(What is a vibe?)
This week’s Vibe Meter is on a topic that people have been asking me about a LOT lately. It’s also something really near and dear to my heart, because I’ve had a seriously up and down relationship with coffee for years now. There was a time when I was 24 years old and drinking multiple – I’m talking MULTIPLE multiple – Venti iced coffees from Starbucks every day (with soy milk and 3 packets of Splenda, could I BE any more #lowvibe?) There have also been times in my life where I’ve given up coffee for over a year, and times (like now) when coffee has come in and out of my life as a relatively moderate habit.
Caffeine is a drug, and it’s one of those things that can become a slippery slope for a lot of people, especially those with more addictive personalities. I often call coffee “my abusive lover” because it makes me feel SO INCREDIBLY GOOD sometimes, and then all of a sudden it starts to ruin my life and I have to give it up again. Don’t ask me if I’m exaggerating, I’m not.
Here’s the thing. It would be really easy for me to just label coffee as low vibe. It can cause anxiety, interrupted sleep, dehydration, adrenal fatigue, caffeine addiction, etc. When you drink coffee and you’re tired, your body is dipping deep into energy reserves to keep you going, which can lead to eventual burnout and a reliance on more caffeine to stay awake and alert. This is a pretty miserable cycle to be in.
But here’s the other thing. If you don’t abuse coffee, you pick a high quality coffee and you don’t load it with sugar, artificial sweeteners and dairy, it can be a totally different story. If you have a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee or espresso and then let it go and don’t rely on it all day long to give you energy, I think it can actually be a really nice part of life. There may also be some health-promoting benefits to drinking coffee.
That being said….what’s my verdict on the vibe of coffee?
I believe coffee is medium vibe.
If you choose to drink it, coffee is one of the most pesticide-sprayed crops out there, so please be sure to choose organic!
Now I want to hear from you!! I know you have an opinion on this.
VOTE ON THE VIBE:
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Leave a comment and tell me why you voted the way you did. Do you drink coffee? Why or why not? What has your experience been with it? Have you been able to cultivate a high vibe relationship with it? I love a good vibe discussion! :)
Jenny Sansouci, Resident Vibe Critic
Linda says
I LOVE coffee. I gave it up almost a year ago. My problem is that I still miss it, crave it, dread it, dream about it and sneer at the person walking by me on the street with their grande latte. I liken my attitude to what I imagine Charlie Sheen feels like without his drugs, porn and tigers blood. But when I drink it, I have to drink more and more of it. Coffee is my cryptonite. Coming to terms with this has been difficult, but necessary. I have caffeine in other forms, but I am off coffee. I look forward to the day when I can smell it in the air and smile at the memory.
jenny sansouci says
Linda, yeah! I totally relate to that. Sometimes it’s cool, sometimes not so cool. Yes…the smell of it is mesmerizing ;)
Kate says
Hey Linda, have you tried dandelion root tea? I know it sounds no where near as good as coffee, but it actually has a really nice full flavour! A cup of that with a little coconut oil melted in or some almond milk is really good. Chicory is a nice substitute too. What keeps me off the coffee is earl grey tea with soy milk :) I agree that coffee is so delish, but it leaves me feeling crappy, so I try and steer clear
Stephanie Kirylych says
I agree – medium vibe. Also like you, I used to survive on multiple Starbucks runs a day (triple shot soy lattes for me). And that was fine…until it wasn’t. Now I’m 120+ days off coffee. My body made it clear that Starbucks and I needed a break. Will I have coffee again? Probably. But I will make smarter choices in both the quality and the quantity.
(Tea, though, tea and I are forever!)
Another great vibe meter, Jenny!
jenny sansouci says
Thanks Stephanie!!! Congrats on so much time without coffee!!! That’s awesome. Tea and I are forever too :)
megan says
Medium Vibe for sure. I definitely feel WAY better off the coff. BUT sometimes I just love having a cup of coffee so I go for it. But since going paleo I drink it straight up…no milk-substitute no cream no sugar. I also hate to say it but sometimes I need a little boost when I work overnight! A little caffeine kick can occasionally be necessary at the hospital. I LOVE Marley Coffee (made by bob marleys son….and organic, susatinably grown, ethically farmed and delish!) so Im cool with my occasional coffee mug.
jenny sansouci says
Agreed Megan – straight up is the way I like it too. I will check out Marley Coffee, damn, all the Marley peeps are super high vibe!!!! Your comment just made me wanna go listen to some Ziggy.
