What's your caffeine culprit?

Posted Saturday, June 28, 2008, at 11:40 PM

As I sit here in my tiny home office writing to you, my dearest blogger buds, I find myself alternating sips of Maxwell House (filled to the brim of a certain treasured mug) with the strokes of keys on my laptop. What's the big deal in that you ask? Well, being an active member of this society in which certain caffeinated stimulants(coffee, cappuccino, espresso, candy bars, energy drinks, Cokes, frapuccinos, iced lattes'...you get the idea) are almost a requirement to boost slumping energy levels on a daily basis, I now realize I have put forth way more than my fair share in membership dues.

I get up in the morning and have one, maybe two cups of coffee; not to mention the iced java/latte' I might grab at the drive thru window of a choice fast food restaurant on the way to work or school. I break for lunch, and it's all too often a Coke-a-Cola or a Mountain Dew to the rescue. In the evening? You guessed it...a Pepsi, or better still, a nice warm cup of get-up-and-go to keep me going and on the straight and narrow track of staying my ever productive "Mrs. Efficient" self. As for late night caffeine cravings? Well, let's just say that it is now 10:20 p.m. and I have just finished up my French Vanilla flavored favorite almost as quickly as I started it!

Why I ask? Not why do I LOVE coffee of all kinds, and believe me...I do...but why does it seem to take more and more of my choice cup of Joe to revive and energize me now than it once did? And even more so...Why do I feel in continuous need of reviving?

It is true, I am increasingly exhausted it seems with each passing day, week, month...again, you get the idea! So, I ask you...no, I beg of you...Is it a question of getting older or maybe of taking on multiple responsibilities when one already is responsible for multiple tasks?

I've been told with certain birthdays comes the "inevitable downward spiral" of energy levels. However, as near 30 as I am, I have never believed in feeling utterly "worn down" in your 20s and 30s. In fact, I have always been one of those absurdly optimistic individuals who you hear say things like "You're only as old as you feel." Well, guess what? Today, and nearly every other day,I feel about 102! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little...let's say, Oh, I don't know...bout' 83!

I've been told that I, in fact, do take on way too much by way of responsibilities, etc. I call it "Super Mom Syndrome!" I think I can do anything and everything and that there is nearly nothing that I can't handle...I CAN Do It All; run 1000 errands a day, take my daughter to volleyball practice and my step-son to his friend's house right before I pick up those fundraiser cookies and, oh yeah-deliver 'em all, plus I can't forget about stopping for gas along the way since I'm running on E, and that's all before I come home and start my homework (my homework and the kids' h.w., too if we're definitely talking about their school year)!!! Notice I didn't include any of the household duties or my own work schedule and that's only a few things on my list!

Why do I take on so much? Same reason anyone else does...priorities, responsibilities, goals. My kids mean the world to me, so almost anything having to do with them I can't say no to...if it is important to them...and is actually substantial...then it's important to me, too. And of course, bills must get paid, degrees (education) must be earned, errands must be ran, most importantly-quality time with my family MUST be spent, and gas must be purchased in order to get to where I need to go so I can turn around, come home, finish productivity for the day, chill out, go to sleep, wake up, and do it all over again!

For so long, this has been the only way I know to live but where this type of living used to keep me fueled and energized, it now wares me down and I am ever so slowly coming to grips with that as much as it pains my stubborn streak to say so. So...to make up for the lack of energy...I replace it with another cup of coffee!!!

Many of us are pleasantly "addicted" to some non-drug stimulus in order to keep us functioning on a day to day basis. For me it's coffee...any kind of coffee as long as it's good (not some bland generic stuff, either). For many, it's Cokes in the morning or an energy drink or two in the afternoon. I know a few college students who couldn't survive w/o their Red Bulls and my Friday morning class is filled with students who can't get by without an iced java in the a.m.

So, does anyone else out there find themselves experiencing this same problem or their own similar problems of increasing fatigue or Super Mom Syndrome? How do you deal with it and if, in fact, it's by the coma-sparing effects of caffeine, I ask...What's your caffeine culprit?

