coffee???

[Shay]

Hi everyone, my name is Shay and I've been *raw* 100%? for a week....BUT still have to have my morning coffee....granted it's not as much as before and I bought the half the caffeine version, any thoughts?
Going to 100% raw hasn't been an issue, I flirted with the idea for so long and wondered how I'd do, aside from some from an awful first couple days without the coffee...I went back to 2 cups in the morning and have been just a little sniffly.
I know, I know, any addiction isn't good...but how bad is the coffee? I looked around some sites and really haven't found much out. In fact there's alot of conflicting advise, ( like in everything ).
What finally made me commit to the switch was the transformation pictures on the web.....oh my goodness....I want that bright shiny look like the other raw people, and to read what they say about....energy....hmmmm...new word for me! : ) Am I going to completely miss out if I keep the coffee????
Well if any one has any advise....or a swift kick in the pants, if appropriate,
please respond.

~~~Shay

[lil]

I agree that there is a lot of pro and con information about coffee and I think you just have to decide what camp to sit in!.
I was a heavy coffee drinker and amongst a host of other health problems, I also developed painful fibrocystic breast disease. There is a very strong connection between that and coffee (caffeine). When I developed an autoimmune disease, I started looking at how stimulants (caffeine, alcohol etc...) impact the immune system (not good!) and it was then I decided to can the coffee :-) .
I know how tough it is too quit! It's been two years for me. I recently had some sips of a coffee - and I didn't like the taste. However, I do like the smell of coffee brewing.

[flutterfly]

Look up teeccino on your computer. It tells you everything about the dangers of coffee. It is one of the most addictive drugs out there. Hope this helps.

[flutterfly]

I use to drink a lot of coffee. I had severe fibrocystic disease for 13 years. It got so bad that I was finally given a double mastectomy 18 years ago. Believe me the coffee wasn't worth it. Years later I learned what causes my problem and I was so depressed that there wasn't words for it.

[ConsciousCuisine]

:o

Coffee isn't "Raw". The beans are roasted and then brewed to make your drink. Coffee is very, very cooked. Coffee is very acid-forming. It is unhealthy in many ways, unless it is taken as an enema. Yes, I said that :eek: . Here's a bit to ponder...

http://www.amazingdiscoveries.org/health_coffee.htm

[ConsciousCuisine]

:D Welcome and way to go with your Raw journey! :D

[Rawkinlocs]

Welcome Shay!!

I have no advice about the coffee, but I wanted to say WOW!! ConsciousCuisine, that is so interesting to hear you express approval of the coffee enema. My husband does them sometimes and I have as well, but never wanted to mention it on raw forums as to not get flamed/blasted!

Thanks for saying that...now I feel better! (and yes, we are sure to use organic coffee ;) )

[rawjojo]

Coffe enemas are great and get the job done when used appropriately. They have definitely helped with my colon cleansing!

[mwjeepster]

And as one who has just gone through withdrawal (two Starbucks a day) and as per Kirk and Thunderdancer's suggestions, I did 50% decaf/50% regular for a week, then 75% decaf/25% regular for a week then 90% decaf/10% regular and then 100% decaf - which is where I am now. I expect to wean off of decaf in about a week. I did have some truly awful migraines, but I was able to sleep them off. I think that doing this is truly a huge asset for your health - you've already started the process, just keep going!!!

Take care and let us know how you're doing!

Melissa

[ehartmanf]

I was drinking decaf for years and totally stopped when I decided to go raw. Fortunately it was not hard for me. It was just a habit and I drank it black anyway. I still occasionally think about the delicious I.C. Capuccino Chip from Panera that i used to love....but never had one again. :)

What do you all plan to do in the winter? I get so cold sometimes and was wondering if an herbal hot tea would be harmful.... I love peppermint tea or even chamomile. What do you think? I had a friend who used to drink plain hot water.......

[Rawkinlocs]

I was drinking decaf for years and totally stopped when I decided to go raw. Fortunately it was not hard for me. It was just a habit and I drank it black anyway. I still occasionally think about the delicious I.C. Capuccino Chip from Panera that i used to love....but never had one again. :)

