I've never been much of a coffee drinker. And by that statement, I mean that I don't like coffee. I have always wanted to love it, but felt like I just didn't have it in me. Each sip was so bitter and so harsh that it made me wince and cringe. Not a pretty look for me.
But lately, I've been so tired.
My baby boy bounces of the walls all day, every day and keeping up with him, the house, meals, etc. each day has me dragging by about 3:30pm.
The other day I decided something must be done about my lethargy and thought the best "quick fix" would be... duh, duh, duuuuh.... COFFEE.
I knew that if I was going to give it a go, I was going to have to doctor it up and make it similar to gas station cappuccino. Oh how I love gas station cappuccino. Sugary sweet and delightfully delicious! However, I didn't want the calories that said cappuccino has, so I was going to have to be smart.
I headed to Whole Foods and crushed my own beans. Oh what FUN! The smell was divine and the roast I chose was "French". I automatically loved it because it was French and I love all things French. After I tied up my little brown bag of freshly ground coffee, I chose a fancy syrup. Keeping with my French theme, I chose "French Vanilla". Scrumptious!
I mosied on over to the creamer and picked out the one that had the prettiest bottle. Because if I'm going to be a coffee snob, I'm going to go ALL OUT.
The next morning, I brewed my pot of coffee .... going off of a text from Husby telling me how to do so. I proudly grabbed my lonely "W" mug that I never use, poured the coffee and a dab of creamer that instantly made my cup'a joe more appealing just by the golden hue it now had. Then I splashed in a bit of syrup. I checked the calorie content, making sure I wouldn't be better off eating a Snickers and a Coke to get my caffeine fix and it ended up being about 15 calories. Not bad!
I crossed my fingers and took my first drink.
Success! No wincing! No cringing!
The stuff was super flavorful and the perfect amount of semi-sweet to take off some of the bitterness. Yay!
I was so happy that I was now a coffee drinker that I pompously poured myself another cup. I enjoyed my coffee with my Good Morning America and quickly started the housework.
I've never worked so fast in my life. I was slinging laundry in the washer and dryer faster than a Nascar pit crew and juggling dishes like a circus clown. I found my secret weapon and there was no stopping me. I kept up with Levi all day long and actually out-played him a time or two. And you have no idea how this kid can PLAY. I was bouncing off the walls, jabbering to anyone who would listen and scrubbing things that didn't even need scrubbed. Guys, I was Super Whitney!
Since that day I have slowly decreased my creamer and syrup content, gradually tasting more coffee (um, bitterness) and surprisingly enjoying it. I have also limited myself to one cup a day, so I don't scare the neighbors (or mailman) with my perkiness.
I can tell a big difference when I don't drink the coffee in the mornings and find myself working slower and not as excitedly. I think I've found my miracle drug. And there's no turning back.
Are you a coffee drinker?
But lately, I've been so tired.
My baby boy bounces of the walls all day, every day and keeping up with him, the house, meals, etc. each day has me dragging by about 3:30pm.
The other day I decided something must be done about my lethargy and thought the best "quick fix" would be... duh, duh, duuuuh.... COFFEE.
I knew that if I was going to give it a go, I was going to have to doctor it up and make it similar to gas station cappuccino. Oh how I love gas station cappuccino. Sugary sweet and delightfully delicious! However, I didn't want the calories that said cappuccino has, so I was going to have to be smart.
I headed to Whole Foods and crushed my own beans. Oh what FUN! The smell was divine and the roast I chose was "French". I automatically loved it because it was French and I love all things French. After I tied up my little brown bag of freshly ground coffee, I chose a fancy syrup. Keeping with my French theme, I chose "French Vanilla". Scrumptious!
I mosied on over to the creamer and picked out the one that had the prettiest bottle. Because if I'm going to be a coffee snob, I'm going to go ALL OUT.
