Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The day is really here.....

It happened. My phone beeped with a text...."Have U read the Ensign?".....it is an article on caffeine sodas and energy drinks, both of which I am currently consuming at an alarming rate.

I tell myself.."I will just read it, then ponder it for a few days (while finishing off my fridge packs of Diet Coke and Dr Pepper)". Then as I am reading it, I think....well, why not? Why just stop this insanity? What if....just WHAT IF my poor meager soul is missing something in the process of chugging down caffeinated beverages, and what if....just what if, this is part of my heart racing when I get angry and my shortness with my kids.....and my sluggishness in the morning? JUST WHAT IF?

So I have officially begun my souls decaffeinated experiment. Aren't we to "experiment on the word"? Can I do it for six months and just see if I feel better...maybe my spirit will be stronger or my kindness will be kinder or my heart will be softer.


That is not a bad thing. Can't I just follow the little feeling in my heart as I read that....you could do this it and it could help you feel better......

can't I do that?

34 comments:

Unknown said...

Ummm.....I just dumped my Herbalife in the garbage. And that is expensive stuff.....but yes, the morning Herbal Concentrate has caffeine.

Jillene said...

Good for you!! I have not had any caffinated beverages since I got preggers with H 7 years ago. I am really proud of myself for giving it up because I was a Dr. Pepper/Mt. Dew slut to the extreme!

Good luck!! My advise--keep a bottle of ibuprofen or tynelol with you at all times because the headaches will be horrendous!!

Jo said...

Good for you! Keep us posted on how this goes, I want to hear.

Brooke said...

I love me a good diet coke or dr pepper every now and again, but I don't need it every day. I think this is a great thing to try. Let us know how it goes!

Jules AF said...

I will never give it up! NEVER!

Jillybean said...

Good for you!
I had a conversation with a friend about this very thing last night at RS.
I will say that her addiction is WAY worse than mine;0)

Just SO said...

There's an article? About this in the Ensign? *shoulders slumping* Crud.

I've given up caffeine before. Many times. Bleh. I KNOW that my hubby will point that article out to me.

Michelle said...

I've gotta go read this article! :)

Kristina P. said...

I haven't read it yet. Hmmmm, maby I don't need to read the Ensign this month, right?

I drink about 32 oz. of Diet Coke a day. Not horrible, right? Right?!?!?!??!?!

Angie said...

You are so great! I am still pondering the article and my possible plan of attack. Keep us posted on how it goes. The fact that I am even considering quitting is a HUGE step for me, we shall see:)

Jessica G. said...

I heard about this article, too. Usually, I don't drink caffeine (because I am better than everyone else, obviously) but sometimes...I really, really need it! What am I supposed to do then? Exercise??

Rindee said...

Good for you, Ramona. I think it is hard for anyone to give up caffeine. But really...what are we willing to give up to follow the prophet, or in essence, Christ? Some will say they are willing to do dramatic and drastic things like leave their home at a moment's notice and walk to Missouri, but giveing up their favorite soda is simply too much to ask. What a good example you are. Kudos for being willing to give up anything to show your faithfulness and willingness to follow Christ.

Dione said...

You're a good girl Ramona Burton! And a good example to those Primary kids you lead, Sister Samuels!

Me (aka Danielle) said...

You CAN do this!! Not only CAN YOu, but YOU WILL! While being an inspiration to the rest of us that have similar concerns. Keep us posted!

Erin said...

I don't drink pop. It makes my stomach sick. But this post reminds me that maybe I need to read my scriptures more often. Like ever. Maybe that way I would be less spiritually "sluggish" myself.

Thanks for the reminder.

Brittany Marie said...

Hahaha- one of my (LDS) attnys downs Red Bull like it's water.

I saw the article- and actually, I didn't realize that many people drank it. I guess I live in a bubble!

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm glad you're giving it a shot, but I have to say that if caffeine is your big temptation in life, you're doing pretty darn good. I am mostly caffeine-free, but it's more a weight thing than an I'm-trying-to-be-good thing.

Unknown said...

If going off caffeine makes me lose weight, then I will just figure I'd doggone had a miracle......

Shannon said...

wouldn't it be prudent to not waste what's in the fridge/pantry/car first?

Christy said...

Just don't forget that the first couple of days you may not have that wonderful feeling of greatness and your attitude may not be the best. But it will get better. I have seen my husband do it a couple of times and the first couple of days are always the worst. Keep it up, it's all worth it.

Wendyburd1 said...

I don't do soda or energy drinks. If I NEED a pick me up it is Pick Me Up cocoa or invigorating water, HAHA, they didn't say cocoa!!

Strawberry Shortcake said...

Good for you! My mom drinks Diet Pepsi like crazy. I have joked around that she should just plug it into an IV. It has actually contributed to her osteoporosis. Of course, that hasn't stopped her, but maybe this article will :) Good luck and stay strong. How fabulous for you!

Little Lovables said...

My sis did that years ago.. then one day, she had a Dr. Pepper or something and it made her sick! I haven't gotten the Ensign yet, so this will be great to read! I wonder if being addicted to my Irish Creme Scenty car warmer is bad ?!

Anywho... here is the hair details from the lady on my blog!

As for her hair, since I am a stylist, I can give some ideas.

