I thought I’d be spontaneous today and join in with Denyse of Denyse Whelan Blogs‘ #LifeThis Week and this time with a post fresh off the press and not an old one. You’re welcome! So the optional topic this week is ‘Tea, Coffee or what?’
My hot beverage of choice
Right now for me, the hot beverage of choice is coffee.
If I’m out I like a 1/2 strength Cappuccino made on lactose free milk (most places seem to use Zymil milk) and I’ll add a stevia sweetener (I always carry these in my handbag). If I’m at home I have about 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee, either some almond milk or Liddells (lactose free) skim milk, and of course some stevia. Occasionally I’ll use our Nespresso Coffee Pod machine, as long as there are some of the weaker pods at hand.
As you can see I am no coffee connoisseur. True coffee connoisseur’s like strong, black coffee in its various forms. I just can’t go there and in fact, my body will rebel if I try.
It has only been in recent years that I’ve become lactose intolerant and in fact I think there may be some kind of dairy intolerance as well. I really should go and get tested properly so I know exactly what I’m dealing with. I won’t go into the details as to what happens if I eat or drink the wrong thing, but you can probably imagine.
Many moons ago
Many moons ago, during my pregnancies, I couldn’t stomach coffee at all so I opted for tea. By tea I mean a Bushells teabag, milk and back then I think I used to use ‘Sugarine‘ for sweetener. I have never managed to become a REAL tea drinker though I have tried. I would really like to be a proper tea drinker because there are so many teas that have health benefits that are good for us. Here’s my most recent attempt to become a tea drinker – the post where I did a tea review by a coffee drinking novice.
It wasn’t until I returned to work and the office environment (after having babies) that I was converted back to being a coffee drinker. There’s no escaping the coffee culture in the corporate world!
Lessons learned and if I had a free pass
I have learnt the hard way that when I fly (on a plane, but gee I wish I could fly myself!) I must order tea and not coffee. The coffee on flights is always way too strong for me. Tea is safe. Coffee is dangerous. Lesson learned.
If I could drink any hot beverage I liked and not have to worry about calories, it being bad for me, or it disagreeing with me – I would choose one of these two:
- Hot Chocolate
- Chai Latte
Another drink I’d like if I had a free pass is not hot but it contains coffee is:
- Iced Coffee (yum!)
How about you – what is your hot (or cold) beverage of choice? Coffee, Tea or What?
Ciao for now,
22 Comments
I’m a weak coffee girl too Min and avoid aeroplane coffee like the plague – it like paint stripper! I’ve never really appreciated tea but I don’t mind the occasional chai latte. I’ve also converted to lactose free milk in the hope that it will help with my “little cough” that drives me up the wall. I think there’s been an improvement and I actually like the taste of LF milk so will stick with it.
You’re so right about aeroplane coffee – it’s dreadful stuff! Nice to know there’s someone else out there that likes weak coffee. Most people look at me like I’m crazy! 🙂
I can’t stand coffee and rarely drink tea (though keep some in my drawers at work). I’m very awkward to go to a cafe with because I don’t eat or drink anything at cafe and it makes everyone but me very uncomfortable haha.
You’re so lucky that you don’t like coffee or tea. Coffee is a diuretic and dehydrates you and can cause inflammation I believe so you’re better off without it. I’m sure there’s other nice drink options to choose from at a cafe!
Hi Min, lovely to read of your coffee/tea choices and I can relate to much of what you say! I have never been able to drink coffee for some reason, NEVER!!!! I used to drink milky tea but now I drink it black and very weak with a sugar similar to what you use. After being in Nepal and India I think I made the decision to go black as milk was hard to find. I alternate between English Breakfast and Earl Grey depending on what mood I’m in. We make leaf tea in a pot at home but I’m happy with a teabag when out and about. I used to love Chai Lattes too but the calorie count/sugar was too much when I started my sugar reduction eating plan so I only now have the odd hot chocolate when I want something different. My husband is lactose intolerant too but it’s not as big a deal getting a decent drink when out as it used to be. Lovely to chat all things tea with you for #lifethisweek
Hi Deb, I wonder why you’ve never been able to drink coffee? I guess you just don’t like the taste of it? You’re lucky actually because I never read anything good about coffee. You’re better off without it. I’ve tried coffee and tea both without milk and just can’t do it. I have significantly reduced the sweetness I need though and of course Stevia is the best option for sweetening that there is (healthiest). You’re right about it being much easier these days to get lactose free drink options when out and about. I haven’t come across a place that doesn’t cater to lactose intolerance yet … but possible that might be a problem outside of major cities! Have a great week! 🙂
Hi Min, I enjoy a coffee especially my morning coffee. My husband has been making me my morning coffee for 25 years and it is always delicious. I have to say I don’t drink it when I go on cruise ships as it is far too strong and bitter for me. Alternatively I enjoy an afternoon herbal tea or an Earl Grey. #lifethisweek
Hi Sue, that first coffee of the morning is the best isn’t it? I make my own though. You’re very lucky! I’ve only been on one cruise and I can’t remember what I did for coffee when I was on that trip. I guess I drank some but it would have had to be weak or I wouldn’t have been able to. I wish I could enjoy a herbal tea but just don’t like them no matter how much I try! xo
That’s so funny about tea on the plane, Min! I’m the exact opposite – I usually only order coffee! Or water or fruit juice or champagne…
SSG xxx
That is funny SSG. I can’t stand the coffee on planes. The tea is fine. I always grab a bottle of water too. Can’t drink juice because of my reflux problem. I haven’t ever had champagne on a flight but then I haven’t flown far for quite some time. For a longer flight I’d consider it! 🙂 xo
Hi Min, I think we’ve had this half-strength conversation before. I love morning coffee (in abundance), but drink a very watered down version. On an airplane, I ask for half a cup of coffee and since they always have hot water for tea, I have the server add it to my mud. No milk, no sugar, just black. My favorite late afternoon indulgence is diet Pepsi. So bad, but soooo good! Pop, fizz, ahhh…….. Also worth mentioning is the tons of water that I drink daily!! First, to offset the caffeine and secondly, because I live in Florida, which is hot, humid and deadly this time of year.
