In my opinion, there’s nothing better than the hour after you drink a cup of coffee. You’re in love, you’re the most creative being on the planet, life is great!

Even when I was a child, the smell of coffee brought great memories. My parents used to drink coffee together over breakfast on the weekends and they used to pour me some, too. Mostly milk, but nevertheless I learned early that it was a beverage of love and companionship. And for adults. Cool beans.

As an adult, when I worked night shifts, the omnipresent coffee, burnt and acidy as it was, was a great comfort. Maybe not many others were awake, but you and me, coffee, together we could make it through till morning.

Then there’s the indescribable pleasure of driving through McDonald’s on a sweltering day and ordering an ice cold Diet Coke. Nothing like it in the world. It tastes ten thousand times better than the kind you pour at home. Period.

My dear migraine specialist tells me the only carbonated cola I can now consume is Diet Rite caffeine free cola which contains Splenda not Nutrasweet, which is known in some people with migraines (i.e., me) to cause headaches. It’s not bad, but it’s not Diet Coke, that’s for sure.

I was in denial for years, but at last my love affair with caffeine had to end. It was was so, so seductive and attractive, but very, very bad for me. It gave me headaches that went on for days. It took all the strength I had, but I had to clean up my pantry and my life.

Not that it’s been easy. I’m still known to have a stash of Ghirardelli milk and caramel squares locked away in my bottom desk drawer for times of emergency (i.e., edits from hell). I’ve even been known to take migraine medicine for a headache then say, what the heck, I’ve got one anyway, and chase it with a piece of chocolate. (I don’t recommend this, but hey, desperate times…)

Migraines are a pain (lol) and the dietary restrictions are too, but I’ve learned to adapt. White chocolate ain’t bad. The barista at my local Starbucks works hard not to roll her eyes when I come in—the “tall decaf” lady—adventurous, woo hoo. 

And I comfort myself by knowing that my favorite food in the world, ice cream, is still fair game.

Thank God I’m not lactose intolerant.