We really thought we'd lose power as the cold front came through because it blinked so many times! We had *serious* thunder, some lightning, the internet cut out, had to recycle our server. W.I.L.D.!!! ⚡️
I hadn't noticed that--it sounds like a good idea for exactly the reason you give. It looks like it should be good for snowy weather.
Alan
Hmmm....those old-fashioned army overcoats (greatcoats?) with the big gusset in back to accommodate a horse would also probably allow it to spread while seated in an automobile. But a two-way zipper is a better solution for we moderns.
Blue sky with pretty white clouds (cirrus and cumulonimbus), warmer than the past several days. We went for our morning constitutional and then picked two buckets of persimmons, and when I came into the house I realized I was perspiring. No need for an anorak.
Alan
P.S.: A lot of unpleasant stuff he can't ignore is fermenting stateside while DT is off to Asia demonstrating his incompetence. Trying to ignore it and keep the focus on himself is unlikely to work well, I think.....
Initial report on coffee substitute trial. After researching on the Internet, I bought both the red label and green label versions of Cafix. [Click] The green label is in granular form and dissolves completely and very quickly. It contains roasted barley, rye, chicory and sugar beets. Not at all bad; it would be easy to get used to. The red label (which I suspect is the original version) is a powder and contains roasted barley, chicory, malt, figs, and red beet concentrate. It has more body and a slightly richer taste. Neither has either the acidity nor the bitterness of coffee. The lack of acidity reminds me of Kava coffee. I rather favor the red container version.
They are not coffee, but for a hot dark drink with pronounced body, they are pretty good. A glass of water with breakfast did not float my boat, but this is OK.
As for effects, there are both expected and unanticipated ones. No caffeine (which is a diuretic) means better hydration and thinner mucus, so the cough that evidently comes from postnasal drip seems to have been eliminated. Two or three days after I stopped taking coffee, I came down with what was either a horrendous cold or a very mild case of flu (I had my flu shot, but they aren't 100% effective), which clouded the picture for about a week, but the effect seems real. I am less thirsty, and consequently take maybe about a third less water.
The unanticipated beneficial effect seems due to both the lack of caffeine and the presence of substantial amounts of soluble fiber in the product. Coffee stimulates intestinal peristalsis, which has been reduced, with less need and less urgency. The fibre mildly stimulates peristalsis and adds bulk. The surgical alteration of my extreme lower digestive tract on account of cancer made it very difficult to keep things down there on an even keel, but I seem to be back to the regularity that I had before my cancer treatment (which, besides surgical modifications, evidently did a trip on my intestinal normal flora, eventually remediated with probiotic capsules). I had experimented, on my doctor's suggestion, with a psyllium husk preparation like Metamucil--but it was a pretty powerful laxative for me-definitely unsatisfactory.
So, after an initial evaluation, it seems to be a twofer: elimination or dramatic reduction of my chronic cough, and restoration of intestinal regularity. That's a pretty good trade for the stimulation and taste of coffee.
I mix a teaspoon of Cacao Powder in hot water and add a little creamer called Nutpods. It's delicious and adds protein. I like it with the original (think: milk), but love it with the Hazelnut flavour. It also comes in French Vanilla. Sometimes I add make it with half Cacao and half instant, decaf Mount Hagan Fair Trade coffee.
Alan, I've noted with the resumption of my prescribed diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) that I've had to up my magnesium intake (double it) to keep things moving down there. So your story rings true to my experience, lol!
OMG, puddle! I used to take hydrochlorothiazide too! But as soon as I learned to pronounce it the Dr. switched me to Amlodipine - that tricky little devil.
We really thought we'd lose power as the cold front came through because it blinked so many times! We had *serious* thunder, some lightning, the internet cut out, had to recycle our server. W.I.L.D.!!! ⚡️
ReplyDeleteGee--sounds like serious winter, listener! And your coat looks very practical.
ReplyDelete--Alan
What sold it was the two-way zipper, which is very helpful for car trips.
DeleteI hadn't noticed that--it sounds like a good idea for exactly the reason you give. It looks like it should be good for snowy weather.
DeleteAlan
Hmmm....those old-fashioned army overcoats (greatcoats?) with the big gusset in back to accommodate a horse would also probably allow it to spread while seated in an automobile. But a two-way zipper is a better solution for we moderns.
Blue sky with pretty white clouds (cirrus and cumulonimbus), warmer than the past several days. We went for our morning constitutional and then picked two buckets of persimmons, and when I came into the house I realized I was perspiring. No need for an anorak.
ReplyDeleteAlan
P.S.: A lot of unpleasant stuff he can't ignore is fermenting stateside while DT is off to Asia demonstrating his incompetence. Trying to ignore it and keep the focus on himself is unlikely to work well, I think.....
Initial report on coffee substitute trial. After researching on the Internet, I bought both the red label and green label versions of Cafix. [Click] The green label is in granular form and dissolves completely and very quickly. It contains roasted barley, rye, chicory and sugar beets. Not at all bad; it would be easy to get used to. The red label (which I suspect is the original version) is a powder and contains roasted barley, chicory, malt, figs, and red beet concentrate. It has more body and a slightly richer taste. Neither has either the acidity nor the bitterness of coffee. The lack of acidity reminds me of Kava coffee. I rather favor the red container version.
ReplyDeleteThey are not coffee, but for a hot dark drink with pronounced body, they are pretty good. A glass of water with breakfast did not float my boat, but this is OK.
As for effects, there are both expected and unanticipated ones. No caffeine (which is a diuretic) means better hydration and thinner mucus, so the cough that evidently comes from postnasal drip seems to have been eliminated. Two or three days after I stopped taking coffee, I came down with what was either a horrendous cold or a very mild case of flu (I had my flu shot, but they aren't 100% effective), which clouded the picture for about a week, but the effect seems real. I am less thirsty, and consequently take maybe about a third less water.
The unanticipated beneficial effect seems due to both the lack of caffeine and the presence of substantial amounts of soluble fiber in the product. Coffee stimulates intestinal peristalsis, which has been reduced, with less need and less urgency. The fibre mildly stimulates peristalsis and adds bulk. The surgical alteration of my extreme lower digestive tract on account of cancer made it very difficult to keep things down there on an even keel, but I seem to be back to the regularity that I had before my cancer treatment (which, besides surgical modifications, evidently did a trip on my intestinal normal flora, eventually remediated with probiotic capsules). I had experimented, on my doctor's suggestion, with a psyllium husk preparation like Metamucil--but it was a pretty powerful laxative for me-definitely unsatisfactory.
So, after an initial evaluation, it seems to be a twofer: elimination or dramatic reduction of my chronic cough, and restoration of intestinal regularity. That's a pretty good trade for the stimulation and taste of coffee.
FYI
--Alan
I mix a teaspoon of Cacao Powder in hot water and add a little creamer called Nutpods. It's delicious and adds protein. I like it with the original (think: milk), but love it with the Hazelnut flavour. It also comes in French Vanilla. Sometimes I add make it with half Cacao and half instant, decaf Mount Hagan Fair Trade coffee.
DeleteAlan, I've noted with the resumption of my prescribed diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) that I've had to up my magnesium intake (double it) to keep things moving down there. So your story rings true to my experience, lol!
ReplyDeleteOMG, puddle! I used to take hydrochlorothiazide too! But as soon as I learned to pronounce it the Dr. switched me to Amlodipine - that tricky little devil.
Delete