Swearing off coffee... again

I’ve started to see patterns in my allergies, patterns in my caffeine dependency, lots of patterns.  This week I have once again sworn off coffee as it seems I have for the past few years at about the same time.  Go figure!

I really love a good cup of coffee.  A latte is even better.  And I can easily get into a dependency loop of needing that strong shot of caffeine at just about the same time every day.

A friend theorizes there is a cumulative effect of caffeine that eventually catches up with you.  Well, mine caught up with me on Monday and by Tuesday I was a zombie with a pounding headache and no energy as I detoxed.  And I had taken on an uncharacteristic meanness, directed toward my poor husband.

I look back and wonder what put me over the top.  I’m usually fine with Starbucks coffee.  But while my daughter and her boyfriend were home I had taken to drinking a Kona blend (purchased at Marshall’s for $6.99 -- that’s probably a tip-off).  I wonder if it was roasted and processed a different way or if the different beans were the culprits.

I’m still giving myself a choice of green tea, white ginger peach tea, and ayurvedic detoxing tea.  I don’t get the same instant gratification as from a sudden burst of caffeine, but I’m off the caffeine roller coaster and it feels so good.  My energy is much more constant.  And I’m a lot nicer.

Maybe I should just let the coffee go forever.  I always seems to forget this experience as I pass a familiar Starbucks and the cycle eventually begins again.