Back on caffeine

[Regular_John]

mmm *walks to the kitchen*

 

[emw]

You stopped drinking caffeine when you were 15? WTF!!!1!!!!11! 😛 How long have you've been drinking?

My kids, ages (almost) 5 and 2, drink coffee now. Sure, it's decaf, but...

At least it's only about 1 time a week, and only about 4-6 ounces.

 

[jsw]

You stopped drinking caffeine when you were 15? WTF!!!1!!!!11! 😛 How long have you've been drinking?

When she was 14, I think.

Good god. I think maybe I'd had coffee by then, and certainly Coke, but never enough to even feel a buzz.

 

[jsw]

My kids, ages (almost) 5 and 2, drink coffee now. Sure, it's decaf, but...

Mine too, but it's only to help them get the whiskey down. Same with the whipped cream on top.

 

[katie ta achoo]

When she was 14, I think.

Good god. I think maybe I'd had coffee by then, and certainly Coke, but never enough to even feel a buzz.

and JSW wins the "I know 2nd grade math" competition. 😉

Uhm... Water, sprite... water.. WATER!!!

ooh, lemme tell you, water solves everything. Clear skin, no kidney stones, no heart palpitations. MUAHAHAH!
I also lost weight (BOOYA!) and wasn't hungry as much.

😀😀

 

[devilot]

ooh, lemme tell you, water solves everything. Clear skin, no kidney stones, no heart palpitations. MUAHAHAH!
I also lost weight (BOOYA!) and wasn't hungry as much.

😀😀

But water's not as tasty as coffee. 😛

 

[katie ta achoo]

But water's not as tasty as coffee. 😛

and yellow teeth aren't as attractive as white. 😛

Mmmm... whiter teeth.

 

[jsw]

and yellow teeth aren't as attractive as white. 😛

Mmmm... whiter teeth.

Keep telling yourself that, KT. Whatever it takes.... 😉

 

[devilot]

and yellow teeth aren't as attractive as white. 😛

Mmmm... whiter teeth.

Straws! It helps... honestly it does. I drink even my hot coffee w/ straws. Plus there's all sorts of teeth whitening thingiemajigs; from gum, to mouthwash, to trays, gels, strips, everything! 😀 But you're right, I'm not doubting that water isn't healthier... it's just, not as pleasing to my tastebuds. 😱

 

[emw]

water solves everything... no kidney stones

My wife's sister got kidney stones from drinking too much bottled water. Apparently too many minerals in the mineral water.

 

[jsw]

Straws! It helps... honestly it does. I drink even my hot coffee w/ straws.

Me too! Mainly because I spill less while driving that way. And the notice on the Starbucks straws that they're for cold beverages only? Rubbish. Other than the third arm growing out of my forehead - which is handy, as it were, at times - I've noticed no ill effects.

 

[devilot]

Me too! Mainly because I spill less while driving that way. And the notice on the Starbucks straws that they're for cold beverages only? Rubbish. Other than the third arm growing out of my forehead - which is handy, as it were, at times - I've noticed no ill effects.

Ah yes, the minimal spillage, always a plus... as for your third arm, er, what other uses do you have for it?! N/m, probably not safe for our eyes, eh? 😉

 

[jsw]

Ah yes, the minimal spillage, always a plus... as for your third arm, er, what other uses do you have for it?! N/m, probably not safe for our eyes, eh? 😉

I, um... use it to hold the coffee of course! Yeah, that's it!

 

[MongoTheGeek]

But water's not as tasty as coffee. 😛

After a pot of coffee or two, water tastes like candy.

I've been known to pour coffee into plastic soda bottles. You have to be careful though, they shrink.

 

[bankshot]

What's your story with caffeine? Is it indispensable? Or do you have other ways to stay alert/motivated?

Caffeine is absolutely the devil for me. Doesn't help my mental alertness one bit. Instead, it makes me all nervous and jittery, plus I start to feel my heart beating more rapidly. If I'm drowsy, I'll stay drowsy on caffeine, just jittery on top of drowsy. Not fun. Kills my concentration, too. Bad stuff!

That said, I do partake every now and then. Back in college, 96 oz of Mtn Dew did help with those all-nighters (can't fall asleep when you're that jittery, and you have to pee a lot too), but nowadays it's just a little Dr. Pepper or iced tea here and there. Not a big deal in moderation.

I've found that a healthy diet combined with exercise and regular sleep is far more effective than caffeine in maintaining alertness and effectiveness throughout the day. Unfortunately, I have none of those in my life right now... need to get back on track! It's just too easy in our society to neglect those things, hence the extreme popularity of caffeine as a substitute. If it worked as well for me as it seems to for other people, I'd probably inhale it too. 😉

 

[Solafaa]

I never really liked coffee, but it seems i have been drinkning it more and more. I try not to drink a lot of it, i might have 1-2 a day and sometimes none. If anyone has not tryed Coffemate i really do recommend it, it adds a very nice taste i like the Hazelnut the best.

 

[wordmunger]

Good morning, everyone. Even though I had only one cup of half-caf around noon, I did have difficulty sleeping last night. Part of the re-initiation, I guess. I'm so much more productive with caffeine, I'm not going to give it up now!

