Tea
I’ve done it again. I’m off the caffeine and the soda.
I know. I supposedly stopped drinking soda a few months ago. And I did. And I was doing really well. But, then one bad day turned into a bad week turned into a daily habit of drinking the canned sweetness again.
Like previous habit kicks, I did this one cold turkey. I walked into work a few Mondays ago and decided I would not be drinking Diet Coke that day. Instead, since it was cold outside, I reached for tea. Peppermint tea to be exact.
And ever since that day, I can’t put the peppermint tea down. I might have found my next addiction. Though this addiction is likely because the warmth of the tea doesn’t make the weather outside seem nearly as bad, there could also be a host of other reasons behind my new fav. Maybe it’s because the peppermint flavor fools me into thinking I’m drinking a liquidy snack. And maybe it’s because peppermint tea is known to have some positive health effects.
That’s right. Peppermint tea is good for you. Depending on what you read and what you believe, it is said the tea helps resolve upset stomachs, boost immune systems, reduce bad breath, relieve stress, suppress appetites, relieve baby colic as well as migraine headaches. It reduces flatulence (oh, how I know some people who could use this!), improves heartburn, dissolves gallstones and controls muscle aches and chronic pain.
And to think, I drink it because it tastes good! What are the health benefits of some of your favorite things to drink?
December 15th, 2009 at 6:29 am
The other day, someone in my office was drinking chai tea and it smelled like gingerbread! I have yet to try tea. All I drink is water, and the occasional (very occasional) glass of wine or champagne. I wonder if I would like peppermint tea!
December 15th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I, too, am a fan of mint tea. I also really like hibiscus tea, particularly in the warmer months- it has a refreshing tart flavor almost like cranberry juice.
December 15th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I generally I just drink water at home or work. I like Crystal Light Iced Tea, but I don’t make it too often. I am not a big coffee or tea drinker. When I am out I’ll have a glass of wine or a vanilla vodka and diet coke. But peppermint tea sounds very warming. Yummy.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:31 am
That peppermint tea sounds like something I should be drinking. Unfortunately, these days I’m stuck on Coke Zero and loving it. I’m hooked, can’t seem to kick, nor do I want to either, which proves it difficult :(
December 15th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Luckily, my favorite thing to drink is water and we all know that the health benefits of that are amazing!
December 15th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Ah, peppermint tea. My favorite thing in the world. I didn’t like to tea until about two or three years ago but this one is just too good to resist. I love that it helps me fall asleep at night if I’m struggling. So calming. I don’t think I could drink it at work though because it tends to take me to a point of relaxation that there’s no returning from.
I also confess that I’m having about one-two sodas per week. Usually on the same day, often on the weekends, and almost always when I’m out with friends.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I’m a water fanatic. But, I also love tea -- all kinds of tea. I have a homemade chai recipe that is so delicious even my husband will drink it (and he’s not a big fan of tea, let alone Indian tea with milk and honey in it).
I recently bought a french press and am making more coffee at home. I’m only drinking 2 cups a week, but that’s a lot for me!
December 15th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I’d love to look more into (herbal) tea’s health benefits. There are so many different kinds with different reason to drink them! As we recently discovered a Tea House out here in the (shocking yes I know) the Burbs, I have been told some of those benefits of some of their various teas. While in Australia, Jason and I found Daintree Tea (a green tea) which is grown in the rainforest and is pesticide free. It had some health benefits, but I don’t remember and can’t seem to find them in the internet. I also have a friend who’s brother is living in the Philipines. He helps distribute herbal tea grown there with all kinds of good properties. I currently have one that slows abnormal cell growth (cancer). My friend who could not wear shorts in the summer because she would get skin cancer, can now do so when she drinks this tea. Here is a website in case you’re interested: http://www.perfectlynaturalherbs.com/
I don’t know about the taste of these teas, but you can always add a little agave nectar. ;-)
December 15th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I drink water. If its super cold I’ll drink some tea (Kyla has me hooked on loose leaf tea.) I dont think I’ve ever had peppermint tea, it does sound good though. I have an orange spice tea that I find myself reaching for about mid-morning if I’m sitting here shivering in my office.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Uh, you know what my addiction is (COFFEE). And it’s good for headaches. :)
December 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I am a huge tea fan and for black tea, antioxidants are one of the major benefits, it has also been found that it helps your cardiovascular system especially your arteries. For herbal tea the benefits depend on the type, ginger tea is also good for stomach gas production and reduces the bloating. Other teas such as elderberry and chamomile are good for reducing stress and calming your nerves. Green tea studies have found that it lowers your risk to cancer and lowers cholesterol
I also a huge water fan and the best benefit has been my skin!
December 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am
When I found out I had cancer, one of my best friends who lives sort of far from me sent me a huge gift basket full of tea. She had been reading and saw that one particular kind of tea is supposed to be good for fighting cancer so she sent it to me. I tried to like it, I really did, but in the end I just ended up serving it to other people when they came over.
