable, well-trained nutritionist or dietitian would ever recommend such an approach. (Side note; most doctors only have a couple of hours of training in nutrition science, so are not reliable sources of nutrition information.) Make sure any nutrition advice you're taking comes from someone registered with the Association for Nutrition (AfN) or the British Dietetic Association (BDA). Weight loss does not equal Health Gain Although the terms are often used interchangeably, losing weight and improving health are not the same thing and I would be extremely wary of any diet or person that places the focus solely on losing weight. Body composition is much more linked to physical health, but don’t forget that the concepts of health and wellbeing need to include mental health as well. If what you’re doing to improve your body composition makes you miserable and risks having you miss out on social occasions with friends and family, I’d suggest having a think about whether it’s really right for you and what the net gain actually is. What you do with your body is totally your choice, but when I start working with any new client I always ask what their goals are, and then the question that a lot of people struggle to answer honestly ; Why? If the answer is to be healthier, there are lots of things you can do which will have a demonstrable impact on health without having to think about weight or body composition at all. If your Why is some other reason, have a think about whether your motivation is intrinsic or extrinsic? That is, whether it is something you want to do for you or whether it’s to fit someone else's ideas or ideals. Motivation is a lot stronger when goals and intentions come from intrinsic factors, so if you realise that the key motivator is extrinsic, maybe rethink. What is it you actually want to do? Whatever your answers to those questions are, one thing is very clear from the research. Any behavioural change needs to happen gradually, one thing at a time, to be sustainable. Making a long list of health or body composition resolutions that require too many changes at once isn’t conducive to actually implementing those changes into everyday life in the long term, and when it comes to making changes to body composition and health improvements, the little changes that we make and are able to keep up over time are the ones that matter.

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HEALTHY BREAKFAST SELF CARE My Dad would always insist we eat breakfast before we left the house growing up. In his mind, it was 'the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. As the name suggests, breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period. It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health. Be kind to yourself this month and make an effort to have a decent healthy wholesome breakfast to kick start your day.

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Dearest sobriety I am alive because of you.

That's my truth, not today lady, not today.

Hola Sober

VILLAGE VOICES

JANUARY 2023

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

SUNDAY

For me, all the lofty words on the planet will remain mere lofty ambition if I fall back into the trap of believing I wasn't that bad or desensitising myself to what was my reality. It was dark. It was all smiles on the outside and fracture after wine-o-clock-addiction-o- clock on the inside. It was skin- crawling-anxiety at dawn and forensic examination over breakfast awaiting the cue's of my family to know whether I was good or bad last night……

It was EXHAUSTING. And yet no-one knew.

It was all contained within the walls of this life and this house. It was disconnection and diabolically hard to be me. Yet no-one knew. So you write and wonder what my word for the year is? If I get up each morning and CLAIM the day and PLEDGE to not today lady, not today, all else can spring forth as it is meant to. It won't always be perfect or easy but what I WILL BE is empowered by my sobriety so I can deal with all that 2023 flings at me. My word for 2023 is SOBER or as my friend Colleen says 'Son of a Bitch in the Emergency Room,' because that's where she and I will end up if we don't hold the word close.

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Dear Sober Queens,

would lay it one brick at a time with one of those little levels with the bubble in the middle and it took us a year. My brother and I after school and all through the winter. ”Oprah : “At one time, you all were complaining about the wall. This is the moment when your father walks in and says…. ”Will : “Yeah. He snatched the brick out of my hand and said 'look, stop thinking about the wall, there ain't no wall. It's just THIS BRICK. CONCENTRATE ON THIS BRICK. Lay one brick perfectly, then go to the next brick and lay that one perfectly. Stop thinking about the wall, there ain't no wall. Slowly, the lesson dawned on me, as soon as I was thinking of one brick, and yes it was a small idea, I thought, of course I can lay one brick perfectly, and then I can lay the next brick perfectly and that idea blossomed in my mind and it became the single most critical thing I have ever experienced in my life when anything happens and it becomes overwhelming, I stop and think one brick. Over the past thirty years, like all of us, I have dealt with failure, loss, humiliation, divorce, death. I've had my life threatened, my money taken away from me, my privacy invaded, my family disintegrated. Every single day, still, I got up, mixed concrete and laid another brick. No matter what you are going through, there is always another brick sitting right there in

front of you, waiting to be laid. The only question is, are you going to get up and lay it." - Will Smith That was a real BOOM moment for me last year as I wax daily about doing the next right thing and so often women go….BUT….. and I tell them keep it simple. Make tea. Connect with a meeting if you need it. Chat to a sober friend about the weather or your feelings - whatever is the next right thing to protect your golden ticket - YOUR sobriety. Stop looking at the wall and see the wall of sobriety is built, one brick at time. Each connection, morning email, the magazine, the voices of wisdom in support meetings and chat groups - ALL OF IT is a brick that you can control and can place in the wall that is a peaceful perimeter of sober sisterhood in a week that be chaotic and crazy so ladies, I urge you to pick up one brick, the wall will take care of itself.

