Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Hey Molly, It’s me… The one who comments on your Instagram posts. I’m the one who shares your harmful mommy-wine posts on my story and DMs you about your alcohol-centered approach to social media. I’m writing you this to try to get you to understand. Imagine for a minute that you’re a mom struggling with alcohol. The days pass by, and you try to do your best. Small (and big) humans depend on you for everything. You don’t have a person to clean your house or cook your meals for you. You don’t have anyone to take care of your…

This week’s song is a no-brainer. In anticipation of the big day, we dance to the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) Past, Present, and Future: Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You. The Queen of Christmas has me jiggling my jolly parts every time I hear this one. I hope you enjoy this holiday season, and my wish for you is peace, serenity, and JOY. TUESDAY TUNES with Lauren McLaughlin: Welcome to Tuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin, AKA @JoyfullySober, Your New Weekly Sober Dance PartyTuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin AKA @Joyfullysober – The Holiday EditionLET IT…

It’s time for TUESDAY TUNES, and I DARE YOU not to bust out some finger-snapping, head-bopping moves to this song. I can’t resist a good boy band holiday tune during this time of year, and N’Sync brings it big with this jam. Not only is it a catchy tune, but if you listen to the words, it hits home in many ways for me. Three Lyrics I love: “It’s a wonderful feeling, feel the love in the room, from the floor to the ceiling.” Sometimes we get so wrapped up in stress during this time of year it reminds me to…

Were you looking for a fun way to jazz up your festive DryBations this Holiday season? How about a Peppermint Bark-inspired rim!?! On this Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, Let’s rim some glasses! What you will need: How to: To operate a double boiler, fill the bottom vessel with about an inch or two of water. Do not fill all the way. Turn on the heat and let the steam from the boiling water melt your chocolate. Enjoy Safely! Remember, if you give this a go, tag @thesobercurator and me in your photos!!! Until Next Week! To Your Health! Xoxo -Nik…

“Mija….you smell like beer,” my mother-in-law said reluctantly as I climbed in the back of the SUV. “You may want to go back inside and brush your teeth.” It was 2015, and my husband drove us to my mother’s annual Christmas Tea. I was hungover as usual and dressed in a tacky Santa ensemble that I threw on last minute. I ran back into the house to gargle mouthwash and spray on more perfume. I looked at myself in the mirror; I was disheveled, bloated, and fighting back nausea. I plastered on a smile and forced myself out the door.…

The Holidays are in full swing and for some, this is the first holiday season to be sober. On my first holiday, I was 8 months sober and it was scary and overwhelming and if I am being honest very humbling. I was 28 years old, living in a sober living house, working at Bath and Body Works in the Mall of America. I couldn’t afford Christmas gifts and I didn’t have extra money to buy supplies to do any baking (nor did I have my own kitchen). There was no tree to decorate. I was embarrassed and angry…

Adding different flavor elements to your DryBations is a great way to elevate your garnish game!On this week’s, Just a Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make some tasty flavored foam! What you will need to make flavored foam: It’s as easy as adding a pinch of Versawhip to a small amount of your liquid and letting the milk frother do its thaaaaang! This lovely way to add dense foam that won’t deflate and adds an additional flavor element. How about a Lemonade with a Lavender Foam?Or a Mint Bevy with a Chocolate Foam!?Let your creativity take flight and tag me and…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and the beginning of the never-ending debate on when it is ok to put up your tree. Are you Team Before Thanksgiving or Team After Thanksgiving? I am Team After Thanksgiving. So this weekend I rocked out to Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson and got it done! Oh, and of course, I got a new Holiday Themed Housecoat! TUESDAY TUNES with Lauren Mclaughlin: Welcome to Tuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin, AKA @JoyfullySober, Your New Weekly Sober Dance Party PLAY IT AGAIN: Music can instantly transport you to another state…

Are you a hands-on shopper?Looking for a curated selection of NonAlc beverages? Well, I’m taking you virtual shopping, On This – Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!!! On the Eastside of Los Angeles… in the Indie/Hip part of town, in a city called Silverlake, a beautiful Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop has opened its doors! Let me introduce you to Soft Spirits! This bottle shop is a great introduction to NonAlc bevies!  Are you looking to try options but don’t want to commit to large quantities from Online Retailers for free shipping?  Or would you like to skip shipping in general? In-person shopping…