The next morning, I brewed my pot of coffee .... going off of a text from Husby telling me how to do so. I proudly grabbed my lonely "W" mug that I never use, poured the coffee and a dab of creamer that instantly made my cup'a joe more appealing just by the golden hue it now had. Then I splashed in a bit of syrup. I checked the calorie content, making sure I wouldn't be better off eating a Snickers and a Coke to get my caffeine fix and it ended up being about 15 calories. Not bad!
I crossed my fingers and took my first drink.
Success! No wincing! No cringing!
The stuff was super flavorful and the perfect amount of semi-sweet to take off some of the bitterness. Yay!
I was so happy that I was now a coffee drinker that I pompously poured myself another cup. I enjoyed my coffee with my Good Morning America and quickly started the housework.
I've never worked so fast in my life. I was slinging laundry in the washer and dryer faster than a Nascar pit crew and juggling dishes like a circus clown. I found my secret weapon and there was no stopping me. I kept up with Levi all day long and actually out-played him a time or two. And you have no idea how this kid can PLAY. I was bouncing off the walls, jabbering to anyone who would listen and scrubbing things that didn't even need scrubbed. Guys, I was Super Whitney!
Since that day I have slowly decreased my creamer and syrup content, gradually tasting more coffee (um, bitterness) and surprisingly enjoying it. I have also limited myself to one cup a day, so I don't scare the neighbors (or mailman) with my perkiness.
I can tell a big difference when I don't drink the coffee in the mornings and find myself working slower and not as excitedly. I think I've found my miracle drug. And there's no turning back.
Are you a coffee drinker?
Welcome to the Coffee drinkers club!! Im in high school and coffee is my life saver.
ReplyDeleteI could NOT stand coffee in my 20's. So three kids and a few years later, a local Christian bookstore introduced me to a frozen chai. Heavenly. At that time, I didn't even like those sweet gas station drinks.
ReplyDeleteThe store closed but I had been introduced to some yummy drinks. A local coffee shop makes the very best frozen white mochas (hush about the calories). This drink can make a rough day all better. However calorie watching and needing warmth on cold days...i eventually got hooked on skinny caramel lattes though we haven't mastered them at all.
Two weeks ago I found an iced coffee I really really loved. It wasn't bitter and didn't turn my stomach like most coffees. A little skim milk and a little splenda and I was fulfilled. So after that I dared to have some coffee...of course the only can I can stand so far is the stuff we buy from the coffee shop...but with a little milk and splenda...I enjoy a fresh cup of java in the morning. it definitely helps the day.
Glad you found something you like.
I love your son's name.
I, like you, have wished for years to like coffee. I love the smell, but I just cannot stand the taste. I've been told if I don't like coffee now, I'll like it after I have kids. So maybe in a few years that will be true!
ReplyDeleteI am DEFINITELY a one cup a day girl. If I have that second cup I start twitching and yammering.
ReplyDeleteAh, the obvious solution to my problem...can't believe I didn't think of it myself! Being British I'm something of a tea drinker, but during my degree and PhD I would always have a coffee first thing to kick start my brain (I've never been a morning person). I now have three children, the youngest of whom, like Levi, is VERY active and, to top it off, wakes several times a night. I'm struggling to have the energy to get through the day at the moment. Coffee...why didn't I think of it sooner! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat was an extremely hilarious post! I can totally picture you zooming around the house hyped up on caffeine! haha. You do want to be careful how much coffee you drink tho because you can become dependent on that caffeine. During uni I was drinking 2-3 XL cups + redbull to keep up with my full-time job and all my classes and work.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend saving coffee for those especially slow mornings and just sticking to your usual diet coke, which has some caffeine. As good as a tool as it is, you don't want to over use it or you'll need to be having TWO cups just to get going in the morning.
Welcome, welcome, welcome...to the life of coffee addicts. I told myself that I would never become a coffee drinker -- the stuff smelled rank! Until...Mr. Fine and I spent several weeks in Italy. Only fine Italian coffees could bring me down. And now, I l-o-v-e coffee! Depending on my mood, I grind my own beans and use the bodum or use a fancy shmansy coffee from my Tassimmo. However, I do take a decaf week about once a month so that I don't become too dependent! Happy experimenting to find your fixins'!