My favorite drink is diet coke with lime, but water is always good too.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Jasmine Mint Tea is my favorite.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:25 am
mmmm tea! im an earl grey girl. and i drink milk by the gallon, that’s my addiction.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I love tea, especially green, and easily drink almost 10 cups a day! I also love Earl Grey but I only do 1 cup with caffeine daily.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Peppermint tea is a great move! I love it dearly, and simply freezing lemon sections and popping them into a cup of boiling water with a bit of honey is a really nice hot drink too.
You’re so brave on all of this- are you off coffee too? I drink at least 3 cups of coffee a day, I’ve thought about going off but… I don’t really feel strongly about caffeine. Is it a bad idea to have too much?
Maybe I should do some research… Hmm…
December 15th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I drink tea daily. I actually like green tea and it has tons of healing properties. Word!
December 15th, 2009 at 11:17 am
God I wish I liked tea, both hot and iced. It would be the perfect beverage if only I could stand the way it tastes. My beverage of choice is Crystal Light and pretty much the only good thing that can be said about its affect on health is that it keeps me hydrated.
December 15th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I’ve been trying hard to substitute my morning cup of coffee with green tea. It just doesn’t quite hit the spot, but there are huge benefits to drinking green tea. I do kind of like chamomile tea though…that’s kind of calming. I’ll have to try the peppermint tea. I’m also trying to quit drinking diet coke. I even switched to those little baby cans of the stuff. But I have a tendency to feel on the anxious side quite a bit (gee, wonder why) so drinking less caffeine is something I should realy consider.
oh, but I love the fizzy-ness of a fresh diet coke with a sandwich…STOP IT, STOP IT! :)
December 15th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
My favourite drink is water, so that kinds of speaks for itself. On special occasions: Perrier with lime.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I love peppermint tea. I’m a big fan of chamomile tea too. I’ve been drinking a lot of tea lately to try to cut back on coffee (I’m down to one coffee a day … it’s not pretty.) My sister drinks chocolate mint tea and she says it’s like drinking a chocolate bar.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I love peppermint tea too, it’s one of my fave things during Winter. I’ve given you an award on my blog!
http://www.fabbrunette.com/2009/12/its-like-christmas-came-early.html
December 15th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I drink all kinds of tea, both caffeinated and herbal. I buy most of my tea in bulk, loose leaf form and make it in a French Press. My favorite non-caffeinated tea is plain old Rooibos. It has more antioxidants than any other kind of tea, even green and white tea! Plus, it has a delicious, earthy flavor that I love. It’s really good iced, too!
Peppermint tea is delicious, too. I like the combo of the refreshing, minty flavor and the warmth. Perfect for cold nights and mornings!
Another non-caffeinated favorite is Yogi Ginger Tea or Yogi Egyptian Licorice (it’s very similar to Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat)
Right now I have a hot cup of Tazo Green Ginger. Ginger is also one of those things I can’t get enough of, plus it’s an energy booster and good for your tummy and immune system.
December 15th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Oooh, I love tea. And coffee. And Diet Coke. Oops.
December 15th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
So you’re doing it for the flatulence, then? Haha sorry, couldn’t resist. :)
I was in a meeting w/someone yesterday who had a green teabag and a mint teabag in one cup together. She said it’s her strange addiction and it’s great. I may have to try that one. I drink chai pretty regularly, but I will never fully give up my Dr. Pepper mornings!
December 15th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Dissolves gallstones?? I don’t know about that one. At least in any clinical meaningful way. But the other reasons are enough to drink it and it keeps you away from soda! (I need to re-commit to this one, too. And the candy thing. Crap.)
December 16th, 2009 at 2:26 am
I hear red wine is good for the heart…
December 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I have tried to quit drinking Coke for forever. And, I got off of it for a while with Crystal Lite. And then, as you said, one bad day turned into a bad week. And then my boyfriend brought it into my house…INTO MY HOUSE! ‘sigh’ I like Sparkling Cider too.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I used to hate tea. Then I was having some stomach issues and my aunt suggested peppermint tea. It helped, not only with the physical ailments, but also became a way for me to calm down and zen out for a bit.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I love tea so much this time of year!
I tend to have black tea in the afternoon in place of my Diet Coke, but I know it comes with exponentially more health benefits.
I’ll never kick my morning coffee, and I’ll never ditch caffeine completely. Hey, I’ve had very few vices in my lifetime. I’m going to forgive myself this one, as long as it doesn’t get too out of control. :)
December 29th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I had to quit drinking soda some years ago when the doctor told me I had a fatty liver. I now mostly drink water and Vitamin Water (which I have blogged about a few times). I also drink green tea. The caffeine doesn’t bother me as much as caffeinated soda would. Must be a different type of breakdown.
Regardless, I feel much better since removing soda from my diet. I indulge a couple of soda a month, but that’s about as much as I can take. I still like soda and I miss it at times, but I know I’m better off without it.