Morning “Coffee”
I put "coffee" in quotes because most people might say this isn’t real coffee — but since my blog is about a healthier and kinder lifestyle, this "coffee" is exactly what you need.
I’ve been a coffee drinker for most of my adult life, with a few personal rules: only one cup or espresso shot per day and never after 2 p.m. However, in January, I caught influenza A, and I don’t think I’ve ever been this sick before — it was horrible! I experienced severe sinus migraines, and they seemed to worsen every time I had my morning coffee. After some Googling, I learned that caffeine can sometimes make sinus migraines worse. At the same time, I knew quitting coffee could also trigger migraines from withdrawal.
I decided to stop drinking coffee until I recovered to see if that would help, and it did. I ended up feeling better, so I chose to stay off coffee for a while longer to see what would happen. The first month was incredibly hard — I was constantly tired, needing naps, and feeling weak and unmotivated — almost depressed. I was shocked at how much quitting coffee affected my life.
Now, two months later, I feel amazing. I have steady energy throughout the day and no longer need naps. I also feel less anxious in the mornings, which makes sense since caffeine can elevate cortisol levels. If you’re looking to reduce your stress levels, consider cutting back on caffeine.
Since I still love the taste of coffee, I switched to decaf. Nespresso makes a great Ristretto Decaffeinato from their original capsules, which I really enjoy. I like to add unsweetened soy "milk" — I usually go for the Whole Foods 365 brand. I try to avoid sugar, but sometimes my iced lattes taste better with a little sweetness. I recently discovered allulose powder, a low-glycemic sweetener that doesn’t raise insulin or blood sugar levels. Since there aren’t many long-term studies on it, I recommend consuming it in moderation and consulting your doctor or nutritionist to ensure it's safe for you. Keep in mind that allulose is about 70% less sweet than sugar, so you may need to adjust the amount accordingly.
I also like to sprinkle my lattes with cinnamon. Currently, I use organic cinnamon from Trader Joe’s, but I’ll be switching to a higher-quality one soon. Recent reports have shown that some cinnamon products — particularly ground cinnamon — can contain elevated levels of lead. I know... so annoying! It feels like we can’t enjoy anything these days, but don’t worry. Living a healthier lifestyle takes effort, but it’s totally worth it.
I’m constantly educating myself — listening to podcasts, researching ingredients, and exploring new brands. The good news is, I’ll be sharing all my research here. So grab a cup of "coffee" and enjoy the blog!
Recipe
1 lungo shot of NESPRESSO Decaffeinato
3 tsps Allulose powder (I buy Anthony’s organic)
Organic cinnamon
1 cup of ice
Soy milk to the top