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The Healthy Holiday Drinking Guide

Whether you're a social drinker, a celebratory sipper, or just need a stiff one to get you through the holidays, then we've got the spiked spirit for you. If you're a non-drinker or a minor, don't fret, we have a sweet spirit for you, too! Raise a glass and celebrate life - and do it well.
Content, product testing and layout by Borden Communications + Design

Party Hardy!
What's a flu-fearing, germ-wary, anxiety-ridden person supposed to do during the holiday (read: flu) season? Party it up in style and in good health. Add the following to your holiday list to stay healthy and happy, then, youll be able to knock a few back with your friends and family rather than getting knocked off your feet!
No Mwa Mwa . How about forgoing those handshakes and social kisses for a good ol' fist bump? Against what you might believe, a scientific study actually showed that people who greet each other with handshakes are much more likely to pass on flus, colds and stomach bugs, than cheek kissing each other. It makes sense when you think about it, plus you have no idea what someone has been touching before you greet them. I guess this isn't perfectly adaptable advice for a work event, but for your social circle, it could be a good option! Sharing is Caring? Not for everything. While sharing is one of those first kind lessons we learn as kids, there are exceptions. It goes without saying that there should be no sharing of eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal care items. Community food is, um, gross. Dishes of snacks that people reach into for a nibble are germier than you can imagine (don't ask for more details). When serving guests, put utensils with each dish so people can spoon out or fork over the food instead of reaching their hands in. And certainly, no double dipping! Avoid M.C.I.S. You can prevent M.C.I.S. - Mistaken Cup Identity Syndrome (you know, when someone takes a cup and puts it down next to another, and then both people have to get new cups or inadvertently drink from each others??). If you are using disposables - buy cups made from better materials (labeled compostable or "100% recycled content" etc...). Have everyone mark their cup with a marker (get creative!). You can also use window markers to write on your glassware (it will come off in the wash, but not on your guests' hands), or better yet, a different accent coloured glass straw in everyone's drinks serving double duty as identification and eliminating those plastic straws or stir sticks. Wash your hands CLEAN. The 3 crucial components to a good hand washing: warm water, soap, and friction (nothing beats this!). It decreases your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. Wet your hands with warm water, lather well by rubbing hands together (be sure to cover all surfaces and in between fingers) while you sing the ABC's (in your head if you are tone deaf like

me), or feel free to choose your favourite song. Rinse thoroughly and dry well. A cloth hand towel is the eco-friendly choice, but we're going for healthfriendly at holiday parties, so recycled paper towels will do the trick (unless you have lots of cloth napkins and lots of laundry). Wash your hands before eating, before AND after going to the bathroom (your hands should be clean before you handle!), after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, before preparing food and after handling any raw meat/poultry/egg, and certainly a good wash is called for as soon as you come home. Be Anti-Anti-Bacterial. Firstly, many sicknesses are viral, not bacterial, so plain, old soap and water will get you just as clean as any anti-bacterial product (see above). Our culture is germ obsessed and our obsession has encouraged the flood of products on store shelves with anti-bacterial or anti-microbial claims. It's always best to wash your hands clean in a sink, but especially when on the go, with kids, or party hopping, keep something on hand (pun intended) that will clean and sanitize safelywithout triclosan or other nasty chemicals.

Take cover. Stay home when you are sick. It's the right thing to do for everyone, including you, because when your immunity is low you can pick up other germs more easilyyuck. Steep some tea, pour a bowl of soup, crank up the vitamins and rest, allowing your body to heal. Don't let stress undermine a quick recovery and try and enjoy your forced time out. If you are hosting and someone in your home has a bad cold or the flu, cancel. Even if you confine a sick child to their room for the party, it doesn't confine the germs around your home from earlier in the day. Yes, it's a disappointment, but your guests will be much more upset if they catch something and have to spend the rest of their holidays in bed. Take cover, some more. Cover your mouth when you sneeze (with your arm, not your hand), and avoid anyone who doesn't (teach your kids!). Drink and be merry. Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Always. The suggestions in the Borden Communications Holiday Drinking Guide should help you take care of this one with ease!

This holiday season, we hope that you are able to share great times with your friends, colleagues and families without sharing your germs. Raise a glass to toast good cheer and good health! Happy Holidays!

The Beer Bellies


Whether it's stored baby fat or you're growing a belly to keep warm over the holidays, we aren't judging... we promise! Chug Away!

