Decaffinated Coffee...

My research has shown that there are a couple options in the decaffeinating process.

Swiss Water is the best, from my point of view. It uses nothing but water to decaffeinate.

The most common method is using methylene chloride which is an carcinogenic. But, the manufacturer will tell you that the chemical is not stable above 170 degrees and since coffee is roasted and then brewed at 200 it is fine. Well, maybe for some people, but chemicals break down into components, and what about them?

In any case if there is an option, why risk it? So, my coffee just got more expensive, now I will allow myself a cup or 2 of decaff a day. Fair Trade, Shade Grown, Organic and now Swiss Water Processed coffee here I come!

Links:
Swiss Water processing
Chemical processes
Coffee manufacturer's description

((I know there is still a LITTLE bit of caffeine in decaf, but 2 cups is around 10 mg, the study showed miscarriage rates double at over 200mg. And you cannot give up everything!))

Is a cup of Joe worth it?

If a cup or two of coffee a day were to double your risk of miscarriage, would that morning pick me up still be worth it? According to a recent study coffee might hold that risk.

The key words to me are "early pregnancy." Like so many other things, it may have a impact on your baby before you even know you are preganant. These are the kinds of things that worry me.

So I am saying "good-bye" to my morning coffee (and my mid-day, afternoon, and evening coffee as well!) It is simply not worth the risk.

So the next question is... How do they decaffinate it? What chemicals are used? Is organic decaf any diffrent from regular in the process... I hope I like the answers to these questions because I am going to miss my coffee... REALLY, REALLY miss it.

But, not nearly as much as I would miss a diffrent kind of little bean, so it is a small sacrifice for even a 1% extra chance of a healthy pregnancy.