Breaking the cycle

Photo from art.com

Almost a month ago I decided to stop drinking coffee. I was drinking 1-2 cups every morning and was totally dependent on it to start my day. Seriously. I would wake up and lie in bed and start thinking about that lovely first cup of coffee and that would be my motivation to get up (after checking my Twitter, email, and Facebook on my iPhone of course). Something is not right about that scenario (and it's definitely not the iPhone part).

So I ran out of my beans (Kicking Horse Three Sisters) and promptly decided to go on my coffee fast. I have conquered the habit before and only indulged in green tea, but it had been at least four years since I have been that keen on kicking caffeine. I read somewhere that you are supposed to drink as much black tea as you want for a while after quitting, so that is exactly what I did. For 21 days (the supposed number of days it takes to break habits and form new ones) I allowed myself endless cups of Earl Grey tea. I think this technique also helps with headaches that may come from lack of caffeine.

I thought it would be much more difficult, but I am resilient when it comes to change initially. My mind is made up and that's all the strength I need. I did however manage to quit during the last few weeks of my semester when I was swamped with 13+ hours of work a day for the first two and a half weeks. I managed to stay on task with sheer adrenaline and stress. Once the last assignment was handed in was when I started to really miss those lingering cups of coffee while perusing the internet. The cravings came daily where I would randomly whine to whomever is in my presence about how I quit coffee and was 'just dying for one' to be met with puzzlement. " why on earth would you quit?'

 

Guess what I miss most about drinking coffee?

Photo from The Oatmeal '5 Phases of Caffeine Intake'

Well as some of you know I am gluten-free and soon I will have to go through an elimination diet to determine if there are any other food allergies that I may have (a tad concerned about corn products as well). In this elimination period you are not to consume any caffeine. Rather than have my body go entirely into shock over the entire overhaul of diet and caffeine intake, I thought it might just be easier to ease into it. Plus it is better for me to not be entirely relying on something and be cranky about it should I fail to have the time in the morning to get a cup. And the final reason is that coffee seriously upsets the pH levels in your body to become more acidic, and for optimal health and digestion, it is very important to have level pH levels in your body. Oh and plus I will have whiter teeth.

Today is Day 29 of no coffee, and day 8 of green tea only. Yesterday I was invited to a coffee from Serge, the Fashion Director at Lush Magazine when I popped in to grab some magazines. I had to explain to him and a photographer that I was coffee-free and that I was on Day 28 and would not be able to join them. Oh dear god just like a recovering alcoholic, soon I will be going to CA meetings for "support."

I really think that these feelings of loss will soon be diminished as I further my journey toward being entirely caffeine free. Soon I might be able to enjoy an occasional cup of joe just for fun, and it will be 'just a treat.' Until that point though I have at least 13 more days of drinking green tea until I go completely herbal, for at least another 21 days. I might just be wearing patchouli by then. 

My plan for quitting coffee:

-Days 1-21    Drink as much black or green tea as you please

-Days 28-49  Drink as much grean tea as you please

-Days 49-70  Only drink herbal teas

-Days 71-->  Moderately drink caffeinated beverages 

See related posts:

-But no more bannock

Photo from The Tea Review

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