Is it bad for me to say that some days coffee just makes me a better person?
I am so not a morning person. I work Sunday through Thursday nights from 10pm to 2am and let me tell you that 7am comes quite early for night owl me.
So, I think the whole family benefits from my morning coffee as I coordinate our morning dance to get 3 kids up and going to 3 different schools! If Mama is happy everyone is happy! So, I steal a little much needed Me Time in the morning while the house is still quiet and slumbering inhaling the aromas of the coffee grounds, the brewing, and those delightful warm sips that slowly wake up my mind and body.
As I open up the bag of coffee in the morning, I take a big deep breath in and I am transported back to high school days and early college days. I have always loved the smell of coffee grounds and coffee brewing. I used to make coffee for my parents in the morning before my 5am run and would just inhale the grounds and loved the smell when I got back in the door from my run. I tasted it more than once because I was enthralled with the smells and aroma. I never liked it!
So, I never drank coffee until my 33rd Birthday. I was in Europe with my sister, her husband, and some friends. How wonderful to celebrate in London England! There were all of these lovely cafes and I got quite an initiation to coffee that day from my friends. We did espresso shots all day long and I was instructed that you must drink espresso within 15 seconds to get the maximum taste. Wowza! I was definitely buzzing on caffeine all day.
It’s so funny now that I drink coffee just like my Polish Bobci. We used to joke that she was having a little coffee with her cream! I am the same way. My coffee has to have REAL cream in it and it’s like a 75% coffee with 25% cream combo creating a gorgeous caramel color in one of my favorite mugs – my New York City Transit Mug or my new 1971 Starbucks Mug that celebrates my birth year (a lovely 40th birthday present from my sweet daughter Maria Stella).
DOES COFFEE MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON?
I thought I would do some research if coffee benefits my health and well being.
“Moderate caffeine boosts energy and cuts depression.” [Source: WSJ Research]
“We know that there are antioxidants in large quantities in coffee itself, especially when it’s freshly brewed.” [Source: WebMD]
“Women who drink four cups of coffee a day are 20 percent less likely to become depressed than women who rarely drink coffee.” [Source: Reuters.com]
“Coffee contains traces of hundreds of substances, including potassium, magnesium and vitamin E, as well as chlorogenic acids that are thought to have antioxidant properties.These may protect against cell damage and inflammation that can be precursors to cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease.” [Source: Wall Street Journal]
I suppose I could keep looking for data and research to support my position that coffee makes me a better person! I think what I found above is enough for me!
My love and adoration of coffee often leads me to often chattering away about it on my beloved Twitterland; so much so that even Klout has determined that I am influential on this topic! Somehow, this resulted in me receiving an offer to try some of Starbucks Fall collection at home and give my honest opinion on a variety of their coffees. Well, here it is. Please note I am neither a wine connoisseur nor a coffee connoisseur. I just know when I drink either I like it or not. Please forgive my lack of professional terminology!
STARBUCKS BREAKFAST BLEND:
Mild, Crisp, Tangy
My all time favorite! It has a bit of a zip to it drinking it black. When I add my required cream to the mix, it is just so smooth and so easy to drink. This is one that never disappoints. My biggest problem with Breakfast Blend is that it goes down just so darn easy that I am in the middle of my 2nd cup before I know it!
STARBUCKS HOUSE BLEND:
Medium, Lively Balanced
This one bumps it up a bit. If I feel I need a bit more of a jolt in my morning this one takes it up a notch for me. This is my 2nd best favorite. It has a smooth, even, consistent flavor. This is one that I often find at hotels on the road that have a Starbucks brew on the menu too!
STARBUCKS ITALIAN ROAST:
X-Bold, Sweet, Slightly Smoky
Very rich, deep, and complex. It reminds me of European coffees. I was scared to try this coffee labeled X-Bold at first. And I was pleasantly surprised. This was rich and deep and the smoky is balanced with the sweet. It makes a great evening coffee. It really makes me think of sitting in outdoor cafes in London laughing with friends enjoying the night air and atmosphere.
STARBUCKS FRENCH ROAST:
X-Bold, Intensely Smoky
This one was more coffee than I could handle. I am a coffee light-weight at heart. This was the most robust and intense of the group. So if you are looking for an intense coffee, this one is sure to knock your socks off!
STARBUCKS VIA READY BREWS:
Mild Breakfast Blend and Medium House Blend
Now you can take Starbucks on the road with you. Of course I love that my two favorite Starbucks blends come in these little foil packages that I can just throw in my purse or laptop bag for on-the-go goodness anywhere I can get some hot water. You wouldn’t believe an instant coffee would taste so good! They even have a guarantee if you do not like it they will exchange it for a bag of Starbucks House Blend.
SOURCES:
http://www.starbucks.com/
http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/whole-bean-coffee
http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/via/instant-coffee
DISCLOSURE:
TimeOutMom was provided with 1 Bag of Starbucks Breakfast Blend, 1 Bag of Starbucks House Blend, 1 Bag of Starbucks Italian Roast, 1 Bag of Starbucks French Roast, 1 Box of Via Breakfast Blend, 1 Box of Via House Blend in trade for reviewing these products. No monetary compensation was received for this review. This review contains the thoughts and opinions of TimeOutMom.
I resemble that remark!
Never been a morning person but my oldest started
VPK this year so now I’m up early so I applied at
Starbucks and now get up way early most mornings
But I know I get coffee and the smell alone helps me
Wake up!
Good to know I’m not alone in my feelings:-)
Coffee not only makes me a better person in general, it makes me human in the morning. I swear, I roll out of bed with more than half my brain totally shut down until the caffeine kicks in. Mornings just aren’t my thing!
Nikki: I am not a morning person either, but somehow this entire New Year I am waking up at 5am. What the heck?!? Coffee does make a better person and in the mornings a much better mother! I love the smell and taste and the kick! Glad u are part of not only my Twitter club but the coffee klatch too!