Confession: I started out like most. 1 small cup per day turned into a medium, which turned into large, which turned into two large...
You get the picture. I've been reading a lot lately about how acidic coffee negatively affects your body's pH levels. Proper cellular pH is required for all cellular processes, especially digestion (an area I've had some issues with lately). The degree to which coffee actually effects you is unknown, but I do know a few things:
1) It dehydrates me
2) I have a headache when I miss (or am late on) my morning fix
3) It's expensive
4) It's staining my teeth (good thing for Crest WhiteStrips!)
So do I give up my beloved Cup-O-Joe? Do I go cold turkey? Scale back then quit?
I am not one to like "rules", especially when it comes to my diet. Rules = thinking about food = obsession. Not how I roll anymore. If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I do eat meat (typically organic white meat) but only occasionally. I do consume some dairy, also rarely (more stomach issues than anything else). And I do consume alcohol, but stick to 2-3 drinks (on average) and generally choose red wine (or the occasionally skinny margarita!)
In a nutshell, I don't stick to rules. I eat clean and all-natural foods 90% of the time, but I am human and don't believe in turning down a shared brownie sundae and martini's on a girls night out. Likewise, my diet is about 80% vegan. To me, eating 80% animal-free does far much more for the mind, body, and soul (and environment!) than 0%. Maybe someday I'll move closer to 100%, but this is working right now.
For the same reason, I'm not giving up coffee all together. If I want a cup here and there, that's okay. But I do need to scale back.So the plan? This week I've traded my Venti (large in snobby cafe lingo) for a medium and nixing the mid-afternoon cup. I'll keep you updated on my progress and hopefully I don't turn into a raging (or sleeping) lunatic!
I've also started drinking much more green juice, particularly first thing in the morning before a run. I'm not sure if my mind is playing tricks on me but it seems to make my morning energy surge!
Large cucumber
Broccoli stems (great way to use em up)
pear
garlic
ginger
parsley
splash coconut water
large cucumber
apple
apple
kiwi
broccoli stems
garlic
parsley
ginger
Actually in general, I've been on a veggie kick. I've been working a lot and meal-planning on a tired (post 13-hr shift) body is no fun. Lately I've been steaming random veggies and mixing them with some chilled ones and topping them with whatever comes to mind. This way, I can think of the sauce/dressing as they cook. More time = less brain power #winning
Hot (steamed butternut squash, broccoli, kale) + Cold (tomatoes, carrots)
Topped with a marinara/garlic hummus mix (unpictured), that I like to call "Mock Vok" sauce (Mock Vodka). Before you say "yuck", let me tell you I thought the same thing when I first saw it on other blogs (sorry, I can't remember where!) but with 3:1 marinara to hummus and you get a thick almost vodka-like sauce. I promise it will not disappoint!
Spaghetti squash topped with above "Mok Vok". Squash cooking directions here.
More hot + cold veggies with a protein-packed Peanut Sauce
Peanut sauce
1/4 c peanut flour
1 T soy sauce (I used liquid aminos)
1 t honey
water to desired consistency
Dressed in hummus
(inspired by UneVieSaine.com)
And topped over quinoa with cashews/sunflower seeds for added healthy fat and crunch.
So simple. And quite delicious.
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I leave you with a picture snapped of Michael and Me at the Cherry Blossom 10-miler finish (Very random: Lauren's roommate's boyfriend snapped the pic not even knowing me because he thought it was funny some girl had a pup at the finish!)
Kels (sister) and Michael are visiting the fam in NH right now. I miss them mucho <3
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Any suggestions/tips on conquering my coffee addiction?
After a loooooong day, what's your go-to cuisine?
Every once in awhile, I force myself to scale back on my different vices- sugar, caffeine, gum, etc. I never cut them out completely, but just being mindful for a few days really helps reprogram my cravings! Do you like tea? I don't drink coffee, but I have black tea every morning. Way less caffeine, but still a little boost!
ReplyDeleteScaling back is the best way to go. If we completely cut everything that we truly enjoy that isn't 100% good for us out of our diets.. then we aren't really going to be satisfied over all.
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of you and your pooch.. too cute!
if you make it from home you can alter the level of caffeine and scale back gradually, maybe add in a little decaf. It'll save money. I used to drink endless amounts of coffee each morning (in college I got headaches if i didn't get enough), but I drink 1 travel mug of medium strength and find myself much more sensitive to coffee. I like what beyond bananans said.
ReplyDeleteI definitely have the same problem! Can't wait to read how quitting goes for you!
