Dry January: A History and the Rise of Alcohol-Free Alternatives in the USA

So, you’re feeling a little stuck in your wellness routine? You’ve gone to more drop-in yoga classes than you can count. You know, the ones where all the other yogis raced out of there at the end of class. And you’ve tried to find a social place to unwind, but you’ve been underwhelmed to find that most “unwinding” happens in addictive spaces. Most of those social groups either don’t care about what they’re putting in the body, or end up self-shaming for the substance over-indulgence. You’ve been there, done that. You’re looking for a matured group who care about where they’re going in life and what they’re putting in their bodies. Searching for a space that caters to plant-driven wellness that also has a strong sense of community has led you to many dead ends. And you’re a little tired. Which is to be expected because the space you’re looking for isn’t on every corner. And your wellness journey is complex and unique. We’ve all heard the common wellness “hacks” like “diet and exercise,” but wellness is so much more and we’re doing it a little differently. And you're one who wants to do things differently, too. A new age is upon us when it comes to connection, health, and relaxation. Gone are the days when your only social outlet was a sticky alcohol bar. And gone are the days when we have to rely on lab created medicine to give us pain relief. What does it look like to foster wellness and relaxation in this age? At Roots and Leaves, relaxation and wellness in Fort Collins means a place to catch a show, unwind from the daily grind, immerse yourself in a lively community of recovery enthusiasts, and nourish your financial wellness. We've made a list of five ways to find wellness at Roots and Leaves this weekend. We can't wait to meet you! 5 Ways to Find Wellness at Roots & Leaves This Weekend Entertainment & Events - From open mic to yoga to live music to trivia, we've got an event to exercise every part of your body . Because wellness is more than just physical exercise, it’s nourishing your mind and spirit too. Our newest location in Westminster, Colorado is a venue, too. Catch a show and let the live music energize you. Join us and you’ll find opportunities to exercise your brain, share your creativity, and move your body. Relaxation - Kava is like that good friend who knows exactly what to say to bring you back down to earth when the day’s got you feeling a little imbalanced. Kava is a root from the South Pacific and its tea promotes relaxation by calming down the central nervous system. It even acts as a social lubricant: feelings of deep joy can follow and a new friendship just might blossom. An alternative to alcohol, Kava helps all the junk from the day just disappear. Served in a traditional “shell,” it’s got an earthy taste. Kava can be layered with other flavor notes, however you like. Community - Where there's Kava, there's community. And nowadays, real community is hard to come by. But in a Kava bar, you'll find people that just…well, get it. You’ll find people looking to build genuine connections, in an authentic down-to-earth way. Having a solid support system has a huge impact on mental, emotional, and physical health. And as you journey toward health, you’ll have an impact on those around you. Rising tides lift all ships and you’ve got a place here. Pain relief - Physical pain is a huge roadblock to feeling like yourself. And that Advil you've been popping is starting to do more harm than good. Kratom is a safe alternative to other pain relieving tools. A relative of the coffee plant, Kratom can help with pain relief, while some strains can be stimulating. We've got a selection of different Kratom strains and mixed drinks that are a perfect addition to your routine. Drink specials - Taking on a new favorite place can be a little intimidating for your wallet. Especially since you've been to bars where you spent your whole paycheck. Yikes! We offer weekly drink specials on our already affordable prices with a happy hour every weekday and all-you-can-drink nights. Holistic wellness is our goal, including decreasing stress to increase your financial wellness. Follow our Instagram @rootsandleaveskava to stay up to date on the latest specials. Your wellness journey doesn’t need to be boring — and it doesn’t need to be a solo act. It does, however, need to be multifaceted. But it can be hard to find the right spaces that cultivate a well-rounded approach to all forms of wellness. We’ve all started showing up in other “community spaces,” just to find gatekeeping and inauthenticity. And experiencing that enough feels super, well, icky. We’ve cultivated a space where real relationships come first. By stretching your mind and body in a safe space, holistic wellness will follow. Roots and Leaves isn’t just a Kava and Kratom bar — it’s a truly alternative space where you can go to drop in, rather than just escape. When you build a life that you’re excited about and have a support system you can depend on, the urge to escape starts to melt away. Having a team of herbal allies can be life-changing. And that’s exactly what you’ll find with Kava and Kratom. Alcohol experiences are often plagued with regret and depletion, but Kava and Kratom are medicinal plants that nourish your body and mind — while giving you the space to take a break from life. In these wild times, we all need a safe place to mentally and physically unwind. And alcohol environments are feeling less and less like a safe space to do so. Our unique and holistic approach to wellness is something truly special. If you’re looking for relaxation and wellness in Fort Collins, come see us this weekend. Check out our website to see which of our 5 locations is the best fit for you. We can’t wait for you to join us! Stay calm friends…and drink kava!