ReplyDeleteI love coffee! I usually have one cup right when I get up and another at the office and yesterday (a horrible day) I didn't have that 2nd cup and I think it added to the horrible day! I will not make that mistake today :)
ReplyDeleteMy problem: I LOVE coffee (but only good coffee). But I can't handle caffeine ... it makes me sick and feel like I'm dying. So I drink decaf, but not with reckless abandon or anything.
ReplyDeleteStill ... a latte is just about the best thing ever. Oh my. How I love them.
I LOVE my morning coffee. Our favorites are eight O'clock original blend and Dunkin Dounuts coffee. I actually buy the DD coffee at Sam's Club and that's what we drink. Eight O'clock is what I pick up at the store if we are running low and I haven't made it to Sam's. I rarely use non-dairy creamers usually just milk or half and half, but after watching an episode of MYTHBUSTERS I absolutly refuse to use non-dairy creamers. They are SO flamable, they are made with rocket fuel or something, the mythbusters team actually blew up a few things using non-dairy creamer. so flammable that a cup of it actually backdrafted on the girl. Scary.
ReplyDeleteI am not a coffee drinker. I, like you, always wish to be one, but I can't stand the taste of regular coffee. Every so often, I splurge on expensive coffee shop coffee, but I never feel a surge of engery. Instead, I usually end up feeling more tired and get a headache. And I'm kind of thankful for that, I guess. If coffee did wake me up (like it does for everyone else), I would probably want it everyday and feel somewhat dependent on coffee. You know those people, "I can't do anything til I've had my coffee." I could never be that way, and don't want to be.
ReplyDeleteCute post Whitney! I am for sure a coffee drinker. A few cups a day! :-)
ReplyDeleteI used to hate coffee too, now I love it! The turning point was when I tried a cinnamon latte around christmas time a few years back, that was me hooked! I can't drink too much of it though else I'd be constantly bouncing off the walls! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE coffee!! But I can't handle caffeine... So I drink decaf.
ReplyDeleteI am still a gas station cappuccino lover (oh they are so good!). There isn't a coffee that has swayed me yet. But I do love the smell of freshly ground beans!
ReplyDeleteCabin Fever in Vermont
Welcome to the club! I adore it! I live off it ! I have about 3 cups of coffee every morning while I do my devotional. LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...interesting. I despise coffee but Ryan loves it so I have tried many times to enjoy it myself but the taste leaves me running to the sink to spit it out. I will have to have Ryan make me a tiny cup the way you make it sometime. By the way, he says the two best coffees in town are Topeca and DoubleShot, DoubleShot being his handsdown favorite. (18th and Boston) Of course, he always uses the French press and a special grinder now. Coffee can get to be an expensive habit!
ReplyDeleteI've drank a cup of coffee every morning for as long as I can remember. I stopped twice - once when I was pregnant and then recently for about 6 months. But having an almost three year old and teaching 4th grade lends itself to early mornings and needing energy. It helps that I love coffee. Also while cokes (diet and otherwise) have caffeine they also have a lot of chemicals so I try to avoid them most of them time (not that I don't LOVE them). If you don't put too much sugar, cream, etc. one cup of coffee is fine. And I've never built up a tolerance to the caffeine. Two cups and I turn batty :)
ReplyDeleteI am not a coffee drinker, though I love the smell and coffee flavored ice cream. I just can't handle the hot. I don't like hot chocolate either. Hot drinks give me tummy aches!