Artisanal Beer
Beaus All Natural Brewing Company believes quality comes from using the best ingredients - local spring water and 100% certified organic malt and hops. There are 600ml of tasty beer in each custom moulded glass bottle. Share (or dont!). Beau's Beer at www.beaus.ca

What a Steel
Put down the plastic and pick up a pint. Steel that is. This 16oz durable, dishwasher safe, stainless steel cup wont fill your garbage can or landfill like that all too common red cup. Cheers, to the beginning of the end of the single-use plastics. Steel Pint Cup at www.kleankanteen.com

Reform Yourself
Upcycled from actual beer bottles by being heated and then reformed, each one of these glasses is a true original. The artists making these in Ontario have been dedicated to glass blowing for over 25 years. Organic Beer Glass at www.artechstudios.ca

Straight from the Root


The best part of whats in this glass bottle? This super tasty craft soda has no calories and no nasties! These nonalcoholic bottles of root beer will make everyone happy. Great tasting on its own, or as a float. Begleys and Bills Root Beer at www.begleysandbills.com

The Whiners
No, we're not talking about your behavior at your family events!

Un-wine
The grapes used to make this Red Grape Juice are organic, and biodynamically grown in Niagara Ontario. This gives it a distinctive taste that you just wont find anywhere else. 100% juice. 0% alcohol. Organic Red Grape Juice at www.filsingersorganic.com

Anti-Snob Wine
Connect with friends (and the environment) over a bottle of carefully blended VQA wine made with organically grown grapes that is also certified biodynamic. Bonus: bottles are made from glass from the Ontario Bag-it-Back program. Connect Red at www.southbrook.com

Perfect Punts
Wine Punts collects bottles from local restaurants in their community and gives them a beautiful new life. These artful drinking glasses are handmade from the old wine bottles so you can feel good about doing good with every sip you take. Wine Punts at www.winepunts.com

Its in the Skins


Throw in a scoop of Bioflavias organic red wine grape seed powder (no, not alcoholic!) into your smoothies. This superfood booster gives you a high dose of vitamins and antioxidants. Bonus that theyre grown in Canada! Bioflavia at www.southbrook.com

The Super Sippers


A boost to help you stay healthy and keep up with your happy, cheery celebrations!

Ohhh-Mega
Hydrate and nourish your body and soul with this beautiful and delicious bev that has chia seeds suspended in fruit juices. Each glass bottle is packed with heart and brain healthy omega 3s, and theyre all certified organic, and gmo-free too! Mamma Chia at www.mammachia.com

As Green as it Gets
Wheatgrass is packed with antioxidants and is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream giving you an instant boost of energy. If youre not buying fresh and juicing it yourself, not to worry, you can buy it in frozen cubes or powder format too. Organic Wheat Grass at www.evergreenjuices.com

Perk Up
Dandy Blend claims that their herbal coffee substitute tastes just like freshly brewed coffee (not totally). But, it does have the health benefits of dandelion root and is gluten-free, gmofree, and gives you a burst of bubbly energy. Dandy Blend at www.rawelements.ca

Tea-licious
Kombucha, an effervescent fermented tea-based beverage, tastes a bit like soda pop and might even remind you of beer (except its sold in grocery stores). There are many flavours, but all have a long list of anecdotal health benefits. Rise Kombucha at www.risekombucha.com

The Smooth Talkers


Chat your way through everything with grand finesse!

Smooth Sipping
Daedras handmade glass straws look fabulous, come with a lifetime guarantee and will keep you from putting toxic plastic in your mouth and drink. As a bonus, everything goes down smoother (and tastes better) with a straw. Strawesome Glass Straw at www.strawesome.com

Smoothe as Sake
Is it a wine? Is it a spirit? This fermented organic sake deserves its own category. Its body and flavour goes down smooth and is unparalleled by any other beverage experience. Drink it straight or mix it up into a tasty cocktail. Organic Junmai Ginjo Craft Sake at www.sakeone.com

Blend 'n Snap


You may not realize that you need this appliance, but its life changing (seriously). Fully automatic (once you add ingredients, of course) making smooth drinks, plus hot soups and cool ice cream in just seconds. Blendtec at www.blendtec.com

Create your Own


If egg nog isn't for you (and we really can't blame you) or you are trying to lighten up (calories or packaging) then throw your fave fruits, some ice and any liquid (almond milk, coconut water, juice, etc...) and blend it up. It just doesn't get any smoother!

The Teasers
Get deeply steeped before you get deeply engaged in holiday activities!

