Day 8 of my two week “no caffeine” challenge.  Funny how it is all relative.  I had become rather addicted to my one matcha beverage in the morning.  Even at ½ the normal serving size of matcha powder, I noticed that it was ramping me up too much.

I was feeling restless, agitated, and rather unfocused in the mornings. My matcha drink was getting me going, but certainly not helping my focus and mood.

I know I am a poor caffeine metabolizer; I always have been.  I cannot drink any caffeine in the afternoon and expect to sleep that night. We are all biochemically unique in how we process caffeine. If you metabolize caffeine quickly, you will most likely benefit from the antioxidants and other potent compounds in green tea, matcha, black tea, and coffee.  If you don’t, less likely to derive benefit.

What I have noticed over the last seven days:

• Although it takes me a little longer to wake up in the morning, my morning work outs are actually better and my energy is more even throughout the day.
• I am more focused in the morning once I get my blood circulating.
• I am more patient.
• I feel less anxious about getting what I need to get done for the day.
• I get to bed earlier at night knowing that there will be no caffeine in the morning.
• My sleep duration has increased by about 30 minutes. This feels good!
• My jaw does not hurt in the morning.
• I don’t have the same drive to get out of bed super early in the morning. Once I am up though, all is good!

I have found some great decaf substitutions including Teeccino beverages, Four Sigmatic Cordyceps Mushroom Elixir Mix (this one has no stevia added to it) and Coffig (roasted fig beverage).  These are all rich and robust and go well with the dark mornings!  In the warmer months, you can enjoy these iced as well!

“Pure” matcha is not available decaf.  Matcha is the result of shade grown green tea leaves covered for a certain period of time, increasing the caffeine and L-theanine content. However, there are “mock” matcha powders available.  These are not covered until harvested and this results in minimal caffeine.  I am curious to try one of the decaf green powders next week.

Yes, I miss the taste of my green matcha with fresh almond milk from the farmer’s market.  It got me up early in the morning, knowing that it was waiting for me.  I also miss that early morning pop and spring in my step.  But I don’t miss the feelings of restlessness, agitation, impatience, and tightness in my jaw.  I guess my “pure” matcha has stepped down to an occasional treat!

This blog is for all those people out there that are caffeine sensitive!!

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