And just like that, I’m a tea drinker.

Listen, I’ve always wanted to be a tea drinker. My favorite people are tea drinkers, and they look so calm and effervescent just sitting there, steeping, lost in thought and glowy skin. And yet, Coffee lured me into its black depths sometime in the thick of my college years. I blame gateway frappes, but whatever, here we are.

I love coffee. I have been drinking it daily, without fail, for over a decade. My good friends own the greatest little coffee shop around, and the entire existence of their takeout iced coffee is the singular reason I look forward to each morning’s (crazy early) alarm clock ring.

But.

I’m experimenting this month with a (rather extreme) diet in hopes of healing excema. Food is medicine, after all, and so, why not try skipping the creams and drops and pills in lieu of some good old-fashioned self control? Famous last words, I know.

The meal plan is not unlike Whole30 (which you know I love), but more intense: In addition to no sugar, dairy, alcohol, grains or legumes, there will be no eggs(!!!), no tomatoes, no citrus, no beef, no COFFEE.

I know, I know. What’s left?

Fruits, veggies, seafood, nuts, and apparently, tea.

And so, if you find yourself in want of replacing your own morning joe, I’ll just be over here doing some taste testing. Behold, my favorite teas thus far!:

1. Ginger Turmeric Tea
   Perfect for an afternoon reset when you’re feeling sluggish and haven’t seen the sun for days. Try it over ice!
2. Holy Basil Tea
   I first tried holy basil tea in India (so! strong!), and this peppery version is mild enough for daily use. (Tip: Replace a hot cup of holy basil with your evening wine – it’s known for calming, anti-anxiety properties and works wonders over here.)
3. Paromi Tea
   I’ve never had a bad blend of Paromi tea, but Chamomile Lavender has been an especially worthy front runner this month. It’s light and sweet but a bit earthy; try it iced on a hot summer day. Also, the jar has the loveliest matte finish – keep it! I store my old jars in the laundry room for collecting the inevitable golf tees and loose change I repeatedly discover in a certain someone’s pockets.
4. Peppermint Tea
   I’ll brew this in the morning for a nice kickstart to the day. It’s no coffee, but has been an oddly refreshing replacement. (Honorable mention to the delicious Hot Cinnamon Sunset, which I’ve been sipping nonstop this week!)

Plus, a few tea-inspired finds along the way:

Something to steep with / Something to steep in  / Something to wipe up / Something to sip in / Something to read during.

p.s. Care to add your favorite to the mix? Please share in the comments!