Last year, before THAT punch, Will Smith's book has been described by Oprah as the best memoir she has ever read and in her Apple TV interview with him, it certainly did not fail to deliver on nuggets of hard fought wisdom from Will's life. It is not a sober book which in many ways is refreshing as my brain often hits the wall on absorption of more information and facts. In the interview with Oprah last year he tells the most powerful of stories about his childhood and I remember thinking BOOM as he tells what he believes to be, the greatest lesson of his life. Will Smith speaking of his Dad says… “ On the side he had an ice business, so he had a shop. The wall was crumbling, so he wanted me and my brother Harry…he wanted us to both to rebuild the wall as he thought this would be a good job for both of us. ”Oprah : “So you were nine years old at the time? Harry is three years younger. ”Will : “He gets us started, does the demo and tears the whole thing down, it's probably about 12ft high and 20ft long and he wants us to build it one brick at a time. And it was as demoralising seeing the hole when he tore the wall down and we knew we were going to have to build this wall.. I was certain that I was going to live and die building the wall. He had us mixing the concrete out on the sidewalk and would we

Lots of love,

Susan x

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

PRECIOUS SUNDAY MORNINGS.

HANGOVER FREE

FREEDOM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLASS

Dear Sober Queens

If the woman in the bath is unemployed, say, this self-care becomes viewed as lazy and shameful; a similar shift happens when the intention behind the wine in the bath shifts from indulgence to need. Now I am a woman who is lying in the bath soaking in fragrant water and drenched in ethanol, not as some hard-earned treat but out of pitiable desperation. I didn't see this subtle shift from want to need until it was too late. The evolution of my drinking was insidious. Though my appetite for alcohol had always seemed intense, it didn't encroach on my life until suddenly, one day, it did.” - Sophie White So you have done the wedding sober, the graduation sober, the family gathering, the girls weekend, the vacation, the sunset on the beach; you have conquered it all.

Many things have unfolded this week and one of the most powerful statements whether you are a believer or not came from Denzel Washington., "at your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.' He is a wise man indeed. Many of you talk of Moderation Marcus (see earlier email announcement) pouncing when the BIG event or moment has passed. You have followed your plan to the letter of the law through the holiday, through the graduation and on a random nothing-Tuesday you cave. You cave to the whispers and the bullshit that tells you that WINE = REWARD and you naively convince yourself that you can get on the sober horse tomorrow.

You got promoted. Or bought a new car. Our got a new house. Or have fallen in love.

Perish the thought ladies, but what if tomorrow never comes?

" I've come to understand that bargaining or making any kind of deal with myself needs to be a red flag from here on out. Compromising my integrity is another red flag. That's the biggest red flag of all. Not burgundy. Not maroon. Not crimson. Stop sign RED." That's me paraphrasing Tammi Salas

It's Tuesday. Or Wednesday.

You are feeling good. Feeling strong.

It's 237 days alcohol-free. And you begin to think.. And then think some more. And you do the unthinkable. You DECIDE to celebrate with wine…. Because you are good to go, And you read the books, the podcasts and it's JUST ONE…

'At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.' Denzel

“At first, the glass of wine in the evening or the vodka tonic in the bath was the epitome of millennial therapy. A socially sanctioned act of self-care: my God-given right and reward as a high-achieving, fully functioning adult woman. As long as I had a book to read and scented candle lit, the dwindling portions of tonic giving way to straight vodka in my glass didn't matter. Tweak the image somewhat and society's perceptions shift.

And I read your email and think, oh sweet divine bless…….and then I read another message from last year and it restores my faith..

