Getting the Caffeine Monkey off My Back
I think it’s time for another confessional. In the last six months I’ve gotten hooked on caffeine. And since I hate the taste of coffee, it’s taken the form of a Starbucks iced chai latte. It started because I was so tired and thirsty when I got to work on my bike, and now that I’m on the rollercoaster I can’t get off. I’m embarrassed, but I’ve been so busy at work these last few months that my brain really needs to be firing properly to face it.
Goodbye, chai
On top of the plastic cup that I waste every day, it’s an extra 240 empty calories that I really don’t need. So here’s a resolution—no more from here on out. Now that I’m more used to biking to work and now that the colder weather makes the iced chai less enticing, I think I might be able to stick to it.
I know it’s tiny in the grand scheme of things, but it’s an embarrassing lack of will power, and should be an easy, small change I can make. Let’s hope.
One year ago: Caulk.
Posted: September 21st, 2010 under Food.
Tags: caffeine, Food, goals, Now if I could just kick the crack habit..., Starbucks
Comments
Comment from Brenda Pike
Time September 21, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Why are you encouraging me to have a substance abuse problem?
Comment from Sharon
Time September 22, 2010 at 7:53 am
Do you have a good kitchen at work? Find a warm drink you can make there–no caffeine necessary, but when you start thinking, “Man, I really need a hot chai right now,” knowing there’s peppermint tea waiting for you at your desk will make a big difference. Or hey! Start your day off with a hot toddy!
Comment from Danielle
Time September 22, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Another option is to drink some tea before you leave for work. You definitely don’t want to arrive dehydrated! In the colder months it also helps you start off a little warmer.
Comment from Alison
Time September 22, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I’m SO in the same boat. Mine is light soy frappucinos. You CAN get a reusable cup though to reduce waste — at least of plastic, if not of money or calories! And, if you were to switch to a green tea latte, you could cut the calories way down too and basically just be drinking a glass of milk with just a small amount of caffeine. Alternatively, I’m a tea addict, and teabags aren’t that wasteful of anything really.
Comment from Jenn
Time September 26, 2010 at 12:58 am
Not to feed the addiction further…but you CAN make your own chai, and have more control over what goes in it and not generate the garbage…You can either brew chai tea bags directly into milk, sweeten, and chill, or you can make you own instant mix…My version is at http://greenmomintheburbs.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/winter-drink-mixes-gift-ideas/ but there are lots out there…
Good for you! I have been running on Dunkin for a while myself and just 2 weeks ago swore it off…hang in there! yay you!
Pingback from Pragmatic Environmentalism
Time March 12, 2011 at 12:06 pm
[…] Mindful Metropolis. It’s ridiculous the things that weigh on us sometimes. Recently my renewed Starbucks addiction has been making me feel […]
Pingback from Pragmatic Environmentalism
Time April 19, 2011 at 10:34 pm
[…] I admit it: I’m not going to shake my iced chai latte addiction. I intended to give them up six months ago (and did for a while), but now I’m back […]
Comment from Elisabeth
Time September 21, 2010 at 10:35 pm
240 calories of awesome delicious energy! Get a travel mug! Get two! That’s what I did! Small one keeps hot things hot, big one keeps cold things cold!