Green Tea: Is it for Me?

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 A cup of green tea on a colorful bench top.  Photo by Cecilia Kennedy

A caffeine and sugar jolt from a can of cola has always fueled the first six raging hours of my day, which is when I:

–throw untidy couch blankets into submission.

–tell students online to “take that thesis statement by the tail, hit it against the wall, and if that doesn’t work, unplug it.”

–pound out life-changing blog posts about transforming old undergarments into lamp shades (forthcoming).

Yes—I live for the caffeine charge—the rev up—the engine going full blast. And, of course, I love sugar.  I love it sooooo much.  However, I know it can’t be all that good for me, so I decided to make a change today.  I brewed a cup of green tea and waited for wisdom, more focused energy, and mindful blog posts.

I stared into the bottom of my cup of tea and asked, “What mysteries do you hold, Green Tea? Share them with me. I’m listening.”

Then, I gulped it down. And, I waited. . . and waited. . . and waited. I even attempted to write this blog post—and then I forgot about the laundry—and then I nearly fell asleep.  That’s when I kind of got mad at the green tea—slapping my face to stay awake and pacing about the kitchen until Nate came in to make breakfast.

“It’s 9 a.m.!” I shouted.  “The day is getting away from me! It’s getting away!”

Nate just looked over at me, the cup of tea I’d made, and the box of tea I’d made it from.  This entire situation told its own story, which he summarized: “You bought cheap green tea.”

“Still, I’m expecting caffeine—some caffeine—something! I feel nothing! I feel like I could go to sleep—and that’s not good. That’s not good for the Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks Team. There is so much to do today!”

Nate shrugged his shoulders and Alex walked in.  “Should I get my clothes together for the laundry?”

“Ugh! Laundry! I cannot. Handle. Laundry. Right. Now. Can’t you see that I’m tired and cranky?  Can’t you see that this is the best time in the world for me to try to measure myself for a skort and decide which one I should buy from an online catalog?”

And, that’s what I did.  I tried to measure myself for a skort and was incredibly confused and angry.

“That’s it!” I told Nate and Alex. “I just can’t live like this. I just can’t do it.  I’m getting the cola.”

Oh, sweet mercy! That first sip—it was wonderful!

And now, at 9:44 a.m.:

–The laundry is in the washing machine.

–The couch blankets are on notice to straighten up.

–This blog post is almost over.

–Some kind of skort is coming in the mail from an online catalog.

–I’ve got a few hours left before I crash, so I can kick myself into lightning speed Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks mode. (Look out, lampshades and undergarments!)

Your Turn:  Have you ever tried green tea?  Have you tried to cut one thing out of your diet? What was it? How did you feel?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by ckennedy

Author of the DIY blog: Fixin' Leaks and Leeks. Paper/Rock Writing Consultation, Sole Proprietor.

46 thoughts on “Green Tea: Is it for Me?”

  4. I switched from cola’s to iced to then to iced green tea but I always brew a pitcher at a time and let it seep for a long time 1 – 6 hours. LOL. Last year I switched to Kombucha. Fermented tea. Very heathy. (Guess I should say that I always start my day with 2 or 3 cups of coffee though)

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  5. Yep, lots of things!
    I’ve become Vegan (don’t shoot me) over the past few months from being vegetarian over the past year.
    It wasn’t easy, but, I was determined and now I’m scot free of any cravings – hard to believe!
    As for green tea. My man is a mad, keen, green tea drinker. I don’t see why? But, each to his own!!!

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  6. I have an unopened box of green tea in the cabinet (bought 6 months ago) and I can’t bring myself to sample it. I loved my Lipton tea and it was traumatic for me to switch to decaffeinated at my doctor’s suggestion. No caffeine, but the flavor ain’t bad. 😀

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    1. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been to go caffeine free–wow! I do like some of the herbal teas out there, though, so I might try them before bed. I might sleep better. Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. You have a wonderful way with humor, Cecelia! I try to like tea but don’t. Coffee for me, to get going in the morning! I gave it up for a few years, but here I am, looking forward to morning:) I HAVE given up all meat and seafood, though, and that’s lasting. I feel great, both physically and mentally, to know that I’ve accomplished that.