"When I was less than 6 months sober and coming into my first summer AF, would often get a yearning for a glass of bubbly, but I knew the regret would really fuck me over. But still, I wanted something. Something to make the evening feel special, for me to feel special. So I practiced listening to that, and I still do. “What would make this [evening, birthday, vacation] feel special for me?” Maybe it's lighting a candle on the patio table, having a fancy seltzer in a pretty glass for book club meetings, or browsing in a bookstore when I would normally be cracking open a bottle on Sunday afternoon. I know these seemingly small things have the power to change the way I feel. It is an active, intentional shift that ends up feeling pretty damn good, and builds over time. Our brains want to fill the void left by drinking, but we need to interrupt the default to alcohol by replacing the behaviours with better choices*. This is part of letting go. The special isn't in the wine bottle – it won't get you there. “There is no 'there' there.” I don't know who originally said that, but I know it's true for me." - K.K. I escape wholly and fabulously whenever my world becomes too much and in doing so, I do not hurt one other human being on this planet and more importantly, I don't hurt myself. Here's the deal, over-drinking is one of the greatest acts of self-harm that exists on this planet and women globally are shattering their lives daily with a bottle in their hand. So, can we please face into Sunday being resolute in our ability to practice self-care on the RED-FLAG days which are NOT ALWAYS THE BIG FAMILY DINNER but in fact the bolognese supper the day after when we are alone, tired, and deflated….STOP taking a hand grenade to all we love in this world. In the words of a lady at a zoom support meeting…

We don't have to do this perfectly. We just need to do it sober. On those days, lean in on your sober connections, join a meeting, listen to a podcast, and practice self-care knowing, that red flag days are not ALWAYS the family wedding…

Please join me in the Dawn Sober Chorus, saying not today lady, not today.

' At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you'. Denzel

Love Susan

CLICK TO WATCH DREAM SPEECH

Truth Bombs I believe addiction is addiction, in whatever form or level. People drink, that is what they do. If they are not homeless on the streets, they do not have a problem according to society... I have felt stigmatised and judged. That is why I hide and lied about the extent of my drinking. To prove I did not have a problem. And it worked, my people would sigh in relief: “she stopped again”, “ she is ok now”.

All of this was somewhat unspoken.

I never discussed it honestly with my family and friends. I still don’t. It makes them uncomfortable. And then when they realized I was in fact drinking again, it would start all over again: the hiding, the lying, the isolation. I did feel like an alcoholic, a screw-up, a failure. So I hide. Being an over-drinker is perceived in my circle as a moral shortcoming . A lack of discipline. A character flaw. An absence of willpower. The few people I have told I stopped drinking go completely mute. End of conversation. No questions, no applause. Nothing. It is what I am supposed to do: get rid of that moral and behavioral abnormality and continue with my life. Something similar happens with my weight. I lose weight and that is what I am supposed to do. Get rid of another abnormality that is a couple of extra pounds, address the lack of willpower and go on with my life as virtuous people do . I do not know if this is the experience of other women. But if it is and I can help them understand that, if they are surrounded by people or in a culture so fucked-up and unsupportive, even hypocritical, obsessed with perfection , we can reframe our history, we can forgive ourselves, we can see we are not hopeless, we can acknowledge this is part of our life story and there is no shame at all in facing it and dealing with it with compassion and self-love.

A.C.

Truth Bombs The message that I bought into was that I should be able to “do it all”.

-Bring home the bacon; -Fry it up in a pan -And never ever let you forget you’re a man -‘Cause I’m a Woman-

Yup. And when I couldn’t meet those ridiculous expectations the shame and unworthiness set in. And alcohol was right there to help me de-stress, feel better, and relax. And forget. Hide. Disconnect. All the while thinking that I was alone in thinking that I couldn’t do it all. Didn’t WANT to do it all. I resented feeling like I had to do it all. Because that’s what a woman SHOULD be.

So here’s a big F*ck You to societal expectations of women to be and do “it all”. Superwoman is dead. The stress killed her.

I’ll take the freedom that comes with not giving a living crap about what other people think of me. I LOVE myself. I do my best every day to do good on this earth. And that is all that really matters. And here’s a big F*ck YOU to Big Alcohol for intentionally sacrificing my health and mental and emotional well-being for a profit. I fell for it. But if I am being truly honest, I fell for it because I wanted to. It was easier to buy into the pretty story they sold rather than do the hard work of living life fully with all of the highs and lows that come with it, feeling all the feels, and being truly honest with myself. So yes. The penny has dropped HARD.

