Posted on 01/04/2016 8:08:11 PM PST by SamAdams76
"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it; don't wait for it; just let it happen. It could be a new shirt in a men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black, coffee."
Never thought I'd say this but after decades of having a little coffee with my cream and sugar, I started drinking my coffee black as midnight on a new moon.
This was no gradual transition. I did it cold turkey and on the spur of the moment. A couple months ago, I had taken the train to Grand Central and went to my usual coffee place where I buy my coffee and then usually jockey for space at the tiny messy counter with a million other people reaching for half & half, cream, sugar, spenda, honey, and all that other crap that most people put in their coffee.
Instead, I went straight to my office with a scalding hot cup of black coffee and as I situated myself in my office to start my day, I determined myself to drink the coffee as is.
It was not easy, I confess. The taste was incredibly bitter and I gagged a few times. But I forced myself to drink the entire cup black.
I then repeated the process later in the day and in subsequent days. Nothing but black coffee. Why did I do this? I have been on a strict diet since November and have a goal to lose all my excess weight by the beginning of summer. And I realized that all that cream and sugar in my coffee (2-4 large cups a day) was adding to my waistline.
After a week or two, I started to actually look forward to my cup of black coffee. As well, I cut my coffee intake to just two cups a day. One in the morning and one around 10am. Then I'm done with coffee for the day. I also cut my daily calorie intake by 400+ calories!
I am now burning fat.
Now for some mysterious reason, I have developed a craving for dark chocolate that I have at night. I'm talking 88% cacao chocolate with only 5 grams of sugar per serving. Dark chocolate (not the milk chocolate!) is actually very beneficial for your health and contains flavonoids and other vitamins and minerals that are great for the body. But most people cannot stand the bitter taste of this very dark chocolate. But having developed a taste for black coffee, I now find this dark chocolate irresistible and I have an ounce or two every night after dinner. I even pack it on business trips.
As a result, my blood pressure has also decreased to ideal levels of 110/65 where it used to be 140/90. My doctor says it is because of the lost weight and exercise (I walk at least 5 miles a day now) but also in small part because of the dark chocolate.
So black coffee and dark chocolate. There you go.
Your weight loss before and now is very inspiring. :) Must feel really good to be back on track again!
Did you ever have trouble sleeping? A friend of mine gets terrible insomnia. Wish I could recommend something that would be beneficial. Does the dark chocolate help you to sleep or does it just cause the vivid dreams?
Came home from after boot camp (USN) and my grandmother saw me drinking coffee with cream & sugar.
She looked at me and said “Real Navy men drink their coffee black.” I said yes Ma’am and have been drinking black ever since.
I started drinking black coffee in 1965 when I was drafted. I still drink it black and prefer Maxwell House, it’s the closest I can find to army issue.
I drink mine just three ways, hot, black and a lot.
I served on aircraft carriers. There’s nothing like the coffee from the huge urns on the mess decks. You could strip floor wax with it.
Dark & bitter was once my glorious addiction.
I kicked it in three days, like heroin.
On a cold wintry morning in the field, there was nothing like plain boiled G.I. coffee ladled into one’s canteen cup to get the day started. Oh, to be young again....
Along with your dark roast of choice. Mine remains...
I can drink it black but someone once told me that real men drank it black so I started adding cream and sugar. If your coffee determines whether you are a man or not, God help you.
I start drinking it black and eventually add cream and sugar to mask the acidity.
WTF, dude?
La Colombe (almost any variety)
Burr Grinder
Coffee Press
Black as Tar
Every Morning (right now, well before the sun comes up)
When I was in the service, the NCO in charge of my office would brew a big urn of coffee first thing in the morning and we’d drink that stuff all day long. Looking back, I can’t believe I drank that swill after it had been sitting around for 8 or more hours. Now, I make my coffee one cup at a time with a French press and fresh-ground beans.
...and when your rib reads this....
ah I suffer from FFD.....fat finger disease
no cream that should have read no cream
Meh. I’m not too picky with my coffee, I usually drink it with plenty of sugar and either Amaretto, Bailey’s, heavy whipping cream, or something. But, I’m also just fine drinking it black with nothing in it if I’m too lazy to refill the counter sugar from the pantry. But if it’s crappy Starbucks/gas station/fast food coffee, I have to have tons of sugar and whatnot in that.
The blackest, strongest, hottest coffee!
I found that comment interesting as I take melatonin at bedtime which has vivid dreams as a side effect. As we get older, the body produces less melatonin, which is why we find ourselves awake at 4am too often. I get a good nights sleep most every night
Did some investigating and found this;
Contains Tryptophan
Dark, as well as raw chocolate, contains high amounts of tryptophan, which is an amino acid that breaks down into two other very important neurotransmitters. These are serotonin and melatonin, and both help to protect you against stress.
Serotonin is a natural antidepressant, which goes to work immediately to lift your spirits as well as help to stabilize your mood swings, which are associated with depression.
Melatonin helps you to relax and fall into a deep sleep at night. Deep sleep is essential, as this is when your body repairs itself from the stress it encounters each day. It also helps to naturally restore the serotonin levels to help you better cope during stressful situations.
I drink my coffee black, always have. I love the aroma and taste of a good cup of coffee in the morning. Now, I may have to add a bit of dark chocolate to the end of my day as well.
It appears that both coffee(black) and dark chocolate(85% cacao) have quite extensive health benefits.
A morning pizza omelet is great. I start with Italian spices added to the melted butter, add two mixed eggs, use two teaspoons of tomato paste, cheese, and other pizza toppings in the filling. Good cooking is its own reward.
I only have one large cup of coffee a day.
Now, I might refill it 5, 6...12 times, but it's the same cup!
I have been drinking black coffee for 40 years.It’s called having 6 kids and always running out of milk and sugar.I am grateful if it’s hot :)
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