Solafaa, I have to disagree with you on the hazelnut Coffee Mate. I can't stand flavored coffees. I take just the tiniest splash of milk or cream (the equivalent of about half of those little "single serve" cream canisters) with my coffee. In fact, if they ask if I want "room for cream" at Starbucks, I always say no, because then they only fill the cup about 2/3 full. I'm always amazed when I see people fill their cup about halfway full of cream. Not only does it taste horrible (lukewarm coffee -- blech), but I suspect they're drinking a good 300-400 calories as well.

 

[dcv]

Mmmm I love coffee, but try not to drink TOO much caffeine.

I *have* to have a cup in the morning (I make either americano style, or filter coffee, using Illy Espresso). If I don't, then I feel like I can't function and I also get a withdrawal headache.

I love the taste of black coffee... none of that frothy mocha-choca-minty-nutty-caramel cacky-ccino crap, although on rare occasions i don't mind a small dash of vanilla or hazelnut syrup.

I generally only have that one cup in the morning, but occasionally might have one early afternoon OR a cup of tea (don't really like tea but English rose petal tea is nice) OR a diet coke. If I fancy any of that stuff in the evening i'll go for the decaff option.

I was out at a friend's birthday do on Saturday and had to get the last train back into London. We'd had loads of wine with dinner which was making me feel a little sleepy, so I made the mistake of ordering a double espresso at 11pm..... OMG i was so wired and didn't go to bed until 4am as there was just no way i was going to sleep. Well at least i hadn't fallen asleep on the train...

 

[skunk]

Five or six cups of good strong real coffee a day does me, first one at seven, last one at ten. Hot Lava Java is my fave.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Not a coffee drinker, nor really a caffeine hound or anything. My weakness is Dr Pepper though. It's my comfort "food." The more stressed I get the more I crave Dr Pepper. Yeah, I probably drink too much of it, but the way I look at it, Dr Pepper is a pretty tame vice to have. 😀


Lethal

 

[Lau]

I love the taste of black coffee... none of that frothy mocha-choca-minty-nutty-caramel cacky-ccino crap, although on rare occasions i don't mind a small dash of vanilla or hazelnut syrup.

Me too! It has to be black coffee. Or an espresso. It's a shame, because I learnt how to make really good cappuccinos and lattes when I worked in the cinema bar, and I love frothing milk, but I can't stand to drink them. When I eventually get a espresso machine, I'm going to force people to come round and drink my cappuccinos. 🙂

 

[MongoTheGeek]

I usually drink it black. The only time I do the cream and sugar bit is when I am really hungry and then its just to get the energy.

I've often wondered if you could sell TiO2 as "creamer" as it is non toxic, relatively tasteless and will turn the coffee whitish.

 

[rainman::|:|]

This is interesting. I gave up caffeine over a year ago, my doctor said it would keep me from having seizures (they weren't 100% sure why seizure had happened, but we later found out caffeine has nothing to do with it). I used to be a massive caffeine junkie, and I did go through withdrawal, but after I got through that I was much happier... i could sleep at night, the whole night through, less irritable, etc etc. So after the withdrawal went away I didn't have a second thought about it, I never cheated and had some anyway. But in the past couple of weeks, I've been sneaking a Coke here or there, I've just got so much work to do, and a new freelancing client, and it does make me work faster (if less accurately). So I don't know, maybe I'll go back to using it during the day. It sure feels good after you've detoxed your body of it...

 

[Applespider]

Since I usually only have one coffee a day, I like it to last so I can relax while I drink it (tougher when I'm in the office but still possible!) So espresso disappears too quickly hence the double/triple shot tall lattes which is the only way I can take Starbucks (a venti is usually two shots; they tend to look at me v oddly when I ask for two extra shots in there when I'm jetlagged). I prefer it skinny rather than full fat milk/cream and don't take sugar so I'm not too worried about loading up on calories.

Not a fan of flavoured coffees; it usually just means that it's poor quality beans that they've had to adulterate to sell.

 

[atszyman]

I haven't had caffeine on purpose in almost 6 years, since my wife became pregnant with our first child and had to lay off the stuff.

I don't seem to have any alertness probl....

*zzzzzz*

wha? huh?

Oh yeah, I generally don't have any problems with staying awake or focused, but I've found that when I do have caffeine (I accidentally get regular coffee when I order decaf), it almost makes me sick, since it's been so long. I get the shakes.

I'm nearly the opposite of this. I had pretty much given up caffeine around sophomore year in high school. Through college there were a few all nighters that required a bit to make it through the next day. After college there was the occasional Denny's run after bar close, but no caffeine on a regular basis. Then came grad school and my daughter. Now I can't get through a day without caffeine (except for weekends). I hope once grad school is over I can get back off the stuff. I go through somewhat periodic coffee spurts where I will make a small pot every morning for a few days and then stop for awhile opting for a morning Dr Pepper at work instead. I don't allow myself to buy anything from a coffee shop because I might like it too much (I only make crappy coffee to keep from getting too addicted).