Monthly Archives: January 2011

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Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Wedding favors need not be too pricey and hard to locate. A lot of couples go the extra mile by purchasing imported or costly products. This can be accomplished only if you have just a few visitors. Even then, if you are preparing to invite a lot more than a hundred guests, it’s excellent to remain aware of your finances to avert going bankrupt. Have a look at these three reasonably priced nuptial mementos preferred by budget-conscious newlyweds these days:

1: Customized mementos. It can be so simple to locate customized products on the internet, instead of sourcing them out from local stores. If you opt to do this, it would be much better to purchase the objects weeks beforehand to ensure you’ll find the ideal favors you wish, and to allocate ample time for the vendor to prepare them. It’s not surprising to come across items costing much less than a couple of dollars each, so this is a stellar decision if you would prefer to offer anything exceptional but not overpriced.

Some well-known gifts best personalized include glasses, kitchen implements and wooden trinkets. Even then, you can also purchase personalized confections, sweets, packed coffee or teas, cocoa goodies, mint candies and other snacks. Obtaining these goods in customized colors, packaging styles to go with your motif or nuptial concept tends to make these mementos even more distinctive and unforgettable for your family and friends.

2. DIY favors. These days, you can obtain inexpensive wedding favors you can put together the DIY way, and these generally are available in bulk. So if you count on a hundred or a lot more visitors , it would be a good thought to buy DIY nuptial souvenirs complete with custom-made sticker labels, wrappings, and ribbons. These are not expensive items given that you buy them in substantial quantities, and from one source only. More compact objects such as candles, candleholders, votives, quaint key chains, and glass coasters are the standard options a lot of brides and grooms make.

3: Monogrammed tokens. You can buy monogrammed nuptial souvenirs on the Internet, and can choose custom-made things primarily based on your specifications. It is constantly a excellent notion to buy these in bulk to save on your nuptial budget. There is generally a vast assortment of these objects offered by your manufacturer of choice. You can locate these on their web page easily, so simply search and select the finest merchandise you feel your visitors will adore, and which can set your nuptials apart.  Drink mixers, matchbooks, coasters, and paper weights bearing your monogram or initials are sensible and cheap wedding favors you can give your visitors.  

Approved by:
Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Rocco’s Tacos is one of Boca Raton’s latest pleasures which is hard not to love. This Mexican/Tex-Mex eatery is a stylish informal location that features over 225 tequilas and astounding guacamole which is produced table-side to your liking. The Boca Raton, Florida location was started immediately after these folks had a eating place in West Palm Beach and rumors have been swirling of a Las Olas restaurant (Fort Lauderdale) in the start of 2011. It is a very warm, vivid ambiance exactly where you have a hectic bar scene matched with many occupied tables within and a quite considerable outside seating area with an additional outside bar. It features chandeliers that Rocco’s import directly from Mexico that are shaped like stars which glow a gentle amber and brick walls embellished with freaky Mexican masks that are genuinely cool. Once you are fortunate enough to have the General Manager Rocco (Mangel) roaming the bistro, you can fall witness to him jumping onto the bar, strapping on his Pee Wee Herman white colored clogs and strolling up and down the bar to the song “Tequila” while pouring a stream of Patron into the mouths of ladies ages 21-50!

For such a fun place to get a beverage right after a challenging week of working or perhaps simply to kick back, the food is particularly tasty. When I eventually get finished my guacamole, tortilla chips, and half of a Patron Silver Skinny Margarita, I commonly opt for one of a slow-roasted pork, carne asada or chorizo taco, although I hear that the fish and signature Rocco’s Tacos are really great as well. If I am a slight bit hungrier, the Molcajetes are phenomenal! This is Rocco’s version of sizzling fajitas which appear out bubbling in an authentic Mexican lava rock bowl. There are three to select from, but as I don’t eat seafood, I always go with the Molcajete Asada that is made with skirt steak, chorizo, and chicken together with 3 pepper rajas, rojo and tequila. I will say that I have seen many of the various dishes and have never had my friends complain about any of them.

