Cleanse Day 1…
…will start tomorrow it seems. Caffeine…the cause of, and solution to all of my problems. 
It makes me happy in the morning, and tired in the afternoon. It make me social, but also sometimes late (of COURSE I have time to stop at Old Rock. I’m sure I’ll fly through the construction on every major street!). It makes me productive and jittery, talkative and rambly…and our house is a caffeine and coffee oasis. My Christmas present was a French press, a Bodum if you will, with all of my favorite fine coffee beans and a grinder to do the work. You have NOT had COFFEE until you have had it made in one of those babies. It’s almost creamy all on its own, frothy and bubbly as it releases its magic potion into the hot water. I was under a spell you see as I descended from my cozy bed, muddled head craving the warm aroma. Coffee…you can stay for another day.
Caffeine pros: Increased energy/stamina/endurance, increased mobilization of free fatty acids (helps body break down fat to use as fuel), increased focus, decrease in perceived exertion, increases the brain’s supply of dopamine (neurotransmitter involved in mental focus and physically coordinated movements – lacking in those living with Parkinson’s).
Caffeine cons: Increases energy partly by stimulating the adrenal glands (Adrenaline! Buzzzzzzzzzz!!!!) which are chronically overstimulated in today’s society (hence the crash afterwards). Caffeine is processed through the liver, also an overtaxed organ. Aaaand, an important organ in fat metabolism (i.e. burning fat – caffeine will help your body access it, but makes it harder to clean up the mess.) Caffeine increases heart rate, blood pressure, and though many studies site that it is not a diuretic worth talking about, I know myself that my skin is not as hydrated and supple when I am on a steady diet of that deliciously dark beverage, coffee. Caffeine also interferes with your body’s ability to produce GABA, a neurotransmitter important in helping to keep your mood light and clear during stressful situations.
I am, however, going the green smoothie route for bfast and perhaps lunch, with some big ol warm salad for dinner, avoiding artificial ingredients, added sugars, table salt, soy, corn, dairy, wheat/gluten, alcohol and non organic/locally raised meats. Far too much of all of the above…my brain and body are fried! I am also committing to yoga once a day, even a gentle 20 minutes, to keep me grounded. Unlike last year where we worked into the cleanse gradually, this year I’m using more of a cold turkey approach and clearing a bunch of stuff out all at once.
(Turkey is full of tryptophan, which turns into the neurotransmitter seritonin, which helps keep us calm and happy. Probably a good thing to eat while getting off of sugar and caffeine. Savi seeds also very high in tryptophan).
So, my plan of attack is this: avoid the foods I know to be a danger to my health and wellbeing. I’m calling this a cleanse, but really I just want to establish some good healthy patterns and stick to them. I think that I “treat” myself to all these tasty things, but is it really a treat when they make my guts sore and my brain mean and nasty? Not really.
Everything in moderation. For a complete list of the general guildelines I’m going to be following for the next 3 weeks, click here for the Elimination Dietary Guidelines. Good luck! It takes work, but the mental clarity you have when your body is not so digestively stressed is amazing. I’m hoping to get used to it this time. 
p.s. From Wikipedia – look how caffeine affects these spiders!
