question about 30 day and coffee

[1-icurn]

I finally have Alissa's book and DVD and tomorrow will be day 1 of 30 day challenge. I have been about 50 to 75% for the past month and have been experimenting with different recipes. My biggest dread is giving up my am coffee. Are there any other members out there willing to admit their all raw except for the jova? Is it possible to still see results even without taking out the coffee?

[sweetgoddess]

I can tell you, you will not experience the same results at all, keeping coffee in your diet. Coffee is extremely toxic to your body and causes adrenal exhaustion. It is not possible to cleanse deeply if your body is ritually subjected to an ingestion of coffee. That will take your bodies energy!

Your body will daily be busy trying to process and deal with the coffee, leaving very little energy for cleansing, reparing and rebuilding.

I know it is difficult to want to give up coffee. I gave it up when I went raw though, and can tell you, after a few days you will feel just incredible without it!

The choice of course is yours and you need to do whatever you feel will serve you best.

Best wishes!

Carmel

[ladybug]

I read your note. I have been doing raw since nov 29. I use to have a grade sugarfree-vanilla latte every day maybe 2 and decafe coffee about 3 cups in morning. I too started out on my on doing raw until I got Alissa's book. Only one day, once going all raw, did I have 2 grande coffee when we put a pet of 12 years down, still better than liquer. Anyhow I have not missed it. Now I am bad in that I do have 2 cups of decafe tea but I feel tea is still better than coffee. I started out at 133 and yesterday weighed in at 127. I feel better, no headaches, less pain, and more energy. The good thing about raw is there are sooooo many recipes to try, the bad thing about raw is I am the only one in my house. GIVE UP THE COFFEE signed coffee/chocolate junkie.

[TimmyC]

I did give up coffee...however, I did it one day at a time. Each day I chose to give it up. I mean rather than look at it for 30 days I looked at it as one day, and each of those days I didn't drink coffee was a victory for me.

The purpose of the 30-day challenge is to follow her program 100%. That doesn't mean you have to do it, but if you do, Alissa and many others think there will be remarkable results!

For me at the end of the 30 days there was unbelievable results....without any caffine. And I can say I have no cravings for coffee at all now.

I wish you well in your raw journey.

Tim

[Revvell]

If you search here, you'll find that there are quite a few who have issues w/ coffee. One thing I've noticed is, what one wants to hang onto is what one is (obviously) most addicted to and it's what's holding them back.

Here's a suggestion ~ instead of giving it up ~ have a green ~ or even a fruit smoothie when you would normally have your coffee. IF, after having the smoothie, you still want the coffee, do so. Don't make a big deal out of it. As your tastes change, you may find yourself just not wanting it so much. Make it easy on yourself and enjoy your food.

R.

[1-icurn]

Coffee is extremely toxic to your body and causes adrenal exhaustion. It is not possible to cleanse deeply if your body is ritually subjected to an ingestion of coffee. That will take your bodies energy!

Well I guess today is longer day #1 as I already had my coffee. For my learning purposes...what is it about coffee that is so toxic? Yes, it has caffiene in it but as lonf as it is organic isnt it natural? I mean to say that coffee beans grow out of the ground, caffiens isn't something that is addedd by man.

How does it cause "adrenal exhaustion"?

Thank you so much guys.

[Revvell]

Poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac are organic and natural. Don't think I care to ingest them.

As I said, there's been LOTS of posts about coffee and caffeine here. Here's one:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5465&highlight=caffeine

[mbf]

It took me 6 months to get off coffee !
I never went anywhere without it and would drink it up until 8pm sometimes and then go right to bed ! when I did get down to 1 am cup with almond milk i started adding more and more almond milk and then went down to 1/2 a cup ,yes that 1/2 cup was a big deal, I had a headache for 2 days and was totally unbearable but it was the only time I suffered withdrawal ! and then one day I was ready and had carrot juice instead !

