Chubby We might have a different kind of vision on this. I prefer grinding out cookies as this helps me keep a stash of them for things I'd like to buy in the store that changes every day. I don't have time to play every single day of the week so instead I'd reserve the weekend to play. I can set aside a couple minutes to check the store for a little bit and buy what i'd like.
Regardless, I still think it removes incentive to play the game if it actively stops you form getting rewards - any rewards. You could encourage people to stop playing by lowering the quantity or quality of rewards - but actively showing zero progress on playing would discourage people from playing altogether.