Rocco’s Tacos has received instantaneous popularity among Boca Raton’s residents so I would strongly suggest caling for reservations as wait time can be as lengthy as an hr and a half, but if you are in no hurry, the bartenders are really inviting. It stays open throughout weekdays till midnight and Thursday thru Saturday they are open the whole way until 2AM for the late-night crowd. If you haven’t visited it yet, don’t wait any longer to capture a bit of Mexico!

Pamela Stolle is a Boca Raton Realtor

Approved by:
Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Among the many nightmares that mothers and fathers experience is catching  your teenager is drinking alcohol. Maybe this happens when you caught a wiff of  vodka  on their breath after they came home  from an activity with friends  Or perhaps it’s actually catching them drinking at a party, or in your home.  Sometimes another parent will phone you telling they caught your teen drinking with theirs. It could even be the horrible  situation where you are notified by the police who have captured your children drinking, or even worse drinking while behind the wheel.  When you learn that your child has been drinking alcohol it can create  several  different responses. Some parents are fearful and confused. “How could Tammy have started drinking alcohol? I believed we had a nurturing home”. Other individuals are angry. ”I TOLD Will his punishment  if I discovered him drinking alcohol!”  And others  encounter denial. “It must be Heather’s friends. It’s their fault!” 

But irrespective of the reaction, once you discover  that your teen is drinking, it’s time to put being afraid,  indignant, or pretending it isn’t taking place away and start working on with the issue. The first step is to come up with a plan. The plan is composed of three  distinct parts: when, what and follow-through.

When

The when means that you act   once your plan is determined AND you are prepared to have your confrontation with  them. You don’t want to have your confrontation with  your teenager when your emotions stop you from being rational.  It is imperative you deal with them in a rational manner.  The same goes for their state of mind. Don’t confront  them if they are still  drunk or high. Wait until they sleep it off. At this point their emotional reaction will be more manageable.

But though you do want to wait for the “right time” to speak to your teenager, you also shouldn’t wait too long. You ought to plan on having your dialogue with them within one day  of your  finding out.

What

Your next task  is to create  your plan of what you are going to say and do. As a general rule  this should fall in the following categories:

• Letting them know the rules and penalties of drinking alcohol.  Specifically tell them  the punishments they will receive today  and the punishments they will get  if they violate the new rules. For example, if the punishment is confiscating  the mobile  phone for 6 months  you might tell them the next violation will add an additional 3 months to the phone’s absence.
• Telling them  that they are going to be carefully monitored. Frequent check-ins, tighter curfews  a GPS tracker  on their car and drug testing are all possible ways to more strictly keep track of their activities.
• Let them know the support they are going to receive  for their drinking problem.  This may well involve one-on-one  or group counseling. This can include a minor in possession class or minor in consumption class. Or perhaps visiting your church’s pastor. Be sure  they understant  this part is not  about punishment but about understanding  the problem and assisting learning how to avoid it in the future.
• Telling them there is a  hope that their punishments will end.  Tell them that you adore them and this isn’t a long term black mark  on their record. If things go well  you can soon  have a joyful close family.

Follow Through

Finally, you need to strategize your follow-though. What I mean is  to make sure everything you tell your teen  are things  you are going to really  do. Make sure you follow through on your steps once you tell them. And if you need your own help… perhaps therapy such as an alcohol class will help. Parents of teens  need support to handle  difficult situations such as these. 