I did not use tea because it was still giving me crutch and not breaking the habit of always having something hot in my hand. I did use water & juices.

I still miss it though ! I enjoyed drinking coffee for 23 yeasr ! but I also really enjoy my carrot juice. But it's a choice i feel really good about and my friends and family are flabbergasted when I tell them I no longer drink coffee !

When you are ready you will do it, I waited until I was good and ready. I was not going to do this and feel like I was depriving myself. It took me 6 months but I did do it and will never go back.

Your headed in the right direction !

MBF

[rawpriestess]

I totally agree with 100% raw as the perfect lifeplan of eating for optimum health, healing and wellness.

Now, with that said, I also understand that each person may not be emotionally ready to go 100% raw.

So, if you are happy eating 100% raw foods and still make the conscious choice to drink coffee, then go for it.

It is YOUR choice.

But then you MUST accept that you may not detox as quickly as you would like,
you may have cravings for other foods.
you may have headaches, and nausea, and cramps, and bloating, and all sorts of dis-ease in your body
you may have challenges with only one cup of coffee a day,
you may have many challenges staying 100% raw

But again, it is YOUR choice.

When you make the committement to go 100% raw, I say, then Do that, make the committment, give it all you've got, don't fudge, don't second guess it, don't try to get around one little rule, don't try to make this one thing okay, DO IT.

or DON'T and then be happy with what decision YOU have made.

So, if you make the decision to go 100% raw, then do that,

but if you make the decision to go 100% on food but still drink coffee, then do that, but realize, that you may have alot of food issues that won't go away, because you are keeping the cooked food door open in your mind, and body.

many blessings, on YOUR choices.

[mellyc37]

I was a serious coffee drinker. My friends and family can not beleive I have been able to so effortlessly give this up.


Here are some of my replacements:
Almond milk with carob powder
coconut milk, carob powder, small amount of honey
lemonade - lemon juice and a little maple syrup

I warm these with a coffee mug warmer if at work and on the stove if at home.

[Alice in Rawfoodland]

1) Cardiovascular Problems
Caffeine increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure, and can contribute to the development of heart disease. Both decaf and regular coffee increase your cholesterol and homocysteine, the biochemical that science has linked to increased risk for heart attack. Caffeine is also linked to coronary vasospasms, the cause for 20% of all fatal heart attacks which kill otherwise perfectly healthy people.
2) Stress
Caffeine stimulates the excretion of stress hormones which can produce increased levels of anxiety, irritability, muscular tension and pain, indigestion, insomnia, and decreased immunity. Increased levels of stress from caffeine can keep you from being able to make healthy responses to the normal daily stress everyone is subjected to in their lives.
3) Emotional Disturbances
Anxiety and irritability are hallmark mood disturbances associated with caffeine consumption, but equally important is depression and attention disorders. Depression may occur as part of the let down after the stimulant effects of caffeine wears off. It may also appear during the recovery period after quitting caffeine while the brain's chemistry is readjusted. Caffeine rather than increasing mental activity actually decreases blood flow to the brain by as much as 30% and negatively effects memory and mental performance.
4) Blood Sugar Swings
Diabetics and hypoglycemics should avoid caffeine because it stimulates a temporary surge in blood sugar which is then followed by an overproduction of insulin that causes a blood sugar crash within hours. If you're trying to loose weight, this rollercoaster will actually cause weight gain since insulin's message to the body is to store excess sugar as fat.
5) Gastrointestinal Problems
Many people experience a burning sensation in their stomach after drinking coffee because coffee increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid leading to an increased risk for ulcers. Coffee, including decaf, reduces the pressure on the valve between the esophagus and the stomach so that the highly acidic contents of the stomach pass up to the esophagus leading to heartburn and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. With America's high consumption of coffee, its no wonder the best selling over-the-counter drugs are the so-called antacids.
6) Nutritional Deficiencies
Caffeine inhibits the absorption of some nutrients and causes the urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and trace minerals, all essential elements necessary for good health.
7) Male Health Problems
Dr. Milton Krisiloff, M.D. has found that in the majority of cases, men can significantly reduce their risk for urinary and prostate problems by making dietary changes which include eliminating coffee and caffeine.
8) Female Health Problems
Fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, osteoporosis, infertility problems, miscarriage, low birth weight infants, and menopausal problems such as hot flashes are all exacerbated by caffeine consumption. Women on birth control pills are particularly at risk since they have a decreased ability to detoxify caffeine.
9)Adrenal Exhaustion
Caffeine consumption leads to eventual adrenal exhaustion which can leave you vulnerable to a variety of health disorders related to inflammation, autoimmunity, and fatigue.
10)Aging
Many people find in their forties that they can no longer tolerate the same level of caffeine consumption as they could in their twenties and thirties. The production of DHEA, melatonin, and other vital hormones start to decline and caffeine speeds up that downhill drop. Caffeine dehydrates the body and contributes to the aging of the skin and kidneys. It has been shown to inhibit DNA repair and slow the ability of the liver to detoxify foreign toxins.

