I can’t believe I’ve been over two months without coffee.
For those of you who do not know, I gave up coffee at the end of July and started drinking peppermint tea in August.
Never thought I’d ever give up coffee and become a tea drinker.  I would like to say I haven’t looked back, but that would be a drastic overstatement. I still get to feeling tired around 3 p.m. every day. I’m yawning right now, so guess what time it is? At times like these, I think about that boost provided by the caffeine-laced drink. However, I have not bridged the gap from thought to action. I remain coffee free.
I assume this bout of being tired in the evening is my normal. I’ve been considering a brisk walk around that time, but I have yet to include it into my day. The feeling usually wears off around 5 p.m. or so.
I’ve been drinking peppermint tea for less than two months. I, also, look back on when I started drinking what turned out to be nothing like the candy peppermints that I love so much. The tea made me want to hurl. It will go down in my book as the nastiest tasting drink I’ve ever tried to endure.
I’m happy to report I’ve discovered a way to tolerate what I once thought was intolerable. Apparently, I’m good with the tea as long as I have a peppermint candy while drinking it. Every once in a while, I forget and the taste quickly reminds me. I’m close to two months of drinking it and the taste is still bad. Apparently, you can get used to everything. If some things are an acquired taste, that’s one taste I’m not acquiring.
Both these changes are in my pursuit to better health. I do feel better without the coffee, and I do feel better with the peppermint tea.
Peppermint tea is supposed to be a natural remedy for stomach ailments, including bloating, gas, and constipation. It is also supposed to relieve stress, improve sleep, increase focus and concentration, sinus woes, boost estrogen levels, and if all that isn’t enough, it can help you lose weight.
I do believe it has helped with the stomach ailments, which is why I started drinking it to begin with. I’m not issue free, but I do believe the situation is slightly improved. As for the remaining benefits, I think I’m only receiving one of those. Not sure, but it could be more.
However, the one I’m receiving is making me happy. I’ve lost five pounds in two months. I’m unsure if that’s from decreased appetite or an improved digestive system. Regardless, it is five pounds. I’ll take it.
If you haven’t tried peppermint tea, maybe you should. The box says to let the tea bag sit in hot water for 4-6 minutes depending on the desired strength. I go with 10 minutes.
Please don’t hate me when you take the first sip.
Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.