How I Quit Coffee (and why)

Coffee is delicious, I love it. So much so, I used to claim I'd prefer to "drink my dessert" than give up coffee. But it was time for us to break up.

My love affair with caffeine was reasonable with little side effects. I drank one full (strong) french press a day, and occasionally grabbed a large coffee on the run. I could drink a cup at 10pm and go right to sleep -- caffeine didn't impact me. Or so I thought.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult requires 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Acknowledging that sleep is very individual, surely they would frown upon my sleep patterns. Prior to this year, I hadn't sleep 7 hours a night consistently since 2010. Between pregnancy insomnia, finicky babies, regular feeders and bed wetters, I could not even average 2 nights per week of 7 hours. In fact, I was often operating much closer to 4-5 hours per night.

Early this year, we hit a sweet spot with the boys sleep. They regularly went to bed around 8:00 at night and woke up between 5:30-6:00 in the morning. Behr and Hudson fell into the same routine and schedule with very few interruption in the evening. But I was still staying up until 1:00 am doing work, trying to crank through exhaustion.

The Weaning Week
After a week at my parent's house with my snobbish consideration of sub-par coffee, I realize I had consumed far less than my norm. Perhaps now was the time.

The Cold Turkey Week
(can it be called cold turkey if it follows the weaning week?)
On Sunday, I skipped coffee. But Tuesday, I got a migraine so bad, I started hallucinating, something that hadn't accompanied my migraines for over 20 years. At that point, I knew I needed to stick this out. No more coffee.

The Following Weeks
We are now in the middle of week 3 of no coffee, four if you count the weaning week. And there are noticeable changes.

10 pm or very near after is my bedtime. At a wedding last weekend, around 10:30, I realized I had hit my limit. Gone are the days of being awake always.

Black tea is my new best friend. I am still getting a bit of caffeine, but without any cream, sugar, or any form of sweetener. It is also refreshing in the already muggy DC heat.

I have lost weight, considerably. A combination of regular sleep, walking more with the nicer weather and the coffee, no doubt. But this result is good.

My attitude is brighter. Not having the peaks and valleys of sugar surges, I find my day is smoother. There is no hard evidence of this, but it certainly feels better.

No hindrance in efficiency. I am getting the same amount of work done in the same amount of hours, but without the necessary breaks for more coffee.

I don't miss coffee.

Next Steps
I am not planning on drinking coffee soon. If I do start again, its going to be black. And likely just a sip here or there. I would love to get to a point where I can enjoy a coffee or a latte occasionally, but that coffee is not a requirement of my day.

What is your coffee story?

Do you drink coffee? Never touch the stuff? Or gave it up like me?

Have you ever quit a food (or beverage) vice? Or anything cold turkey?

Disclaimer: compensated affiliate links may be used in this post.

Traveling With Oils

As I packed my bags for our getaway weekend, I realized it was the first time traveling by plane with my oils. Wanting to travel light, it was apparent I wouldn't bring them all. I grabbed a small plastic pouch and a few of the oils I use most frequently without much consideration of what I was bringing and what I was leaving behind. On the trip, I used my oils as I would at home -- it has become second nature. So here we are, a quick glance at the oils that I use daily.

Lemon -- I add a few drops to my water, especially first thing in the morning. It acts as a pick me up, helping to reduce my coffee/sugar intake. I also add this to my tea.

Lavender -- Mixed with coconut oil, I apply this to any dry skin or rashes that I have. When traveling or over-exhausted, I often get itchy. applying lavender helps ease and prevent this.

Peppermint -- I apply this several times a week to my temples and sinuses. This helps me bounce back from headaches, ward off migraines, and clear my nasal passages. I've suffered from chronic sinus problems, but have been medicine free since November thanks in large part to peppermint oil.

Valor -- I've heard this oil called a chiropractor in a bottle, and for me it is true. I apply this to the base of my spine, and occasionally on my feet and experience less back pain throughout the day -- I fidget less and don't feel as tempted to crack my back on my own. It also helps serve as a sensory reminder to maintain better posture.

PanAway -- I apply this to my knees/IT band area before workouts, and to my broken toe. (Side note: I've had a broken toe since 2009, the only remedy is to not bump into anything, but I am a total klutz and keep re-injuring it!) Since using PanAway on my toe, I have had little to no pain, even when I occasionally bump it against something.

Deep Relief* -- This oil brings comfort to my achey shoulders. Between lugging two kids around and poor nursing posture, my upper back is constantly tight and is a source of sleeplessness. Using deep relief in combination with stretches has helped ease the tension and help me get more sleep.

Stress Away* -- I apply this to my wrists to ease stress or anxiousness. This helped me travel more peacefully and also get less worked up when plans don't go smoothly.

Thieves -- An immune booster, I apply thieves to my feet before going out, especially getting on a plane! to prevent catching whatever is in the recirculated air. I also will place a few drops in the shower when traveling or the humidifier at home to purify the air.

Frankincense -- I take 1-2 drops of this internally every day. I also apply this to a few scars and skin tags, sometimes directly, sometimes with carrier oil to help my skin heal.

Most of these oils are included in The Young Living Everyday Oils Kit, with the exception of the two roll-ons* which I purchased separately. All of these oils have many more uses than simply listed here. I use oils around my house, for the kids, when sickness strikes, and for prevention. But these are a few ways I use my oils every day. I have spent 5 years pursuing a more holistic approach to my family's health. After learning more about the differences between oils, I spent over a year researching different companies, and have been using oils from Young Living consistently since October 2013.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment. 