FYI-
alice in rawfoodland

[skinnypiglover]

I love all the post, everyone seems so knowledgable! Please don't diss me.....I love my coffee and just doing my research now. My acupunturist says that I am "too acidic" thats why "HE" suggust I go the raw-route. I love the idea, and its hard. I attend acupunture on a weekly basis and he is pro-raw...........HELP, I AM NEW AT THIS, I think this will be great for support, can coffee cravings ever be gone. Hopeless!

Be nice, this is my first post!
Heather

[solarliving]

Thanks for posting all that information alice. I haven't had coffee now for 5 months and I was starting to think it might not be so bad. I will stick with my morning hot lemon and ginger water. I have noticed my stress response is much better than it was. I rarely to never feel irritated by bad drivers : ) I have also saved $300 by not stopping at the local drive-thru coffee place.
Thanks again for the info.

[skinnypiglover]

Thanks for posting all that information alice. I haven't had coffee now for 5 months and I was starting to think it might not be so bad. I will stick with my morning hot lemon and ginger water. I have noticed my stress response is much better than it was. I rarely to never feel irritated by bad drivers : ) I have also saved $300 by not stopping at the local drive-thru coffee place.
Thanks again for the info.

I must say I was very interested in your morning drink of morning hot lemon and ginger water. How do I make this? Is is as simple as it sounds, hot water with lemon and ginger - Do share, I need to get off coffee! HELP. :D

[Gosia]

Hi,

Somehow, I did not have a big problem with getting off coffee. And, despite still liking the smell of it, I just CAN'T have it, even if I really want to. Why? Because even the weekest coffee (1/8 teaspoon per glass) will lead to a sleepless night. I can't have chocolate either, for the same reason.

It was not always like this. Before raw, I used to drink coffees several times a day to keep me awake so that I could work. Since going raw, my body refuses to tolerate it.

So, I suggest that you may not need to worry too much about your habit. If you stay raw, a day will come when you will not tolerate it anymore, and this will get rid of the problem. Phew. :)

Best,
Gosia.

[Colin]

I finally have Alissa's book and DVD and tomorrow will be day 1 of 30 day challenge. I have been about 50 to 75% for the past month and have been experimenting with different recipes. My biggest dread is giving up my am coffee. Are there any other members out there willing to admit their all raw except for the jova? Is it possible to still see results even without taking out the coffee?
I can't seem to drink only one coffee a day. Even decaf seems to lead to reg. coffee. Maybe it's partly the social thing (going for coffee) or caffeine habit or the cream/honey with the coffee.
I drink some tea now--a little organic green tea and maybe some organic chai tea with a little honey but other than that I drink non--caffeinated tea. I live in Vancouver BC where it is cold and damp and rainy in winter so for now that's what I do between meals or if I go for out I might order chamomile tea or such. Other than that I'm raw for now with green smoothies with fruit and a little maple syrup if it needs sweetening.
I hope you find what works for you and whatever that is you are OK with it. This group seems very caring, gentle, encouraging, and hekpful and supportive. I deeply appreciate that. Colin

[sweetgoddess]

Hi Heather and welcome.
I used to be a huge coffee drinker. I am talking 2 pots a day!
When I went 100% raw, I switched to black tea for 2 weeks and then to a smoothie. I wouldnt have believed it, but i get more of a rush from my morning smoothie now then I ever did from coffee. And as stated by others here, irritability and sleeplessness vanish.