Signing off...your java junkie,

Betty Jo

Comments
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]

Gotta have coffee first thing in the morning, hot and strong! I particularly like Hazelnut from Panera Bread, but, alas, I don't live in the big city - so Folger's will have to do. In the wintertime, I found myself making a pot in the a.m. & one in the p.m., too - but during the summer I rarely drink it at night.

Recent studies showing the good effects of coffee on our brains has made me feel better about coffee, but I know that some of my friends who've had some breast cancer problems are banned from drinking more than a small cup a day.

I shutter when I see someone drinking soda early in the morning! Ugh!! Of course, I've been off soda since 2004, and I don't miss it. (Tastes like acid to me now). I'm a big iced tea drinker, and I can't tell the diff between caff & decaf, so I drink decaf when I can.

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, Jun 29, 2008, at 7:42 AM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

I started out with an addiction to Coke-a-cola...had to have one at least three times a day, maybe four. These were the 32 ouncers from Rhodes that they so conveniently offer through the drive through window at a mere 85 cents a pop, no pun intended!

I've always enjoyed coffee but I worked my way to my new addiction just a couple of years ago...my four sodas are now replaced with my three cups of joe a day. My favorite is a tall caramel mocha latte from Starbucks and I like the Hazelnut from Panera Bread as well. I am also falling in love with the new chocolate mint frappuccino offered up at Starbucks but albeit, Sonic usually wins out in the cold, caffeinated drink dept. with their java chillers simply b/c they are closer to home than my fave. coffee houses!

I like tea also but I have to be in the mood for it.

Tell me, do you drink the caffeinated beverages b/c you feel you "just have to have them" due to the taste and comfort of a good cup or is it due more to a functioning need in order to keep you energized and going? Mine is both but more so the ladder these days.

Thanks, gl!

Betty Jo

Ooooooohhhhhh!!!! Sonic's Java Chiller!!!!!!! Oh, man, that is one DELICIOUS beverage!! Actually, the one I had was more like a chocolate shake, flavored with coffee! WOW! I'm afraid to get another for fear I'll be hopelessly hooked! It's better than the Dairy Queen Mocha Mulatti, and I never thought I'd ever say that!

Mmmm...do you realize that every one of those sentences ends with an exclamation mark? Am I excited, or what? And over stupid drive-through drinks! What an exciting life I lead...

Anyway, about the caffeine in coffee. It is definitely the taste. Love the taste of caffeinated coffee - Hate the taste of decaf. Just do. I'd rather not have coffee if it has to be decaf.

Several years ago, my husband and I broke ourselves from caffeine (What headaches!), but since he's gone, who cares if I'm unhooked from the stuff?? I can't remember why we thought it was a good idea...

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, Jun 29, 2008, at 9:20 PM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

Gl, I AM hopelessly hooked!! Every time I get the chance, I stop for a Sonic Java Chiller and ya know what else, Sonic makes a great hot latte as well!!!! As far as cold drinks go, I love the Mocha Mulatte from Dairy Queen and to be honest, I can't decide which is better but I think the Mulatte might have more caffeine in it...I can taste it, MMM...doesn't that sound so good right now on this hot, summer day??!!!

P.S. I hate decaf, too...it's like "What's the point?," ya know!!! I guess decaf are for those who simply who cannot have caffeine for one reason or other, probably those of health risks, yet feel they cannot do without coffee or what have you! If I was told I had to go without my cappuccinos and my Java Chillers or even a nice, simple cup of Joe, I'd hate it, I'd be miserable, but I'd probably switch to decaf being that I've been on the coffee kick for so long!!

Thanks for your comments...I always enjoy hearing from you,

Betty Jo

Hi, my name is Mrs. Dolphin, and I'm addicted to Mt. Dew! ;-�

I have a 32 oz in the morning (I don't do Rhodes b/c they only sell Coke products...I do Discount b/c they're cheaper and offer all brands), one around noon, and one or two at night. If I don't have the money for that...I buy a case and drink almost a full one in a week. I do depend on that caffiene for pick-me-ups. Heck, my headache medicine of choice is Excedrin (it's got 65 mg of caffiene per tablet).

