My honey bunnies! 🐰💕

Thank you for the love on yesterday’s post. A few of you messaged me asking about the changes I’ve made in my personal life to eliminate stress. And a few others asked for tips on how to stop their caffeine dependency. ☕❌

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room first! 🐘

I wasn’t a coffee addict but was surely a caffeine-dependent life-form since probably the age of 5. (It’s common in my culture to drink at least 4 cups of green tea daily 🍵).

My day both began and ended with green tea, which was the solution to all ailments. Stressed? Green Tea. Can’t concentrate? Green Tea. Want to relax? Green Tea. Body ache? Green Tea. 🍃

I was hooked and spellbound. I was wired to think tea was the solution to all problems; it was my lifestyle. Where I come from, you’re viewed as an outcast if you refuse tea under any circumstances! Growing up, caffeine was social protocol for me. 🌍

I’m mentioning this because I want people to know that if there is hope for me, then you can do it too! 🌟

My Realistic Plan to Quit Caffeine ☕🚫

1. Quit sugar. Whether it is sulphur-polished, unpolished, date sugar, stevia, or anything. The FSSAI (the food standard regulatory authority) is not a trustworthy body. The so-called organic brands are mostly misleading via marketing or manufacturing. And there isn’t enough research on the benefits/effects of stevia consumption.🍬🚫

2. Don’t just cut back on sugar. Give your body a shock and quit entirely. You will get your sugar through carbs, don’t worry. 🍞

3. Caffeine will be less appealing with sugar and slowly you may reduce the intake automatically. 🍫

4. If you’re one of those who have it without the sugar (like me), then choose the dilution method. 🌊

5. From espresso, switch to a latte. Shock the body and continue having latte for 1.5 months. This will give you the same warm hugs that you get from hot black coffee, just diluted. ☕➡️

6. Move to a chilled latte or a cold brew. I chose the cold brew because I don’t enjoy the smell of cold milk-based items. I was stuck on this step for nearly 2 months. 🧊

7. Slowly reduce the coffee concentrate in the cold brew; fill up the glass with more ice so you’re drinking the faintest coffee strain. ❄️

8. Now at this step, along with coffee, introduce other non-caffeinated options. I chose milk (which also has addictive properties but at least it's not caffeine) and fruit and flower teas. 🥛🍵

The hibiscus tea quickly became my favorite! Its tart flavor is surprisingly refreshing! I hyped it so much and ultimately fell in love. I made it hot, and cold, and even made an ice-lolly out of it! 🌺❄️

I had my last sip of caffeine 80 days ago. 🎉

From time to time I miss it. I still make it for my family, and standing by the aroma is like a punishment, but my trick is to have my own hibiscus tea in hand while making their coffee/tea so I am least tempted for a cup of joe. 🍵🚫🙂

Sometimes when I miss it too much, I smell the coffee beans while simultaneously drinking my fruit tea. I like to think of it as biohacking my brain. 😛 And it works! The scent of coffee is enough hahaha! 😂☕

In another letter, I will share a cool anti-coffee recipe with you and give you a first-hand review. 😀

Much Love,

Zitni Zun ❤️