Vodka IS a Health Drink, I Don’t Care What You Say

As of late, and with 30 looming in the not-so-distant future, I have found myself focused on becoming healthier. Upon realizing my usual justification of “I teach dance two hours a day, which means I don’t really have to exercise” was just that, a justification, I have been attending spinning classes twice a week. I even recently splurged on a pair of SIDI Tork spin shoes. Yep, you heard it, spin shoes. Let’s face it, the shoes (and subsequent 2 pair of fab padded cycling shorts) allow me to feel as though I’ve made an investment, thus will keep me from quitting. (Another justification). It isn’t easy to spend an hour of my day peddling on a stationary bike in a sticky-sweaty room with a tiny bike seat shoved up my ass. BUT, I remain committed to my cause, and thanks to Spin-Monster Barb (and the cute guy that usually spins on the bike to my right), have really come to enjoy inflicting pain on myself in such ways.

Seed planted. Monetary investment made. Which takes me back to the root of this issue: getting healthy! Newsflash: exercising is not the only piece to this puzzle! One of the most difficult aspects of becoming healthier for me has been in the food and drink department. After a long day of working with smelly 12 year olds and an hour of spinning, do I really want to take the time to prepare a healthy meal? Not really, because by now I’m at the point of a ravenous beast and ready to eat the first thing I see when I open the refrigerator. And then I say, “STOP! Follow your plan, bake the fish, steam the veggies, and get on with it.” So I do. And it turns out to be rewarding.

So what’s the problem, you ask? It’s simple: to drink, or not to drink? Some cling to the opinion that a glass of red wine a day is good for you. Problem being, it’s pretty hard to have just one…. Others say drinking, especially for women approaching 30 and into their 30’s, should simply be avoided and can lead to X, Y, Z health issues. What’s a girl to do?? Here is my solution to this pressing question: vodka. And let me tell you why. It is the product of a staple vegetable, it contains no artificial colors or flavors, and it mixes well with other healthy drinks, ie- tomato juice. I think Hallmark summed up my adoration for vodka (and its importance in the food pyramid) in their FreshInk card that reads: If you want to get technical, vodka is practically a health drink if you just call it potato juice… which it really is, anyway.

(Another justification? You be the judge.)