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Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Should you be a <a href=”http://www.morrys.com”>wine lover</a>, oenophile, or a wine guru, then you nearly recognize almost everything there is to understand about wines. On the other hand if you undertake would like to know alot more concerning wines, you far better read along to find out about some tips that will help in pouring wines better.
The following  hints are geared toward helping you pick the suitable wine glasses or stemware for use when preparing wines to family, friends, loved ones or any other visitors:
• Much larger wine goblets are best suited for bold red wines while the narrower wine goblets are utilized to give emphasis on the sophisticated aromas of lighter white wines.
• Tall, slender tulip wine goblets are best for offering champagne.
• Give particular attention to the materials from which the wine drinking glasses are constructed with. They must be plain and clear.
• Select wine glasses or stemware that are of adequate shapes.
• Traditional wine glasses or stemware has three parts: the bowl, stem, and the foot. The stem keeps the heat from the person’s hand from warming the bowl and the wine as well. This is why; it ought to be long enough so the person’s hand can hold it.
• Tinted and cut crystals can be eye-catching. On the other hand it will be better for the stemware or the wine glasses’ bowl to be transparent. If you pick those with hues and designs, you, as the wine drinker will be unable to study the color and clarity of the wine. The bowl must be curved and smooth internally as well.
• The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has already founded the figure regular wine glass figure to be used in wine judging’s, competitions or as an everyday glass that an average drinker can use. The ISO’s typical wine glass or stemware should be translucent and colorless, with a lead content as high as 9%. Its dimensions are as follows: 6 inches (155 mm) tall, with a two inch (5 cm) tall stem and a four-inch (100 mm) tall bowl, in relation to two and a half inches (65 mm) at its widest diameter and two inches (46 mm) across the rim.
• When you wash wine glasses or any stemware, often use the hottest water possible. Add only a very small amount of amount of detergent or a drop or two on a sponge. Rinse off the glasses thoroughly.
• If the <a href=”http://www.morrys.com”>wine goblets </a>can absolutely be rinsed with an automated dishwasher, wash the stemware by themselves with no washing liquid. After that, you eliminate the water spots with a soft lint free towel well before you keep them.
By following the above-mentioned techniques and know-how, you can now serve the most delectable wines. These techniques are vital since the measurements, shapes and styles of the wine glasses or stemware can affect the wines’ taste and aroma. Thus, in pouring wines, take into consideration the wines goblets or the stemware as well!
Morry’s started with a savvy young entrepreneur, named Morry Rabin, in Long Beach California in 1938. Seventy-two years later, Morry’s has now become a premier destination for the most delectable and exciting wines, beers and any other alcoholic beverages and even gourmet food. Morry’s has taken its wine venture online, making them reach out to wine lovers around the world. If you need to know a lot more regarding wines, go on wine tours or anything on wines, visit http://www.morrys.com/.

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Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

As an instructor  for alcohol awareness classes, I often ask my students how come they didn’t choose  to call a cab  instead of choosing to risk their lives and the lives of other people  and driving under the influence. What percentable of them thought of taking a taxi or calling a friend  to come and take them  home? Consider that  for a second.  Do you think most do? About half? Less?

The answer should surprise you – about ten percent. That means 90%  never even considered alternative transportation. In these modern times,  with so much money spent toward promoting education and punishing behavior, can so few even consider the possibility? Following is a true account from one of my students in my alcohol awareness class.

Dustin’s Story

Dustin and his older brother , Curtis, hadn’t  gotten together  in almost ten  years. Like many brothers  these guys  were really quite different.  While Dustin was shy and reserved, some would say controlling  while his sibling  lived wild and care free. As a matter of fact  Dustin was picking his brother up at the bus station because Curtis had just  been released from jail. 

Their first stop was a local tavern,  because Curtis needed to “get ripping drunk.” Regrettably for Curtis, neither sibling  had much money and they were forced to leave after a couple of  drinks, with Dustin promising more drinks at home. Dustin’s wife, Sherri, had cooked  dinner and the three of them continued  to consume  a several beers each  and three bottles of wine with dinner. In spite of the fact that Curtis had ingested almost two  bottles himself, Dustin was pretty drunk  and passed out on the sofa  while the other two continued to chug  cheap wine.