ReplyDeleteI actually gave up coffee for lent for most of the same reasons and tea has been my lifesaver! I don't miss coffee at all except for a few minor moments. It's been a LOT easier than expected and I totally believe in you! Coffee is such a money drain and I've definitely saved $$ this month!
ReplyDeleteThat picture is PRICELESS and I'd totally be the one snapping a picture of a girl and a dog too - you and your pup are adorable.
I decided to scale down on my caffeine intake about a month ago and quit cold turkey. (for the time being at least) I have to admit that I miss the routine of it and drinking something warm but I don't miss how I used to feel after I drank it! (always running to the broom)
ReplyDeleteI get headaches when I don't have my coffee too! If you get tons of great advice about cutting back on coffee, I'd love to see a post about it!! I'm trying to not drink as much too. It's so tough though!
ReplyDeleteI used to drink coffee every morning and while I haven't cut it out completely, I have now replaced my morning beverage fix with a 1-2 mugs of green tea. I still drink coffee nearly every day but typically it's 1/2-1 cup and I only do that AFTER getting my green tea antioxidant fix or if I really need a good later morning/afternoon pick me up. I see no reason in cutting anything out cold turkey that you enjoy but it's not nearly as hard to cut back as you might think. I used to drink coffee and huge iced coffees multiple times a day!
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE mixing marinara with hummus. I always serve it over a big bowl of steamed broccoli... such a perfect insta-dinner.
I just recently scaled back on my coffee consumption, too. Not going to lie, the withdrawal headaches are a pain for awhile, but in the long run, I've definitely seen more positive than negative effects from it (biggest one- not being so dehydrated anymore! I didn't even realize how bad it was until I quit).
ReplyDeleteHope you have success (:
Mock Vok sounds so interesting and sounds like a super easy veggie dressing. I'll def have to try that combo!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with conquering your coffee addiction!! Maybe you can try scaling back by drinking tea sometimes? I usually drink a glass of green tea every morning and it has just the right amount of caffeine to get me going (but definitely not comparable to coffee, that's for sure)!
Have you posted what kind of juicer you're using? I'm in the market for a new one...
ReplyDeleteI gave up buying coffees for Lent, so that's how I kicked my afternoon coffee habit. I actually can go without it in the morning, I phased it out with tea! For me its actually more about the act of drinking the coffee and the variety of the different flavors, not so much the caffeine.
LOVE your eats!! They're so healthy & fresh <3
ReplyDelete@Michelle Yup! http://www.biochemista.com/2011/03/juice-is-worth-squeeze.html
ReplyDeleteI am having a similar problem with caffeine! Working long lab hours made my habit worse, I drink coffee all day long. A few weeks ago, I started cutting back to just one-two cups in the am and making it half decaf. And just struggling through my afternoon headaches. Or drinking tea if I need it. I was starting to do better until a long neuroscience retreat this weekend complete with lack of sleep and lectures all day for 3 days. I feel like a started with Monday back at square one.
ReplyDeleteI really dont think coffee is as evil as everyone makes it out to be. There was also a very compelling study that showed that if you are a fast metabolizer of caffeine (like me, who can have coffee and then nap 2 hours later) then it actually reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease. It you are slow though, it apparently raises it. Also it is loaded with antioxidants, as you surely know!
ReplyDeleteYou eat so many veggies, I doubt that you need to worry about your pH. But still, if you want to reduce coffee intake, perhaps try some delicious teas? Or, I sip lemon ginger water all day...
I love that you arent about rules. I am the same way and it is very helpful for mental wellbeing :)
As a long-time on and off coffee addict, I suggest going "half-caff" to gradually reduce your caffeine, but still enjoy the taste and satisfaction of a cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteI have the solution! Cold pressed coffee. Apparently it has a lower acidity level and it supports a better pH level in your body.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.coffee-makers-cafe.com/cold-brewed-coffee.html
I've been getting off the sauce lately too but I've been replacing it with green juice. 2 Apples, cucumbers, spinach, celery and ginger with a splash of agave. YUM! I do think I get a boost of energy from it.
I'm sure you've heard this before, but maybe you could try hot tea once in a while? I wouldn't cut out coffee completely (why not live a little!), but replacing a few coffee drinks with hot tea of different varieties can be super healthy! I personally really like the Republic of Tea Get Gorgeous, Get Happy, Get ... you get the point. ;-) There are so many fun varieties and it's fun to get into the ritual of it.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a huge coffee drinker as well. I found out, that if I start my day with a glass of warm lemon water and then have a cup or two of Caro (it is called Pero or Teecino in some countries), I am perfectly ok without any coffee!
ReplyDelete