Color:

RASPBERY PORN

There is a lot of raspberry interiors online at the minute mixed with magenta and red. The high street will see a lot of cushions, throws and accessories in this colour this year. To Follow on Twitter Click here Read the article here One of the hot colour trends of 2023 will be Raspberry

EMBRACE SOME RASPBERRY PORN

KITCHEN HOLA SOBER

PANTRY TO PLATE Soups + Home Baked Bread in a post pandemic world Throughout the pandemic, we have all missed our friends and families and longed to share meals together. We know it is an important way of resetting and nurturing mental balance to spend time together breaking bread. Comforting staples like a social sharing bread work wonders for the body and soul . We all had this moment over the past year or two where we got really into cooking, making starters, and then trying sourdough, and baking more often. Many have also reconnected with their social conscience wanting to care for the people around them, and nurture and preserve our precious planet all in the same minute. We love to feed friends with locally grown produce and to find inventive ways to incorporate leftovers in delicious/indulgent soups, sauces, curries, and marinades. Soup is the ultimate comfort category for many at this time of the year in whatever climate we live in! This month we have some soup recipes and an easy bread so that you can share some family and friend moments this month, breaking bread and keeping it simple and real in the kitchen.

Lots of love Hola Sober xxx

Easy Soda Bread

INGREDIENTS

500g plain wholemeal flour 2 tsp sea salt 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary (optional) 400ml whole milk 1 lemon, juiced 2 tsp honey

Method

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix together the flour, salt, and bicarb in a bowl. And if you’d like rosemary bread, add the chopped rosemary too. Mix together the milk and lemon juice in a jug, and wait for a minute as it magically turns into buttermilk. Then stir in the honey, and simply pour it into the flour mixture. Stir it with a knife for a minute until the whole thing comes together into a sticky dough.

Tip onto a floured work surface and shape it into a ball.

Put the ball on a floured baking tray and, using a sharp knife, make a deep cross on top.

Put in the oven and bake for 40 mins.

Cool on a wire rack until warm, then slice and serve.

This is the easiest Soda Bread Recipe which I can manage and it is beautiful wiht butter and a mug of tea. Simple pleasures.

Broccoli + Stilton Soup

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 stick celery, sliced 1 leek, sliced 1 medium potato, diced 1 knob butter 1l low salt or homemade chicken or vegetable stock 1 head broccoli, roughly chopped 140g stilton, or other blue cheese, crumbled

Method

Heat 2 tbsp rapeseed oil in a large saucepan and then add 1 finely chopped onion. Cook on medium heat until soft. Add a splash of water if the onion starts to catch. Add 1 sliced celery stick, 1 sliced leek, 1 diced medium potato and a knob of butter. Stir until melted, then cover with a lid. Allow to sweat for 5 minutes then remove the lid. Pour in 1l of chicken or vegetable stock and add any chunky bits of stalk from 1 head of broccoli. Cook for 10-15 minutes until all the vegetables are soft.

Add the rest of the roughly chopped broccoli and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Carefully transfer to a blender and blitz until smooth.

Stir in 140g crumbled stilton, allowing a few lumps to remain. Season with black pepper and serve.

This recipe never fails and it is easy and soothingly divine on a chilly evening. Thiis is a BBC Food Recipe

ginger & lemon green smoothie recipe

2 cups of spinach 1 stick of celery

1/2 cucumber

1 x mango cheek, cubed

1 tbspn fresh ginger

1 lemon, juiced

Blend well with 1.5 to 2 cups of water (add ice if preferred).

we are all about going green at hola sober

berry + fennel spring smoothie recipe

1 apple cored + sliced 1 cup fennel seeds cup frozen berries

1 x mango cheek, cubed

1-2 cups of spinach cup of oat milk

Blend ingredients on high until smooth (add ice if preferred).

we are all about living our healthiest life at hola sober

The Virgin Mary Bar, 54 Capel Street, Dublin 1

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

THE HOLA SOBER

I ngredients: · 40ml Stillers Silk Roots · 40ml Torres Natureo Muscat 0.0% · 40ml Jasmine White Tea · Handful frozen raspberries (about 5) · ½ tsp of caster sugar or sweetener · Edible flower to garnish · Ice Glass: coup Method: Fill a coup glass with ice to chill. Take a cocktail shaker or a jar of any kind an add the 40ml Stillers Silk Roots, 40ml Muscat, 40ml cooled jasmine white tea, and your pre-made raspberry syrup.* Stir with ice and strain into your coup glass. Garnish with edible flowers of your choice. *Raspberry Syrup – put ½ tsp of caster sugar or sweetener of your choice in a bowl. Strain your raspberries through a sieve to get the juice and mix. If you are searching for the perfect guilt free pre-dinner cocktail than look no further. Created in honour of our friends at Hola Sober, this drink is elegant and crisp with aromatic notes of clove, cinnamon and cardamom which are complemented by the sweetness of raspberry and the bitterness of citrus.