ReplyDeleteOh my.. I LOVE coffee. But I'm so SAD that the caffeine doesn't agree with me - one cup of coffee for me = one zit!!! It's awful!! So I found this http://teeccino.com/category/56/Boutique-Flavors.html and I adore it, it tastes exactly like vanilla coffee but healthy. If only Starbucks had it. I still do go to Starbucks for a decaf hazelnut latte when I can't bear my deprivation anymore.. the zits still appear but in a lesser form :(( I'm jealous of all you who can drink coffee without zits! hehe! And I looooove gingerbread lattes. My absolute fave ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of coffee! I drink mine black (no cream or sugar) & have for years. I think it's because I started drinking it around the age of three. Of course, I never drank it daily until about a year or so ago.
ReplyDeleteFancy coffees are always a treat too! Just wait until you discover the splendor of seasonal coffees--you won't know what to do!
welcome to the world of coffee! I, myself, have been a member since I was about 5. I actually have a video of my first day of kindergarten where I am sipping from my mom's mug! Luckily, by the time I was in high school, flavored creamer was a normal part of the experience, making this morning treat much more delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to know, however, that I am in no way addicted to this drink, for as soon as we started trying to get pregnant, I quit cold turkey- no problem!!! I look forward to easing my way back into this delicious beverage in the near future! :D Enjoy this!
oh yes! But, only very doctored up like you!
ReplyDeleteTry the creme brulee creamer, it is my favorite.
Warning! Coffee is like crack (i hear) and you'll eventually need more and more... such a sad cycle! haha. I was a one cup a day drinker but then my body got used to it and I needed two cups a day. Then three. I then decided to take a little time off from my coffee habit and I was surprised at the caffeine withdrawals I had!! I took a few years off actually and am just back to drinking coffee recently. I do limit myself to one cup per day and I try to look at it more as a tasty and calming morning ritual than my daily dose of caffeine.
ReplyDeleteI love coffee! I always forget to make it at home before I leave for work but remembered to this morning. Ahh..nothing like that first sip!
ReplyDeleteyes, please to coffee for me! In fact, I'm drinking some right now. I used to like it really sweet and creamy but, over the years I grew to love the coffee taste. I still like it creamy but, not as sweet. Look up some websites on coffee and learn about the different roasts and how they taste- it's lots of fun and you may just find your favorite!
ReplyDeleteYaaaaaaaay! Welcome! :-D
ReplyDeleteI LOVE coffee. About 6 months ago I could down an entire pot by myself before noon (on the weekends when I had time to refill my cup--that doesn't happen when you teach 4th graders). Finally I was drinking so much coffee everyday I would feel jittery and have heart palpitations.
ReplyDeleteSo I stopped. Cold turkey. It was so hard!! I made it 3 months with no caffeine!! Then I slowly incorporated it back in again. I love the taste of coffee, so I drink a lot of decaf. But every once in a while when I need a pick me up, I go in for the good stuff!
i HATE COFFEE! i won't even taste it! HAHA.
ReplyDeleteCareful! Oh...am I a coffee drinker? More like I inject it straight in my veins. That stuff's powerfully addictive.
ReplyDeleteAhh, I used to hate it too! Still don't love it and don't drink it regularly, but there are definite days that I need my doused up cup of coffee (though I go out for mine because I've never thought about buying the syrup to have at home - may do that this winter)!
ReplyDeleteI try not to drink anything that has an addictive substance in it. Even though I try not to, I will have diet coke if there isn't anything caffeine free.
ReplyDeleteI just can't do it. My Dad is so addicted to coffee that it puts his health in danger and I have always vowed never to use coffee as a daily stimulant.
ReplyDeleteI try to focus on my diet and sleep patterns to be energetic, and always get decaf coffee if I just want something hot to drink or the taste.
That's not to say I've never had such a rough night that I ended up drinking a couple of cups. I just can't let it be a daily thing.
You crack me up! I drink coffee, maybe 3-4 cups/week. I like it "sweet and light", as my grandma used to say. My husband drinks maybe 1 cup a week and he is LITERALLY bouncing off the walls when he does! :)
ReplyDeleteI was just doing some blog hopping and found yours. I love it! How old is your little guy?
ReplyDeleteon the rare instances I drink coffee, it's usually cream and sugar with a hint of coffee. It's just too bitter for me. What kind of syrup are you putting in the coffee?
