What do you guys think of coffee alternatives, such as Pero? My wife grew up drinking coffee, so she started drinking Pero when she became a member so that she could have something that tastes the same. Some say that we shoul avoid even the appearance of evil, and so even Pero is wrong. What do you guys think?
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
What do I think about the argument against non-coffee coffee alternatives?
I drink Postum. It's just the thing on cold winter mornings. And I can control the sugar content, unlike hot cocoa, which my children favor.
The phrase "Hot drinks" in the Word of Wisdom has been interpreted by recent prophets to mean coffee and tea. I am confident that the leaders of the church are sophisticated enough to be aware that drinks like Pero and Postum exist, but have said nothing about them. So, like caffeinated soft-drinks, they are not officially off limits.
Both Postum and Pero taste nasty to me so I guess it really isn't a problem. I do enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa. They got this brand at Costco that has Cinnimon flavor, Amaretto, and some other foreign sounding thing. They are so good.
Personally, I don't think that drinking Pero or Postum gives the appearance of evil. First of all, drinking coffee is not an evil act. It violates the WoW which is our health code but I don't think you can equate it with evil. Otherwise the early saints would have been in big trouble because even though they had the code it wasn't emphasised or required like it is today. Second, I don't think your wife's intention is to mislead others. If she was telling people it was coffee or giving the impression that it was coffee then you might have a problem. She could be drinking beef broth for all people know.
arbilad wrote: What do you guys think of coffee alternatives, such as Pero? My wife grew up drinking coffee, so she started drinking Pero when she became a member so that she could have something that tastes the same. Some say that we shoul avoid even the appearance of evil, and so even Pero is wrong. What do you guys think?
The old appearance of evil thing... then the members who are thinking this or saying this or feeling this will need to condemn all the good members of the church in Europe and elsewhere who regularly drink various herbal teas and the grain drinks like Pero / Karo / Postum (as well as us RM's who picked up the taste for these drinks while on our missions due to the local customs). How about hot chocolate? It may be wise to not drink it in front of them or to make clear the distinction between black tea / coffee and the actual beverage. Anyway, even if it were a Word of Wisdom issue, then it is between the Lord (and the Bishop as His representative) and the individual.
Hmmm... wonder if Elder Uchtdorf was told he and his wife could never have another cup of rosehip, peppermint, or chamomile tea or mug of Postum once he became a General Authority?
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
In Japan, tea is an indespensable part of the culture. Members drink various herbal teas and mugicha (a tea made from wheat.) I developed a taste for mugicha--it's really good hot with cream and sugar in the winter and really good cold with lemon and ice in the summer. It has a slightly bitter and smoky flavor. For some reason, I'm the only one in my family who will drink it...
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
I don't need caffeiene. Thankfully I was raised without a dependence upon it, and my parents were careful to teach me growing up to avoid it in soda pop too, so I really don't have a need for any of it.
Ironically I tend to avoid drugs in general. And very seldom do I take painkillers either. Though I have come to recognize their good, especially when I've got constant pain from having three teeth made into crowns at once... I remarked to my wife the other day, as though I'd discovered the lost city of gold, "Advil makes the pain go away."
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
I'm pretty much the same way Ray. I rarely ever take an aspirin limiting it to times when I can't take it anymore. I'm not big into caffine either. I don't drink very much soda either because I never had much growing up and never really developed a taste for it. I might have a root beer once every two months or so but that is about it.
I remarked to my wife the other day, as though I'd discovered the lost city of gold, "Advil makes the pain go away." 
