Weekly Morning Treat

I work Saturday mornings at MyGym, teaching gym classes to toddlers and preschoolers, and I look forward to a venti iced latté from Starbucks each week. I can make a similar drink at home, but something about the large tall plastic cup makes the morning a little more special. And my secret drink brew that I make at home is a much smaller size and wouldn't last me through my three classes. So each week, I leave with enough time to hit the drive through and order my special drink that I will sip while I get the mats cleaned, mirrors wiped, and then on the five minute break between classes.

But no matter how many times I get my drink, i refuse to order it as a venti. Always a large. I think it's stubbornness from my espresso making days where we served the rival brew (Seattle's Best Coffee) combined with indoctrination from my former coffee mentor. In fact, in my shop, it was referred to as "Charbucks" because the beans were somewhat over roasted in comparison. So that slightly traitorous feeling persists as I get my Starbucks each week, but my need for a latté overrides that feeling.

McCafé Praise

I was shocked when I finally gave the new McCafé drinks from McDondalds a chance. I had tried their iced coffee back when it first came out and it was sweetened and had cream in it. Whether iced or hot, i like my coffee black, and I was definitely not a fan. But one day out of desperation, I needed my iced latté fix and McDonalds was the only convenient location. So I decided that it was time to give them one more shot at coffee, and this time, I was pleasantly surprised. The iced latté was unsweetened espresso and milk, the way it should be, and it tasted like what I make at home. For people that like flavors, there are several to pick from, but for those of us non sweetened drink fans, it's nice to have that choice. And now I don't mind letting the kids go play at the local McDonalds Playland since I can be sipping on a tasty iced latté...

A little about my Coffee Obsession

I was completely spoiled by the chance to work in an espresso bar. Having a commercial grade espresso machine at my disposal turned me from a casual drinker of drip coffee to a caffeine addict and coffee snob. And while coffee addiction can be an expensive habit, there are so many great ways to get great coffee at home without breaking the bank.

As a mom, I need my coffee to help try to keep up with a toddler and a preschooler. So I'm starting this blog to share my passion for coffee, tips on how to make great coffee drinks at home, reviews, and other little coffee facts and insights. Plus I'll be mixing in some other stories from my busy, caffeinated life, including stories about my little ones that fuel my need for coffee. So pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and hang out with me a while.