A Pocket Guide for Your Holiday Travels

I found this article online and I just want to share with you all the great tricks and travel guides if all of you may be traveling this year. Take this Pocket Travel Book with you for all the Coffee Stops and even journaling ideas too. 

Click to read the Full Article. 

Finally, the Ultimate Travel Guide for Coffee Lovers! by  Jordan Valinsky

There's nothing more awkward than going to a cafe in a foreign city and struggling over the menu until you surrender and just keeping pointing at the espresso machines in the hopes of getting something hot, caffeinated and drinkable.

Confused travelers forced to deal with the daunting task of understanding the difference between a cafe au lait and a cafe bombon may finally have their caffeine cravings sated without resorting to pantomime. Cheapflights, a British-based travel website, has compiled a list of 31 popular drinks from two dozen countries. Finally, you can expand your coffee vocabulary beyond murmuring "Americano." 

The most specific-sounding coffee drink is the ca phe sua da from Vietnam It takes a very carefully measured amount of boiling water, just two tablespoons of condenses milk and an exact 15 grams of ground coffee to get right. 

Italy is home to the largest number of coffee bars per capita in Europe, so it's smart to brush up on the lingo if you're heading there. In the north, espressos are served with more milk, while the south serves a less creamy, more pungent version. The most exotic espresso is the Espresso Romano, which is served with a slice of lime. Yum?

The tastiest option comes from Spain, which is home to the Cafe con Miel. It's a mixture of espresso, honey, steamed milk and drizzling of cinnamon. That'll wake you up if the plate of churros didn't do it.

All of these countries have their own spin on coffee, but were most interested in the Turkish king. A tablespoon of coffee and a cup of water is topped with a cardamom pod, a type of Indian spice that's loaded with health benefits. Maybe they've figure out the way to have the best of both worlds.

In Hong Kong, the yuanyang mixes both black tea and coffee for the ultimate caffeine boost. That sounds like a bit too much, but Mexico's cafe de olla sounds delicious with its mix of cinnamon, water and coffee. 

It's all About Moderation

THE RED CUP IS HERE!
Seasons are changing and the Winter Breeze has commenced!
We are all eager to get that cup in our hands and taste all the Holiday Specials!
So as we all know, holidays are cold and we are looking for all the warmth at home and as we go about our days!
This is either Starbucks worse nightmare for all the crazy customers pushing and shoving in lines, or in a small sense a very "merry" good 'ol season to be "joyful".
Whatever the reason may be, Starbucks, McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts and other cafes are serving the holiday drinks in large servings to "fill" you up with joy and a bit of guilt.
Our most common drinks, brought to you by Starbucks, are:

1. Chestnut Praline Latte
2. Peppermint Mocha (my favorite)
3. Caramel Brulée Latte
4. Eggnog Latte 
5. Gingerbread Latte 

Buzzfeed, my good 'ol source, has created this video to set you all in your rush to grab your holiday drinks but with some tiny precautions to watch your servings. It's all about Moderation. 

That's It, I will not Longer Believe It Is Bad For ME!

So you read the news and see numerous articles of that really happens when a person drinks Coffee. I know that I grow irritated to see and read facts thrown here and there about what really is going on in my cup. So I turn to my trusty website Huffington Post , and begin to research what the Mystery is and if I should continue to feel guilt with every sip, although it does give a bit more spice to drink the guilt. 

And even more now during this season with the images on Instagram of selfies with Fall Leaves and Coffee is so popular, it's inevitable to try and figure out this case. I skimmed the articles found one with interesting health facts that I am trusting to say it is all legit. I read an article titled

Whether Decaf Or Regular, Coffee Seems To Be Good For Your Liver and I was convinced... Case Closed. With the beginning headline stating, "People in the study who drank large quantities of coffee on a daily basis had lower levels of abnormal liver enzymes, the researchers found. This suggests that a chemical in coffee other than caffeine may help the liver, the researchers said." Which means to me that Yes I will continue to drink this delicious beverage and sip it with no guilt whatsoever. Coffee, according to the article, is showing studies of people having lower risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and liver cancer. Enough to convince you? 

From this article it states: 

"The researchers looked at about 27,800 people age 20 or older who reported how much coffee they had consumed over the past 24 hours. The team also looked at their blood samples for several markers of liver health, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transaminase (GGT). Elevated levels of liver enzymes may be a sign of liver damage or inflammation."

"The results showed that people who said they drank three or more cups of coffee a day had lower levels of all four of these enzymes, compared with people who did not drink any coffee. Surprisingly, it didn't matter whether a person drank regular or decaf coffee: the effect on liver enzyme levels was almost identical."

If you would like to know more about this amazing news, click here for the Full Article! 

Here is the revolution!

For those who love yoga, here is your morning workout to start the day right. 

