The whirlwind of holiday entertaining is finally over. What a relief not to prepare drinks for dozens of guests, engage them in lively conversation, and clean up after they’ve gone. Yes, thank goodness that’s done!Unless you’re a bartender.Essentially, bartenders host parties several times per week, all year long, and it’s physically, mentally and energetically demanding. Lugging heavy boxes, perpetual late nights and long hours afoot take a toll. Burn-out symptoms are similar to xarelto lawsuit side effects: irritability, fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, self-medication with alcohol / drugs / nicotine and constantly taking test from https://urinedrugtesthq.com/cocaine-detectable-in-urine.Maintaining balance for longevity in this demanding job is being addressed within the liquor industry, worldwide. In 2014, Tales of the Cocktail (the world’s largest annual booze convention in New Orleans) launched several wellness initiatives, including a 3-day Mind, Body, Spirit(s) program which I created in partnership with two longtime bar industry veterans, Patricia Richards (formerly Bar Manager of Wynn Resort) in Las Vegas, and Dushan Zaric (partner in both Employees Only cocktail bar in NYC and 86 Co. liquor company) currently living in Los Angeles. We pulled from a panel guides of experts to compile some healthy reminders for the seminars:Mindful bartending: Before you step behind the bar, find a quiet place to close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths, shake the tension out of your body, and check in with your thoughts. Release the stress of the day, and focus on the present. Have real conversations with your guests. Your shift will be better for it.Make drinks with love: One of the panelist’s demonstrations involved making one drink while focused on angry thoughts, and another while happily concentrating on his loved ones. Without knowing which was which, people preferred the taste of the one made with positive energy.Eat real food. Not too much. Mostly Plants. As author, Michael Pollan will attest, veggies fuel your tired muscles and mind. Maybe buy a juicer for convenience. Bring nuts or dried fruit to work for quick snacks. Keep hydrated at work.Shake your butt: Dance, stretch, ride your bike to work on a day shift. Hike or ski with friends. You’ll have more energy. And, you’ll look hotter. That never hurts tips.Give back: Get your bar team involved in a community project such as Habitat for Humanity, a food bank, animal shelter, or whatnot. The United States Bartender’s Guild has programs and the Bon Vivants are a liquor industry group that does charitable fundraisers at cocktail events. Good karma goes around.Who are you: Outside of work, where are you most yourself? Holding a paintbrush? Playing music? Schedule time each week to do that thing that moves you.Nurture yourself: Skip a night out and use the dough for a massage, acupuncture or a haircut. You give a lot of energy over the bar. Get a little of it back.The one-day, new me cleanse: Pick one whole day per week to reinvigorate yourself. Spend 24-hours without alcohol, sugar and, if possible, cigarettes. Get to bed early. Just one day per week. It will change your life. Dirty HippieClean yourself from the inside, out.
- 4 – 5 carrots
- 1 handful kale
- ½ beet
- ½ apple
- 1 small lemon
- 1” piece of fresh ginger
Juice. Pour. Drink. Clean Liver (Excerpted from Preggatinis(TM): Mixology for the Mom-To-Be)Everything we eat – and drink – gets filtered through the liver. Milk thistle aids in detoxifying that organ, and mint helps sooth digestive ailments.
- 1 tablespoon dried milk thistle (or 1 milk thistle tea bag)
- 3 sprigs of fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon wildflower honey
- 1 lemon wedge
Pour boiling water over the tea and fresh mint, and let steep for 5 minutes in a heat resistant glass or mug. Strain steeped liquid, stir in honey until it dissolves. Garnish with a lemon wedge.