TVM, named after the world’s most famous alcohol-free cocktail – The Virgin Mary, is at the forefront of a socialising revolution. We’re the world’s first luxury wellbeing bar group dedicated to inspiring people to ‘drink different’, creating a host of mindful drinks to restore, revive, excite and surprise.

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HOLA SOBER ART

'Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it' -Andy Warhol

THIS MAGAZINE COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE OR STYLE. OR BOTH.

"Art is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone will

have their own interpretation.” -E.A. Bucchianer

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

This painting is by Paul Evans and is called Scarlett F i e l d . READ more about artist here

This painting is by Joost Doornik. READ more about artist here

The Year in Tarot

Any tarot card reader would be well within their rights to include a disclaimer and throw their cards up in the air and say. “Who the hell knows what will happen next.” 2021 has been that kind of year. Where are we heading in 2022? Well, I think it is safe to say the world will keep spinning and the sun will come up tomorrow. Let’s keep the happy little tune from the musical Anne “There’s always tomorrow” in our heads while we take a peek.

WINTER 2022/2023 - FOUR OF SWORDS

It is a time of contemplation. Many people I’ve talked to in the last month have said they have had real turning points in their lives over the last year. It’s as if the forced isolation has helped us to look inward. While this has not always been fun, it has certainly been insightful if we are willing to be present and not look away from what we see. The figure in the 4 of Swords is not sleeping, but rather considering past actions and taking time to absorb what he has learned to apply to future campaigns. Be analytical. Winter is a time to plan and start taking disciplined steps that require patience and time. There is a quiet satisfaction in these activities. Learn to enjoy achievements that don’t require an audience. Use the dark of winter wisely.

SPRING 2023 - ACE OF WANDS

| HOLA SOBER| IMADRID |

The Year in Tarot

SUMMER 2023 - EIGHT OF CUPS

It’s impossible to “unknow” what we know to be true. This is especially true when we live in a sober world and are learning to see things for what is good and bad. Things you used to find acceptable and able to live with are no longer acceptable. You have grown restless and it’s something Netflix can’t fix. You have become aware of the birds singing out their life going on all around and you will feel the urge to get out there and shake the cobwebs off. This doesn’t mean completely changing your world, you have made a lot of progress, and there is a lot of good in your world. But everything looks different now, and you can’t pretend it doesn’t nor do you want to. Turn the page on some old patterns and thoughts, and shake off the old skin of the person everyone thinks you are or even needs you to be. Write a new chapter – there is no time like the present.

FALL 2023 - SEVEN OF WANDS

The 7 of Wands shouts “stand your ground”. You have become pretty nimble over the course of this year and have gained confidence too. The figure in this card has one shoe on and one boot - he got out the door in a hurry and from his standpoint on the hill has the advantage. You know what they say about the early bird and all. You’re prepared for all possible scenarios. You are using your creativity and that newfound “ je ne sais quoi” that makes you – the boss of yourself! This doesn’t mean you will be a CEO or own a football team, it could simply mean you can easily and with confidence say to your peers at a business lunch or dinner with friends, “no thanks, I don’t drink.” Full stop, end of the sentence. You don’t feel the need to explain and further. People are intrigued by this. Good - they should be, but you hardly notice as you have discovered more hills to climb and new adventures just over the horizon.

| HOLA SOBER| IMADRID |

For the adventurous sober soul hola sober

DECEMBER 2022 | ISSUE NO. 165 SUNDAY EDITION

self care

SELF CARE QUIZ

Self Care + Mental Health Matters Take a pause today SELF CARE STOPS OVERWHELM

PRESS PAUSE TODAY

Check out from your world at 4.00 p.m. every day wherever you are in the world, to check in with yourself. Make a tea or a coffee and have a moment of gratitude for the gift of sobriety knowing your Hola Sober Sisters are doing it with you. We hold our own gift of sobriety and all women on this journey, in our hearts daily at 4.00 p.m. Join us in this simple ritual and take a brief pause in your day.

| HOLA SOBER| IMADRID |

For the adventurous sober soul hola sober

DECEMBER 2022

RUNNING WITH AMBER PEGGI COONEY JANEY LEE GRACE BETH MT MARIA MACKENTY LINDA REDMOND COLUMNISTS

TAROT WISDOM STUDENT OF LIFE SOLITUDE ANN DOWSETT JOHNSTON JENNIFER BRIDGMAN

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

THIS IS A FULLY FUNDED PLATFORM. WE DON'T WANT YOUR MONEY; WE WANT YOU SOBER AND EMPOWERED.. EVERYTHING HERE IS FREE FOR THE TAKING. IT'S UP TO YOU.

