Routines can sneak up on you and suddenly you're in a rut. A recent rut for me was the daily Diet Coke for lunch, but don't get me wrong. Diet Coke is adored here with the only problem being that, well, caffeine causes an allergic reaction in me. Trace amounts are no problem, but there is a certain threashold that essentially throws my digestive tract into turmoil.
The allergy was first detected while in the midst of college finals, downing cup after cup of coffee. What starts as stomach pain eventually turns into gastric spasms that essentially feel like Courtney Love playing guitar on the intestines. 
In addition to the pain, there is the accompanying, um, cleansing of the gastic system both from above and below. The first time in the emergency room was passed off as food poisoning. The second time in the emergency room that same week though brought an analysis of consumption. Consequently, every time coffee or soda or large amounts of chocolate were taken in, the allergy again took hold. Eventually, the caffeine-free route was taken with only minimal intake.
Over the years, my ability to measure my body's capacity for caffeine has improved. The big secret is that because my intake is so minimal, when I do indulge, a really nice wiry buzz takes hold. Recently, as work has become stressful and since they would detect wine on the breath, the daily Diet Coke at lunch has been getting me through the day. If anything, my recommendation is to knock caffiene in order to enjoy this buzz for yourself as it's really quite lovely.
But today, the daily lunch buzz is unlikely to improve my situation, so a new alternative was sought out. 7-Up Plus, Island Fruit flavor is maybe the best new (non-alcoholic) beverage to touch my tongue in quite a while. Assuming that, of course, this was my discovery, it was, of course, googled, and, of course, it's been around for a while.
With ads featuring Sex in the City and Desperate Housewives minxes, the guess is that it is marketed to the ladies. And although the commercial with Marcia Cross and Nicollette Sheridan has seen my screen many times, the oddity of the thing distracted me from what was being sold. The taste is light, slightly tart, and actually refreshing. It lacks the over-carbonation that is often found in sodas, and it is only 10 calories.
So now my routine is broken and a choice will be made every day at lunch: Do I get refreshed or do I get wired?
