Our Favorite Bachelorette Party Mocktail + A Guide to Booze Free Drinking in Local Asheville Bars

On a cleanse, pregnant, in the role of designated driver? No matter the reason for a night without alcohol, it's never fun to be left out of the fancy-drink-fun at a bachelorette party or girls' getaway.  We all deserve beautiful garnishes and elegant stemware!

Below is one of our favorite mocktail recipes, found on the "Half Baked Harvest" blog.  We consider it the perfect simple and deliciously dainty libation to sip on as your group gets ready at your vacation rental for a night out in downtown Asheville, NC.  Also, check out these suggestions from AVLToday.com on how to navigate ordering mocktails in the local bar scene once your group makes it out on the town!

Rose Lemon Spritzer

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons rose water * optional
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2-2 ounces vodka omit to make a mocktail!
• 1-2 tablespoon honey or to taste (use agave if vegan)
• a few drops of blood orange or pomegranate juice for color (optional)
• 3/4 cup sparkling water or more to taste
• fresh roses for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all the rose water, fresh lemon juice, vodka, honey and blood orange or pomegranate juice (if using) in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until combined and then strain into a glass. Pour in the sparkling water. Garnish with fresh roses. DRINK!

Make this Guilt-Free Chocolate Chia-Coconut Pudding for Your Boo

Asheville Wellness Tours just got to sample this chocolate pudding recipe from The Flexible Kitchen-- and we gotta tell you it is the PERFECT thing to impress your boo this Valentine's.  It is smooth, creamy, luxurious, and guilt-free sex on a spoon.

This isn't your usual chia pudding! With rich, creamy coconut milk and plenty of dark chocolate, this is just as decadent as traditional chocolate mousse -- but with chia instead of eggs, butter and cream. This dessert requires very little effort (the hardest part is waiting for it to chill), and it's sure to impress your sweetie. You can freeze the leftovers in popsicle molds.

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup chia seeds

Heat all ingredients except for the chia seeds in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Whisk often until the mixture is barely simmering and the chocolate is mostly melted. Remove from heat, and stir in the chia seeds. Transfer to a medium bowl, and let chill for at least 30 minutes. Stir to fully integrate the chia seeds, then serve, topped as desired with fresh berries. If it’s too thick, whisk in more almond milk as desired.

Glam it up with some fresh berries and/or mint as garnish, served in a small dessert cup or wine glass. 

Girls Yoga + Hiking Picnic Adventure at Craggy Gardens, Partnership with NamasteinNature!

Asheville Wellness Tours partnered with NamasteinNature last weekend, September 9th, to offer a yoga + hiking picnic at Craggy Gardens for a girls' group visiting from Kentucky.  It was a beautiful day for an outdoor adventure and yoga class.  Thanks to Miranda from leading this outing and getting such wonderful pics for us to share with you.  Learn more about curated bachelorette and vacation wellness experiences we offer!

First Sip + Stretch at Ginger's Revenge

The first "Sip + Stretch" last weekend, hosted by Asheville Wellness Tours at Ginger's Revenge, was a blast!  Thanks to the lovely and always humorous yoga instructor Alexandra Moody.  Best quote of the class (in plank pose), "Imagine you're balancing a growler of ginger beer on your sacrum."   Yup, we were amused, as well as instantly focused on stability in the asana.  See you at the next Sip + Stretch on August 20th, same instructor, bat time and bat channel (time and location). 

An additional thanks to Katie Vie of  River Island Apothecary for her offering of free individual archetypal anointing sessions after the yoga portion.  We've invited her back to the next one and hope to have a couple other wellness specialists pop up as well. Stay tuned! 

2017 Tour Season Kick Off!

It's official-- Asheville Wellness Tours is on a roll! Check out these pics from our first tour of the season last weekend, Sunday April 2nd.  We had a really fun group! Thank you to those who participated.  You're welcome back any time. 

Team wellness tour. Let's go!

Tea tasting

other footsteps

Did you know a regular dose of local honey in the Spring can supposedly stave off seasonal allergies? 

FYI-- the appropriate way to taste honey...

Ever heard of salt therapy?

Perfect afternoon for some breathing and yoga in the park. 

AWT at Asheville Yoga Fest 2017!!

We're pleased to announce we will be offering a custom, discounted version of the Asheville Wellness Tour to Asheville Yoga Fest participants for the July 27th-30th 2017 festival.

There will be two tours available to participants-- 10:30 am on Saturday, July 29th, and 10:30am on Sunday, July 30th.  These tours are two hours, at a reduced price of $30.  

We look forward to partnering with Asheville Yoga Fest in showcasing the holistic treasures that this magical mountain town of history and healing has to offer. The two hour tour includes a local guide's discourse on the history of Asheville and a broad sampling of wellness experiences, as well as a goodie bag from participating local businesses.

Guidance for the New Year from Local Asheville Yoga + Meditation Instructors

We loved this article by our dear friend, Kate Lundquist, in this week's current Mountain Xpress.  Check it out for guidance from local yoga and mediation teachers about entering the new year.