The Bee's Knees


Manuka Honey has clinically proven anti-bacterial and anti-inflamatory properties, plus itll naturally sweeten your tea. Good for everyday use, but make sure you use extra of this raw honey to fight flus and a sore throat. Wedderspoon Manuka Honey at www.wedderspoon.ca

Hanging Loose
Why cramp tea leaves into a potentially toxic little bag when you can let whole tea leaves (with their oils in tact and not crushed) float around and result in a delightful and tasteful cup of tea full of antioxidants to enjoy? Level Ground Teas at www.levelground.com

Better Bags
You cant always steep a pot of loose leaf when youre on the go, but you can always carry with you some bags filled with hand picked organic and fair trade teas and herbs. Numis are blended with real fruits, flowers, and spices - nothing else. Numi Organic Tea at www.numitea.com

A Clean Steep
Make the perfect cup of tea without bleached tea bags, strings and staples. Your loose leaf has a cover to keep the goodness in, then flips off and over to be a coaster, so you can reuse your leaves for another cup. NewLeaf Glass Tea Mug at www.forlifedesign.com

The Hotties
Too hot to handle? Not you! Housewarmings or Body Warming, but not Global Warming.

Green Beans
Good on our tastebuds, and on our planet too. Made with certified organic Arabica beans, this fair-trade coffee is roasted to perfection in Toronto. If youre a double/double kind of person, this stuff might make you go black. Roasted Coffee at www.23degreesroastery.com

Keep it on the inside


It keeps your hot drinks toasty for 6 hours (and cold drinks frosty for up to 24 hours) - and with its leakproof lid, you can make a beverage to go & throw it in your bag. Great for taking hot drinks to the ski mountain or ice rink. Insulated Kanteen at www.kleankanteen.com

Let it Mellow
Tastes like marshmallow , but thankfully is not anything like those conventional ones (do you know what's in those?! total yuck). Stir a spoonful of this white fluffiness right into your hot chocolate or scoop a dollop on top. Ricemellow Creme at www.suzannes-specialties.com

Chocolate Hottie
Fair trade, organic, pure and unrefined, plus made by the most incredible, socially responsible company we know, these chocolate pucks melt into your cup, satisfy all of your coco cravings and will put an smile on everyones face. Drinking Chocolate at www.chocosoltraders.com

The Aquanistas
Drink a lot if water. Every single day. Itll help you look younger and feel younger. Cheers to that.

Lump o' Coal


This year, you'll only get a lump of coal if youre really, really good! Fill this handmade glass water bottle with tap water, and the White Coal (black in colour) will absorb chlorine, improve the taste, and add minerals for pure hydration. Sort of Coal at www.sortofcoal.com

Pure as Water
With its natural, innovative design and a resolutely green approach, this water filtration unit's technology is truly inspired by nature. It also happens to be exquisite to look at. Why try to improve perfection? Aqua Ovo at www.aquaovo.com

On the Rocks
You dont want to worry about BPA and other plastic chems becoming part of your ice cubes, right? These trays made from high quality stainless steel will keep you and your family safe, plus your drinks icy cold too. Stainless Ice Cube Tray at www.fenigo.com

Simply Charcoal
Kishu Charcoal sticks are the new, old way to filter tap water! The charcoal takes away all the bad stuff in water, but knows to leave the good stuff in. Fully compostable and reusable, you can even place it in the fridge to wick away odours.
Kishu at www.kishucharcoal.com

The Hydrators
Stay hydrated, it's one of the best things you can do for your body (hair, skin, and nails too!)

Coo Coo for Coco(nut)


Rehydrate and replenish with natures sport drink and best electrolyte. With more potassium than a banana, low acidity, no fat, no sugar added and no cholesterol, you should be chugging lots of this water....often. Coconut Water at www.purebodybeverages.com

Super Mix
Elixir combines the best superfoods, herbs and adaptogens to provide energy and vitality - offering a variety of health benefits that absorb fluids. Mix Elixir with water, coconut water, or juice and you'll get a super-hydrator beverage. Josh Gitalis Elixir at www.joshgitalis.com

Drink your Produce


The water from fruits and veggies is one of the most nutrient dense liquids nature has provided us. But dont buy juice filled with added sugars and preservatives, make your own (with organic produce of course) so you know exactly whats in it. And drink right away for ultimate quality and freshness!

Power Powder
This highly concentrated dry formula contains the juices from fresh organic coconuts that you add to your good local water source. Bring this with you anywhere, anytime, to get instant on-demand electrolytes and a natural energy boost. Coconut Powder at www.navitasnaturals.com

What does Lisa Borden do?


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