Who’s ready for the weekend? I know I am! After 5:30 I’ll be on my way upstate with Ari, where we’ll meet my parents for a cozy Easter weekend. It’s going to be a little cold and rainy, but it won’t bother us a bit! Can’t wait to get away.
On days I work, I get a half hour break at 11 AM, so I usually try and wait to have breakfast then because I know I won’t be eating lunch until 3 or 4. I’ve sort of trained my body to wait until 11 to eat, but sometimes I need a little something before work, like dried fruit or nuts. Yesterday, after a 20 minute yoga podcast, I had a microwaved egg white while I got some computer things out of the way.
When it came time to eat breakfast, I had my usual bring-to-work meal: a yogurt bowl.
- 1 Very Berry Chobani Champion kids Greek yogurt
- 1 banana
- Quaker Oatmeal Squares
- Ambrosial Granola
- cashew butter <— made a huge mess in my bag this time!
Per usual, an apple to snack on.
Family Meal at the restaurant was some kind of chicken-beef stir-fry, so I had a veggie burger with tahini sauce & Israeli salad, and mixed it with a little bag of spinach I’d brought from home to bulk up the meal.
After work, I met my mom uptown to spend the evening with her. We started at Rag & Bone, where I spent a gift card I’d been hanging on to since Christmas. Rag & Bone is one of my favorite stores; it’s very expensive, so I wanted to make sure I chose things I’d really wear. I came out with a summer dress and a pair of denim shorts that i know I’ll get a lot of use out of. I’ll show them to you when I wear ‘em 
.
After we shopped, we went to the movies and saw Limitless, the new Bradley Cooper/ Robert DeNiro film. We both really enjoyed it! It reminded me a lot of The Game, a 90s Michael Douglas movie. If you suffer from motion sickness or dizziness from handheld cameras, however, be warned! There were several scenes when I had to close my eyes so I wouldn’t get sick.
We had a late dinner at Il Violino, an Italian restaurant right across the street from the theater.
We shared an endive salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes and parmesan. It was served in a parmesan cracker, sort of like a classy taco salad bowl!
It was much easier to eat once we broke the bowl. We also shared a glass of Orvietto.
Il Violino makes their own pasta daily, so pasta we ate. My mom had the fettuccine with mushrooms in truffle oil...
I went with the primavera (mixed spring vegetables), and asked for pappardalle pasta (big, wide ribbons) instead of the spaghetti it was normally served with. My dish was good, but didn’t have a whole lot of flavor; my mom filled up quickly and let me have some of hers, and we packed the rest up for a later dinner.
It was the kind of evening that, had it been a “school night” or had I had homework hanging over my head, I wouldn’t have been able to have. Instead, I felt completely at ease and just enjoyed our night together. Spring Break is pretty great that way.
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THE CAFFEINE QUESTION
Today is my 11th day without coffee. I quit cold turkey last Tuesday in an effort to isolate what’s been giving me digestive problems lately. Since the “trouble” usually began, almost immediately, during or after breakfast, I figured coffee or dairy were the culprits, as the two are main components in my meals every morning. (I usually have 1-3 cups of strong coffee with skim milk, and a bowl of yogurt with fruit, cereal, granola and nut butter.)
Starting Tuesday, I began my morning with green tea instead of coffee. Ordinarily, I’d stumble out of bed, heap grounds into Mr. Coffee, and stare at it, glassy-eyed, waiting for my brew. I associated waking up with coffee, and it seemed impossible that I could start my day any other way.
On the third day without coffee, I got my first migraine. You can read more about it here, but it was pretty clear that my body was finally realizing that the caffeine it was waiting for just wasn’t coming. The headache lasted for hours and was pretty debilitating, but the next day I felt fine. I had a couple more, smaller, headaches over the next few days, but I think the coffee is finally all out of my system.
The idea of not being a coffee drinker made me sad. I think it was the ritual of having it every morning, and sitting over brunch with a steaming cup in front of me, and the idea of a “coffee shop culture” I wouldn’t be able to partake in. But I’ve ordered tea at the diner, and at coffee shops, and I don’t really feel like I’ve crushed any of my core identity or anything.
So far, my tummy troubles have subsided (for the most part). BUT, I also haven’t been drinking dairy. The one time I did have some- in a chai latte with skim milk- my stomach almost immediately started to churn. I’m still eating yogurt, though, and that hasn’t seemed to be a problem. So I think it might be just dairy milk, straight-up, that’s the problem, because I also have been just fine with cheese. The combination of coffee + milk was probably the worst of it. I don’t think I’m lactose intolerant, I just think that my body doesn’t respond well to dairy milk. , but This seems to be the best possible outcome, and since I usually use almond milk, anyway, I don’t think I’ll really feel like I’m giving anything up.
