Coffee Withdrawal is Apparently an Epidemic
This is too funny. I write my blog today about coffee, and already I see three brilliant ones on the subject already. So here is my own love letter to coffee. Generally speaking, it seems like I’m more or less in the middle of most people’s experiences — the first few days could have gone better, could have gone worse. I slipped up yesterday and automatically ate a cheese puff that fell off my daughter’s plate onto the floor, because apparently I’m a human Roomba. But now that I have some detox-approved snacks, I don’t have that “what am I going to eat?” anxiety that wore me out on the first day. Coffee though remains a problem.
Don’t get me wrong; I love tea. This is the contents of my tea cabinet. I am instantly relaxed when cradling a hot cup of tea, breathing in its delicate fragrance, savoring its elegance and refinement. Many times I’ve tried to drink tea exclusively, exploring every possible complexity found across black, oolong, green and white teas. But alas, coffee keeps showing up on my doorstep, all muscle and leather and roaring octane, and I keep straying.
For me, coffee is as much a ritual as it is a beverage and caffeine delivery system. In these last few days, I’ve come to realize it’s probably the only thing I really do for myself in the mornings. My kids don’t always let me shower, but they know Mommy has to make coffee — or else. And no joke, it’s ridiculously sensual: grinding the beans, smelling that distinctive roasty aroma, getting exactly the right balance of sugar and cream, and then that first mouthwatering sip where the coffee floods you with intense warmth… Sigh.
My point is (and I did have one) is that I’m very conscious of drinking my coffee, in a way that I am not when I’m shoving cheese and crackers in my face. And I’m not going to be successful at giving up some of these illicit pleasures if I can’t find a healthy and equally breathtaking ritual to take its place.
So today I tried my very best to slow down this morning, cut up some fruit, sliced a lemon, and inhaled all those wonderful sweet and summery scents. I mixed some cranberry juice with seltzer water so the pop and fizziness would wake up my system. I stretched a mini sun salutation and did some yoga breathing. On the way out to the car I stared into the wintry Chicago sky for a minute to try to get some sunlight into my head.
Did it work? I felt pretty good, not as fumbly and bumbly. Maybe even a little too pleased with myself for at least trying something different. However, my daughter was 20 minutes late to school, so clearly, new rituals carry a price at least in the beginning.
My other food crutch is snacking right before bedtime, after I’ve put the kids to bed and cleaned the kitchen. I usually start with a little square of dark chocolate or a mini ice cream sandwich as my “reward,” but then its kind of a gateway drug thing where I end up stress-eating all the leftovers and half-open potato chip bags from the kids lunches. Ugh, I really need some help with that.
So is anyone else discovering what their food habits/rituals are, and what healthy alternatives are you coming up with?
Don’t get me wrong; I love tea. This is the contents of my tea cabinet. I am instantly relaxed when cradling a hot cup of tea, breathing in its delicate fragrance, savoring its elegance and refinement. Many times I’ve tried to drink tea exclusively, exploring every possible complexity found across black, oolong, green and white teas. But alas, coffee keeps showing up on my doorstep, all muscle and leather and roaring octane, and I keep straying.
For me, coffee is as much a ritual as it is a beverage and caffeine delivery system. In these last few days, I’ve come to realize it’s probably the only thing I really do for myself in the mornings. My kids don’t always let me shower, but they know Mommy has to make coffee — or else. And no joke, it’s ridiculously sensual: grinding the beans, smelling that distinctive roasty aroma, getting exactly the right balance of sugar and cream, and then that first mouthwatering sip where the coffee floods you with intense warmth… Sigh.
My point is (and I did have one) is that I’m very conscious of drinking my coffee, in a way that I am not when I’m shoving cheese and crackers in my face. And I’m not going to be successful at giving up some of these illicit pleasures if I can’t find a healthy and equally breathtaking ritual to take its place.
So today I tried my very best to slow down this morning, cut up some fruit, sliced a lemon, and inhaled all those wonderful sweet and summery scents. I mixed some cranberry juice with seltzer water so the pop and fizziness would wake up my system. I stretched a mini sun salutation and did some yoga breathing. On the way out to the car I stared into the wintry Chicago sky for a minute to try to get some sunlight into my head.