Tricia says
I love coffee as a treat. I have always been a fan of the taste, but have never depended on it as my get up and go. Sometimes I notice that I have begun to make it a routine and that is when I start to feel dehydrated and depleted. I always choose a good organic fair trade brand when I drink it and I make sure to not depend on it, or to make it a daily habit. But, I do think instant coffee and many others can be low vibe. And the daily habit and dependance on it is low vibe as well. But a good bean that and that treasured experience makes it medium vibe.
jenny sansouci says
I agree Tricia…when I start to feel dehydrated and depleted it’s definitely a sign that I’m overdoing it. YES, instant coffee is so low vibe! Thanks for your comment (and for being awesome). xx
Laura Scredon says
Love this!! I agree. I haven’t had coffee in a year, but before that it was a really negative relationship. I know people who have a balanced relationship with it, and it is great for them in moderation. I’m just not one of those people. I also think Blood Type can play a role in how your body reacts to coffee. It is low vibe for me, high vibe for some people, medium vibe for some people, so overall…medium vibe. I am LOVING your new emails blasts. Keep ’em coming. <3
jenny sansouci says
Oh wow, I didn’t even think about blood type and coffee. Now I’m gonna have to go research it. :) Thank you, really glad you are enjoying the emails!! xx
Mary says
For me it is all about the morning ritual. I love having a cup of coffee while I cruise through my favorite blogs or read while I’m curled up on the couch. It is almost like a mini ceremony every morning. Once I am done with my cup that’s it, usually. I used to drink a LOT more coffee throughout the day but found my heart was starting to flutter and that was definitely not cool. I think it can be consumed intelligently and thoughtfully so it adds to your life in a positive way instead of causing you additional stress. Thanks for the thoughtful post!
Ashley says
I totally resonate with the comment about coffee being cryptonite. That’s exactly how I feel. It gives me awesome feelings when I drink it, lots of emotion connected to it, yet I know intuitively that its not the healthiest for me. I’m planning a coffee separation next week! Kinda like smokers-you gotta pick your day to quit! I’m wondering though Jenny-what is your thought on decaf coffee? Still medium vibe or maybe lower because of the processing?
Sandeep Mishra says
I too loved coffee but now a days coffee powder that comes in market is adulterated, can’t trust any brand easily for good quality of product. I got seriously sick due to adulterated coffee powder so i left it up on the strict instructions of doctor.
Amanda says
I used to have a horrible relationship with coffee as well. As soon as I realized what it was doing to me, I took a step back and started treating it with more respect. I absolutely adore my morning coffee, and I am no longer a crazy person about it (sometimes I don’t even have it). I drink it black with nothing added and usually only about half a cup. I am in a much better place with coffee now and I may never give it up because I love it and I drink it responsibly now. :)
Marta says
While I cannot imagine my life without coffee I need to keep myself in check when it comes to quantity:) It’s so easy for me to have another one and another one and…oh why I’m so strangely energised like a little crazy engine that can’t stop.
My blood preasure is naturally very low so sometimes, especially on a rainy day, I really crave my cup of espresso. Always drink it black though, no sugar, milk, nothing, Just pure, clack goodness :)
Jennifer says
Hi Jenny,
I just found your blog and this is the first post that I read and I already know I love it! I feel EXACTLY the same way as you about coffee the way you described it and I totally agree that it can wreak havoc on our energy and well-being. I also think enjoying a cup of high quality coffee here and there is a delightful treat!
Eileen says
Just like Tricia I drink coffee primarily for the flavor and aroma, not so much for the stimulant. In fact, the strong ones tend to give me a headache. Not sure why, I thought caffeine was supposed to help a headache. Anyway, I’ve found that I’m perfectly happy with McDonald’s coffee twice a week!