Dear XO Jacqui
Community,

The holidays are here already (how did that happen?) and we wanted to pause for a moment to thank you and take a nap. :) It’s been an amazing, whirlwind of a first year for our small, women-owned business, and your support has been crucial. We’re incredibly grateful for the love from our friends, family, and loyal customers — we know we couldn’t do it without your help. A special shoutout goes to Alexis and Huyen who spearheaded our big move to a new commercial kitchen in October, with all hands on deck from Alexis’ family! Talk about small-business in action! This Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as you think about gifts that benefit the health and wellbeing of your loved ones, we hope you’ll consider supporting small businesses like ours.
XO,
Alexis and Jacqui, XO Jacqui Co-Founders


Serenity Sipper
This mocktail is designed to be refreshing, light, and calming — perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 teaspoon XO Jacqui Unwind Boost
- Sparkling water (optional for a fizzy touch)
- XO Jacqui You’re Sweet Organic Whole Food Sweetener to taste
- 1 oz Fresh OJ
- Ice cubes
- Orange slice or fresh raspberries for garnish (optional)
HOW TO:
Blend ice, sweetener, Unwind boost and OJ in a blender and add to a glass with more ice. Top with sparkling water if desired. Add an orange slice garnish or a few fresh raspberries to make it feel fancy. Sit back, sip, and unwind.

BREAK UP WITH
BOOZE THIS
HOLIDAY SEASON
(or just take some space…)
In July, I decided it was time to reassess my relationship with alcohol. I wasn’t drinking much — just a half-glass of hard kombucha or a glass of wine before bed. But despite the modest amount, I wasn’t feeling great. I blamed menopause, that sneaky transition that takes the heat for every ailment at this stage of life. Surely, the small amount of alcohol couldn’t be the culprit… it had to be something else.
You know that feeling when something isn’t working for you anymore but you keep trying to make it okay? I think that is the essence of the beauty of menopause: we can stop doing that to ourselves.
So here is the story…
I went on a transformative trip with my partner Greg to a retreat center that had no alcohol. It was there, in alcohol’s absence, that I found out what a big contributor it was to waking up foggy brained, tired, bloated and grumpy. Yes, menopause was playing its part, but alcohol amplified its effects significantly.
I’m not advocating for total abstinence — everyone’s journey is different — but this holiday season, I’m encouraging you to experiment a little bit. Try easing up on the spirits and see how you feel. Have fun with one of our mocktail recipes. They’re a great way to feel like you’re part of the holiday fun without the side effect of feeling terrible later (plus they’re super delicious!) You can find our mocktail recipe section here [link to recipe page]).
Some facts to back up my story…
It is well-documented that alcohol affects the body differently during menopause. It’s a strain on the liver, which is already diligently working to balance our changing hormones. And those annoying hot

flashes and night sweats? Alcohol’s a notorious trigger, leading to disrupted sleep and discomfort.
Did you see the episode of the Drew Barrymore show where she had a hot flash on camera? I loved that moment. Here’s a quote from her that helps me remember I can do things differently during party season.
“The smartest people are the ones who have figured out how to replace their addictions with things that make them happy.” - DREW BARRYMORE
Alcohol made me happy for a millisecond and then it didn’t. This season, I’m choosing happiness before, during and after social gatherings and sometimes in a glass — just without the alcohol. Will you join me?

Deborah Herron Mulligan
Deb is a force of nature, business owner, and Jacqui’s tennis partner. She had a blast recently representing the XO Jacqui team at a menopause conference in Los Angeles.
Tell us a little about yourself.I’ve been semi-retired from the corporate world since my thirties and have been lucky to do many things I love since then. Now, I own a business with my husband. At 58, I’m in the late stages of menopause. I’ve been there, done that and got the perimenopause t-shirt! I live an active life — hiking, skiing, playing racket sports like competitive tennis and pickleball. I lift weights to keep my bones strong and eat a healthy diet. I’ve been active my whole life, and it has become even more important as I age.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started into menopause? I wish I’d known that the horror stories about HRT (hormone replacement therapy) that I grew up with are no longer relevant. My mom and her sister were both breast cancer survivors and I was afraid of what I thought was a strong connection between HRT and breast cancer. Since then, I’ve learned that in many cases HRT is safe and effective, and for some women might prevent
negative outcomes post-menopause, especially dementia and metabolic issues.* My mom ended up with dementia and I wish we’d had the knowledge and opportunity to better support her brain through menopause.
What were some highlights of the New Pause Symposium in LA?The vibe was fun and educational. The attendees were happy to be there, and everyone was excited to learn that XO Jacqui’s product line is made specifically for women at this age and stage. There were great presenters sharing fascinating and groundbreaking information, from a neuroscientist talking about how menopause specifically affects women’s brains, to an MD explaining problems with the way health concerns are studied in women, to a session on yoga and meditation being good for hormonal changes and brain health. The presenters offered hope and a new way forward for all of us in perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
How did you get involved with XO Jacqui and what’s your favorite product?Jacqui is my tennis partner and we met through the yoga world and mutual friends. She is an amazing entrepreneur and has always been focused on empowering strong, healthy, independent women.
The Cacao Wild Yam protein powder is my favorite flavor and I really like the new sweetener, but my favorite products are the boosts. They’re unique and I can tailor them to exactly what I need on any given day and at any given time. I love that.
*Always check with your doctor to determine what menopause care is best for you.

Feel at home in your body.
Visit xojacqui.com for inspiring recipes, workout tips, and menopause support.