I'm a mom to 2 boys, a wife to a truck driver (so I do it all alone during the week), and domestic goddess (haha)...so I need those pick-me-ups to function. Last year, I also had manager of a store on that list (working 60-80 hours per week), and picked up on energy drinks and shots for a time. I gave those up though...they gave me a horrible bladder infection.

Only thing I don't do is coffee. My dad drinks it religiously...I can't even stand the smell. Guess it's a good thing my truck-driving husband never picked up that drink...I'd be chased out of my house on the weekends by the smell of coffee brewing!

I wonder what the next legal pick-me-up will be...

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Sun, Jun 29, 2008, at 9:22 PM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

Hahaha!! LOL!!! That's hilarious and it's exactly how I tend to think of my own "addiction,"..."Hello, my name is Betty Jo Hux and I'm addicted to cappuccinos, frappuccinos, and anything that tastes or smells like caramel, french vanilla, mocha, or hazelnut and can help me leap tall buildings in a single bound!"

Sounds like you've been leaping some tall ones yourself! Caution!! Just as gl says, you may hit burn out before ya know it! However, I must say that I have been there...I AM nearly there on a day to day basis...but I have a load of fun along the way on most days!!!

I'm not sure what the next pick-me-up will be but I can hardly wait to try it already!!! How 'bout you?

P.S. I tried Red Bull a couple of times last year and it did little more than provide me with about thirty minutes of energy and gave me dark circles under my eyes (ok, Even DARKER circles than I already have) for the next two days! I don't see what some people get out of that stuff! It didn't really work for me but it must for others.

Oh, and quick question...From one mom and busy beaver( or dolphin in your case)to another, when do you sleep? I get this question all the time, too so maybe the better Q is how many hours of sleep do you actually get, right???

Thanks for chiming in,

Betty Jo

My brother, who drives nights, likes Red Bull and some sort of super power drink that comes in really small bottles.

Most people like the smell of coffee, even when they don't like the taste. I feel sorry for you, mrsd! You're burning the candle at both ends! I guess you figure that you'll have time to rest when your kids are grown! But then the grandkids will pick it up! Whew! They'll give you a run for your money!

-- Posted by goat lady on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 6:51 AM

I, too, love my coffee and grew up in a home where there was always coffee made, summer or winter. And that was in the days before air conditioning. It's been interesting to me the way medical "experts" keep changing their minds about whether and how much coffee is good or bad for you. Personally, I think moderation is the key to success with our food and drink habits; although I don't always practice it. I also believe parents need to limit children's intake of caffeine. One of my grandaughters has headaches that are probably Mountain Dew related.

-- Posted by gardengirl on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 10:30 AM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

Me too, gardengirl, that's probably where I get it from. My mother always had a pot made in the morning and often another in the afternoon or evening. She'd have a cup or two in the morning with my dad and another later with company.

On the other part of the topic, isn't it crazy how at first coffee was bad for you and now all of a sudden it's a good thing? With time and technology comes further education and new info through all of these studies, I guess. That, or they really don't know and cannot seem to make up their minds so they tell us what we want to hear or whatever will get some attention!

I obviously don't always practice moderation with coffee. Sometimes it's difficult to do so! My kids drink about two sodas a day but they aren't canned sodas or 20 oz. bottles. Instead, they are allowed about half of a glass to 3/4 of a glass twice a day; sometimes a little more depending on the time of day! To some that is probably too much but they are now 11 and 12 so I am a little more lax with that stuff now than I was when they were younger. I don't think it is a good idea to give caffeinated drinks and snacks to young children!!

Thanks for the coffee talk,

Betty Jo

Now that is a big no-no at my house. If I do allow my boys to have a soda, it's caffiene and sugar free. Sprite Zero or Diet A&W works wonders to help me with this rule. My oldest son has ADHD, so even natural sugars (like in fruit or starchy foods)can cause a bouncing-off-the-wall episode that's not for the faint at heart...or the impatient;-). Instead, I make tea w/ sweetener tablets, because that amount of caffiene doesn't seem to bother him. I just wish it wasn't so easy to get sugar out of SO many things. Even strawberries, peaches, and bananas have enough natural sugar in them to set off an "episode."