HOLA SOBER RESOURCES

The Daily Digest (Daily Email) Sign up for your daily email inspiring or kicking your ass it is as changeable as Irish weather and includes Hola Sober Sunday sign up here this also includes the Hola Sober Sunday.

Hola Sober Monthly Magazine

Sign up for Hola Sober the #1 Magazine for women in sobriety in the world filled with motivation, inspiration, fashion, beauty, and much more for your sober journey. A must real for all discerning women in the sober space!

Sober Support Meetings Hola Sober offer multiple closed sober support meetings a week for small groups ensuring there is a safe and sacred space for women to share the hard things or indeed the joyful moments on their journey.

Pledge 100 Sober Empowerment Program designed for sustained sobriety within a vibrant community of women.

Hola Sober Meditations Enjoy the HUSH series in the Hola Sober Meditation library created by the talented and fabulous Alexandra Hartley-leonard.

HOLA SOBER

SOBER EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

ONLINE LEARNING FOR FREE Pledge 100 is the new Hola Sober Empowerment Program within a closed group with online kick-ass learning. Modules include science, myths, time management, and personal development. This program is designed to create sustained sobriety and a permanent upgrade to your life.

It is suitable as a refresher for those in sobriety or a kick-start for those beginning their adventure.

Don't bother signing up unless you are going to show up for yourself as we don't hustle at Hola Sober, we share our knowledge and support systems freely and it's up to YOU to commit and do the work. Our program includes a morning video from Susan our Founder, daily lessons, weekly closed support meetings, a chat group, and our new Tribe Online Community Platform.

Our next Pledge 100 Sober Empowerment Program will kick off on February 2023

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR PLEDGE 100

JOIN NOW

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

Hola Sober Sunday Pick

My friends Seamus and Ed are behind this non-profit DANIELS BRIDGE raising funds for education for Daniel who lost his brother to addiction. ln December of his senior year in high school in Burbank, CA, Daniel lost his older brother and only sibling, Frank , to a drug overdose. It was a world shattering event for him and his mom, Jennifer who is a single parent (and for Daniel’s father, who is still in his l ife). After Frank’s death a small group of us who are clean & sober were looking for a way to help and be of service. Every penny of these funds goes directly to Daniel’s tuition and college expenses…books, food while on campus, etc. Those of us raising the funds hold the account and write the checks from it as needed. We feel honored, humbled and profoundly grateful to those who contribute. We know these are extremely difficult times.

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

LORIOH DESIGN

Unexpected treasures for your Bohemian heart.

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

GLOBAL SHIPPING

SHOP + VISIT THE STORE WEBSITE

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

HANDMAD E SILVER JEWELLER Y

I make handcrafted, unique, silver and gemstone jewellery designed for each individual customer in my small bespoke silver studio based in South East England. I want you to love wearing your finished jewellery as much as I love making it. Talk to me about how I can help you create jewellery that is perfect for you. Please visit my website and reach out so we can work on your next self-care silver treat together!

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

STAND WITH UKRAINE

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

D O N A

T E

HOLA SOBER | MADRID

PLEASE READ

If you wish to submit for our HOLA SOBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE; please email: submissions@holasober.com

To all ladies who give permission to publish your words. Thank you, Lisa Wilde for all your support, words, and help - thank you.

Note: I am not a professional designer, writer, or creator; I am a woman who drank wine and now talks about not drinking creating this platform and magazine in a moment of pure madness offering EVERYTHING for FREE.

If there are spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, cut me some slack as this is a FREE MAGAZINE made with love.

The HOLA SOBER PLATFORM (Magazine, Meetings, Emails) would not be possible without the financial and loving support of my husband, and three sons who support this project 100% and the amazing host team, Pledge 100 team and Beth in Social Media who tirelessly volunteer daily. Shout out, as always, to Deb + Judith, Gee + Colette ❤️

www.holasober.com

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