From Alcohol’s Risks to Louie Louie Bliss: This Week’s Highlights

Well, this week didn’t turn out at all how I expected! I was looking forward to finally catching up on everything with all my kids in school for their first full week. Then Hurricane Francine decided to shake things up—taking my kids out of school from Tuesday to Thursday. We were hunkered down, dealing with power, cable, and internet outages.

At first, I thought, Great, I’ll get so much done since we can’t leave the house! But you know what? I realized I actually missed having my kids around. So, instead of stressing about productivity, I turned everything off, and we had the best hurricane party ever. Sometimes, it’s moments like these—unexpected and unplanned—that end up being exactly what we need.

Now, let’s dive into what’s happening this week! From a deep look at alcohol’s real impacts to my new favorite infused beverage and more.

-Monica

“Thoughts on people who say that smoking weed when trying to conceive (TTC) harms your body? Is that true?”

Ugh, why can’t people just mind their own business, right? But seriously, this is a question I get often, and while I’m not a doctor and can’t provide medical facts, here’s my take based on what I’ve seen and experienced.

First, it’s important to do your own research and figure out what’s best for you. There is research out there on cannabis and fertility, but it’s never a one-size-fits-all answer. Health is complex, and fertility issues can be tied to a range of factors. Stress, for instance, plays a major role in reproductive health, and it’s something we often overlook. So before jumping to conclusions about what’s harming your body, it’s worth taking a broader, holistic look at everything—what you’re eating, how much stress you’re under, and how your lifestyle overall impacts your health.

Food is now being shown to have a huge impact on our health and reproductive systems too, so it’s important not to single out one thing, like cannabis, without looking at the whole picture.

I’ll be searching for an expert to dive deeper into this in the future, but in the meantime, do what feels right for you and remember that no one can make those decisions for you but you.

What We’re Drinking: Louie Louie

This week, we’re doubling up on the love for Louie Louie! Not only are they one of my absolute favorite infused beverages, but they’re also getting some well-deserved spotlight from Dry Atlas—one of my go-to publications. Let’s celebrate them together!

Here’s why Louie Louie is always in my fridge:

1. The Taste – Simply put, this is infused beverage perfection in a can. Honestly, you’d have no idea it’s infused. I’d drink this even if I were still a drinker—it’s that good.

2. NOLA Love – They’re based right here in New Orleans! The first time I tried Louie Louie, it was classic New Orleans: my neighbor showed up with one and said, “You HAVE to try this. A friend of a friend is launching it.” So typical, and so perfect.

3. The People – I’ve met a few of the owners, and we instantly clicked. We bonded over both having twins and being newly alcohol-free women in a city where boozy friendships are the norm. Our connection goes beyond the cannabis beverage world—it’s personal.

Dry Atlas recently featured them in an interview, and I couldn’t be more excited to see Louie Louie getting the attention they deserve. Check out their story here.

Education Spotlight: Unmasking Alcohol’s Hidden Threats

We’ve all heard it—“Alcohol helps you relax!” or “Wine is just a little stress relief.” But what are we really drinking in those moments? The truth is, alcohol is a quiet storm, creating more harm than we realize, despite its shiny social image.

In my blog post, The Quiet Storm: Unmasking Alcohol's Hidden Threats, I dive deep into the science and realities we often ignore. Alcohol isn’t just about bad hangovers or fuzzy memories; it affects mental health, sleep patterns, and even our long-term physical health.

What We Should Know:

• Mental Health Impact: Alcohol is a depressant, often increasing feelings of anxiety and depression after the initial "buzz" wears off. Long-term use can lead to serious mental health struggles.

• Sleep Disruption: While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, it seriously disrupts the quality of your rest, leaving you feeling more tired the next day.

• Physical Health Risks: From liver damage to an increased risk of cancer, alcohol carries significant long-term health risks that we can’t afford to overlook.

Where to Learn More: This blog post is based on the full podcast episode, which dives even deeper into the impacts of alcohol. You can listen to the full episode here. For a deeper dive, check out the blog post here, where I break down how alcohol affects us and why it’s worth reconsidering our relationship with it.

Products with a Purpose

This month, I’m super excited to feature some of our favorite Cali Sober Mom merch pieces—and they come with a mission. Over the past six months, I’ve been digging deep into the cannabis industry, learning who’s fighting for what and where the real impact is being made. While many alliances seem focused on lobbying for their own interests, I’m for the people, not corporate profits.

That’s why for every merch item sold this month, we’re donating 10% of profits to support an important cause, led by Beard Bros Pharms, a true force in fighting for change. Right now, they’re leading the charge to help Edwin Rubis, a man who’s spent over 25 years in prison for nonviolent cannabis offenses. You can read more about Edwin’s story and how Beard Bros Pharms is driving this cause here.

So if you’re looking to rep Cali Sober Mom and give back at the same time, check out some of my favorite picks:

1. In My Cali Sober Era Crewneck

2. 99 Problems Crewneck

3. Vote for Your Right to Party Tee

Every purchase helps support a cause bigger than just style. Together, we’re making a difference!

From Free Drinks to Obama’s Inauguration: The Chaos That Ensued

Why would a spontaneous, drunken road trip to Washington DC, where I packed 15 sweaters and nothing else, end up teaching me something about community, passion, and the future of cannabis?

Let me explain.

Let’s rewind to the Sunday night before Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20, 2009. It was a typical Sunday for me back then—after a Saints game, my best friend (who worked for the Saints) and I would go out drinking and watch more football. Thanks to his connections with the team, we’d often get free drinks or special treatment without even asking.

On this particular night, we had befriended a bartender at Gordon Biersch, and every time we went there, we drank for free—and a lot. My friend’s then-girlfriend, who he’d met while traveling with the Saints, was the general manager of a hotel in DC, right in the heart of the inauguration festivities. So, after way too many drinks, we had the brilliant idea to drive overnight from New Orleans to DC to surprise her and be there for the inauguration.

Public service announcement: Don’t drink and drive—this was stupid.

About 7 hours in, we realized what a massive mistake this was—but also, what an epic adventure. When we arrived in DC, I discovered that I had only packed sweaters. Seriously. I had walked into my closet, grabbed 15 sweaters, and nothing else. We were an absolute disaster, but there we were, standing in the heart of DC the day before Obama’s inauguration, taking in the moment.

And despite the chaos of the trip, what really stuck with me was the energy, the hope, and the unity I saw that day. It wasn’t about the sweaters or the road trip anymore. It was about being part of something bigger. People were passionate and visible, coming together for a moment that symbolized real change.

Now, why does this matter?

Looking back, it reminds me of the importance of community and making our voices heard—especially as we move into politically charged times. As cannabis and hemp become defining parts of our future economy, we need our own public service announcement. Don’t wait until decisions are made behind closed doors to make your voice heard. The future of this industry, and how it impacts our lives, will be decided by what we do now. Let’s make sure we’re a part of that conversation before it’s too late.

(P.S. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Reply to this email, and we’ll include it in a future edition!)