Or you can email me at: shannon.thescribblepad(at)gmail(dot)com

Disclaimer: These opinions are entirely my own. This information is based on what I have learned from research and results in my personal use of these oils. Please use your own judgement and consult your medical professional regarding your use of oils.

The Greek Miracle - Avgolemeno Soup

Growing Up, I have distinct memories of spending days being sick at my Yia-yia's house. My infinitely brilliant mom, packed me up in the car with my dad and on his way to work, he would swing by Yia-yia's house. Upon my arrival, a warm spot on the couch would be waiting for me. Come lunch time, she would set up a chair and card table in the living room in front of the TV with endless reruns of Shirley Temple and most important, a stack of saltines and a bowl of avgolemeno soupa! If I was starting to feel better after lunch, Yia-yia would teach me some of the dance moves in the show and we would sing, "On the good ship, lollipop..."

My Yia-yia loved being helpful and took great care of me, my mom wrangled the three younger kids knowing I was being cared for. Now that I see life juggle two kids (hardly four!) when one of them gets sick, life slows down and things have to drop.

As we have battled a series of colds this winter (Haven't we all? The crazy weather and the long winter seem to be amplifying the flu and cold season. I hope your family is coming around the bend if you too have been feeling ill.) Mark reminded me of Yia-yia's soup. I turned to pinterest and google, but the recipes I found all came up short. They added too many ingredients, or seemed to skip key steps. And then I found a forgotten recipe penned by my Yia-yia herself. These cards were clearly written to a young bride -- I don't think Yia-yia ever used canned chicken broth and she gave me the tip that extra rice could be used for another meal. My favorite is that she encouraged me to "write if there's a problem." Imagine waiting for that reply!

scroll down for the recipe typed out.

Yia-Yia's Avgolemeno Soupa

Ingredients:
5.5 cups of broth - either (3) 14.5 ounce cans or homemade broth
1 cup of uncooked rice
3 cups of water -- above Yia-yia says 3.5-4 cups of water, she liked soggy rice!
Butter and Salt to taste -- sometimes I forget these, they aren't essential
3 eggs
1-2 lemons for juicing or 1 cup of lemon juice
Shredded chicken (or left over turkey works too)

Directions: order adapted slightly from above
Tip -- you will likely need two pots unless you want to do some washing in between.
Bring water and salt (if desired) to a boil.
Add rice (and butter), stir, lower heat, cook 20-25 minutes until desired tenderness
While rice is cooking, juice your lemons
Pour broth into your bigger pot and cook over medium high heat
(once the rice is finished, add a cup of cooked rice to the broth)
While the broth is heating, crack and beat three eggs until thick and creamy
As you continue to beat the eggs, add the lemon juice slowly
Scoop a cupful of the warm broth and get ready to pour it into the lemon and egg mixture (still beating)
THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP:
As you combine the broth, pucker your lips and "kiss kiss kiss" the air until combined

this has been scientifically proven to prevent curdling - even grown greek men don't skip this step!

Repeat the last two steps 1-2 times until the egg mixture warms up
Slowly add the mixture back into the pot of broth and rice cooking on the stovetop
Keep stirring
Add in shredded chicken, and more salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with extra lemon

Never cover this soup when cooking or reheating. Always bring back to hot slowly and stir frequently to prevent curdling.

Do you have a family "get well" tradition?

What are your go to foods when feeling under the weather?

Gear for Baby Wellness

With an overwhelming number of baby products flooding the market (and your email inbox) it has been difficult to decipher the best among the rest.  Here are five personal favorites that have been serving our family well. Bonus, most of these gems serve adults well too!

Cool Mist Humidifier: we love our crane tear drop, but others would certainly work well.  You want to be sure that the mist is "cool" to prevent hot water from accidentally scalding baby.

Eucalyptus Oil: a natural decongestant, just a few drops in the water well of the humidifier keeps the sinuses clear and the bedroom smelling fresh.  This small bottle of eucalyptus oil has single handedly helped Behr and I sleep through the night during heavy cold and allergy season.  We notice a marked difference on nights we forget to run the humidifier.

Baby Aquaphor: this miracle ointment clears up everything!  Baby acne, gone.  Dry itchy skin, healed.  I keep this stuff everywhere and use it all the time.  It is safe enough for a newborn and helps me too!

Boogie Wipes: when I first saw these, I thought it was a bit excessive.  However then I questioned whether I would be willing to use butt wipes on my baby's face.  Although I use good wipes for Behr's bum, These saline boogie wipes are a bit more gentle for getting the inevitable grime off Behr's face.  They have proven to be quite useful.

Gripe Water: I quickly learned that not all baby crying can be easily soothed.  While Behr generally has a calm demeanor, when he gets into a crying fit {forhead vein bulging, face redding, tears rolling} there is very little to pull him out of it.  Mommy's Bliss does just the trick.  The organic fennel and ginger drops calm Behr's stomach and snap him out of crying just long enough that a soothing technique may work. 

Do you have favorite baby gear?  What do you do to keep healthy?  Any home remedy tips for the greater blogging communicty good?? 

Spring Allergies: GOOP Solution

It is springtime in the mid-atlantic, and so with the beautiful flowers and fresh cut grass come allergies. Fortunately, we also have CSA season to look forward to...

Well, Gwyneth Paltrow's blog, GOOP, has been cooking up so fabulous natural remedies to springtime allergies and CSA inspired recipes leading you to healthful living.

Spring Allergy and Detox Remedies - Chinese Medicine Style

I cannot wait to get my first bunch of asparagus to try some of those delicious recipes! What are some of your methods for fighting allergies this time of year?