The How to Lowering Your Coffee Addiction

Whether you love it or are not into it, it is definitely one of the most popular consumed beverages in the country.

I wanted to answer a question that came up recently about how to get rid of a coffee habit without the withdrawal headaches. This is something that I’ve had to work on with a lot of different clients and have created a few tips over the years I wanted to share with you.
Of course, coffee is very popular across the world and when we try to remove it from our lifestyle suddenly, our bodies can react significantly- in a physical, emotional and psychological way, depending on how much you have been consuming and for how long.

When you stop drinking coffee, you may actually experience withdrawals, cravings and physical repercussions, one of them being headaches. No one wants to deal with dreaded headaches, but don’t worry, these unpleasant side effects will soon pass.

When it comes to cutting out coffee, first off, there are different ways to approach it. Some people want to go cold turkey, while others may want to wean themselves off the coffee slower and in a more drawn-out kind of way. I think it’s very much a personal choice and what works for your personality. I’ve guided clients through both ways, admittedly much more chose the gradual approach.
Either way, do what works for your body and your mental stability.

Going Cold Turkey

If you do decide to go cold turkey, just know that there may be a few difficult days.

If you’re used to drinking multiple cups of coffee through the morning, try to stock a variety of teas with less caffeine in them, such as, yerba mate, black tea and eventually work down to green tea, white tea, and/or herbal teas like rooibos.

Be sure you are staying hydrated by drinking lots of water and starting your day with fresh water and hot water with lemon. We all get to be varying levels of dehydrated during the night, and it’s important to rehydrate before reaching for your coffee. And of course, don’t forget to drink one of our Organic raw green juices as they are full of important, hydrating fruits and vegetables. We also have a cafe chaga juice that is made up of chaga mushroom, raw sugar cane juice and coconut milk, many swear it tastes like coffee. Picture below. It’s an alternative to those that still want to get the taste but this juice has a superfood of chaga.

Weaning Off Slowly

Quite honestly, I don’t think one cup of coffee a day is the absolute worst thing in the world that you could be putting in your body, as long as it doesn’t have dairy in it! I strongly dislike creamer packets, powdered creamer or any kind of dairy milk really.

And if you are having one cup of coffee, you could drink it black or you could put almond milk, coconut milk or even coconut-based creamer. And ideally, it should be organic. Sweetener-wise, try stevia, coconut sugar or a little coconut nectar.

If you, like most people that I’ve worked with, want to try this trickle down approach- what helps is adding something into your diet in the place of your beloved coffee. You can probably guess what that special magical something is. That’s right, a raw organic juice, cafe chaga juice or a green smoothie.

Adding An organic raw juice or a green Smoothie is so nourishing and alkalizing that it gives you so much energy naturally without feeling you’ve deprived yourself, and you’ll naturally start to decrease your coffee intake without feeling hugely deprived.

Where Do You Begin?

For a recap, start your morning routine with hot water and lemon. Try to allow time for it to digest through your system, since this will aid your body to flush out toxins and help along the detoxification process.

After, follow your hot water and lemon with the Raw juice or smoothie. Then of course, follow your routine. If you do want to drink a cup of coffee have it at least 25 minutes after your green Smoothie or raw juice.

Superfood Hot Chocolate

Not only are we using raw cacao powder not to be confused with cocoa powder which is processed. We also added ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and coconut oil, which are all immune boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Which makes this hot chocolate a superfood. Drink up and enjoy. But first let’s talk about the health benefits of these raw and plant based ingredients.

Cacao: Contains high amounts of magnesium and high levels of flavonoids, an antioxidant responsible for decreasing inflammation and ridding the body of free-radicals. If possible, buy raw cacao powder instead processed cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is heated to high temperatures, which destroys some of its healing qualities.

Ginger: A reliever to GI upset, but also a potent anti-inflammatory. Gingerols, a substance found in ginger is responsible for decreasing pain and inflammation in people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Cinnamon: Similar to ginger, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties. Some studies even suggest that cinnamon helps with insulin resistance.

Turmeric: A very potent anti-inflammatory agent due to curcurmin, the compound that gives turmeric its bright yellow color. In addition to decreasing inflammation and pain in those suffering from arthritis, turmeric protects cells from oxidative stress.

Coconut Oil: Contains lauric acid, which may fight off bacteria, fungus and viruses. Also, a good source of medium chain triglycerides that contain anti-aging properties.

Ingredients:

2 cups of milk of your choice (hemp, soy, almond, etc.)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons cacao powder (or cocoa powder if you don’t have cacao!)
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust according to your taste)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
pinch sea salt

Instructions:

-Warm all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, whisking occasionally.
-Transfer to a blender and pulse until frothy.
-Top with coconut, soy or rice whip for fun!

Enjoy!

Why Juice?

IMG_4857There are many reasons why we should all juice. Today I will be talking about just 3 of those reasons.
1) It contains protein
2) Its full of Live enzymes
3) It gives you energy

Many are surprised to discover greens are one of the best sources of instantly absorbable, alkaline protein. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and green veggies are loaded with these muscle building nutrients. How do you think cows get their amino acids, magnesium, calcium and other muscle and bone building nutrients? FROM GREENS! They eat the green grass that contains all the phyto-nutrients we need to flourish. So, cut out the middle man and go straight to the source- EAT YOUR GREENS.

I have read so many articles that say meat is the best source of protein out there, its so false. Yes they contain alot of Grams of protein but what your body absorbs is a completely different ball game. Your body will only absorb 20 percent of that protein.

Raw Juice is also full of live enzymes. Food enzymes help make the digestion of food possible. All of natures uncooked and processed foods are full of enzymes. Its what gives us life and health. Live enzymes have a million and one functions, and there are many different kinds of live enzymes. Raw food and raw juice are living foods, they are life. But once you cook your food, they are gone. Enzymes are destroyed at temps over 115 F.

If you want Raw energy without the crash, raw juice is your answer. Coffee is not only acidic in your body but it is also one of the most heavily pesticide sprayed crops around.

Raw juices are liquid nutrition that your body drinks up almost immediately. Enjoy the rich infusion of nutrients.