FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Well, it's great not to be dependent on such things, but coffee has wonderful side effects, too, and they could be considered along with the other things. Moderation is the key with coffee for me. I love my little espresso in the morn, and my 4pm pick-me-up tiny espresso again. Then I don't want any after that and I can do without the 4 o'clock too. But I think we need to enjoy a little of everything we enjoy (booze is not included) and get on with it. Coffee is great for the brain!!!

Habit is different from dependence. Giving up a habit, even temporarily, can prevent it from becoming a dependence. Dependency. Whatever.

Bonne chance. Et bonne année!

How about half & half? It works for me.

Bonne Année Kristin!

I'm mostly a tea drinker, but I do like a vanilla latte once a week or so! I have a nice hot tea right now while I am reading your blog!

There are great benefits to coffee: http://authoritynutrition.com/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee/

self control is the key Kristin, I have been drinking 4 to 5 cups a day since I began at 14, but never after 3 in the afternoon, that cup you had before bedtime was the culprit, one glass of wine with dinner and you know that I am 88 and looking forward to well past 100 and planning on having a cup with you in 2017 when I visit you and other friends in Europe to celebrate #90, there is no reason to give up coffee, it is a healthy drink, just not in the evening, Best to you and yours, Lou

I gave up coffee almost thirty years ago!! I had to: it did terrible things to my stomach and digestion. So I took up strong black tea (Assam…) It took, oh, almost ten years to outgrow the desire but now? Well, I don't even like the smell. Give me a lovely cuppa' any day, with sugar and cream thank you. Let us know how you do!

I, also, drink half- caff.

Hi Kristi,

Like you, I suffered from some of the same side effects from coffee... increased anxiety, edginess, and heart palpitations. As well, coffee made me talk too much and listen too little, which does not endear you to folks! It also affected my sleep if I had it after 2:00 in the afternoon. I have learned that many do no metabolize coffee/caffeine as well after the age of 40 so I have been successful with stopping regular coffee by replacing it with a lovely fermented black tea called Pu-Erh. Pu-Erh has lots of wonderful healing properties that you can read about online. Numi makes an organic Chocolate and Cardamom Pu-Erh that I like... I even often mix the two by steeping a bag of each for only 1-2 minutes. You can then make a second cup by infusing the bags again if you wish. This tea is caffeinated but I do not experience any of the unwanted side-effects that coffee had on me... only a gentle alertness and warmed comfort that I enjoy each morning. I drink my tea black so I'm also not getting the added calories from sweetener or cream that I used in coffee. I still enjoy a mocha infrequently (

May your New Year be filled with love and blessings,

Robin

Nutrition is a very important issue with me, eating and drinking better but not as well as my knowledge tells me. I eat too much while fully aware of the emotions behind such a habit (and food is so enjoyable!) Re coffee, it has OFTEN been reported that regular is healthier than decaf. I believe it is true. May you and JM be richly and abundantly blessed as our earth makes still another cruise around our closest star. Affectueusement

I loved your writing today. But more than the coffee story, although again part of loving your message was reading about your wisdom: of what to give up quickly, easily, and even randomly as if you are running a great experiment with a personal hypothesis for your health and well being only. So one thing that I absolutely need in my life is getting closer to the earth. By this I mean gardening. Gardening helps me process great amounts of information sometimes quickly, slowly, or even randomly, but having to give up my gardens would be very difficult, at least for now, but I know that your move was successful leaving behind beauty only to attain a different version of beauty somewhere else. In ending, I would love to know the names of both flowers that were included in your caffeine free post…I would be grateful!
Janine Burge

Dearest Kristin,

I'm chuckling over my second cup of coffee as I read your missive. I was very ill a couple of days ago and unable to keep anything down -- not water or water that had first poured over ground coffee beans. As a result, I had a terrible caffeine-withdrawal headache. What a blessing to once again brew up a cup (and keep it down).

I want to share my resolution for the new year with you. I'm sure you have seen the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." The stark contrast between Bedford Falls and Pottersville recently came home to me as I drove through the neighborhood where I lived and went to school as a young teen. Gone are the lovely little houses, the brick Baptist church, the corner mom & pop grocery, and the drive thru dairy (yes, there really was such a thing). They have been replaced by shops selling sex toys, others selling marijuana and related paraphernalia, sleazy-looking motels advertising hourly rates, and lots of run down or abandoned buildings. It broke my heart.

So, my resolution is to do everything I can to turn Pottersville back into Bedford Falls. Now George Bailey didn't create or destroy his home town, but it was how he lived his life that made the difference. He didn't take the easy road, but always did the right thing. For instance, instead of taking his bride on their honeymoon, he used the money to save the old building and loan. Even when Mr. Potter tempted him to do wrong, he did right -- to his own detriment.

So that's my resolution ... to be a George Bailey in a world of Mr. Potters.

I love you, my sweet friend. So proud of all you do in your own part of the world (and worldwide through your blog) to be surrounded by Bedford Falls.

Bonne année, Kristin! May this be the best year yet for you and your family! Boring as it sounds, I try to live by the "everything in moderation" mantra ... except laughter. When you feel you are ready for that coffee, go ahead and enjoy it! Perhaps we will make that visit happen in 2016 while I'm in France. I'm talking to Jacquie M. about it! :-)

Kristen,

You might try using the sound-alike option of "benevolence" as a translation for "la bienveillance", as it will be easier for some of us to remember.

We gave one of your books to our niece for Christmas as she is considering taking French starting in the 6th grade next year!