When the clock struck midnight  Dustin  was awakened  by Curtis, who demanded  the keys to his car.  Apparently, they had exhausted their supply of  intoxicants  and Sherri and Curtis were heading out to buy more alcohol and fast food. 

Alcohol-Impaired Decision

One significant effect  alcohol is to alter the ability to make decisions.  While Dustin thought  he had “slept-off” the effects of his drinking on his body,  and that he was just feeling “different” because he had been awakened in the middle of his REM cycle of sleep, he made an “alcohol-induced decision.”

Trying to act responsibily  Dustin refused to give his brother the keys to the car as his honey  and sibling  were totally wasted. After much begging,  and drinking  two cans of soda,  Dustin said he could  drive. The three of them  piled into Dustin’s Ford Escort and headed to the convenience store  where they purchased a case of beer and a box of cheap  wine, Sherri’s favorite.

After a quick stop at Taco Bell they were headed back home.  Beer cans littered the back seat  as Curtis continued to chug Budweiser like a man dying of thirst. Less than a mile from home, Curtis panicked as he saw the red and blue lights of a police car  in his rearview mirror. 

Acting Like A Dopamine – Alcohol’s Fool 

When the officer approached the driver’s side window  Dustin asked, “what’s the problem officer?” The police officer directed  his flashlight into the vehicle and observed the empty beer cans in the back seat. He questioned Dustin if he had been drinking that evening. Dustin  confessed to  having a little  beer and wine with dinner, but that had been hours ago. The policeman  told Dustin to step  out of his vehicle. 

The officer advised him there had been a strong odor of alcohol in the vehicle,and Dustin attempted to clarify that his brother was the culprit  and he was very sorry.  Regardless the officer gave Dustin a field sobriety test that he passed. He then requested Dustin to submit to a Breathalyzer test. He was confident he would pass  after passing the field sobriety test. Dustin agreed. His blood-alcohol-level was 0.14. Dustin was placed under arrest.

The other two  were totally drunk  and unable to drive, and they had burned all their cash  on alcohol and fast food. They both spent the night in jail  with Dustin, but were allowed to go home  once they had sobered up the next day.  Dustin was not so lucky. He spent two nights behind bars. 

High Costs   of a  DUI

After being convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI)  Dustin was forced to take an alcohol class. His legal costs, higher  insurance premiums and fines ended up costing Dustin almost $7,000.00.

I asked Dustin if he had considered calling a taxi for a ride to  to the liquor store and to get late-night snacks.  He and everybody else in  the class broke out in laughter. Nobody there  ever had considered taking a taxi from their own home to go buy alcohol or fast food.

Perhaps, after reading this story, you will consider this option.

Alcohol is a serious drug and should be used rationally. If you, or anyone you know, suffer from an alcohol problem, it is important to seek help immediately. There are groups like Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. There also are both classroom and online alcohol awareness classes available.

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Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

The new trend in the culinary arts today is about healthy organic foods. But there are many who have decided to buck the trend because they feel that the cost will outweigh the benefits. The truth that due to the popularity of this way of thinking, prices have come down to more reasonable prices.

The word organic applies to the way an item is produced, processed, and handled. These items do not encounter pesticides or other chemicals. Supporters of this movement believe that the resulting products are a safe, healthy, and better tasting alternative to their chemically altered counterparts. That is because this type of production is said to protect the environment and to decrease the risk of disease in humans.

But don’t be fooled by look-a-likes. The words natural can fool people into thinking that they are getting a product that can directly from the farm or dairy. This simply is not true. It is important to look for the official seal. Unfortunately applying the seal to a product is not mandatory. It is a voluntary choice made by each manufacture. As a result, some smaller producers of very good products may not carry the seal, do to the associated costs. So you may have to do your homework.

But don’t despair. Supplementing your diet with foods packed nutrition is not that hard. In fact, due to the increased demand for these products, the average grocery store carries a wide variety of items that are wholesome, pure, and filled with nutrients. Because of the increased demand, prices on these items have also been reduced.

