Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Please Advise

I've woken up with a headache the last few days.  It isn't normal for me, so it has me pondering.

It could be this of course.

But do you know what I think it really is?  

I'm afraid to admit it.

I think I have a problem with caffeine.

I didn't drink coffee until I was pregnant with Jack.  But since then, I've sucked it down.  I went through a very expensive phase when I had an Iced Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks, everyday

My budget couldn't handle that, so I quit.  But I've replaced it with an iced chai every morning (made at home).  Lately I've been adding a cup of coffee or a second caffeinated tea in the early afternoon.

I think when I wake up, my body is saying, with a headache, "Hey! It has been hours since you've feed us that sweet, sweet coffee!  Get on it already!"

So here are my options:
  1. Give up coffee and caffeinated tea all together.  Cold turkey.  Free myself completely from this evil affliction. 
  2. Switch to decaf options.  (The problem I have with this is that I still add a ton of sugar and milk to my coffee, so I'm still pumping myself full of not-so-good-for-me-calories.)
  3. Drop the coffee (with all the add-ins) and stick with tea.
  4. Don't care at all and give into the addiction.  After all, I live in Seattle.  I'm not the only one with this problem. 
So?

Friends.  

What am I to do?  My decision making skills are clouded by my recent ardor of dark brown and creamy beverages. 

Please advise.

Now, if you will excuse me.  I have half a cup of chai that needs my undivided attention.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok, take it from the voice of experience...you live with Andy, right? What are the chances you are really going to give up that habit forever? Not so much, I'm thinking. So here's my advice...when the headaches start coming more frequently (and not just before your monthy "friend" show up) it's probably time to take a break. Make it a fast. You'll still get all the withdrawal symptoms for a few days, but at least you'll have a good reason for it. Lest you think that is an "unspiritual" reason for a fast...just remember the inspired words of St. Paul: "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." Ok, Mom! And oh the joy when you break that fast and experience the delicious aroma and taste of a rich cup of java WITHOUT the headache!

Sarah said...

Hmm... speaking from someone who is such a caffeine fiend that Red bull no longer cuts it for me, caffeine headaches usually show up in the afternoon if you don't get caffeine. I would look into other things it could be, maybe tension or sinus issues. And if you only drink a cup or two of coffee in the morning, I don't think you would be *that* addicted to caffeine. But, I'm not a doctor.

Seth & Andrea Cook said...

Funny, but I thought you were going to say you were pregnant, not addicted to caffiene. ;) I've pretty much given up coffee except for days when I'm at church and it's there or the occasional coffee date and it's helped a TON! I used to suck down probably 4 or 5 cups a day when I was working and I quit cold turkey when I got pregnant....hard to do, but I feel a lot better and I don't get the afternoon crash. :) Also, your headaches could be dehydration. Make sure you're drinking lots of water!

Michelle Ferguson said...

1 word. Indulge. Do it. It makes the rest of us feel less guilty.

It is the finest way you can serve your fellow man.

I hope this has helped.

emilyruth said...

i love what michelle said...
so good:)

maybe go with what sarah said...
could be something else...

& i will tell you
i heard a sermon about fasting
& i decided to fast candy
(not sugar, mind you, just candy)
it just came into my head
(hmmm i wonder who put it there:)
so i did it
& each time i craved candy i prayed & then found another sugar alternative
(i didn't say this was a healthy fast:)
so if nothing else it totally improved my praying throughout the day prayer life...
anayway
i honestly say
do what you think is right
& good for you
(staying awake & not having head aches is good for you!)

geez
who thought i would have this much to say about a beverage i don't even drink?

:)