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Even though Punxsutawney Phil once again predicted six more weeks of winter this 2023 Groundhog Day (107 out of 137 times – come on, Phil!), when Mardi Gras rolls around, you know that spring is closer than you think!
We love the traditions, colors, and exuberance of Mardi Gras, a sure harbinger of better things to come. We also know that not everyone wants to join in the heavy-duty partying, which is why we offer up some CBD alternatives. But first, let’s start with how Mardi Gras came to be before we get to how you can celebrate it the CBD way.
Mardi Gras Roots
Mardi Gras has European roots that date back thousands of years. Originally part of pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, it transitioned into a tradition that was part of the Christian faith. This is because religious leaders in Rome decided it was better to try to incorporate some of the pagan rituals that people loved into new, less raucous traditions than to abolish them altogether. You know, kind of an “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” tactic.
What remained of the formerly pagan traditions that included excess and debauchery became part of the lead-up to Lent, with Mardi Gras being the final day of excessive celebration. The tradition spread from Rome to other European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and England. We have the French to thank for the phrase “Mardi Gras” – “mardi” means “Tuesday,” and “gras” means “fat.” Celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, it was customary for people to binge on rich, fatty foods before taking up various types of fasting and giving up things like sweets, alcohol, and meat. Even the word “carnival” is derived from the medieval Latin word “carnelevarium,” which means to take away or remove flesh or meat.
Mardi Gras in the USA
The Mardi Gras party got started on March 3, 1699, when French explorers landed near present-day New Orleans. They realized they had landed on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and so they naturally got busy putting on the first U.S. Mardi Gras. They even named their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras.
Other than a hiatus when the Spanish took control of New Orleans and banned Mardi Gras festivities, New Orleans has been the Mardi Gras capital of the U.S. Beginning in 1827, a group of students got decked out in colorful costumes and danced through the New Orleans streets just as they’d seen revelers do in Paris. The first recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place ten years later and is, of course, very much alive and well today.
Mardi Gras the CBD Way
While excess and decadence are hallmarks of Mardi Gras, if you’re trying to stick to your health and wellness plans or if Bourbon Milk Punch just isn’t your thing, you can still throw on the colorful beads and party it up with CBD shots and Sparkling Elixirs.
CBD Shots. In Mardi Gras vernacular, “throws” are anything parade riders toss to the crowd. Beads are popular, of course, as are boas, cups, doubloons, stuffed animals, and more. You can celebrate the tradition of “throws” by throwing back our CBD shots! Choose from Green Tea & Honey Shots or Turmeric Ginger Shots, each containing 30 MG of CBD. They are perfectly sized for tossing back, slamming down, and shouting “opa!” which is, obviously, Greek and not French, but you get the idea.
Sparkling Elixirs. Leave the cork in the champagne bottle and pop open a can of our festive Sparkling Elixirs instead. Celebrate Mardi Gras with the all-natural CBD found in our sparkling Tangy Lime, Orange Mango, and Rosemary Yuzu elixirs, each with 20 MG of CBD. (Hint: our elixirs are a great swap for alcohol during Lent, too, if that’s what you choose to give up!) Make your elixirs even more fun by pouring in a festive glass, adding garnishes, and cheersing your friends.
When you celebrate Mardi Gras the CBD way, you can still Laissez les bons temps rouler – let the good times roll!