Hey there! Happy Hump Day!
WHERE has this week gone already? Holy cow, I can’t believe it’s already more than halfway through Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday were a total whirlwind with the boys off from school, so now I’m boogieing to get things done. (“Boogieing” is a word, right? It just looks super weird.)
Yesterday morning, I ate the most delicious breakfast hash. It was made with roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, air fryer onions, chicken sausage, and some leftover bacon. Mmm! I actually ate it again for lunch today! 🙂
I’ve started to leave my cell phone in our guest bathroom overnight. I used to have it on my bedside table (in airplane mode, of course), but it would always be the last thing I’d look at before I fell asleep and the first thing I’d see when I woke up. Being “on” for my job is often all-consuming, so I’m trying to distance myself a bit more from technology and social media. I figured this was an “easy” way to disconnect. Two nights down so far – let’s hope I can keep it up!
I did my first OTF benchmark mile today! It definitely wasn’t fast, but, hey, it leaves room for improvement, right? 🙂
Since sharing about testing positive for candida overgrowth, I have gotten a ton of questions about what I’ve been doing about it, mainly what changes I’ve made to my diet. In fact, I’ve gotten so much interest, I created an Anti-Candida Meal Plan + Prep Guide (includes recipes and grocery list) to give you some ideas. You can also check out this recent post with examples of What I’ve Been Eating On The Anti-Candida Diet.
Why am I avoiding conventional coffee?
Before learning about candida overgrowth, I really had no idea that coffee had mold in it – say what!? I mean, I drink iced coffee every single day (even all winter long)! But now that I’m following a 3-month anti-candida diet to try to kick this never-ending mucus-y cough (candida and mold can be linked to respiratory issues) and GI flare to the curb, I’m skipping coffee and sticking with my go-to Teechino. It’s typically advised to avoid coffee all together on the candida diet, so I’m really trying to limit my coffee consumption right now.
“Coffee, in excess, is a well-known irritant to the gut lining. Coffee can also be high in molds, which can stress a compromised immune system and encourage Candida overgrowth. And decaf might actually be worse when it comes to both mold content and acidity. Make sure to search for high-quality organic coffee beans, and drink coffee in moderation.” — Dr. Will Cole
What is mold-free coffee?
Mold in coffee? Yep, that’s the rumor I’ve heard. Apparently, mass-produced coffee and poor production practices can create toxins in our coffee. It’s not in the actual coffee bean itself, but in the growing, processing, storage, and shipping. These toxins include: Ochratoxin A (mold), Acrylamide, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
I’m definitely not an expert on the subject, but you guys know how much I love coffee, so I needed to know more. I’ve done a bunch of research and have started to pay more attention to the coffee that I consume, especially since making the connection between mold, candida, and my gross cough. For most people, the levels of these toxins is pretty low to be of real concern, but if you’re dealing with health issues like I am, it might be something to consider, especially if you’re consuming coffee daily.
Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful:
- Ochratoxin A: Coffee’s Most Harmful Mycotoxin
- EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Dave Asprey
- Is There Mold in Your Coffee? When Mycotoxins Matter
How do you know whether or not coffee is mold-free?
Good question! I’m actually not sure – unless a brand specifically says that their coffee is mold-free. If you know, please fill me in! 🙂 I actually did some crowd-sourcing on Instagram Stories to see if followers had favorite brands of mold-free coffee. Here’s what they came up with (below).
If you have other favorites, please send them my way. Right now, Mal is drinking Bulletproof, and I’m sticking with Teechino. I thought about purchasing the decaf Bulletproof, but, apparently, decaf coffee tends to be higher in mycotoxins since caffeine actually slows the growth of the molds. Blah. Again, this is not a big deal for healthy folks, but I’m trying to reduce as much exposure as possible.
What are some mold-free coffee brands?
Do you have any favorite mold-free coffee brands? Please share!