Last week I came home to find a couple of deliveries that my husband had plopped on the kitchen counter side by side. One was a shipment of Teetotaler Wines from Boisson in NYC @boisson.nyc, and the other was my December issue of Vogue magazine. Sarah Jessica Parker graces the cover in a gauzy pink Dolce and Gabbana Alta Moda gown with metallic floral embroidery and Dior bracelets. She looks every bit the part of our beloved Carrie Bradshaw from SATC. The caption reads, “And Just like that SJP is….Back!” “And just like that the gals on SATC trend Teetotaler”…

We are starting a new weekly segment: drumroll please……Introducing Tuesday Tunes! Let me introduce myself; I’m Lauren, a Sober Curator from the Chicago area (aka the suburbs). I am a person in long-term recovery; I celebrated 15 years in April of 2021. Music has played a massive part in my recovery. I got sober so long ago that iPhone, Spotify, Pandora weren’t even a thing yet! LOL, I had cases of CDs (see picture above). This one is not mine since I left all of my CDs in my drug den apartment that I evacuated when I got sober; maybe I…

Is it getting cold outside? Wanting to heat things up? Grab your crock pot and let’s get to the kitchen! On this, Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make a Hot Cider!!! What you’ll need: Directions: Cube your fruit and remove all rind and pith from your citrus and combine in your crock pot with spices and 7 cups of water.Cook on low for 8 hoursORCook on high for 4 hoursWith the last 30 minutes to and hour, smoosh your fruit in the crock pot.After carefully straining, add in your maple syrup and ENJOY!! This is a wonderful drink to…

As fall festivities approach, and we attend our Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving feasts, how will we toast with flavorful DryBations? Let’s get inspired with flavors of the season, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! Today, we will focus on one of my favorite fall fruits, pomegranate! The beauty about putting the focus on the pomegranate is there are so many products to incorporate for your non-alcoholic beverages!The Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants and vitamins with a tart and sweet flavor which supports so many amazing recipes! You can get already peeled fruit for garnishes, you can use the juice as a tart…

What are bitters?
What do bitters do?
Are they Non-Alcoholic?
Are they Alcohol-Free?

Something divinely auspicious happened to me this fall. I was digging through my closet and planning for the onset of colder temperatures when I realized it was time to “let go and let God”. I made a giant pile of nice clothes, clothes I wore and loved, and put them in the Goodwill pile. And then I happily donated them. I am talking about real wool sweaters, vests I have worn a hundred times, jackets in shades of olive green, and even a faux Burberry print shawl I’d been holding onto for years. I realized that this November my favorite…

There’s only one thing The Sober Curator LOVES more than good recovery content. And it’s FREE good recovery content. Our goal in shining the Sober Spotlight on people making a difference and curating recovery-related podcasts, QuitLit, mocktails, music, events, and movies is to smash the stigma surrounding addiction. We want to prove that life in sobriety is fun, rewarding, and never boring. This is why we want to make sure you know about The FREE 2021 Virtual Reel Recovery Film Festival. And introduce you to its producers, Writers in Treatment. Two great resources for recovery content! Founded by Leonard Buschel,…

Inspiration is, quite literally, everywhere! We are going to the Candy Shop, @lolliandpops on this JUST A MERRY MOCKTAIL MONDAY! Don’t have a cotton candy maker at home? NBD, look at all these lovely options!! A variety in so many flavors … the possibilities to create something unique is nearly effortless!! If you’re looking for a simpler Garnish… they also carry gummy candy. Such a lovely treat on a Mocktail Pick. Makin’ a NonAlc Penicillin? Add some candied ginger! It’s a lovely treat for any festivity! Bonus, their packaging makes storage clean with a lovely aesthetic! Lolli and Pop have…

