88 
Mountain Views-News Saturday November 22, 2025 FOOD - DRINK - FUN 88 
Mountain Views-News Saturday November 22, 2025 FOOD - DRINK - FUN 
Peter A. Dills 

https://
podlink/1116885432 


DRY JANUARY: WHAT I’LL 
MISS… AND WHAT I WON’T 

Dry January. Two words that can strike fear into the heart of 
anyone who enjoys a good cocktail, a cold beer, or a glass of 
Champagne poured with purpose. And yet, here I am—by the 
time you’re reading this, I’m already on Day Five. Not bad. In 
fact, it’s going faster than I thought. 

Let’s get this out of the way first: I will miss a few things.
I’ll miss a perfectly made martini at Plate 38—cold, bracing, 
no nonsense, the kind of drink that doesn’t need explaining. 
I’ll miss an ice-cold Stella beer at The Boat, especially when 
the room is buzzing and the conversation is flowing. And yes, 
I’ll miss a celebratory glass of Taittinger. My dad loved Champagne, 
and some habits—and memories—die hard. Jamie’s 

Margairita “Peter Pour” at Casa Del Rey. 

But here’s the part that surprises people: there are things I don’t miss nearly as much as I 
thought I would. 

I don’t miss waking up a little foggy, even after “just one.” I don’t miss that subtle afternoon 
drag that makes you wonder if it’s coffee time or nap time. And I definitely don’t miss stepping 
on the scale and pretending the number is broken. 

For the past 15 years, my Dry January goal has been simple: recharge the body. No grand 
resolutions, no dramatic declarations. Just a reset. A pause. A chance to let the system catch 
up. 

Now that I’m older—and I say that without flinching—the benefits are louder and clearer. 
The weight doesn’t come off as easily as it once did, but when it does, I feel it immediately. 
My knees notice. My hips notice. Getting in and out of the car is easier. Walking feels 
lighter. Even standing at the kitchen counter somehow feels better. That’s not science—it’s 
real life. 

Dry January also has a way of sharpening awareness. You realize how often a drink is less 
about thirst and more about habit. You learn how many social moments don’t actually 
require alcohol to be enjoyable. And you rediscover that water, sleep, and a clear head are 
not overrated. 

Is it perfect? No. Is it boring at times? Sure. But 31 days goes fast. Faster than you think. By 
the time you commit, complain, and count the days, you’re already halfway there. 

And here’s the thing nobody talks about enough: it’s a personal challenge, not a moral one. 
I’m not judging anyone’s glass, bottle, or bar tab. I work in food and hospitality—I celebrate 
it. Dry January isn’t about giving something up forever. It’s about checking in with yourself 
and seeing how you feel without it for a month. 

For me, the answer—year after year—is the same: I feel better than I expect to.
February will come. The martinis, beers, and Champagne will still be there. They always 
are. But for now, I’ll take clearer mornings, lighter steps, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing 
that sometimes, the hardest part is simply starting. 

And if you’re thinking about trying it—five days in, I’ll tell you this: it’s worth it.
You bank account will appreciate too, if you make it 5 or ten days Bravo to you 

thechefknows@yahoo.com... Listen in on the podcast 

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