Red Wine And Chocolate

    I love a lot of things, chocolate is one of them. We have a wonderful relationship.  I enjoy wine but I love the culture of wine. I think it's the atmosphere and a bit of the perceived sophistication that draws me.  To me it's about enjoying it with friends be it people, a good book, a pen and paper or by myself.  

    

   It truly confuses me at times because I was raised on the notion that alcohol in any consumable form was bad, almost evil in itself.  It wasn't until I turned 20 and moved in with my brother and his family that I began to question my belief.  My thoughts went along these lines: my brother had it in his house and he is still a good person. He still loves God and family. Why is this a bad thing? I began to question many things in my realm of beliefs. Did I believe because I was told I had to or do I truly believe it?

     Anyway, back to wine!  It's funny to me that I'm self regulating when it comes to drinking it.  I have discovered that lower quality wine makes me very sleepy. The high sugar content most likely has something to to with that, creating a blood sugar crash or something. I can only drink about one and a half glasses of that wine and I get very drowsy, fall asleep for about 20 minutes then wake up.  Not good in the evenings when I need to go to sleep soon.  I decided that I am worth the better wine!  

     One of the exciting things I've discovered in my journey is that wine is healthy.  Who would have thought? Oh! The Greeks, Italians, French, Spanish and several other cultures that drink it on a regular basis and have longer life spans than most Americans.  There are many benefits to drinking a glass of wine or two each day.  I know there are many thoughts on this subject but in my journey through this vineyard I have discovered this: Wine is good for you, when consumed in moderation, for most people.

      

     So what does moderation look like?  According to many studies one to two 5 oz. glasses of wine. That is the range for women to get the most benefit from it.  Remember, THE SIZE OF THE GLASS DOES NOT DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE POUR! Say it with me, "The size of the glass does NOT determine the size of the pour!"  

   

    The large glass used for red wine has another purpose other than volume. It is to develop the flavor of the wine by exposing it to oxygen creating a smoother glass of deliciousness, NOT for storing half the bottle! Sorry to disappoint you. (I have actually seen glasses that hold an entire 750 ml bottle of wine.  They were humongous.)  

   

     Ok, back to the healthiness part of  drinking wine since this is a health blog.  I discovered  cultures that drink wine, eat a plant based diet with moderate meat and dairy live longer and have less disease. Functional exercise, like physical work and play, has a big role in their health as well. I find it fascinating that these things are true.

     

     Moderation is the key because when we over indulge in anything our body goes into stress mode and our hormones, brain function, and organs suffer. Something else to consider is that everyone is different.  Know yourself.  Be wise.  Love yourself enough to indulge in your health.  Health is a choice. 

Cheers!