I wish I could report that I drank NO coffee at all in the last month. I really wish I could. However, I would be lying! And I try my hardest to be honest. This isn't an area I would be tempted to lie - that occurs when someone I deeply care for asks my opinion on something and I just really don't want to hurt their feelings. And, if it's a profoundly important area where they need truth spoken into their life to grow, I will try to be the person who can do that in a very kind, sensitive way. But, yes, I did drink some coffee. Some, deliberately, and some accidentally, but, overall, I'm pleased with this experiment so far and not at all unhappy with the experience.
The first weekend, right after Blog Post Part One, was the hardest. I woke up that morning and joined my husband in the living room, and the smell of freshly brewed hot coffee was too tempting. I did have some, but I restrained myself to only add 2 spoonsful to my hot tea. No noticeably bad effects. The next morning, I was faced with the same temptation. This time I again succumbed, I made a teeny, tiny, itsy bitsy cup (less than 4 oz.) to drink after I had my tea. Still no adverse effects. The next day I returned to new tea drinking habit.
This past weekend my husband made mushroom coffee. My friend had recommended that, suggesting the taste wasn't too far off of coffee. Her husband consumed this at times. My husband saw it advertised on one of his vendor podcasts so bought us some to try. I had a large 12-oz. cup both days of weekend. I was surprised that the taste was so similar to coffee that I mentioned it to my husband late Sunday. He laughed and said, "It should. It has coffee in it!" "Whaaaat?" I gasped. Sure enough, listed on the bag - Mushroom PLUS both dark roasted Columbian and Brazilian beans. That wasn't intentional. This morning, I am back on my teas.
Were there effects of the binge drinking last weekend? Yes, I believe there were. I have battled symptoms all morning today, despite normal eating and exercise patterns and a very good night's rest. I had to pull out some of my extra self-care tactics to rein them in. I would not be surprised if this indulgence was why.
What's next for me on the coffee consumption trials? I'm glad you asked. I do see benefits from curtailing use. Dosage and frequency really do seem to matter. So, I think I may resort to small cups (6-8 oz.) of my organic, mostly decaffeinated, cold-brew coffee just once or twice a week.
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