What do you all plan to do in the winter? I get so cold sometimes and was wondering if an herbal hot tea would be harmful.... I love peppermint tea or even chamomile. What do you think? I had a friend who used to drink plain hot water.......

When I was in Junior High school, my band teacher used to drink hot water every morning! I thought it was the dumbest thing back then, but I have recently found out from a few people I know that it's very cleansing and produces regularity. I also recall hearing/reading from several sources that hot water with lemon in it is also good to drink (these were raw folks too)

I wonder about herbal teas as well...I mean, what if the water were heated to a warm temp, but not boiling and then the tea allowed to steep? I'm not a tea-drinker myself, but wondering for those who are.

[Jeanne]

Hot lemon water in the morning is very good for the liver and kidneys. This helped me get off coffee too. I needed the warmth and the "kick" that lemon has is a good transition from coffee.

[ConsciousCuisine]

Lemon is also very alkalizing and will help counter-effect the harmful acidity caused by coffee-drinking and ease the transition off of coffee. ;)

[ehartmanf]

I think I might just add hot water with lemon to my morning routine, especially in the winter months. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Shay]

Everyone, thank you for responding, what a great board.

I know, I know, I have to kick this habit....I just love the whole routine, plus my husband is a still a SAD eater, coffee drinker and all. But I love hot herbal teas too, licorace spice has always been my favorite, and I do drink hot water, plain too. That's the only thing I miss about being raw, hot stuff! ( for the past month I'd been like 75% raw and would bake an apple just for the heat!

I have hypothyroidism and have been terribly unregulated for years, I take my medication faithfully, yet everytime I get a blood test the doctor accuses me of not taking them!!! Sooooo I said all that to say that I hope being raw helps or fixes my thyroid condition, I'd love to not be so cold all the time!

Thanks again,
(I'll check those links),

Shannon

[Curtis]

Hi Shay,
This is the article that got me to give it up after 20 years.

http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/coffee.html

Welcome to the forum!

[Sweet lips]

Welcome Shay,

I am hypothyroid as well. Coffee is not a good thing for us, it has been reported to play havoc with our systems, can cause swelling, heart palpatations, and depression. I got the swelling and iregular heartbeats whenever I drank it. There are a couple of things that I know about from experience - I was very unregulated, and my doctor kept increasing my meds, which was causing my failure. Changed dr's and I am better regulated. I also have read research on armour thyroid which persons have had great success - I have met some.

Going raw as much as you can, is one of the most releasing things I have done for myself. Almost right away, I noticed a change in my resistance to temps, my skin began to change and become very dewey, my eyes cleared - just some wonderful things and my heart beat regualry even when I started doing strenous exercise.

Do what you feel that you have to do, and Be blessed in your comings and your goings.
;)

[Shay]

Flutterfly,

So sorry to hear what happened to you.

A friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to listen to the doctors and didn't change a thing about her diet, because they has said it wouldn't make a difference. In fact the only thing she consumed most days was a chocolate bar and coca cola. She was young..in her 30's and so a part of the reason I decided to go radical was to try and avoid that at all costs.

I'm silly to think that I could get away with the coffee and really appreciate everyones responses.

Curtis,

Thank you for that link, I saved it to remind myself....it's poison.

~~~Shay

[lil]

Wow, flutterfly - we should all hear your story. Fibrocystic breast disease is often dismissed by doctors as not being anything serious.

Shay - there are a few of us here with thyroid disease (I'm Hashimotos). I spent a good year freezing to death with minimal help from doctors. Have you had your iron levels checked? And your adrenals? They are two major tests to have and if off, they can contribute to the cold spells. I started taking Ashwangdha and swear it got rid of my cold spells. I continue to take it regulary. As well, my thyroid levels improved (I don't take medication).