Did it work? I felt pretty good, not as fumbly and bumbly. Maybe even a little too pleased with myself for at least trying something different. However, my daughter was 20 minutes late to school, so clearly, new rituals carry a price at least in the beginning.
My other food crutch is snacking right before bedtime, after I’ve put the kids to bed and cleaned the kitchen. I usually start with a little square of dark chocolate or a mini ice cream sandwich as my “reward,” but then its kind of a gateway drug thing where I end up stress-eating all the leftovers and half-open potato chip bags from the kids lunches. Ugh, I really need some help with that.
So is anyone else discovering what their food habits/rituals are, and what healthy alternatives are you coming up with?
Comment
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Comment by Anna Salerno on January 8, 2010 at 11:08am -
The human roomba comment really made me laugh! If there is one thing I'm hoping the detox changes for me, it's getting out of the habit of eating my kids leftovers. That really is the single most sabotaging thing that I do. That and sitting in front of the fridge and pulling things out and eating them out of the container - especially leftover Chinese food. I love your idea of a ritual, and I'm going to have to be more conscious of that.
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Comment by Patti Sawyer on January 6, 2010 at 9:04pm -
I found that a healthy sized bowl of blueberries and sliced strawberries and a few raw almonds help with the sweet tooth. I enjoy that in the evening and I make 3 days worth at a time. I miss coffee, I don't add sugar to mine, just cream.( I'd sell a kidney for a venti latte) I drinking the green tea in several varieties and add a bit of fresh lemon.( It's not the leather love affair but after the cashmere cleaning....just sayin...) I am a bit covetous of your lovely tea display.
The heart of the matter remains I feel better. I woke up with morning conscious of how much better I felt and my chronic pain was greatly improved. So I'll suck it up for the greater good, but it sure is nice to know I'm not alone.
For those of you blasted by arctic cold- stay warm!
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Comment by Leah Gross on January 6, 2010 at 5:46pm -
I'm discovering my food rituals involve ending each meal with something sweet... I guess I knew I did it, but this week is really showing me what an addiction that it! Seriously, I CRAVE sugar in any form after any meal. I've been "curing" it with dried fruit these past few days, but I wonder if the whole "needing" sugar in general thing is something I should deal with?
Anyway, your morning sounds lovely!
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Comment by Caroline Conway on January 6, 2010 at 5:36pm -
It looks like you have some amazing teas! And thanks for the virtual hug from Monday :)
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Comment by Amy Maclin on January 6, 2010 at 2:07pm -
Full disclosure: I just couldn't give up the coffee. I know that's so profoundly lame, but I just didn't think I'd be able to work without it. I thought I'd better pick my battles, and so I picked my nightly wine habit and my after-dinner snacking (could the two be related?). You guys are so brave!
Mmm, cheese puffs ...
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Comment by Gina on January 6, 2010 at 11:22am
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I have the same problems! Coffee and eating after putting the kids to bed - usually junk.
I allowed myself a cup of decaf yesterday morning and it was the best cup of coffee I've had in months. LOL -- I guess since I hadn't allowed myself any, it influenced my taste buds. I normally stay away from decaf like it's the plague. The mornings are the worst because I'm trying to get the kids out the door for preschool in time for car drop-off or it takes me 4 times as long to get them settled.
As far as eating at night....I'm going cold turkey for a few days and drinking tons of tea. I think tomorrow night I will have some almonds and maybe a cup of decaf.
You're doing great Audris! Try the decaf coffee. You might find that it helps!
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Comment by Audris Wong on January 6, 2010 at 10:58am -
Sarah -- you nailed the optimism part of coffee in your post. Right now I'm testing out a new babysitter and my daughter is HOWLING in the background, and I just want some coffee to convince me that all will be well again in the world.
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Comment by Madeline Clarke Jhawar on January 5, 2010 at 10:28pm
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love the way you describe coffee and tea - EXACTLY the way I'd put it if I could write so eloquently... :)
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Comment by Sarah Rose Cavanagh on January 5, 2010 at 7:41pm -
Yes, yes, yes, to everything you said so beautifully.
And I laughed right out loud at your "human Roomba" comment. It was a laugh of recognition.
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