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  8. Drink green tea. But, coffee most of the day. I started with ginger tea recently as it is said to help with stomach issues. That took a bit to get use to the taste but I find the entire process of grinding the ginger, boiling the water, steeping the ginger and then relaxing with the tea very therapeutic. Not something to start with in the morning!

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  9. There’s lots of delicious green tea varieties, but why not Compromise, try Oolong, my favorite, like some of the people running for president, the tea is somewhat aged but flavorful and decent, the caffeine content varies wildly and unpredictably however. For me, just the exciting prospect of doing laundry pumps out some adrenaline, I switch to the rock ‘n’ roll channel, breath in the lavender-scented dryer towels, and am fully energized. Thanks for a fun post! I am caffeine- and phosphate-free but awake now!

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  10. Never heard of cola in the morning! I have a tiny coffee because I don’t really like it much. Sad to be addicted to something you don’t like! But Fixin’ Leaks – addictive and enjoyable!

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  12. Green tea is gross. I remember the first time I tried it at a Japanese sushi restaurant and I actually spit it out. 🙂 Also, it doesn’t do jack-squat in terms of waking me up, so I’m with you in that I need coffee.

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    1. Ha! That’s a funny story–I can just picture you spitting the tea out:) Yes, I will rule out green tea for breakfast–in the evening before bed–maybe, but not before then. Cheers!

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  13. I’ve seen a mug that says Never send tea to do coffee’s job. I guess, in your case, it would be cola. Green tea doesn’t have all that much caffeine anyway. Perhaps try a black tea? Sweeten it up with honey or sugar? I used to do that until I had my son Joe and, appropriately, suddenly became a no-looking-back coffee drinker. The only time I cut something from my diet was sugar while pregnant. It gave me the worst days-on-end headaches imaginable. Total insult to injury, if you ask me. Like being pregnant isn’t bad enough without the sweet release of sugar! (Oh, the pun!)
    Looking forward to that next post!

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    1. Oh no! No sugar while pregnant? That’s awful! I actually craved beer while I was pregnant–which I absolutely did NOT drink at all–so I subbed in Panera bread. I ate sooo much bread. Ah, but the sacrifices are worth it:)

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  14. I’m still wondering how one makes a lampshade from old knickers. I’m looking forward to that post 😂

    Did you get decaffeinated green tea, or regular? I have at least one green every day, as I have it for my first morning drink. It’s quite relaxing and refreshing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond flagging on the afternoons and because I’m always so thirsty, I’ve got through the daily requirements of 2L water by 2pm so when 4pm hits I take to the Pepsi Max and lots of it. You do what you gotta do to get some energy. Maybe the green tea could be your bedtime drink?

    Caz xx

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      2. I haven’t had any in a while. My skort came in the mail, but it didn’t quite fit the way I was expecting it to, so I’ll send it back here soon. These are the least of my worries right now, considering the recent events. How are you doing? Hope you and your loved ones are well:)

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      3. I’ve got my eye on a tartan one for summer but I cant figure out if itll be appropriate without tights? I might buy 2 and then just sew on the additional length I want!
        I’m doing well thank you, finally working from home, and making sure I take time out to get some fresh air and work out even if it’s at home.
        Family and all are well but I miss them, thank goodness for facetime etc.
        Hows your week been? Xxx

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      4. Ooh, a tartan skort sounds fun! Nate is starting to work from home a bit more now, and we’ve been going out for walks. Still very unsettled by all of what’s happening, but we’re trying to remain positive and well. Take care!

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  17. I think I bought cheap green tea too, because it mostly tasted like slightly flavored hot water and had the same effect. If I’m going to drink tea, I’ll go for the fun ones (orange peels and cinnamon is to die for)! I have tried to cut chocolate and milk out of my diet. Then I was so miserable I gave up this cruel and unusual punishment.

    Looking forward to the post about undergarments and lampshades! 🙂

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