I still have more experimenting to do, so I’ll keep you posted on that!
Have you ever completely eliminated something from your diet? What was it, and why? Did you feel like you were missing out?
I’ve done vegan weeks before and was amazed at how much my digestion improved- dairy definitely stops me up (TMI?) and makes me bloated, so I try to go easy on it. I also did a week without white flour or processed sugar when I was in high school and had similar good results. Why is everything delicious so hard to digest?!? Regarding the coffee drinking, I’ve never been a coffee drinker so I can’t quite relate, but I would imagine it would be difficult to change such an integral part of your AM routine. I always wake up really thirsty so I start my mornings with a liter-sized glass of water.
I just saw limitless too! It was good! Yesterday my boyfriend said he wanted to see Water for Elephants and so of course I took that oppportunity and we will probably see that tonight! : )
As for the dietary stuff… I drink coffee every morning like its my job and I can’t imagine giving it up. That being said, coffee always, er, uh “speeds things up”, digestively speaking. I actually really like that about coffee, especially before things like running races, where I’d like to get all those issues out of the way before the gun goes off. Hope that wasn’t TMI! haha!
Dairy has never affected me negatively, but I totally understand why it does for so many people. I’m guessing yogurt works for you because of the cultures? Maybe that helps. Anyway, the nice thing is that if you decide coffee wasn’t the culprit, you can always add it back in slowly. Its actually nice to take a break from coffee once and awhile because then all it takes is half a cup and I feel like I can rule the world! : ) I’m just glad you haven’t any more epic headaches!
I gave up coffee a while ago because of the caffeine – I still drink decaf for the coffee “experience” that I love so much. Being caffeine free is great though – I like not feeling like I need anything in the a.m.
a lot of people that have trouble tolerating dairy can tolerate yogurt just fine – maybe that’s the source of your problem?
Giving up diet soda was harder than I’d thought the first, like, 5 times I tried to do it. Gradually cutting back over the course of a few years, though, and subbing in seltzer made it so much easier. This summer I realized I’d lost my taste for the fake stuff without trying.
I used to be insanely addicted to caffeine, but over the past year, I’ve managed to get it to one or two cups of coffee or tea a day. When it’s hot I order espresso since you can just down it in one shot. I can’t remember why, but one shot of espresso actually has less caffeine than a cup of drip coffee. Most days, though, I get by with a cup or two of green tea. It’s been really nice not to need an IV drip of Starbucks.
I see that you were right in my ‘hood! Rag and Bone is totally awesome. I’ve surprisingly never been to Il Violino, though. I’m glad you had such a nice mother-daughter date and hope that you have a great Easter!!!
When I was in high school, I started to get terrible stomach cramps from eating dairy. For the next several years, I eliminated all dairy products from my diet, but eventually craved it too much, so I went back to eating it.
Once I started eating dairy again, I discovered which foods I could eat without problems: basically hard cheeses and yogurt. I can eat soft cheeses and ice cream now and then, and sometimes add a tiny bit of milk to tea, but I can tell when I’ve overdone it.
I ditched coffee in January as part of a bit of a detox. I’ve never been a huge coffee drinker anyway, only 3-4 cups a week but I really missed it – as you say its more the ritual than anything else. I’m back on it now though! As I try to eat mostly vegan its always a soy latte or when at home I just drink coffee black with some agave for sweetness and that does me fine. Glad you enjoyed that movie I quite fancied seeing it and the fact that you enjoyed it has convienced me to go see it! Hope you have a fab weekend!
I’ve had similar digestive issues. About 10 years ago I noticed I would get stomach cramps/ bloating from dairy milk. Yogurt and cheese have never been an issue for the most part but I have noticed that if I eat a lot of those things in a short period of time (a couple slices of pizza for dinner, a bunch of sour cream and cheese when eating a Mexican meal, etc) I definitely do have issues. But I love those things and would not want to give them up so instead I just plan ahead and take a lactose pill , which i think are very effective. And I just use soy or almond milk in my coffee / tea.
Hey Katie! I’m eat an entirely plant-based diet… but before that I had a majah Greek yogurt addiction, and my tummy’s aversion to the stuff really propelled my move to high-raw veganism. I recently read that people have one of three different types of “gut ecosystems,” like blood types… they’re still doing research on it, but it could mean so much for science and rumbling stomachs everywhere if doctors could “prescribe” a diet based on said ecosystem.
I’m a nerd. And I thought that was cool.
In other news, I don’t believe that espresso has any less caffeine than coffee… but I do know that it’s less acidic. I’m an opera singer, and I was advised that a soy latte > a mug ‘o joe for anyone concerned with reflux, ibs, etc. etc. etc.