So stroll the aisles of the supermarket and select whole grains for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Choose drinks that do not contain added chemical sweeteners, flavors, and colors. You can even find ready made items available froze or in cans when you do not have time to do the cooking yourself.

Still, there are instances when the standard product is just as good as their more costly counterpart. Fruit like thick-skinned oranges and bananas fall into this category. Because the outside is dense, it seals the edible part off from the insect sprays. The outer layer is peeled and thrown away. If you are still worried, try washing it under cold water before removing the skin.

A great and high energy food source is whole grain cereal for your morning meal. If you have time, replace the old instant standby with a variety of grains and mix them together. About a quarter to a third cup equals one serving. Top it off with some walnuts and honey and be ready to face the day.

Quinoa, pronounced keen-wah, is an ancient grain, packed with protein, it is considered to be one of the most nutritional foods to have in your cupboard. Other super foods that have been touted as providing exceptional nutritional value include salmon, blueberries, walnuts, yogurt, soy and a variety of tea. Add them to your diet this week. Healthy organic eating does not have to be a challenge. It’s all about making good decisions.

About the Author:   Most buyers understand that Generic Xenical are less expensive than brand name types. You can buy online generic medications safely and easily.

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Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Food tastes far better once another person different prepares it. At the very least that’s what my wife tells me. Individually I believe she’s simply making an attempt to get me to take her out or to cook her a dinner. In actuality, I imagine that the presentation is simply as critical as the food. If you’ve ever watched extravagant cooking shows or been to a actually nice restaurant, you’ve possibly seen all the garnishes, dribbles and shades on the plate.

You can use this supremacy of demonstration behind your own bar as well. I’ve devise a number of ideas for my bar to take benefit of presentation. One of my faves is the layered shot. A common shot at my property is a rattlesnake. A rattlesnake is identical parts, vodka, kahlua, and bailey’s Irish Cream. Most individuals could pour each and every compound into  both a shot glassor shaker depending on the amount of shotsbeing served. Each particular person is afterwards presented with a shot which looks like a shot of dark Irish Cream. These go lower sleek and don’t include such a lot of things booze which individuals get too inebriated too fast.

Now rather than making the rattlesnake that way, flip it into a layered drink and see folks’s reaction. Women in particular adore the additional work and enjoy the shot even a lot more. In reality, I’ve had a number of women inform me that these folks don’t do shots solely to discover that these folks can’t resist a adorable colorful layered shot.

How do you create a layered shot? Carefully All it requires is a tiny bit of patience, effort and knowledge. The only expertise you require is to know which components are heavier and lighter. You pour the heaviest in initially and afterwards use one of the techniques beneath to pour the next element. Go on till you’ve poured all the elements. Let the shot settle for a couple of instances and the layers can display to their separation even much better.

Pouring Proceedure 1 – Use the bottom of a spoon. Change a spoon upside lower so that it seems to be like you simply poured something into the shot. Possess the spoon hover just over the level already in the glass. Now quite gradually pour the following layer onto the again of the spoon. The spoon will spread out the pour so which the liquid doesn’t bust the floor stress of the past layer.

Pouring Proceedure 2 – If you have a lengthy bar spoon with a twisted manage you can try this proceedure. This one requires keeping the foundation of the spoon in your side and allowing the handle just barely touch the aspect of the goblet where the earlier layer ends. Now gradually pour the following part onto the again of the spoon deal with. This should slowly run straight down the handle and lightly property on top of the past layer. This method is tougher but does allow you significantly far more control.

No matterhow you pour your layered shot, just look for different layered shot quality recipes and practice. The good thing about training creating layered shots is that you can consume your mistakes. Soon after too many mistakes, you may come up with your own insane bar ideas.

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Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Are you interested in designing wine labels? If you want your own style and branding, read on because this article can help you create your own stylish labels, unique to your taste and preferences. There are many reasons why one would want to do his own labels. One is if you are making your own wines. And second if you are planning to giveaway some good bottle of wines but you are not satisfied with its current labels.

