wild

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver, American poet, 1935-2019

What do I plan to do with this one wild and precious life? At the grand old age of forty one, having already lived a relatively wild life, I’m finally focusing on the preciousness of life and protecting my remaining years from drunken embarrassment, mortifying mishaps and liver damage. Looking back on my boozy, bingey past, those days seem pretty wild versus the more tame and routine-oriented lifestyle of this mother of two and I am very thankful for that. But being here in my sober curious days does not make me regret where I was in my boozy paloozey days. Everything before was preparing me for where I am now and I, strangely enough, regret nothing. Running wild and free is part of growing up and it has made me who I am today. With time and sobriety on my side, I can look back fondly on my wild days and see that they have provided the depth and backstory to the character I am today. Some wild tales of note:

• Discovering Ouzo and filling my belly with it before heading on stage to sing Karaoke in Thassos, Greece
• Opening bottles of red wine with a toothbrush on a beach in Nice, France
• Enjoying buckets of Thai Redbull before heading to a Full Moon party in Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
• Drinking vodka out of teapots and teacups in St Petersburg, Russia
• Partying with colleagues over bratwurst, pretzels and beer at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
• Making the most of an open bar on an all-inclusive cruise, Bahamas
• Sipping an ice cold Saigon lager on the roadside in Dalat, Vietnam
• Getting sozzled while rocking out live with Madonna at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Vevey, Switzerland
• Wine tasting with Huntsman tarantulas in Hunter Valley, Australia
• Swigging champagne from a private box at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, London
• Getting lectured for flirting with the bartender by my macho boyfriend in São Paulo, Brazil
• Celebrating my 40th birthday party with Champagne and In ’n’ Out burgers in San Diego, USA

The list could go on. And while that list certainly stands as proof to the well-travelled adventures I have had on this wild ride thus far, it’s important to note that neither the list nor the photos elaborate on how the exciting times often led to misadventure. While I am proud of my travels around the world, I am certainly less proud of how easily good times would turn bad, thanks to my persistent and consistent over-consumption. The hangovers that clouded my days on the beach, the late nights stumbling around unfamiliar cities, the stitches received from a very dodgy hospital in Thailand… I could go on. And on. But I am not here to berate myself for my mishaps, nor glamorize my glory days of drinking. I am here to usher in a new era and celebrate a different kind of wild freedom: freedom from drinking alcohol.

My one wild and precious life is being reshaped, protected and moulded into something new. Something much simpler. Something less mortifying. Less glamorous. Something raw. What can be more wild than taking the harsh realities of life straight to the face, stone cold sober, no sparkling ethanol to take the edge off. No crisp, cold Singha to numb those nagging feelings of self-doubt and worry?
Life.
Raw.
Now that is wild.

And so for a tonic to ring in the changes. A wild tonic. Something with raw ingredients. Distinct lush mango followed by subtle ginger undertones. Deliciousness in every sip, so good, you cannot even imagine craving an alcoholic beverage as your mind, body and soul have been satiated by this phenomenal find. And find them you must! These beauties can be ordered direct online or found in a decent grocery store like Sprouts or Whole Foods.

Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha