Bonfire Party Time with Cocoas and Mixes

PARTY ALCOHOL FREE

Cool evenings with bon fires are a great time for a party, but if you've had a past with party times you can't even remember or if you are supporting a friend, co-worker or family member who is carrying a child consider hosting a Alcohol free drink mixing party and come up with some great new tasty flavors.

These are great to test out if you are planning a Pregnant Pause for September 9 Celebrations

Here are just a few and we will continue to add more:

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Cocoas and Mixes

COCOA & HOT CHOCOLATE MIXES

BASIC COCOA MIX

• 
3 c. powder milk

• 3/4 c. cocoa powder
• 
1 c. sugar

• dash of salt

MIX AND STORE

3 c. powder milk

3/4 c. cocoa powder

1 c. sugar

dash of salt   

EASY TO STORE

1 Lb. cocoa mix (Quick) 

1.5 Lb. instant milk 

1-6oz. coffeemate 

.25 c. powdered sugar 

EASIEST

1/3 c. cocoa mix (store bought)

Hot water

Coffee mug

Combine ingredients and mix.  Makes 8 servings.  For 1 serving place 1/3 cup dry mixture in cup, add boiling water and stir. 

NUKED COCOA
(modified version of the Hershey's can-side recipe)

2 tsp cocoa *

1 tsp sugar *
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Milk (12 oz. or so for a typical mug)
Mix with a bit of milk (1 oz or so) in mug.  Nuke mug for about 30-50 seconds.  Stir until the heated cocoa dissolves.  Fill mug with milk. Nuke for 1-2 minutes, depending on wattage and preferences as to burnt mouth parts.

HOT CHOCOLATE NON-DAIRY

3/4 cup pure coconut milk 
1/4 cup water (If you use light coconut milk DO NOT ADD WATER.) 
1/2 tablespoon carob powder 
raw honey to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon) 
Combine coconut milk, water and carob powder. Blend with a wire whisk, heat on stove top or microwave. Add honey to taste. 

HOT CHOCOLATE 

3 cups instant nonfat dry milk

2 cups (12 oz) chocolate chips and 

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows 

Whirl half the milk and half the chips in a food processor or blender until finely ground.  Take care not to grind past that or the mix will clump.  Do the same with the other halves of milk and chips, put everything in a bowl and stir in the marshmallows.  Package in an airtight container (can be stored up to 6 months).  When using, just mix to taste with boiling water. 

Vary the chips .... semisweet, milk, mint, malted milk chips and malted milk powder substitute for the milk or white chocolate.  You can use half peanut-butter or butterscotch chips.  You can add in flavorings like coffee powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or orange peel. 

Tips to avoid drinking alcohol

Here are some easy tips to not drink alcohol... Best of all to everyone!



Tips to Avoid Drinking


Here's How:

1. If you are unsure if non-alcoholic beverages will be available, bring your own.
2. Stay away from the bar area.
3. If offered a drink, just say, 'No, thank you.' You do not have to explain.
4. If there is food available, be sure to eat, so that you are not hungry.
5. If you feel that you are becoming tempted to drink, leave early.
6. Stay busy. Talk to others, dance, etc. 
7. Don't give yourself time to think about the fact that you are not drinking.
8. Don't drink, no matter what!

Tips:

1. They will never know that you only have cola in your glass.
2. Arrive late and leave early.

How to spot a drunk driver

Warning signs of a drunk driver

These warning signs should be your signal to take down a license plate number and vehicle description to report to the proper authorities. Do not attempt to stop the vehicle.

• Wide turns

• Straddling lanes or driving on the center line

• Drifting or moving in a straight line at a slight angle to the roadway

• Driving with headlights off at night

• Appearing to be drunk (i.e., eye fixation, face close to windshield, drinking in the vehicle)

• Driving below the speed limit

• Erratic braking or stopping without cause

• Slow response to traffic signals (sudden stop, delayed start)

• Nearly striking an object, curb, etc.

• Weaving or zig-zagging across the road

• Driving on the wrong side of the road or completely off the roadway

• Tailgating

• Accelerating or decelerating rapidly

MYTHS ABOUT ALCOHOL AND DRUNK DRIVING

Myth: Coffee can sober up someone who has had too much to drink.
Myth: Hard liquor is more intoxicating than beer or wine.
Myth: Someone who has had too much to drink will look intoxicated.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Be a responsible party host by following the tips in this brochure.

• Support measures to strengthen drunk driving and victims' rights laws by contacting elected officials.

• Tie a MADD ribbon to a visible location on your vehicle as a symbol of your commitment to drive safe and sober during the holidays and as a sign for others to do the same.

• Write letters to the editor of local newspapers expressing your concern over the drunk driving problem in your community.

• Get involved -- become a volunteer for your local MADD chapter.

Fact: Only time sobers. It takes about one hour to metabolize each drink.


Fact: A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, and a 12-ounce wine cooler contain the same amount of alcohol and the same intoxication potential as an ounce-and-a-half of liquor.


Fact: Someone's physical appearance can be misleading. One drink can impair someone's ability to drive. Judgment is the first thing affected when someone has been drinking and important motor skills are next.


How do I approach one of my guests who has had too much to drink? 
I mean, I don't want to lose a friend.
The first time is the hardest, but your actions could save your friend's life or that of an innocent victim. Pull your guest aside and politely, but firmly, tell them that you cannot let them drive home because you care. Offer to let the guest spend the night, call a cab or ask another, sober guest to drive the intoxicated person home.


How will I be held responsible if one of my guests is involved in a crash?
The laws vary from state to state, but you could be held responsible for the costs associated with the crash including medical bills and property damage and be sued for emotional pain and suffering.


What can I do to stop drunk driving?
What should I do if I see somebody driving drunk?
Report drunk drivers immediately to area law enforcement from a car phone or pay phone with the license plate number, description of the vehicle and the direction in which it was traveling.

A safe place to come for ideas of having fun without alcohol.

Join us in our journey of creating fun
and safe ideas to help each other
break the grip of alcohol in our lives.

I love my life and if I can do it so can you!

Almost three years sober and free and loving it!

Liz Kulp, author Braided Cord, Tough Times In and Out