Hi Suzanne – yes I think we have had this half-strength conversation before LOL! It seems to be coming up a bit lately! I’ve never been a soft drink fan (ie Pepsi) though I do like Lemon, Lime and Bitters but only ever have that when I’m out. I try and drink a lot of water too but struggle with that during winter (which is now). Our summers here in Brisbane are probably much the same as you get there in Florida – hot and humid and yes – can be deadly!! xo
I like coffee in the morning and a cup of English Breakfast tea at night. If I’m out and I’m feeling fancy, I might have a skinny cap but usually I drink a long black with some warm skim milk on the side. I always used to take tea and coffee with sugar or sweetner but in recent years I’ve weaned myself off and don’t miss it at all! Hubby told me something about the water they use to make hot drinks on planes (I can’t remember what it was, but it was gross!) and I haven’t been able to bring myself to have a hot drink on a plane since! And I’m with you, if the calories don’t count, I love a hot chocolate or iced coffee!
Strangely enough there have been times that I have drunk my coffee with no sweetener and enjoyed it but its generally when I’ve bought a takeaway cappuccino (on LF milk). I think the chocolate sprinkled on top adds enough sweetener so that nothing else need be added. Ugh – what did hubby tell you about the water they use on planes. Now I’m gonna be paranoid! lol
I’m definitely a tea girl. I have a coffee (small skim flat white) at the beach most mornings but if we’re not at the beach I don’t have a coffee. It’s black tea with brekky (Fortnum & Mason’s English Breakfast) & then another couple of cups during the day. Other than that I drink ginger and lemon in hot water. But not coffee. I’d like to be a coffee drinker though…
I’d so love to be a tea girl Jo and I’ve tried! I really like the health benefits of all the lovely tea blends out there but alas – can’t stand them! I like a conservate tea with milk and sweetener but not herbal teas and green teas – as much as I’ve tried! We’re kinda opposite with our tea and coffee situation! lol
I read this post with interest. I know I have had IBS on and off and was told ‘coffee’ is to blame. However, I now think it is more to do with my emotional gut and its reactions because coffee is now part of my essential each day. IBS is under control almost 100% thanks to a medication I will never go off!!
As for my coffee. It is the highlight of my day and I only have one. It is the opposite of yours. Mine is small double shot latte in a glass. It is what I can drink from since my mouth surgery and that double shot gives me a great kick in my day.
I used to drink tea each morning at breakfast along with toast. Since having the cancer surgery and having to eat differently cereal of different kinds with yoghurt and fruit are my go -tos. And I have completely lost any interest in tea. It tastes differently.
So, each of us is different and how good is that…we make the world go round!
Thanks for linking up for Life This Week. Next week’s optional prompt is 34/51 Self-Care: Share Your Story #5 26/8/19. Hope to see you link up then too. Denyse.
I wish I could restrict my coffee to just one per day Denyse. Well I guess I could if I had more self control! I just find it such a comfort, particularly during the cooler months. I’m glad your IBS is under control with medication – that’s a relief! Yes we’re all different with are likes and tastes and I think that is fabulous too! 🙂
Reading your post, Min, and I am almost embarrassed to discuss how picky I am with my coffee. I am one of the coffee “s…s”even when camping, or flying, or at all times. I will usually have only one cup a day. I am with you on not becoming a REAL tea drinker, although tea has many health benefits:)
I love that we all have different likes and dislikes E/E. It’s what makes the world so interesting! 🙂 xo
I love both coffee and tea, but only if the coffee comes from an espresso machine! Filter coffee isn’t coffee to me.. (why filter away the flavours?). In the summer I tend to drink more coffee than tea. I have a brilliant espresso machine that is my best friend. 🙂 I love my cappuccino!
I love a cappuccino too Susanne … but I think you probably prefer much stronger versions of it than me! 😁