You should know that it is not just about the design that you should put much consideration on, but also on its printing. Because no matter how good your design can be, if the label printing process is of low quality, then you get poor wine labels. Many wine lovers have taken up label design and printing as they find it quite an interesting hobby. Some have even made it into a business as they are also into the selling of wines. If you are with the latter, then having your own label designs will help your wines stand out from the rest.

It is also the same even if you are just creating labels because you want to give some wines either as a gift in a wedding or corporate event or as a company giveaway to your customers. If you are a marketer then you would certainly see the great opportunity in putting your own company’s branding on the wine labels. Even just a simple logo would go a long way in this kind of marketing effort.

How do you proceed with designing wine labels? Let this short list of tips and suggestions guide you into creating the best labels that you can do.

Look for an inspiration.

An inspiration can be anything. It can be the label of a more popular wine. It can also be an artwork that you truly admire. It can be the cover of a book which you may find elegant and worth imitating. Do not think that you are copying the ideas the others. Remember, what you are merely doing is just looking for an inspiration so you can get started with your own designs. Even world-renowned artists always look for an inspiration before they even begin with their own masterpieces.

Select an elegant font style.

Go to any wine store and browse their selection of the finest and most expensive wines. One common factor are you seeing on their labels? They are all using stylish and elegant font styles. Why? Because it sends out a message that the wine inside is also elegant and stylish. In short, of the finest quality. You can do the same or go against the flow. It is all up to you.

Put only the needed information on the label.

Do not overdo it. Some people put too much information on their labels that each become too crowded. The over all style is lost as a result of this. Just include what you think your wine buyers would like to read on the label, like the alcohol percentage, the place of origin of the wine or of the grapes or fruits used, and the name of the wine producer.

Ask help from the experts.

If you are really serious about the commercialization or at least of the quality of your wine labels, then you should let a label printing Melbourne company handle your designing wine labels project. After all they are the specialists in this kind of thing.

Approved by:
Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Purchasing a home brew kit or creating one’s own are ways to begin making home brew beer. Making one’s own kit does not require much. Just a few pieces of basic equipment. Some reasons people might choose to brew their own is that it is less expensive than purchasing commercial beers. Another reason is that they have control over selection and taste.

Creating a research library that is fully stocked is a key step in beginning the process. There are a couple of ways one can begin brewing privately. One is to start with a kit. A kit comes with pre-hopped malt in a tin. A basic brew is created just by adding water and yeast.

A hobbyist can also start by creating a kit. Each piece of equipment can be purchased a la carte to put one’s own kit together. It is essential to buy a beer pot or a brew kettle. It should not be made from aluminum or any other metal. Metal creates a metallic taste in the final product which affects the overall quality of the drink. Seven gallons is a suggested size. A pot or kettle of seven gallons typically yields about five gallons of beer.

The next piece of equipment a person will need is a fermenter. In addition, it is important to have an airlock. A fermenter is typically made from food-grade plastic and has an air tight lid. It will also usually have a spigot attached to the bottom. An airlock prevents air from entering the container. It also assists in removing carbon dioxide.

Plastic tubing is necessary for transferring the beer from the pots to the bottles. The tubing needs to connect to bottles with non twist-off bottle caps. A carboy is one way to ferment the product further. Getting the right mix often necessitates longer times fomenting. A carboy is a spacious, glass jug. It has its own air lock and its own rubber stopper. It is best not to use wooden utensils and containers. This is true because wood is porous and is highly open to contamination.

Aside from equipment, a person will need water, hops, yeast and sugar or malt. Adding extra hops will create a more bitter taste. For those with a milder palate, it is a good idea to put just a little less. The recommended amount is about an ounce.

