coffee

My Coffee Habit :-)

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

I didn’t start drinking coffee until I moved to Dallas – and it wasn’t even coffee – Starbucks Cappuccinos and eventually Lattes from the DoubleTree connected to our office (I used to drink Diet Soda in the AM).

Last year I was making an 6-8 cup pot of coffee and probably drinking most of it. I bought myself a nice big Kuerig for Christmas (I have a personal one just for a single cup) and I reduced my coffee habit in the morning. However, I was still probably drinking 4 – 5 cups in the morning (not counting my afternoon pick me up).

If you will recall, when I started this blog it was to capture my observations when I started the Clean program.  One of the items you no longer have is coffee.  I just went back and read my blog from around that time about how I wasn’t really missing it and it didn’t really taste that great.  Well I do love my coffee – including the taste!

However, after reading The Shift, I decided to tweak some of the things I’ve been doing – one of which was unlimited coffee in the morning.  I don’t add sugar, but I am a heavy pourer of the light cream in the coffee.  I decided to limit myself to 2 cups in the AM and measure out the light cream.  So far so good – I’m only in a few days.  I will tell you since I know I can only have 2 cups I really make that last one last a long time!

And for those that know me – I can’t give up coffee completely – what would I do with all of my coffee mugs (that should be a blog too – ‘My Coffee Mug Habit’)?!

A gift from my co-workers after I resigned from my Advertising Sales job - circa 1991 - they liked how I took control of the situation!

A gift from my co-workers after I resigned from my Advertising Sales job – circa 1991 – they liked how I took control of the situation!

Week 3 – Accountability

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Week 3 is in the books.  It was a much tougher week than I expected even though I achieved a score (that I calculated) of 87%.

My week 3 goals were to limit my daily coffee to 2 K cups per day and add 2-3 green smoothies (for the week).  In addition, to continue my week 2 goal (salad at every meal) and week 1 goal (80 ozs of water per day).  I achieved 100% of the week 3 goals and I missed 1 salad (I think it was Tuesday – that was my blur day) and 1 day of water (Tuesday as well).

My observations on the past week:

  1. A tough week – everything felt a little harder this week. I don’t know if was incorporating all 3 goals in a cumulative fashion or just that this was ‘hump’ week of the transformation.
  2. A bit of upset stomach on Tuesday into Wednesday.  
  3. Low energy pre-Wednesday workout – felt much better after the workout.
  4. Green Smoothies — I’m not a fan!  – I’m sure part of it is I’m not eating fruit (under the guidance of a nutritionist) and I did put avocado (1/2 in it – which I love) – it was just too think – even after I re-blended it. I had my last one for lunch on Friday – and I found out I enjoy eating lunch over drinking it. I will leave the smoothies for now for my in a pinch breakfast. Just not for me on a regular basis.

Celebrate my Success: Not limiting my coffee this weekend – I won’t go crazy – but I’ll enjoy my morning cup of Joe even more!

Kicking the Coffee Habit…

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

As you will recall part of the Clean program is kicking the coffee habit. I kicked it while I was on it. I had my first cup on Labor Day…and didn’t really enjoy it.  I have had coffee on most days since then (but not every day) and usually only one cup. I haven’t been doing it for the caffeine pick me up, more of the breakfast ritual when I’ve been out. I haven’t made any coffee since I’ve been home. Yesterday, I did want a Dunkin’ Ice Coffee around 10 am (and I got it, but I got a smaller one than I used to get).

I just found this blog that gives some good tips for kicking the habit: http://crazysexylife.com/2011/summer-iced-coffee-detox/.  Check it out if you are looking to kick the habit or just cut back.  Some great options.  Another thing I’ve found is using Natural Calm in the morning does help too with the headaches (has magnesium in it).

I don’t think I will be completely off coffee, but I am definately drinking less, which is a good thing in the long run.

TGIF!

 

Post Elimination Diet Observations so far

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Happy Labor Day! I’m into my 2nd full day of my post clean elimination diet program.

I’m having a problem bringing just one thing back a day to see what type of reactions I have to the food.  However, I have had some reactions or lack of reactions that I’ve captured below.

On Saturday as many of you know, Penn State kicked of their 2011 football season (and they won 41-7). Wahoo!!  It was a noon game and the tradition I have for noon games is to have a Bloody Mary…which I did have. There were free appetizers offered at the watching party.  I tried some.  But I stopped at one round (normally I would’ve gone back for more).  The food was good too…I just didn’t want anymore.  I did have a salad for lunch with grilled chicken (sans feta cheese and roasted peppers). However, I did have some pizza later in the day and evening (plus a salad). I also drank lots of water throughout the day.  I was hanging out with a friend later in the evening and felt itchy all over (now there was a dog around and I am allergic…I grew up with 2 dogs so I can usually deal with it). My reaction was more intense. Not sure if it was the food I ate or the dog. Interesting none the less.

On Sunday, I had a shake for breakfast, a lasgna roll-up and spinach salad for lunch and dinner was grilled chicken and spinach salad. During the afternoon I had my first fountain drink and a chocolate frosty. The fountain drink didn’t really do anything for me (as in it wasn’t overly enjoyable).  The frosty on the other hand was yummy.

Today I had my morning shake. Lunch was spicy tuna roll. I had my first cup of coffee today (the coffee just didn’t taste as I expected…now I did use regular sugar and didn’t have my light cream so that could be it too).  Not sure I’ll have coffee tomorrow morning (I’m shocked just writing this)!

I’m off to a Labor Day BBQ later this afternoon.  So more to come over the next couple of days on how I’m doing (and my observations).

Coffee…oh how I miss you…

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

As I suspected, my morning coffee(s) or lack there of have been the biggest challenge so far. Not only do I miss the caffeine, but I also miss the taste (I love light cream in mine) and the ritual. I’ve substituted Chai Green Tea…but it just isn’t the same. I’ve had a headache every day so far and I’m only on day 4. Thank goodness I have my herbal cold packs…they have helped. And I haven’t taken anything for the headaches…which is a huge positive. I do get migraines; however, I can tell the difference and the headaches I’ve been having are caffeine withdrawal.  Someone suggested CALM to me, so I’m going to try to see if drinking that helps.

There are other things on the program that you can’t have, but I’ve managed through it so far. I went to the Farmer’s Market Monday evening and of course the fresh corn, tomotoes and fresh peppers looked wonderful…but no can do right now. 😦

On a positive note, I had a board meeting last night where I usually have a few cocktails and order dinner. I planned everything out. Before I hoped on the train I drank my shake in the car, had some gobi green tea to sip on, raw cashews in case I had the urge to snack. I only had water at the meeting and didn’t need to use my cashews. The one thing I did learn is I can’t have green tea in the evening. I did not sleep well last night.

Looking forward to the caffeine adjustment…hope it is sooner rather than later! 🙂

Happy Hump Day!