Now, if I drink coffee, my heart goes crazy and I become so acidic that my skin literally burns--like a sunburn. Its crazy.

You can do this. Within just a few days-you will notice great benefits. You will be rewarded for your effort in only days! Isnt that exciting!

What do you think?

SolarLiving~ I just want to day "WAY TO GO!!!"

Blessings~
Carmel

[Beanie]

I quit coffee last January 1st! Cold tofurkey!! I was seriously sick with headaches, irritable, tired, grumpy for 2 weeks. I was a pot+ a day drinker. I got a stomach ulcer from it too a couple years ago and managed to cut back to half a pot. That was as much as my stomach could tolerate. Now I drink tea. Sometimes I get into the yerba mate, but worse case senario, its one cup a day. Usually its just decaf tea.

Thats not the hardest thing to give up, maybe chemically. Hot LIQUIDS are IMHO. I still have tea. But its harder to give up than smoking is!

What I did was not allow myself to touch it for one month and I craved it like crazy. Then I allowed myself to sample it at Trader Joes and suddenly it didn't taste so great. I waited 2 months, had half a cup, felt ill. So eventually, I stopped wanting it. Coffee=feeling sick to me.

[skinnypiglover]

Thank you sweetgoddess!
Wow, my two cups per day (on a busy day only) were nothing compared to your old [U]coffee habit! Two pots..........wow! If you can kick that "ANYONE CAN"....You give me hope. Plus, you look great and know what your talking about. Thanks for taking the time!
Happy Holidays
Heather

[Lady Green Jeans]

Definately a toughy! I went to the Optimum Health Institute two years ago to February. Was so sick for the first four days and can honestly attribute it to coffee. Well, I went back to the SAD diet and coffee for nearly the past tw years. About three months ago, I decided--"enough" and gave up the coffee and all other caffiene.

I had a jar of Roma brand as a substitute for awhile, but have not had any major issues after the first three or four days. Do I miss coffee? A resounding NO. The addiction is out of my system and I do not see myself going in that direction ever again.

Best of luck. Hope any of this helps.

[solarliving]

Hi SKinnypiglover,

The water is easy. I basically juice up some ginger root and lemons and bottle it. Makes it really easy to just add it to the water. I drink this in the evening as well when I feel like something hot and soothing. When I went off coffee, I drank green tea for about a week, then switched to the lemon and ginger. I never had a headache, but I was a little tired the first 3 days. You can do it!

SweetGodess- thanks! Congrats on your certification : )

[skinnypiglover]

that sounds really soothing and yummy! Thanks, I will be trying that one for my detox. My acupunturist wants be off the coffee. You all have inspired me so much.........Thanks for the great, supportive feedback.

[ladybug]

Had to drive my daughter to an appointment, very tired, heavy traffice, been raw since nov 29, need caffine to get home afraid of falling asleep, one small coffee shouldn't effect me. WRONG I have gotten to the point where I barely even drink 1 cup of tea a day and let me tell you my eyes couldn't open far enough, I not only drove home wide awake, went to gym worked out, shopped at different nature food store, finally found raw mac nuts, took back a CD to a store, bought some presents, delivered x-mas gifts to neighbors, folded laundry, started more laundry, and now on internet, all in the span of 5 hours. My stomach feels sour and I have no idea how I will fall asleep tonight!! 8oz won't hurt me LIKE H_LL!!!!!