Happy new year!
Dave

Ms. Kristin

An American friend is studying in Bordeaux for French Level One fluency certification, he will enjoy your carpenter's story. Thank you. (looked up subrepticement almost too many syllables for an Oklahoman)

Richard

Hi, Kristi,
Thank you for being so vulnerable. It is very kind of you to share your reflections.This is a wonderful means of encouragement to others. I limit my coffee to about two small cups of black coffee in the morning. Once in awhile I will indulge in some Mariage Frères Paris Breakfast or French Blue tea as a special treat. Last July a coffee drinking friend visited and brought with her some organic coffee which I tried and liked so I've switched to that.
I thought I would mention that in Berkeley, CA there is a group called The Berkeley Path Wanderers' Assn., BPWA, If you really want to celebrate an occasional coffee, look at the description of their "Coffee Constitutional" walk which they will
do this month. It is on their website.
For me, morning coffee or tea is a celebration of retirement since for many years I had to get up and get out the door to a job and the time for a leisurely cup of morning coffee just wasn't de rigueur, or so I thought.
Bonne Année!
Joanne,
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, USA.

Have to add my "two bits worth " here. I have never been much of a drinker (alcohol_ due to not liking that "out of control " feeling (and indigestion) effects. (although , there have been problems with alcoholism in my family ) I was however a heavy smoker from age 15 (pack a day plus) and FINALLY managed to give it up at the age of 62 !(when i realized I may be pushing my luck with my otherwise good health)It was a horrendous time for both myself and my husband but after a few months life got back to normal (though I still feel the desire at times and love the smell )(almost 15 yrs later) Last yr my Dr suggested I give up coffee for a digestive problem ...I have been a coffee drinker exclusively for the past 20 yrs (after realizing that tea actually made me feel ill (tannins ) I only drink instant as I find the real thing too strong...and I also use sugar and milk to its rather diluted) Well after a week I was feeling quite awful ..headache and even flu like symptoms. I persevered for a further 6 weeks and it made no difference to my digestive issues ...so started back slowly . I drink about 5 cups per day (the last one being decaf)and feel "normal" again. I have been reading so much positive stuff lately about the benefits of coffee (including warding off dementia) that I now drink with no guilt whatsoever....

Happy New Year Kristi! “Develop at every moment in yourself independence, loving-kindness, simplicity and modesty.” words to live by! It is good to hit the refresh button from time to time, especially when our well-being is concerned and with the opportunity of a new year, why not!? So thankful that your body is giving you encouragement to support your decision to refrain from coffee. I find moderation the trickiest practice in life. I can now maintain moderation with coffee after cutting back to one cup a day three years ago. I’m going to have to drink my words as I’ve fallen into the comfort of a peppermint breve a few times a week during the cold and cheer of December.

Best wishes, my friend, finding what works for you as one person's potato chip is another person's macaroon...ha ha or something like that! May the year hold much sweetness, inspiration, courage, and loving-kindness for you. You're off to a great start!

Congratulations on your 13th!
Instead of coffee, I like ROMA, a barley drink. Or a good cup of either jasmine or Earl Grey tea. Postum isn't made anymore or I'd like that. Years ago, I managed a coffeehouse in Greenwich Village and at that time I didn't like or drink coffee. Today I limit myself to one cup in the morning. Earl Grey the rest of the day, Roma before bed. All the very best for the New Year!

Hi Kristin, Happy New Year to you and your family.
I'm surprised that you didn't get a headache as you withdrew from coffee. A few years ago, I was having daily tummy troubles and my doctor suggested switching to half decaf and half full strength coffee. It worked for me, but I must be careful not to drink coffee or even strong tea much later than 6 in the evening or I won't sleep well. If you enjoy your coffee, it might be worth a try to switch from full strength to decaf or a mixture of the two.

I almost cannot believe the photos of the flowers there this time of the year. I have covered my flower beds to protect them from our freezing nights. It must be lovely there all year round.

I just want to say thank you for your continued insight and self-awareness--but most of all your bravery for sharing it with the rest of us. No wonder that you have so many fans and followers. Happy New Year to you and your family.

Merci, Kristin! Une telle sagesse! Et,d'accord. I gave up -- or, rather, LET GO OF--coffee about five months ago. I was feeling anxious and asked myself what the problem was. A gentle idea wafted in...coffee is not good for you. My natural sleep cycle is back. I am not edgy and squichy (I think I made that world up).You are lovely and brave and sweet to share your journey with all of us. Thank you in every language.

Dear Kristi,

What an inciteful and thought provoking conversation you have had with your readers! Once again you have found a common thread that brings us all together. We all have our stories, so many of them the same. The open honesty with which everyone is willing to address the good, the bad, the ugly...and the beautiful, is refreshing and it is your own honesty that leads the way.

On those days when you are wondering what to write about or struggling with an idea, go with your heart, knowing that you will ultimately inspire...

Bravo! The sun will brighten the whites and they will all have the lovely fresh scent of Provence.

Wonderful post, wonderful comments! This is your blog at its best, when it unites us in our commonalities and draws out the compassion that lies within us.
Interestingly, migraine medication contains caffeine.
In earlier times I got migraines when having to go without coffee.
Curriously, these days I don't crave it anymore and fully enjoy my ritual 3 mugs of Fair Trade black coffee every morning.
Not so with munching nuts in the evening! (My digestive downfall!)
A wonderful version of tea for after dinner is the traditional Indian chai.... but with a lot less sweetening! Easy to brew on the stovetop, half water half milk, lots of spices and some black tea and honey.
Sugar, it now seems, is a far bigger villain. Considered a poison by some scientists. This brings me to your recipe for yoghurt cake; at least 3 times too much sugar! (IMHO).
I like baking and my friends like my baking (!); for over 10 years now I have halved the sweetener in most recipes and replaced white sugar by brown.... Once you are used to this, you end up really tasting what's in the cake.
Of course, I only write this as 'food for thought'.. :)
Much love, Jacq