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 12:02 PM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

Sprite and Diet A&W are excellent choices and always a fave with the kiddies! Have you tried Diet Mt. Dew and Diet Dr. Pepper? My kids and I like those, too. However, doctors have found that too much aspartame in the diet drinks (when too many are consumed) and artificial sweetners is often just as bad as having too much sugar. But then again here we are with the talk of doctors and we already know about their coffee findings; 1st it's bad, now it's good...one never knows!!!

P.S. What's your fave caff. drink or do you not drink any either? If not, I admire your will power and I could use a heapin' helping of it!!!

Coffee, cappucinos, etc - that's the only caffeine I get, since I can't stand sodas anymore. It doesn't seem to matter when I drink it -- early, late, whatever, I still sleep about 6-7 hours a night...

-- Posted by goat lady on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 7:11 PM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

No matter how much coffee I drink, I sleep the same amount of time almost every night...5-6 hours and sometimes less during the fall and spring semesters of college!!! Those all nighters can really be detrimental to your sleep patterns and in turn, over all health!!! Ah, but so worth it in the long run!!!!

When do I sleep? When I can! Actually, for your better worded question, I sleep about 5-6 hours a night during the school year. During the summer, it's a little more, thank God. My kids, bless their hearts, help me...usually when they feel like it...but my husband helps me a lot when he's in.

Now, as far as the no caffiene drinks they have now days...I can understand most of them. Last year, I was at a loss for words. I seen Caffiene free Diet Mt. Dew! What is the point in that? I, too, hope I never, EVER have to be without my caffiene. My kids make it a necessity now, as I'm sure my grandkids will later!

GL, I'm sure as the day that I'm burning both ends right now...oh, how lovely it'll be when I'm not anymore. It just seems that, no matter how much energy I do or don't have, I need to go, go, go!..and it just gets worse. This year, I only had one child in sports...next year, both my boys will be in baseball...seperate leagues, w/ different practice/game times...and I'll be split in half trying to do it all. Out of the 14 games we had this year, my husband was able to attend 2 of them. I'd ask for help...but everyone I know is already as busy as I am!

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Mon, Jun 30, 2008, at 7:42 PM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

OH MY GOSH, I just want to say sorry for that last response re: the "What your fave. caffeinated beverage/drink?" I re-read my response and was like "Duh, she already answered that!" I've been having so much trouble with my home computer lately and it gets me frustrated...during my response to your comment, my computer crashed! I got back on and was still fuming about my laptop malfunctions plus I think I'm running on delirium!!!!! Haha!

All work and no play makes for a foggy-minded, slap-happy writer!!!!

Thanks so much,

I love, love, love Mt. Dew. Can't live without it.

I must point out, though, that caffeine IS a stimulant drug by definition and mechanism.

-- Posted by luckyone on Tue, Jul 1, 2008, at 11:00 PM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

You are correct. I did credit it as a stimulant but I should have used the phrase "legal drug" instead. Thanks for pointing that out.

I had a friend who absolutely had to have Mt. Dew or Mellow Yellow first thing in the morning and another at lunch, if she didn't, she'd spaz out! I have to have my coffee first thing in the morning and usually nothing else will do...it's my choice product of OCD, I guess!! Haha!! I think we all have an OCD hidden somewhere!!! My husband's is organization. He hates clutter. Ah, but that's a completely dif. topic that I'll save for later.

Thanks for your comment!

P.S. I'm two 20 oz. cups of coffee down already and it's barely noon. How many Dews do you do a day?

By definition oxygen is a drug. Coffee by the gallon every day.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Wed, Jul 2, 2008, at 8:05 PM

Betty Jo Hux's response:

Yes-sir-ee!!! At LEAST a gallon!!!