Coffee is toxic!

[avanderland]

I know, I know, everyone is saying, "Duh!"

I woke up this morning in an exceptionally foggy mood. I spent about 35 minutes of my morning deciding whether to go to work or not. I decided to go and thought I would wake up after my breakfast and green juice. I did not. I got to school (I teach) and was unsure of how I was going to make it through the next 2 hours, much less the day!

I made the bad decision of getting a coffee!! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! I've only been high raw for about two weeks, but my body is already saying NO! Do not put that toxic stuff back in my body! I do not want to go back to everything coming in being toxic! Within an hour and a half, I was shaking, jittery, racing heart, everything! I felt AWFUL. Now my stomach is cramping :(

My question for you --- what food or food combinations have you found to be exceptionally "perk up" and lift the fog? I know that smoothies and juices can be great for this, but is there any particular combination that has been the most alert-raising for you? If this happens again, this fog!, I want to have a lot of alternative solutions!!

[upenox]

A shot of wheatgrass tends to get me going in the morning.

[Clare]

Cacao nibs. Also green tea and instant yerba mata powder (not raw once steeped though...)

*Waiting to eat any fruit/breakfast until I am truly hungry, which takes me at least a couple hours, gives me way more energy. First thing on waking I drink about 24 oz of water plain or with green powder. Water is what my body want s first thing anyway...then I eat light foods in the morning like a couple grapefruits or a green smoothie without any fats. I have so much more energy this way than before raw, when I used to eat oatmeal or eggs, etc...

[Malina]

I get those exact same reactions to coffee! (racing heart, jitters, headache, sweating, and nausea) I still love the smell of the stuff, but I won't touch it with a ten-foot pole anymore.

I find the best way to deal with a foggy morning is to skip breakfast and just have water, or maybe water with lemon. Works every time for me! :)

[Betsy]

Betsy's pick me up chocolate mylk. This gets me really going fast, even on my most sluggish of days. Enjoy!

5 cups water in blender. Add:
1/2 Cup almonds
sweetner
3 T. raw cacao powder or nibs
3 T. raw maca powder
Blend. Add ice for a cool, frosty delicious drink. Yum.

[FloridaPatty]

I have the powdered raw chocolate at work and every morning make a warm chocolate drink. Sometimes I add cinnamon. The chocolate puts me in such a good mood I don't even mind being at work.

[avanderland]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions! I actually really adore my job (I work with students with autism) but it requires a very clear and steady head. I think you are right, Clare and Malina... The past two weeks, my head has been way clearer, and I was drinking all water in the AM until I actually felt hungry... Then I had my green juices and/or fruit breakfast! I have not been waiting or drinking as much morning water this week, and I'm going to get back to that!

I've been thinking about ordering some maca and cacao, now I will definitely have to!! Thank you for the recipes!

I have not had wheatgrass juice yet, but I'll have to check it out!

Thanks again!

[zig_zag]

G.T.'s Kombucha
carrot juice w/ a bit of ginger
ACV dilluted w/ water
and green juices with more celery and cucumer, and minimal dark leafy greens... I find strong green juices harder to digest and thus they make me tired....

[tanishamarshall]

Just keeping it light in the morning works for me like water or a piece of fruit, like an apple. Also green smoothie with E-3 works wonders, but honestly since going raw I feel great every time I wake up

[Veganforlife]

Two words: GREEN SMOOTHIES!!! I have found that there are many days that a green smoothie gets me through the entire day. I suggest reading Victoria Boutenko's book, "Green for Life"; thoroughly explains the benefits of GS's.
Seriously. GS's get rid of cravings, provide instant food and energy. The minute they hit your tongue, your body is utilizing/assimilating them.
They SO compliment a raw diet...

[cara4art]

I totally go along with that! A few months ago, I was on a course of major Chinese herbs for cold and flu. One side effect of that was that it totally eliminated any desire for coffee ever since. I agree with Veganforlife about the green smoothies - they are very energizing for me, and keep me going for a few hours as well. With these, who needs coffee? I noticed a difference in energy level after only two days on the green smoothies - I started these back in February.

[Maui Girl]

Docsharp,

Is E3 in the liquid form? I was thinking about purchasing that just today and was reluctant because I really do not know anything about it. I saw there are pills too. How long have you been using it?