19 Comments
Mar 7Liked by Carrington Epperson

Hi there. I have cut back quite a bit on caffeine to improve my sleep pattern. I don't drink soda, but I love coffee and drink it most weekday mornings before work. I work from home. I keep it simple, I combine a spoonful of instant folgers with 3/4 cup of boiling water, 2 spoonfuls of Swiss miss milk chocolate cocoa powder, a splash of Califia almond milk and a splash of international delight hazelnut creamer. Now that I've typed that it doesn't sound simple at all. LOL. Its yummy. My favorite spot to get a coffee drink when I'm out and about is MilkLab in Durham, NC. I get the Choco Dalgona Milk Cap Latte. It's served cold. It's almost a dessert in a cup. I don't have them often so when I do it's a real treat.

Expand full comment
author

Ooo I wanna try to recreate your daily drink! Sounds delicious and not too complicated haha. I’ll have to check out MilkLab when I go visit family soon. Thanks for sharing!

Expand full comment
Mar 7Liked by Carrington Epperson

Matcha is my go-to! I make it at home more often than I get it out. But I also love London Fogs (with lavender if I can get it) or Masala Chai. I went caffeine free for several months a few years ago, and I felt great but I really really missed the joy of my tea. Decaf tea isn’t the same, and I only like a few herbals. But I have to be SO careful with caffeine intake. So whatever I have for the day, I try to make sure I really love it.

Expand full comment
author

I wish I could get pass the grass taste of matcha 😭 London Fogs are delishhhh. A proper chai is so cozy. Decaf tea sucks, I tried a bunch last month. Herbal teas yes but a decaf black tea is yucky

Expand full comment

I truly can’t find a decaf black tea that isn’t terrible

Expand full comment
Apr 4Liked by Carrington Epperson

This is so hard. I LOVE COFFEE but lately, my stomach hasn't been able to tolerate it. I'm mostly off my habit but every once in a while I still give in. I still like the occasional soda or tea and haven't been able to quit caffeine completely. My fave local coffee shop is Trellis in Augusta, GA.

Expand full comment
author

Ahh I know that tummy ache all too well! I try to only have max 4oz of coffee at a time to not upset it as much. I’ll have to check out that coffee shop! Thanks for reading

Expand full comment
Mar 8Liked by Carrington Epperson

I also love the ritual of my morning coffee. I often have my morning cup while journaling. I would like to (someday) kick caffeine though, so it’s not a dependence but a treat instead.

Expand full comment
author

I feel like my thoughts flow more effortlessly as I continue sipping on a cup while journaling too! I’m thinking of calling myself a social caffeine drinker so it’s easier to commit to drinking it only as a treat

Expand full comment

Love that idea!

Expand full comment
Mar 7Liked by Carrington Epperson

I loved reading this!!

my go-to caffeine drink is my moka pot strong fucking coffee + a splash of extra creamy oat milk

i have experienced caffeine withdrawal, but then i cheated and started drinking green tea instead. i def didn’t tap into my spiritual practices and mental fortitude lmao

i don’t have a favorite local coffee shop because i have been too much of a homebody here in the new town we’re in to explore!

Expand full comment
author

I like to tell myself green tea is a better form of caffeine but it’s probably all the same haha long live the moka pot!!!

Expand full comment
Mar 7Liked by Carrington Epperson

So cool that you were able to fast and observe yourself in this way. I’ve never been able to get into coffee but I have been so curious. I especially resonate with your stories about travelling and that deepening your love for coffee. While in Jamaica and Cuba I remember wanting to try it for the authenticity and richness but I always prefer hot cacao/cocoa or chai.

Expand full comment
author

Hot cacao/cocoa is the GOAT you’re not missing out with coffee lol

Expand full comment
Mar 7Liked by Carrington Epperson

Gosh, this came at the perfect time for me. I loved hearing your story with it and more about coffee (I’m ashamed to say I don’t know much about the actual process).

I stopped drinking alcohol last year and I fear caffeine may have become my new “thing.” When I first stopped drinking, I was sleeping like a dreammmmm which was such a relief after the sleep deprivation inherent in having a baby. I woke up full of energy. That has started changing over the last month or so. I can only assume it’s bc my caffeine intake has increased. Espresso, multiple cups, and sometimes (gasp) a Red Bull.

The truth is I don’t even “need” the caffeine (I really just love the taste and smell—my mom was an ER nurse who worked nights so she too always smelled of coffee, even into early afternoon 🫠) so doing more decaf and alternatives would be great for me.

I appreciate your storytelling and it’s been a great reflection for me. 🧡

Expand full comment
author

Oh also I’m a fiend for sugar free Red Bull, so tasty, but I’m still breastfeeding and I’m terrified of my gremlin bouncing off the walls if I have one 😂

Expand full comment
Mar 7Liked by Carrington Epperson

Hahah I can relate.

Expand full comment
author

I stopped drinking alcohol Jan 2021 and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed life without it and finding zero proof substitutes! I am trying to approach a decaf life the same way, to enjoy a cup of coffee without risking the negative effects of caffeine withdrawal. It’s a processs especially when your little one is so amped without caffeine haha I wish you well on this journey, we enjoyed Counter Culture decaf beans and Blanchards Decaf too if you wanna check those out

Expand full comment
Mar 7Liked by Carrington Epperson

Ohh yes. I love these suggestions-thank you!

You’re so right. I have been nothing but content with alternatives I’ve found for alcohol and I’m sure the same is true for caffeine. It’s more about the act of the ritual not the potency of the substance, for me anyway.

Expand full comment