Easy and soooothing. Follow me on Instagram @avilesmariia 

http://instagram.com/p/vHECQxgrnv/

Cancer Awareness

As you all know, the awareness for breast cancer was last month and many women took pledges to see a doctor and even run those hefty miles for fundraising. The pink was everywhere and everyone was excited and thrilled to stand together and fight for the disease that sweeps the nation.
Every woman has their story of how they fought it, are fighting it and even stories from loved ones who lost the battle. It's a scary thing to keep in mind that something is wrong inside and is slowly killing you cell by cell. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and we are striving to find a cure and end this battle once and for all. I have heard numerous stories about women's struggles and we all see it on social media with celebrities undergoing the same struggles. So I wrote an article for GLAM about my family members struggle and her brave decision behind the doors. She is a beautiful and strong women, for she exercises her body to perfection and is a loving mother and wife.
But Cancer still lurks without any warning, she was diagnosed with a lethal disease but quickly took action as a woman and fought back. I wrote this article in Spanish for my Latin Community and in hopes of raising an awareness for all the beautiful sexy Latina women.
(Article...)

Voyageur du Temps

This is what I like to call "My Little Heaven", there are moments that I feel overwhelmed with my To-Do List and several others matters that come into mind. So to think of this as my "Little Heaven" is just too good to be true. My lovely hubby introduced me to the #VoyageurCafe and we indulged in a Croissant and Danish Pastry. The setting was beautiful, it was a sunny Saturday morning, I forgot to take pictures but I at least took a picture of the #LatteArt with the Pastries.
It was really relaxing and sweet to spend the morning with my loved on and my puppy. They allow you to bring your Furry Pets to sit outside in the balcony. It had several tables with shading to enjoy a French Cafe vibe.
On their website they have a Menu, Gallery, Contact Information which is located in Los Altos, CA, and even a Career Page if you want to join them!
So if you are in the area, check them out and taste for yourself because as they say in their website:

"We believe in preserving the timeless values of craftsmanship, so we take We believe in preserving the timeless values of craftsmanship, so we take care when folding a new and playful spirit into methods proven by generations. Where past and present intersect, we see beauty. This is a voyage worth taking. when folding a new and playful spirit into methods proven by generations. Where past and present intersect, we see beauty. This is a voyage worth taking." (voyageur.com) 

Enjoy the French Music too! :) 

Art Art Art!!!

I am not even sure how this process is done but I love it.
The Art is fabulous and brilliant, as a coffee lover, researcher and artists I am amazed by talented baristas that can create meaning in a latte and send out the beauty in foam.
Here are a few Latte Arts I found on Pinterest that I want to share with you all. :)
I even found this video on Youtube of a Barista creating the most common latte arts we see today and honestly they make it sounds easy but takes lots and lots of practice!!
 

 

"Coffee that Tastes like a Candle"

It seems Pumpkin Spice Lattes Are a No-No.

Because of the Fall Season coming at its way, the sweaters are out, the decorations are on display with the pumpkins outside our doors and the candles lit. But now often do you think about your coffee tasting like a candle? Not often, I hope. Pumpkin Spice Latte is delicious, hands down, but sometimes the popularity goes too far to be mocked by social media as the "Girls Drink" or the typical fashion accessory. Don't get me wrong I love the fashion sense for Fall and the warm coffee's to add that on but to laugh at it is a bit dumb, plain and simple. 

John Oliver speaks about the taste these famous lattes have and the "Social" sides to this consumer filled treat. Just because it's Fall, people have to drink it and apparently there's no Pumpkin in the beverage. Surprising but I can believe it considering the sugar filled sweeteners at Starbucks are all you taste. We "tolerate" as John Oliver explains but hey we choose what we drink. 

Drink Regular "Cuaffee" and continue your Fall season without the Pumpkin, again as John Oliver rants. I enjoy all drinks, pumpkin spice latte is not my favorite but it is enjoyable for others, so drink on my friends.  

Bye Bye Pumpkin Spice!!

It's that time of year people! The scarfs, turtlenecks, Fall decorations, pumpkins and of course the lattes designed for the season! 
The usual routine would be to dress up with the long sleeves and wear the beautiful accessories along with those fabulous boots, which I still need to buy. Make sure all you have to do now is drive or walk to your local coffee shop and order the Fall Favorite "Pumpkin Spice Latte". 
Well a revolution has risen up!
Introducing a new beverage that not only is artistic but delicious in taste and will leave you Instagramming for the next 10 minutes or so. 
A work of art that is stylistic and modern that it deserves to be placed at a Modern Arts Museum, the simplicity and structure is absolutely breathtaking... at least it is for me.
Sprudge Coffee News & Culture is a website that brings out the news in Baristas, Brewers, Roasts, and more on the coffee world we live in today. And they have sprung out the news on a discovery that will leave you eager to travel and grab it.
From Onyx Coffee Lab in Fayetteville, Arkansas, S’mores Gibraltar was created by an Artist named Brendon Gliddon (via @brendar3000 on Instagram)  and by describing it as a “specially made smoked vanilla bean marshmallow, graham cracker, rimmed with Kyya dark chocolate and graham cracker dust.” 
I mean simply looking at this work of art, no wonder people have been instagramming it as a “love at first sip”,  as told by Instagram user @stacynardoni.  Now, if you are all done getting dress up for that Sunday Morning walk or so, you'll need to take a nice break at the coffee shop to fully enjoy this art. 