I would first put a little bit of mouse into damp hair. Then allow to air dry some. While about 30% damp, section hair and blow dry with a large round brush. Start at the bottom and clip the rest up. Then with each section, pull a new section down until you are done.

Lightly spray hair with a heat protection spray, like Paul Mitchell's Heat Seal.

For the top, get you some mondo velcro rollers... about 4 or 5. Curl the top part with a curling iron and roll it into your velcro rollers.

Leave those there while you work on the bottom of your hair. For the bottom half of your head, curl sections with a medium to large barrel curling iron. Hold the iron vertically, not horizontally. After you realease the hair from the iron, do NOT touch it with your fingers. It needs to cool first before you do that or the curl will not set.

After all is done, release the top section your your hair from the velcro rollers and tease the underpart just a bit. Spray those rats with hairspray!!

Then, smooth the top and part in your side swept band. Lightly tossle the curls along the lengths of your hair. Use a soft finishing was, like American Crew's Fiber or even a light gloss, like Sebastian's Gloss Drops to define sections and control flyways. Now, use a light hairspray to hold and GO!

It seems rather long and time consuming, but it really isn't once you get it down.

Whitney R said...

Yes you can!

I hardly drink pop at all. Maybe a pepsi or dr. pepper when I have a headache when I'm eating out. Like once every other month :)

It's nice not to crave it and need it. And I notice a difference when exercising.

Caffeine makes me all jittery and crazy. I'm going to go read that article now!

Anonymous said...

great article, but the link didn't work for me as is.

for those who don't know the correct http format for websites without help, here's the actual link:

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=30952f9318fcd110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

not sure if giving up caffeine over the holidays will work, sounds like it might be less than festive ; ) perhaps the new year?

thanks!

Anonymous said...

great article, but the link didn't work for me as is.

for those who don't know the correct http format for websites without help, here's the actual link:

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=30952f9318fcd110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

not sure if giving up caffeine over the holidays will work, sounds like it might be less than festive ; ) perhaps the new year?

thanks!

Bonnie said...

Hey there, my blog is going private. Send me your email to mbbeckstead@yahoo.com so I can include you. Thanks

Cathy said...

Hello dear! I've been catching up on your blog posts. Ramona! I'm so impressed. You are this pillar of strength! I just love how you are "trying the Lord" in all things. It's so awesome. Shoot, why not right? Any tiny piece of advice on how to make our lives better is AT LEAST worth THINKING about in this crazy world, right? Sheehs. Funny how so often we just let them fly by our ears when they are meant to just help out. Mortals. :) Man, I miss you dear. I hope you're having a really great weekend. And I hope you swing by socal one of these days so we can see eachother :) Love you! PS Tell Mike I miss him too and the kids!

Lisa said...

You know. If you really can't give up the taste of diet coke, they have a caffeine free version.

I used to not drink caffeine until I worked night shifts at my work. Now I have been sucked in!

Unknown said...

I was doing fab...just fab... I have even been tallying my caffeine free blessings- they are a comin! More later....

Stephanie said...

ok, i know I'm late to respond to this-- it sat starred in my google reader for a few days, but I had to comment. My husband posted this comment as his status on facebook just a while back: "Matt is not sure he'll finish law school. See December Ensign pg. 48."

Anyway, he actually got a blessing and he's made it totally caffeine- free for about a little over a week. He's so proud of himself, and he too has seen some blessings start to pop in. He actually wanted a link to your post because I'm sure he'll want to give you an empathy pep talk.

Anonymous said...

I'm caffeine free nine days and counting. I had one bad headache on the third day, that is it. I've been addicted to caffeine since 2006 when I started relying on energy drinks to revive myself at work after night law school classes and late late night study sessions.
Throughout my law school experience I had spiritual promptings off and on that the habit was not in keeping with what the Lord wanted from me. I tried every rationalization possible but the Lord has been patient and persistent with his warnings to me on this.
Now we are facing near unprecedented economic and certainly unprecedented moral declines in our country. I know enough about obedience to understand that "to hearken to the work of the Lord is better than the fat of rams." and "I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." If I am to magnify my covenants that I've made, I can't delay obedience indefinitely. I read D&C 101:7-8 and decided to recommit to doing all I can to avoid the loss of heaven's support in a forthcoming "day of trouble."
I only relate this as my story and my own experience. You may or may not find it helpful.
I still enjoy caffeine free diet pepsi and caffeine free diet mt. dew. I feel better, study less and retain more. I just took an evidence final last night after work and I studied half as much as I would have by pounding Rockstar all night long. The answer to each problem was sort of sitting there on the edge of my mind and pretty easily recalled. I definitely think eliminating caffeine made a difference. I know there are those who say caffeine makes you more alert and retain more, one of my many rationalizations. But I'm not going to argue or quibble with the Lord about it any more.
Good Luck.

Krissy said...

Ooooh boy. Uh oh. We're in trouble now. The real question will be if my husband would read the article (ha) and then actually give up completely his 2 cans a day of mt dew. (HAHA!) The comments I've read have been quite interesting though - particularly about energy levels and weight loss, which are both excuses that live in my household.... hmmm...

Anonymous said...

Although from different places, but this perception is consistent, which is relatively rare point!