Steps to Glory
The making of this drink happened way back in December of 2024, when a recipe on YouTube caught my interest. I used it as a reference and embellished it by adding more herbs to make it my own. At that point in my life, I was passionate about cooking things from scratch, whether it was yogurt, butter, cream cheese, or dinners. The ginger drink just added to that. After spending some time researching and understanding the herbs, I found myself routinely making it. At first I just used filtered water, but that ended when a friend of mine connected me with the Canmore spring. Finding the location of the spring marked the last time I would drink normal tap water. All Glory Ade bottles use the spring water to add to the natural factor of the drink.
I continued to brew the Ginger Ade consistently, week to week. The benefits of consuming the drink were not evident right away for me, but when I did start to notice them, the first thing was easier bowel movements. Another was not feeling bloated after eating. (When having big meals, I would always make sure to have at least one bottle with me.) I have always had strange gut health issues from when I was younger; GERD was one of them. In junior high, I walked around with a metallic taste in my mouth caused by acid reflux, which only started to dissipate after I was put on medication. The Ginger Ade would also aid with my anxiety, stress, and energy levels, as well as keeping me grounded.
I wanted other people to try the drink as well, so I sampled it at work, where I was cooking at the time. That is also where I started selling it. I attended a Bible study group in Calgary, and I would bring two gallon-sized jugs for the fifty-plus people we crammed into the house. Once I got the confidence, I realized I could most certainly sell the drink. It started with co-workers in the kitchen, then I brought it out to Calgary, and even as far as Airdrie. Then a close friend recommended I get into a Local Love Christmas market, where I would sell more than thirty bottles in a two-day period.
During this time, I was routinely making orders for someone with asthma. After adding a tincture of mullein (a herb known to aid with respiratory ailments) to the drink, he found he did not have to rely on his inhaler as much. Other people who connected with the drink mentioned how it helped them sleep, gave them energy, helped them lose weight, got rid of their colds and flu quicker, eased inflammation, and reduced eczema symptoms. The most common comment, of course, was how delicious it tasted. My connection with the people in the store would eventually help get Glory Ade into Okotoks Natural Foods, a huge milestone. Glory Ade went on to another market, where it sold out, and it has since made its way to Pincher Creek, where it resides now.
