Are you thinking of cutting out coffee? Here are my tips.

Today I've decided to share with you a personal experiment I did of cutting out coffee from of my diet. This included any caffeinated teas, sodas, cocoa (yes, it's even in chocolate) and decaf coffee (decaf still has a bit of caffein).

My reasons for trying this:

1. Learning about how too much caffein can effect the body was reason enough for wanting to cut it out. (I was taking too much...4 or more cups a day).

2. It just wasn't doing anything for me anymore. Even after drinking 4 or more cups a day, I still found myself feeling sluggish and exhausted. The caffein was negatively affecting me by causing "the jitters" and without any added alertness/wakefulness it once provided.

3. Fun experiment. I wanted to see how I'd feel after cutting out coffee, so I documented my feelings, detox symptoms and without any pressure of a certain outcome.

I started drinking coffee when I started high school. I loved the taste, and still do. That was one of the hardest things to give up because it was comforting to me. Coffee was always there to lift me up, to warm me up while watching the local hockey games at the cold rink. I would cozy up to it during my morning art class and in college when I was studying for exams. Thankfully, I came across a wonderful alternative to my comfort drink which I'll share with you all in a moment.

I cut coffee out for a solid 4 months. None whatsoever. The first week was the hardest but by the second I saw detox symptoms clear up. The third week was magical though. I was waking up energized and was staying alert and awake all day. My sleep was better then ever, I had no more brain fog, my skin looked healthier and I felt AMAZING! Caffein detox can be really hard for some. I struggled with headaches and a lot of fatigue for the first week. If you're interested in trying this for yourself I have tips to help you continue on your coffee cut experiment.

After 4 months, I decided to see how I'd feel reintroducing the drink back into my diet. The second I drank it I got the shakes, and it made me feel kind of gross. Now, I'll have a cup once in a while but I don't feel like it's a need, it's no longer a "I must have coffee now or I'll die" addiction. It doesn't rule me but I do enjoy its company from time to time. Same goes for chocolate :)

Now, here are my how to's.

Things that have caffein

coffee (duh), decaf, chocolate, ice cream (if it's coffee/chocolate flavoured), some weight loss pills, sodas (coca-cola), energy drinks, energy water and tea unless it's herbal.

To help with the journey

• Water. Stay hydrated (maybe add some lemon). This combination will help to lessen detox symptoms such as fatigue.

• Sleep. Get some extra sleep and rest when you can. Detoxing from coffee can cause some pretty mean detox symptoms, fatigue is one of them. Take 2-3 days and give your body permission to rest. It is totally normal to feel lethargic and even depressed for the first 1-3 days.

• Support. Have friends or family around that know what you're up to so they can encourage and support you.

• Sweat. Take a warm bath with epsom salt, sauna or hot yoga.

• Drink alternatives. Dandy Blend was my magic drink.This drink is made of dried dandelions and chicory root which tastes and looks just like coffee.

• Energy alternatives. Maca Powder naturally increases energy without caffein. I'd mix it into the Dandy Blend and make a faux latte! So good!

• Slow and steady. Consider removing coffee a little bit at a time. This can also help prevent any severe detox symptoms especially if you've been drinking it for years.

Hope you have fun if you do consider trying this experiment!

Lots of Love,