ReplyDeletegirl I can't even function in the morning til I've had at least a cup. I drink it all day long. Can't help it. I love coffee. And I want it black and strong!!
ReplyDeletejust like any drug, the more you take it, the more you will need. try to have an up/down routine with coffee... maybe taking weekends off or something. also keep in mind that coffee/caffeine takes approx 12hrs to leave your system - so "just say no" after a certain time of day (for me, it's 2pm) or else your sleep will suffer. from one fellow coffee love to another - cheers!! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to like coffee. I really do. I have a coffee maker, coffee, the whole nine yards. And when other people make it, I love it, but I haven't quite figured out how to make it myself. Hope you can share your recipe!
ReplyDeleteYou have to try a creamer made by Coffee Mate called Italian Sweet Cream. I prefer the one you get in the cold section (near other creamers) as opposed to the powdered version. It's like eating a sweet bun every morning! Yum! I am a coffee drinker and I couldn't start my day without it.
ReplyDeleteWhitney, you know just how to speak to my heart. I've always HATED the taste of coffee unless it was very doctored up with sugary goodness and now you're telling me I can get my energy jolt for 15 calories?? I think I love you. Now I need to figure out exactly what you bought so that I can replicate it!
ReplyDeleteI love you whitney haha! :) And I love this post!!
ReplyDeleteI've always loooved coffee...but I cannot drink it black, I have to have my special vanilla coffeemate otherwise it's just not the same! :)
I enjoyed reading this post while drinking my own morning cup of coffee (Starbucks half-caf brewed at home)!
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere: "Coffee. Drug of choice for women over 25."
ReplyDeleteI love my daily cup!
I have been in love with coffee since middle school, i think. My husband and I love trying all the different Starbucks blends and make a regular date out of going to Starbucks every Monday night. We've been doing it for three years now. It's something we both enjoy and it's a great excuse for us to go out and reconnect. Welcome to the club!
ReplyDeleteI like my lattes but not straight coffee. It's one more thing to deal with in the morning. But sometimes, it just hits the spot. I try to drown out the coffee taste with creamer.
ReplyDeleteI must have my coffee. I didn't like it for the longest time, but I married a coffee connoisseur. I started out with sweeteners and creams and worked my way to drinking it black. I didn't drink it much while pregnant. but am glad to have it back in my life.
ReplyDeletethis post gives me hope.. i am 31 and the only 'grown-up' (i use that term loosely)i know who doesn't like coffee. i would rather sip chocolate milk with my 7 year old. i have doctored it up more times than i can count and it still tastes like coffee! maybe one day, huh?
ReplyDeleteOh, YES and I'm exactly like you! Didn't drink it until a bit later in life, had to make it taste like gas station capuccino and now trying to wean of the high-calorie additions I so love...too funny!
ReplyDeleteboy do I love coffee! I didn't like it until I had kids, either! Now I drink it all day. I make a huge pot in the morning. I have one cup of hot, with fancy creamer. Then I turn of the pot and let it cool. I drink iced coffee all. day. long. I then have another hot cup or two at about 5pm, then drink water the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteI really wish I could drink it black! Maybe I should start weaning off the creamer.
Oh my goodness girl! You have been missing out for years!! So glad you finally found out what the rest of us knew ;)
ReplyDelete(Slowly moving from super flavored coffee to regular is how I did it too... just, as a teenager, LOL! BUT I still take it with cream or milk and Splenda. Black is just TOO bitter for me)
I love your transformation! Liking coffee is definitely a decision and it can be a good one! I don't like Skinny drink from Starbucks as the syrup is sugar free....mean splenda! Blech! Glad you have the caffeine to get you going! And welcome to the club!
ReplyDeleteI miss my grandfather. He made bologna delonghi esam3300 magnifica coffee machine sandwiches which were lopsided and barely stable. I would do just about anything to try to keep one of his sandwiches together again.
ReplyDelete