What I Learned by Quitting Coffee

[digitS']

I didn't totally quit ...

What I mostly did was quit making it first thing in the morning. Four hours after rising was the time limit set. Since morning was my customary coffee time, this means that I often just never get around to it and go an entire day without coffee.

What I learned quickly was that I make really strong coffee. I have trouble backing away from that recipe but I have, some. Others have pointed out my tendency but I've always said that I didn't want to drink coffee and taste water. Really, I must have just habituated my tastebuds.

Next, my stomach has been better lately. However, it's been several years since I had much trouble with the stomach. It's that I've noticed further improvement.

Tea is good ... but I've known that since I was a kid. I have breakfast before the cup of tea and may also skip it. Still, I must be drinking more tea now than last year. It has never seemed to bother my stomach. However, I dont get quite the feeling of "reward" with tea. Don't seem to get jazzed up ...

I'm trying not to allow an overdose of calories be my reward for whatever I'm expecting from myself. Recently, I've rediscovered ginger candy. I'm thinking that there is no way I can eat enuf ginger candy to have it contribute much in the way of calories. Rewards!

Steve

 

[baymule]

Coffee. If it helps you to give it up, more power to you. I guess I could give it up if I had to, but sure don't want to!

 

[seedcorn]

I've cut back on it as I drink more water and tea. I actually love the smell of freshly ground beans and freshly brewed better than drinking it.

There is something relaxing drinking coffee with desert after a great meal-or even a not so great meal.

 

[journey11]

I've cut back to one cup a day and since it's just me drinking it, I've been drinking instant coffee. Sacrilege, I know. I used to be a barista in college and drank endless cups of gourmet coffee all day long and we could always have the left over espresso shots if we wanted. It never bothered me back then and I slept fine, but nowadays it causes me to have PVC arrhythmias. It was really a psychological struggle to cut back, but now that I've realized coffee was also giving me a lot of heartburn, I'm glad to be off of that addiction. The least little bit too late in the afternoon will keep me from sleeping.

 

[valley ranch]

O! coffee, where art thou
When I need thee now?
In thy many flavoured blends
A hot cup would be godsend.

I cannot keep awake
Without a short coffee-break.
With thy life-giving aroma
Save me from going into a coma.

Java, Colombian or French Roast
Thy every flavour, I will toast.
To the end thy loyal slave
Three cups a day I will always crave.



Alarm clock goes off,
Is it morning; not night?
I drag to the kitchen
Then turn on the light.

With tired red eyeballs
And fingers that shake
I need stimulation
To keep me awake.

Ahhhh! Here’s the coffee,
Elixir of life!
Such blessed refreshment,
The ender of strife.

The freshly ground beans
The sound of each drop
You can’t feel this blissful
At some coffee shop.

It’s steamy and fragrant,
A joy to the nose.
No morning’s complete
Without two cup o’ Joes.

A home-brewed confection
Delight to the tongue
A pure taste of heaven
Hosannas are sung!

My eyes are now open!
My heart’s pitter-patter!
The caffeine’s now surging
Into my grey matter!

“Hey World, I’m ready!”
I shout to the day.
I hit the steps running;
Get out of my way!

 

[valley ranch]

Coffee~ Give us Yee!

O noble cup of velvet brew!
We thank each passing day for you,
If not for you our days would be
sad, and spent in drinking tea!

Thou art the friend of workers free,
who have no time for frippery
like dainty sips from china cups
with buttered scones and silly sops.

It's-drink-and-get-to-work with you,
as should be with the perfect brew.
With sleeves rolled up on muscled arms,
no fop can claim to know your charms.

no pish-tosh posing, pinkies raised
and just for that, the lord be praised!
No “Twist of lemon? Sugar? Two?”
You are a self-respecting brew!

From roasted beans you are conceived,
not fragile, shriveled up old leaves
the difference is for all to see,
there is no robustness in tea!

To Chamomile, the odes they sing,
Lapsang Souchong and Darjeeling,
Earl grey, Assam and what have you,
I'll stick to my caffeine, thank you!

They call it ‘liquid gold‘ sometimes
for ignorance is not a crime
Forgive them! For they know not what,
they miss, reaching for a tea pot.

What philistines they are who say,
that the cup that cheers is full of tea.
Tea, that so insipid broth!
that does not banish venal sloth.

Tea does not bubble busily
but steeps for all eternity,
And when it’s done what do you get?
Flavoured water, lukewarm yet!

The scent of coffee reaches out,
it’s tendrils from the bubbling spout
And wafts through home and hearth to bring
warmth, and make the taste-buds sing

O font of joy! O blessed bean!
O catalyst to dopamine!
No day shall pass when I shall not,
gaze fondly at that bubbling pot.

I pour myself a mug of you,
O coffee, truly wondrous brew!
Tea cannot stand up next to thee,
O steaming mug of black coffee!

 

[valley ranch]

 

[valley ranch]

 

[valley ranch]

 

[catjac1975]

I switched to organic coffee. After suffering from daily unabating headaches they went away the first day with organic coffee and have not returned.