Well, I've gotten one positive test so far for Lupus and have more to go. Anyway, it is recommended that one get off the caffeine with this disease. I had already been cutting way down but I need to make the finally push. Its pretty hard because whatever this disease is that I have, it really saps my energy. Although, I have to admit that caffeine does nothing for me. Even my thyroid pills don't touch the lack of energy I have.

So... looking for comisseration. I'm using more and more decaf each week because we're talking about a MAJOR habit here. I think I'll shoot for two weeks to be totally caffeine free... so March 6th.

Wow, Nancy, I am rooting for you, and I am sorry to hear about the Lupus dx. {{{}}}

Good luck Nancy! You've made such tremendous changes this year, I know you'll be successful with this too.

I gave up most caffeine when I was right out of college. I'll still have the occasional decaf coffee after a nice meal out, or a glass of iced tea if I'm somewhere that the water tastes nasty, but that's pretty much it.

Invest in some good herbal teas. They'll help you with your 'mug of something hot' psychological habit even after you quit the actual coffee. I'm very fond of Bengal Spice, a seasonal tea the you might still be able to find at a Walgreens called Sugar Plum, and something I just found, Apricot honeybush. These are all caffeine free with rich complex flavors.

Bengal Spice is my absolute favorite! I'd better lay in a good supply.

I am trying VERY hard to give up my morning coffee! Talk about addiction! I only need the morning cups (20oz total)... and, of course, I MUST have heavy whipping cream with it (have tried it black... NO WAY!). I have given up coffee so many times, and sometimes for years, but always seem to return to it. I must admit, it probably has kept me from consuming other junk (at least over the past several months it definitely has!). So... I hear ya, and would love to join ya in getting off this stuff!

Sorry to hear about the Lupus. I think you are working on a good solution though. Keep it up!

Tea, tea and more tea.... I always have a travel mug full of hot tea where ever I am. And tea comes in so many flavors and without caffeine.

When I quit dairy products, I couldn't stand my coffee black but I could easily drink black tea. So I drank plenty of tea to compensate.

A different situation but I swear by the tea.

What is the healthiest tea? Is it loose tea from HFS?

I just posted this on a different thread, but I'll put it here too since it fits better!!

If you want to go off the coffee, but crave the coffee taste, The Garden of Eating has a recipe for a fake "coffee" that is really just a robustly flavored tea.

ingredients:
6 cups water
4 tablespoons roasted chicory root pieces/grinds OR roasted dandelion root pieces/grinds OR combination of the two
1 teaspoon licorice root powder or root grinds, optional

To prepare it, you can either simmer it for 15 minutes in a saucepan, or put the root pieces in a coffee maker and brew it like coffee. The book also says that it keeps well in the fridge and can be reheated with no ill effects.

If you want a creamer/sweetener, it recommends coconut milk, nut milk, and/or stevia.

Good luck all you crazy coffee people! I don't see the appeal of it, myself. I have always preferred tea with no sweetener.

Sounds good! Still haven't gotten my GoE book yet!

I've read recently that caffeine is good for one's memory and alertness and is believed to be protective re altz symptoms....I've also heard the other side that its hard on the adrenals...so....do tell me why is everyone here rabidly avoiding coffee???? Duparc I know you'll have an answer for me! Terry

Its thought to set off Lupus flares, that is why I have to avoid it.

Sorry about the lupus, Nancy, but it does sound like you are on the right track with the dairy/gluten free diet. Was this suggested by your physician or on your own?

Wyv

Well, before I found out about the Lupus I found out about the food intolerances I have. So I made that change to my diet first, then I pursued other issues I was having with the doctor and its looking like some autoimmune thing.

My joints/muscles are doing quite well right now but I have a lot of fatigue.

I would keep drinking some coffee every morning if I didn't need cream, but I can't drink it black... and I don't want cream (nor any dairy)... it really does a number on me every time I drink it.

Good luck, Nancy! I understand what you're going through a little, as I've struggled with an old soda ddiction over the past 2 weeks. Like you, I'm determined to get rid of it!