It’s that time of year again when football fans gather for Super Bowl Sunday. When you think of drunk driving, it’s easy to think about the financial impact: fines, legal fees, and criminal charges are no joke and can seriously affect your future. But the other more human consequences impact our communities in other ways.
Drunk drivers that get DUIs (driving under the influence citation) are the lucky ones. Most of us know someone that has been killed or injured by an impaired driver or we know someone that made the wrong choice and was the drunk driver. During football season, special events, and throughout the year, we urge you to make the right choice and not to drive after drinking.
If you are drinking, have a plan to keep yourself and your community safe. Have a designated driver, use a taxi, or alternate transportation. Friends also play a large role in keeping each other safe. Encourage those around you not to drive after drinking and when possible, help them find a safe way home.
If you didn’t plan on drinking but find yourself drinking in the moment, do not drive home, find a safe alternative instead. But you really need your car for work in the morning and you’re “just a little buzzed?”. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. You may get hit with large fines, lose your car and your job due to court dates and a DUI charge on your record, and you may kill someone or yourself if you are in a crash. Don’t be the reason someone doesn’t make it home. Don’t drive after drinking.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:
- Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers
- Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers at your party
- Give them a great spot to watch the game
- Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full
- Let them have the first pass at the buffet table
- Make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home
- Serve plenty of food
- Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like soft drinks, juice, and water
- Serve one drink at a time and serve measured drinks
- Only serve alcohol to guests over 21 years of age
- Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the end of the party or at the end of the third quarter of the game (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert
- Add the numbers of local cab companies into your phone so they are just one touch away
- Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired
- Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available
If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins and leave your car keys at home if you plan to drink
- Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers when you are out at a bar or restaurant
- Offer to be the designated driver the next time you go out
- Cover the cost for parking or even pay for a tank of gas
- Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full
- Pick up the tab for their food and drink
- Before you go out, add the numbers for local cab companies in your cell phone so if you find yourself in need of a ride, it is just one touch away
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
- Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
- Always buckle up – it’s your best defense on the road
Bring Fans Together with Delicious Recipes
Scoring big during this NFL Big Game final weekend with friends and family requires fun and exciting recipes and meals and snacks that keep the crowd full and ready for action. Enjoy these simple dishes that help simplify home gating so you can focus on the big screen!
Gathering for the big game is a source of annual excitement for fans across the country, but the moment is as much about connecting with family and friends as it is the action on the field. The superstar of the celebrations is often the food, from snacks and appetizers to full-blown meals and tasty sweets.
For a better-for-you way to grub out at gametime, this Healthy 7-Layer Taco Dip from Milk Means More features essential nutrients provided by yogurt so you can enjoy a football favorite that nourishes both the body and soul.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Healthy 7-Layer Taco Dip
Recipe courtesy of Liz Della Croce of “The Lemon Bowl” on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12
- 1 can (15 ounces) fat-free, refried beans
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 2 avocados
- 1/2 cup cilantro, minced, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lime, juice only
- 1/2 cup scallions, minced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- tortilla chips
- In small bowl, mix refried beans and salsa. Spread mixture in thin layer on bottom of large platter.
- In separate small bowl, whisk yogurt, cumin, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and cayenne, if desired. Spread mixture on top of bean layer.
- In third bowl, mash avocados with 1/4 cup cilantro, garlic powder, lime juice and remaining salt. Spread guacamole on top of yogurt layer.
- Sprinkle dip with minced scallions, diced tomatoes, black olives and remaining cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.
Game Day Chicken Wings
Whether you pick through your pieces or clean each wing to the bone, these Game Day Chicken Wings are perfect for eaters of all types. A simple flour-based coating keeps the recipe easy to make and baking in the oven means you can skip the messy fryer or firing up the grill.
Cook until crispy then corral your party’s favorite dipping sauces from ranch and blue cheese to barbecue and more. Once your spread is served, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the game.
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 10 chicken wingettes, thawed
- dipping sauces (optional)
- fresh parsley (optional)
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange butter cubes on foil.
- In medium bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Coat both sides of wings in flour mixture then evenly space among butter cubes on baking sheet.
- Bake wings 30 minutes.
- Turn wings over and bake 15 minutes, or until crispy and fully cooked.
- Serve with dipping sauces and sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.
Find more game day recipes at Culinary.net — MilkMeansMore.org
SOURCE:
United Dairy Industry of Michigan (Family Features)
Following these tips, you’ll have a fantastic time with your friends and fam, no matter how you celebrate — and you’ll make this game day one to remember.
