[...] How long do you think I’ll be able to make them last? And remember, I’m trying to avoid caffeine. Or at least too much caffeine. <a href [...]

@deanna: Actually, I think of you every time I hear “Chai.” :) It’s a tea, right? Maybe it has less caffeine than coffee… I need to do a little research on that, but from what I remember about the way Chai tastes, it’s what I’m looking for.

@beth: (Or is it James? Recommending beer, I can’t be sure…) Hmm… bringing in the health aspect. I definitely see your point, but I just don’t want to be drinking something that has an addictive drug in it. I don’t want to “have to have my coffee/soda” to wake up in the morning. I know many people do, and that’s fine–to each his own–but for my own body, I just don’t like the idea of being addicted.

I guess that raises the stakes. I need to find a replacement that’s both healthy and doesn’t contain addictive chemicals. Hmmph.

Well, I have to agree with Rob. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a little bit of caffeine in moderation. I think a coffee with a bit of milk in it is much healthier than a sugary processed drink like Chai Tea. But I’m biased since I take my coffee black.

Decaf coffee is another very, very viable option! Stick with the beer, though! ;)

I’m adding another vote for Chai. I love Chai. Chai is actually a black tea that’s mixed with milk, however the only type I’ve ever made at home is a powered mix. It comes in two types that I know of, the Spicy Chai that tastes like pumpkin pie that Lorraine mentioned and vanilla Chai that I usually drink. I’m sorry, not sure of the caffeine level in it.

@lorraine: I have a looong time ago, but I think I need to give it a second try!

@roadtripreading: Thanks for the tip on caffeinated Chai. I’ve considered apple cider, but I don’t think it’s quite the flavor I’m looking for. Too sweet.

@jennifer: See, that’s my problem, too! When I was in America, I didn’t think it would effect me when I got back here. *sigh* Both of your suggestions sound nice!

I’m torn on using Excedrin. I bought a bunch to bring with us when we moved here because it’s the only non-script med that fixes my migraines. But I started doing everything I could to avoid it once I ditched caffeine. I can’t decide whether to keep using it or not.

@ww: I know I can go off it again–that’s not the problem, really. I’m trying to find a substitution. I haven’t tried Pero or Postum, but Christina just introduced me to Caro, which might be a good solution. Tastes almost exactly like coffee, but it’s not!

I’d say if you quit for 2 months you were completely off, so you should be able to get off again and not even do the one a week thing.

As for hot drinks, I think apple cider is a good idea, and it does come in powdered form here in the States. Also, have you ever tried Pero or Postum? I believe Pero is readily available in Germany.

Also Moroccan mint tea is very good.

It is like blow. 2 months after I quit, I had one caffeine-free root beer and one latte, and a month later I was still craving soft drinks. I felt bad for having undone my previous progress, but glad to have realized what a true beast it is. I won’t even touch the caffeine free soft drinks now.

Panera bread company has a caffeine free orange ginger mint tea that I drink now. Also you could look into chrysanthemum tea. It’s popular in china, but tastes best with sugar added. Like the other poster mentioned, regular Chai tea has caffeine in it.

Also, for headaches, you could try taking 1 excedrin. It has a little caffeine in it.

I recently have cut out caffeine as well. A couple of thoughts…

I second lorraine’s suggestion for Chai, but make sure that it is decaf. I’ve seen powdered chai mix and for a while we had a liquid version as well.

What about apple cider? It’s not powdered, but could be fairly easily heated.

Also, while it doesn’t get you away from coffee, my biggest issue in giving up coffee was the headaches. We did a partial regular, partial decaf method, so that we could adjust the caffeine levels gradually. If you go this route, I would suggest staying away from cheap decaf though :)

Have you tried Chai Tea? It doesn’t really taste like tea: more like pumpkin pie. If you like it, there’s an alcoholic version at the Mudlounge. ;-)