Awh. Dates with mommas are priceless. can’t wait to see the new purchases!
xo. happy easter!
I’ve tried eliminating caffeine from my diet but I never got very far because I missed coffee/tea too much. I just can’t give them up!
sometimes I feel my stomach getting funky after coff with cream/milk……but usually I asssume it is because I have also popped a piece or two of gum in my mouth, which DEFINITELY can cause some bloat!
hey! i think i went through a similar situation that youre going through now, and for me it was definitely dairy milk in the end. for awhile i thought i was sensitive to coffee, but i realize that it’s something i can have quite regularly as long as it’s not a crutch. i can also have yogurt + goat cheese + some cottage cheese.. and EXTREMELY small quantities of cow cheese, but milk/creamer, etc. is a TOTAL no-no for my digestive system
I’m vegan, so I guess I’ve eliminated a lot. Getting rid of dairy made me feel SO much cleaner, and I don’t really eat any soy anymore, because I find that makes me feel off. I don’t miss anything as a high-raw vegan. I have this idea that if you’re eating in the best way for yourself, you shouldn’t feel like you’re missing anything. Of course, if I was to develop an allergy to chocolate or nuts (knocking on wood!), I would be mighty sad!
Enjoy your weekend upstate!
i’m allergic to gluten and in turn pretty sensitive to dairy. i gave them up both but at least once a week indulge in goats milk yogurt because i seem to digest that well. i have reintroduced coffee in moderation and i’m fine
Caffeine from coffee early in the morning can straing your digestion I’ve heard… it has something to do with morning being a sort of detox time for your body. *shrugs* worth looking into.
I LOVE coffee in the morning though.
congrats on giving up coffee, I did it once when I was high raw, but now it is back in my life and I love it
Like you said it is part of my morning routine.
I am very sensitive to gluten, dairy, and sugar. Although sometimes do okay with sheep and goat products.
oh my god we’re the same! i hope my tummy woes are coffee haha i think i’m ignoring that because i don’t want it to be an option AT ALL. i love my coffee too much!!!
also i’m loving your mama date! enjoy this weekend girl ;0
I went cold turkey on diet soda. It was rough for a few days, but I got over it. Now I indulge in it occasionally, but I don’t crave it like I used to!
Happy Easter:)
HAPPY EASTER,
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A LOVELY DINNER AT THE CANALSIDE.
WE WILL BE THINKING OF YOU
HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON. ANITA
I actually am about to be at the end of my third week without coffee. I decided that I was relying on coffee too much at work for added energy. Now I am pretty much fine without it and have the occasional cup of tea. Of course coffee is a wonderful thing to have but having it daily, I think sometimes we forget how wonderful it is. Hope your stomach issues continue to subside.
I have major issues with milk, ever since I was a kid it’s waged war on my belly, but I can totally eat yogurt … and ice cream too
This is making me think that i should give up my coffee habit to. I just started drinking it this year again after 3 years of not to help me with my final exams. Good for you girl!
Have so much fun on your trip! Love the breakfast bowl- those chobani kids flavors are so tasty. Glad you got good stuff shopping. And I totally want that endive salad-yum! The Game has always been one of my favorite movies, so now I’m really excited to see Limitless. Glad to hear your tummy is feeling better. I completely gave up Diet Coke a while back and am SO glad I did. Now I only have it once or twice a week…I used to have three or so a day. Terrible! I’ve also given up the usual pregnancy foods: caffeine, soft cheeses, lunch meats (not that I really ate those before), etc
I’ve given up coffee recently because the caffeine turns me into a crazy person! Once it wears off I am hungry, want more caffeine, or sugar! I just crash badly! I hope you can figure out what exactly is bothering you and I understand you missing the coffee scene. I actually drink coffee because I like the way it tastes so I miss it a lot!
Hoppy Easter !!!
I have completely cut soda from my diet. I haven’t had it for 3 years! I crave some of the bubbly stuff on hot days in the ATL but I feel much better without it in my system.
You should try yerba mate tea. People often drink it in replacement of coffee.
I tried eliminating dairy to see if my gassy problems subsided, but they didn’t completely (although it certainly helped). My next guess would be gluten but I have yet to cut that out (it will be really hard for me as I love cereal and bread).
Hey girl, I just wrote a blog post about giving up coffee and Courtney at the Granola Chronicles mentioned that you gave it up as well and she told me to check out your blog
I am having the same problems as you, and my breakfasts looked the same as yours and I was using coffee the same way! I gave up coffee on Monday so this is my third day without it and I have had two migraines already. I dont want to feel dependent on something and that is exactly what coffee was like, although I would like to be able to have it occasionaly!
Thanks for the information girl!