"Hello, my name is James, and I am a coffee-aholic."
Well, if there was such a support group, I guess that's how I'd introduce myself. I've been drinking probably a less than healthy amount of coffee for many years. I packed it in a few weeks ago, and gave up coffee. Well, actually, I have limited my coffee intake to one cup in the morning that's mostly decaf. I've done this to try and get through the "headache" period. Yes, I did get a few headaches, but nothing too severe. Cutting off all caffeine usually gives people headaches, so I've gradually decreased the amount.
Overall, I feel pretty good. I'm sleeping a lot better. I know, I know, you're probably a severe coffee drinker and you have no problem sleeping. In fact, you have a big cup and go right to bed. I used to say this as well. I can only say, I'm sleeping at a much deeper level, waking up less frequently during the night, and I feel more refreshed in the morning.
I've jokingly been describing the feeling of less caffeine using the Scientology term, "clear." That is, it really does feel different with less caffeine. Now, I'll probably gain 30 pounds, but at least I'll be "clear".
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15 comments:
Boy, I'd sure like to share with you a cup of fresh roasted (I roast my own beans), fresh grounded coffee from my kitchen.
And this during a time in my life when my coffee input is slowly INcreasing. Thanks for nothing, James. The guilt is much appreciated.
James,
I speak from personal experience. Do NOT switch to energy drinks. They are like heroine. Rockstar, Redbull, Spike, Snake-Eyes etc... Stay away brother, stay away. Although I will say that you could get quite a few Catholic books read in a day if you started a healthy three can a day Rockstar habit.
I share your pain, Jim. I've been drinking coffee since my teens. I drink, on average, maybe three cups a day. Yes, it messes with my sleep and, occasionally, when I don't drink a cup, I get headaches. My wife is worse. She was drinking coffee from her baby bottle! She says it's a "Puerto Rican thing" but she forgets that I'm Puerto Rican and my mom didn't mix the Folgers and Similac. She is so accustom to it, she could drink a tall mug of the stuff before going to bed and she's out in 30 seconds. You've done a great job of making me feel like a slave to the "Joe." Grrrr!
I had to look twice to make sure this was Beggars All. Thought my feed reader was on the fritz.
Waking up in my house to an absence of coffee is like knowing your mom's sending you to confession that day, but I wish you the best in your decaffy future. I'll continue to support Mother Starbucks.
Wow. I can't imagine giving up coffee. I would rather give up beer than coffee! I only drink one cup a day, sometimes two.
I don't know what I would do without coffee. When I was finishing up my degree in political science I developed a habit for Starbucks doubleshot on ice in a venti cup (that’s 5 shots of expresso, if you’re wondering). I had to do it. Working full-time, going to school full-time, and watching my daughter when my wife was at work demanded from me to regularly go to campus and spend all-nighters studying. I’m sure to develop major heart problems because of it.
Coffee-aholism
A respectable Christian sin!
Of course, excessive caffeine is not good for the body, as excessive anything is not good for the body, probably.
This is somewhat off topic, but it’s something I've thought about this from time to time- how the Christian Church tends to ignore health issues brought on by over-consumption. Rather, they'll spend time on alcohol, divorce, pornography, abortion, etc.
When was the last time you heard a sermon in which the pastor states: you over eat because you have a sin problem?
In the Ordinary Form (i.e. Novus Ordo) I actually have heard an "over eating is a sin" homily once, but I should say that the priest was thin.
In the Extraordinary Form (i.e. Tridentine) the priests don't shy away from addressing anything.
Not to encourage gluttony and chemical dependency, but I'm going to make a recommendation:
http://www.mysticmonkcoffee.com/
Ben,
you're either too liberal or too traditionalist to recommend coffee, so I can't trust you. :)
because... "Trads" often think like either fundy Protestants or liberal Catholics.
Coffee roasted by "real" (as opposed to what exactly?) brothers of Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Historically, ecclesiastically, and theologically it is a fascinating group.
The current constitutions of the order include the following: As Carmelites, heartened by this example
and by our strong desire to put into practice our Lord's teachings
of love and reconciliation,
we shall take part in the ecumenical movement
and in inter-religious dialogue,
promoted by the Second Vatican Council.
Through the former we shall promote relationships
with the Orthodox and other Christians.
Through the latter we shall promote dialogue at various levels
with Jews and Muslims,
with whom we share devotion to the prophet Elijah as a man of God;
we shall enter into dialogue also with Hindus and Buddhists
and those of other religions. - The Carmelite Constitutions, Section 96 (source).
All of which, of course, says absolutely nothing about the quality of their coffee: indeed some of the most popular coffee in the New World is the product of Columbian producers: most of them nominal Roman Catholics themselves.
-TurretinFan
Coffee roasted by "real" (as opposed to what exactly?) brothers of Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.I think the point is: "It's not just a brand name. We actually are monks." Frangelico, for instance, while it comes in a monk-shaped bottle, is manufactured by a secular company.
The Carmelites who make Mystic Monk coffee are traditionalists, and strictly cloistered/contemplative. They have little interaction with the outside world, except for sending newsletters, praying for people, and shipping them their coffee. Much less do they participate in inter-religious dialogue.
http://www.carmelitemonks.org/
Thanks, Ben.
I completely agree about why "real" was used.
I'm not disputing your claim about this particular group being traditionalist; and I ought to have investigated a bit further before providing a comment that could lead one to conclude that the "general chapter of the order" was really representative of every community (which, evidently, it is not).
-TurretinFan
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