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My goals for the future is to obtain a teaching/librarian job, lose weight, own a house, and to travel the world.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Day 42: The Coffee Addiction

Sometimes on the weekends, I have a side job working as a demonstrator handing out samples of yummy treats to customers conducting their weekly hunt for groceries.  Secretly, I like to peek out what customers place in their cart because about what other people buy.  Some are junk food junkies with frozen this and processed that.  Some are super-duper healthy with soy-this and raw-food that.  And some fall into the in-between with a little junk mixed in with a little healthy; I would fall into the third category.  I am not a vegetarian however cooking the Weight Watchers way, I eat a lot less meat and more vegetables/ whole grains.  But I digress....

If you have read my blog before you know that I love coffee and love coffee shops.  My husband says that I am addicted to the stuff but now I am convinced that he is very, very wrong.  My demonstration this weekend centered around my favorite little black drink with a little cream and sugar; I even got to do two of them both Saturday and Sunday!  People are so happy when they receive free coffee while being chatty and friendly at the same time.  I learn new facts and meet interesting people.  Of course I meet some strange ones as well.  My first was for Kicking Horse, an organic, fair trade company based in British Columbia that uses sustainable growing practices (shade grown coffee).  I got a lot of comments that it was "expensive"  ($9 for 12 oz. with the coupon) but it tastes so good.  In fact I plan on buying some. 

Kicking Horse coffee comes in a reusable can
The second was for Starbucks instant coffee Via.  Customers practically ran over claiming they needed their "fix" or that they were "thirsty".   How much coffee must you drink to need a "fix" in order to function?  Some customers would not speak to me...obtaining the coffee was more important.  The Church of Latter Day Saints (aka Mormons) does not believe in drinking coffee because our bodies are a gift from God therefore why inject poison?  While associating coffee with poison may seem a little extreme to me, still there is some truth in this statement.  Do you agree or not agree?   Furthermore, the Via practically flew off the shelf.  People were willing to spend $7 for 8 cups of coffee ($7 per 8 pack).  What is it about name recognition?  Slap on the Starbucks logo and customers are willing to pay any price.


As for me, I drink between 1-2 cups a day but not always.  If I drink too much I get sick!  Drinking coffee is not about getting my "fix" on or quenching my "thirst" but about pleasure and a warm fuzzy feeling especially on rainy, winter days.  It is about creating new combinations and flavors.  Coffee is about socializing and enjoying good company!

So now I am even more convinced about cutting out my Starbucks and encouraged that I have come so far!

Let me know your thoughts!

3 comments:

  1. This post is oh so true. In the past year, I have recovered from an eating disorder, given birth to a baby, and successfully ditched the coffee addiction.

    Before treatment for my anorexia, I would drink up to 2 pots of coffee a day. I was jittery, anxious, and between the coffee and the nicotine, I never slept. Once I learned how to eat healthy and take care of my body, I could not believe how much better I felt. Ditching coffee and learning to eat a balanced diet cleared up nearly every little malady I had suffered from throughout the years. From back pain to insomnia, I felt like a new person.

    Now don't get me wrong, coffee is great. Heck, if I weren't breastfeeding, I'd be all for it. But it is only great in moderate amounts. We just tend to take a good thing and take it too far. But isn't that true of everything in life?

    In Christ,
    HipMama

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  2. HipMama:
    That is so wonderful that you have come so far in fighting for your health! Not eating except for coffee--that must have been torture. Here is another thought about too much coffee...My father drank 21 cups of coffee and smoked 2 packs of Pall Malls a day before he had his heart attack. The cause? Not enough water and too much plaque build up from the nicotine. He is alive, thankfully, and completely nicotine free.

    And I agree, coffee is only meant to be enjoyed in moderate amounts. So I will lift up my one cup for the day to your health...

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  3. And I'll lift my once a week decaf latte to yours! It is so inspiring to see someone else strive for health and balance in their lives! People often forget that disordered eating comes in all shapes and sizes, and that health is important, no matter where you fall on the spectrum. Taking control of your body in a healthy way is so very empowering, and while I am not trying to loose weight, I will be following your blog from here on out :].

    I am so glad that your father is alive and that he has quit the smoking habit. It took a heart scare and hospitalization to wake me up as well. It is so good to hear that you still have your father in your life.

    In Christ,
    HipMama

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