Welcome to Gratitude Month 2021! Buddha says gratitude is the open door to abundance. Recovered alcoholics say it’s a way of life. We hear people talking about it like it’s the secret sauce, the magic potion, or the genie in the bottle. Speaking from personal experience, I can say after putting the bottle down, gratitude is definitely the most direct route to happiness. But why is this? How do we get there and how does it work? There are practical steps to gratitude and we are going to show you some. So, read on friends! There is power in gratitude. Focusing on your blessings…

Introducing Farout Drinks from Trish Reynolds and Madison McCleary. These two sober babes from the land down under allow you to experience a good mood straight out of the can. With powerful plant ingredients, you can boost your energy and improve your focus or feel calmer and sleep better with their chill vibes. Check out their Crowdfunding video and see how you can show your support and be first in line to sample this new product line. How Does It Work? These Farout bevies are plant-based and science-backed! Here are some terms to help you get familiar with how they…

I’ve got some sweet little TRICKs for you (that are a real TREAT) on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! Wanna turn any DryBation into a spooky elixir!?! Just add a bit of activated charcoal!! Not only does it look WICKED but activated charcoal has some benefits as well! It helps detoxify the body and supports kidney function! Wanna level it up a little!? Add a pinch of edible glitter for a swirly, enchanted potion… How about a little over-the-top garnish!?! Let’s add Cotton Candy and Plastic Spiders!!! Now you have a decadent (and somewhat elaborate) Mocktail! Can we take…

Are you looking to add some creepy Halloween and easy to create garnishes to your alcohol-free beverages? We’ve got you covered!

Meet Michael Molthan, former drug addict and alcoholic, charismatic speaker, minister to The Missing Man and host of the podcast M2 the Rock.

Halloween meets Mocktail Monday with a #boozefreetiki twist!! Let’s have a little DryBation mixing fun, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!! Let’s make a twist on a classic Piña Colada with a little Spooky drizzle…

I’ve always felt like I was an observant person. Since I decided to quit drinking over three years ago, I’m more aware than I’ve ever been. Not only am I more self-aware, but I also notice the things that are happening around me. Sometimes I have fun with it. Sometimes I over-analyze situations. I see my awareness as a positive attribute, but my husband might beg to differ. I can’t not notice. My family and I recently went to an event where the booze was flowing. I noticed every person who was drinking, what they were drinking, and how much.…

Is festive glassware necessary for a good holiday time? Nooooo… but it sure helps!! 

I am an animal in October. And I am referring to more than just dressing up like Big Foot and gorging on Halloween candy… (although I do that too.) Let’s face it… animal print looks amazing in the backdrop of early fall. It’s the kitsch neutral. It’s the cat’s pajamas. The bee’s knees. The dog’s tuxedo. You get the picture. I love all things animal print. And there is no better time of year to rock this seemingly haphazard, caramelized mixture of brown, black, camel, and rust. I don’t discriminate on animal print, leopard, cheetah, tortoise, or snakeskin, …. bring…

Throwback to the Sober Pop Mock(tail) recipe that was created by @Tonix.Mocktails in the Spring of 2021. Nik created this clever beverage for the Sober Pop Club TV-themed night, where we discussed our favorite TV series that had addiction as an underlying storyline. We thought Sober October was the perfect time to bring this one back out of our sober archives. Sober Pop Mock of the Week: True Blood Ingredients You’ll Need: Movie Night with The Sober Curator Need some recommendations on what to watch? We’ve got you covered! Because it’s movie night and the feelings right, it’s movie night!…

Ranger Sauce, a wanderer who picked up a guitar and has been on an adventure or two. Interview + New Single “Gambler’s Road”

Mocktail Monday is BACK and complete with a simple yet dramatic garnish that will level up your presentation!

Grace Askew is a sixth-generation Memphian and a highway child. With seven studio albums and nearly a decade of touring under her belt, Askew has established herself as a relentlessly creative artist and a powerhouse of talent. She has become a festival favorite at eclectic live events and gained the attention of brands like Stetson, Wrangler, and Tecovas Boots, all of which have signed her on as a model/spokeswoman. She mostly hits the road accompanied only by her truck, Wanda. Still, she has also supported legends like Hayes Carll, Ray Wylie Hubbard, James McMurtry, Lisa Marie Presley, Marty Stuart, Paul…