Runa recently challenged self proclaimed coffee addict, Lacy A. from Emeryville, CA , to substitute her morning (and sometimes afternoon) cup o' joe to guayusa for one week. As the co-founder of Moving Forward Education, a caffeine fix is a must have to handle the daily task of creating engaging and purposeful after school programs for young boys and girls. Lacy happily accepted the challenge but made it clear that she approached this trial separation from coffee with skepticism.
Day 1: I planned to start [the challenge] on the weekend, as suggested by Dan, so as to not snap at my co-workers and otherwise be Eeyore-like. But, when I woke up Thursday with a wicked cold, I knew that the last thing my raw throat wanted was a cup of coffee. I never drink coffee when I'm sick, but frankly, switching over to tea doesn't give me the jolt I need (like seriously, an electric shock) to get up and going in the am. I feel like I need caffeine even more when I'm sick, run-down, and low-energy! Enter Guayusa!
Day 2: Elana (my partner) admits that I was still a little crabby on Thursday and Friday, but otherwise, I actually felt a lot more with-it than I do normally when I have a cold. I've attached my first day photo for you, with my steaming cup of peppermint (which frankly just tasted "hot" since I was so stuffed up). I had to send you another, of Tiny the Teddy (our Boys Moving Forward mascot), trying to bogart my guayusa. I told him to get his own cup!
Day 5: It's day five, and Monday was a real challenge. I'm feeling better, but still didn't love hearing my alarm go off. I did have a little jonesing for my Monday morning coffee, but made two stiff cups of guayusa, and feel like my brain is working just fine. I'm a super-simplified gal in the morning (like literally, alarm to out the door in 25), and brewing guayusa rather than a pot of coffee has saved me time on my morning routine. I attached my Monday photo as evidence that I can open my eyes sans coffee! Plus, now I can actually taste the difference between my mint cup and my spice cup!
I do really miss the smell of fresh ground coffee. I think that's what I'm missing the most, actually. But the caffeine claims on the Runa boxes seem pretty credible to me (and trust me, I'd know!). Having fun with the challenge, actually...
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion to Lacy's week. If you feel like you are up to the Guayusa Challenge please leave a comment below. We would be delighted to make the proper arrangements.