To begin personal brewing, one must boil water. Near the time the water begins to boil, the hops and malt are added. All the ingredients should be at a boil for at least a full hour. This makes wort. These steps do not complete the process, however they are a start to understanding home brewing. Resources are abundantly available. Two places to find them are a store that emphasizes personal brewing or on the Internet.

Creating home brew beer is an attractive hobby for those wishing to save on their alcohol budget. It is also attractive to people who want to have more control over taste and selection. There are some simple ways to begin. One is to use a home brew kit. Another is to use some basic equipment, purchased piece by piece. If a kit is not used, then one will need to purchase and use hops, yeast and malt. It is also important for either method to have plenty of water available.

Are you looking for beer brewing tips? Our homebrew videos can show you just how to get started!

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Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Often when I teach alcohol classes customers ask, “How how can you find out if  you have a drinking problem?” Let’s look at  the  critical indicators that your social drinking habit has turned into  alcoholism. 

Let’s commence by asserting  that no person has a single drink and it immediately it is an issue. Heavy drinking and alcoholism are developed over an extended period.  Obviously  the period of time will differ from person to person.

Your Genetics  Can Play A Role

As is the case  with many health problems,  genetics play an vital role. If either  of your mother and father or other immediate relatives  is an alcoholic you also may have a genetic predisposition toward being an alcoholic.  Nonetheless,  even though  your parents may be problem drinkers  there is no reason you too have to suffer from this illness.

Deciding  not to drink is personal. It is a option in which your genetics has  no say. Choosing not to consume too much is also personal.

You have the power and the ability to control  what you do.  Even if you do not believe you have a problem, I ask you to re-think  your drinking.

Are You a Heavy Drinker?

Excess drinking  is a pattern of drinking  seen  in almost all alcoholics. Heavy drinking is defined as having five or more alcoholic beverages at one time  5 or more instances in the past month.

Being a  recovering alcoholic, I can certainly tell you  that almost every occasion  I partook in the drinking of alcohol,  I had five or more drinks – generally a lot  more.

Current statistics have shown   that approximately 17 million U.S. residents  are classified as heavy drinkers. That is almost 7% of the entire population 12 and older. If you only look at those who can legally drink  almost 12% are considered to fall into the pattern of heavy drinking.

If you are a heavy drinker, it is very likely  you are a problem drinker  and should seek help from a group like AA,  or if you prefer, try taking an online alcohol awareness course.

Are You  Embarrassed  by Your Drinking?

In spite of common public perception, most alcoholics feel  guilt  about their drinking problems  and alcoholic tendencies. Even when they are in the earliest stages of alcoholism, while they still deny themselves that they are addicted to alcohol, drinkers feel guilty.

They also sometimes  become embarassed  in front of their close friends, their family and their work colleagues, because of their actions after getting drink.  Perhaps it is getting a DUI, or just making a total fool of themselves due to their inebriated state.

Again, if you feel ashamed or embarrassed by the quantity you drink or how frequently you drink, it is vital you evaluate whether or not you are an alcoholic  Chances  are, you do.

What Have You Got to Hide?

Many alcoholics are what we term  “closet alcoholics.” These people tend  to hide their drinking from as many people as they can.  They may only go to drinking establishments  a great distance  from where they live or work.  Or they may choose  to drink just  in the privacy of their own home. Some alcoholics go much farther to conceal their addiction to alcohol. Alcoholics sometimes  keep a container  hidden in their desk  drawer for a quick shot in their coffee. Some conceal a bottle in their car or closet. A surprising number of alcoholics  go so far as to fill water or soda  bottles with vodka.

Seriously, if you are a “closet alcoholic” and exhibit any of the symptoms detailed above, I urge you search for help right away. Finally,  I challenge  each of you to stop  drinking for a month.  See if you feel better. Be aware of your moods, good and bad (you may exerience signifant mood shifts). 

It is critical to be aware that alcohol is a drug and its use must be controlled. If you or anyone you know may be suffering from alcohol dependence, please have them seek help immediately. You can learn more by taking an alcohol awareness class.