Example: After drinking a Flaming Humbaba, much of the buff has expired by the time I can tell the grinder what and how much of what I want to grind.
Example: After drinking an Earthshaker, much of the buff is wasted because it takes so long to click on a rock for mining or to move between rocks.
Possible solution: Let the Humbaba buff work to remove energy use on the next 400 (or whatever) chunks you grind rather than wearing off second by second whether you grind or not. Let the Earthshaker buff work to remove energy use for the next 5 (or whatever) times you click "Mine) instead of wearing off second by second whether or not you are able to cick to mine.
Update: Usually I have a good connection, so when I travel I have to change the way I play. Basically, on slow connections I substitute eating more food for using buffs, but it seems to me the idea of buffs wouldn't be harmed by changing as I suggest. For example, the Shrine Powders work as I suggest the buffs could do.