Source: http://sprudge.com/best-fall-coffee-drink-pumpkin-spice-latte.html

Café Brasileño - Brazilian Coffee

A Brazilian Roast was delicious and that's all I gotta say, well worth the money too.

    This Roast was smooth, it was a blend of 100% Arabica beans from Brazil and topped with a hint of unsweetened Cocoa. It's a blend that, as Trader Joe's describes,
           "Rich flavor of chocolate fudge, to create a taste sensation that brings a little bit                  of Carnavale to your cup. It's fun, it's lively… go with us here; it's a good metaphor - the  coffeeis from Brazil, after all, and if we're going Brazilian, we're going Carnavale. Roasted to a rich,  medium-dark, the coffee is nutty, smooth & mellow with terrific body and low acidity. The  unsweetened cocoa subtly begins the mocha transformation, and the chocolate fudge finishes it off in  choco-riffic fashion. Yes, folks, that's choco-riffic" (Trader Joe's). 

I found this roast when I was searching through the store and I normally don't shop there because of the high prices but this was pretty cheap compared to the roasts at Starbucks Coffee. It was a great blend, I really enjoyed the hint of chocolate because it made the cup so smooth and delightful. I added warm soy milk with foam to make my own  latte at home, cheaper too. And it was a great start for the day because the taste was sweet enough without adding any Agave. 


So if you're shopping around Trader Joe's take a look at the can itself and decide if you would like to take one home. I guarantee you will enjoy it. 
Also available online to shop at: 
http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=1478

I Drink My Coffee Different Than You Honey

Coffee Day was days ago, but I came across this article which gave a great depiction of what it means to be male or female and handle a coffee mug.
I think of other things in which men and women do things differently and it is true considering the fact that some have more patience than others or want things sweeter than ever.
But considering the gender differences, just how different does a man drink from a womans perspective? Besides handling more alcohol.

1. Young People spend more money on Coffee than Older Folks. Yup all that Instagramming and Twittering.

2. Guys Drink more cups than women do...not in my situation.

3. Women are more Patient than Men to wait in line...I think thats a general fact, right honey ;)

4. Women like it Fancy...Don't we all Ladies. We feel Sophisticated with a "Latte" or a "Capppuuuccciiinnnooo".

5. Since I am on the West Coast, I am presumed to like it Fancy and that I am "Oh-So Rich" and will spend More.
I object! I am a Barnes & Noble Employee and may I say I take advantage of my Discounts proudly!

Thanks PayPal for the survey and making me feel rich for being on the West Coast.....which I will say it is Imaginative.


Like, share, comment ! :)







Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/29/coffee-habits-gender_n_5887460.html

Keep it Clean My Friends!

Your Coffee Maker Will Carry Mold if Not Cleaned Properly!

I am guilty on this, during college the coffee maker was the only method I used to Brew a cup or two for the midnight studying. But considering at that hour I'm not thinking about anything that has to do with cleaning, I just ignore it and use it again the next morning before class. Now OBVIOUSLY this is not the right thing to do, we are all guilty at some point for allowing ourselves to ignore an item to clean. 

So I came upon a nice little article I would love to share from HuffingtonPost.com saying "We love nothing more than a good cup of coffee. But a good cup of mold? Not so energizing."  

Here is what they recommend we should all do to maintain a healthy cup and a happy smile in the morning: 

No matter how often you use them, these decalcifying steps (outlined here for classic coffee makers) are the key to better-tasting coffee. And we could all go for some of that.

1. 1. Fill the coffee maker's water chamber with equal parts white vinegar and water. Using a paper filter, allow to brew until half the chamber is empty.
2. 2. Turn the coffee maker off and let it sit for 30 minutes, then finish brewing.
3. 3. Rinse the machine by using a new paper filter to brew a pot of clear water. Do this twice.
4. 4. Fill the carafe with warm, sudsy water and some rice as a gentle abrasive. Swirl the mixture in the pot, then use a scrubber sponge to remove any gunk. Rinse and dry.
5. 5. Wipe the outside of the machine with a damp cloth (but remember, this and the previous step should really happen every day).

Voila! Delicious, germ-free coffee!

For information about more on their discussion you can go to this link and read more about their discoveries and studies. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/29/how-to-clean-coffee-maker_n_5861026.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Fall Decorations

Fall is Here! 

Fall is here, at least it is suppose to be here because it's around 85 degrees here in the Bay Area and I don't see any cold weather yet. Lol.

So one of my favorite things about this season are the colors and decorations, the colors are vibrant and warming. I like to go through Pinterest and "Like" almost anything that's orange and includes Pumpkins. 

I have put here a collection of my favorite images which include great decorations for the Coffee Tables and around home. 

 

 

The Devil's Cup

The Devil's Cup: A History of the World According to Coffee

by Stewart Lee Allen

In this captivating book, Stewart Lee Allen treks three-quarters of the way around the world on a caffeinated quest to answer these profound questions: Did the advent of coffee give birth to an enlightened western civilization? Is coffee, indeed, the substance that drives history? From the cliffhanging villages of Southern Yemen, where coffee beans were first cultivated eight hundred years ago, to a cavernous coffeehouse in Calcutta, the drinking spot for two of India’s three Nobel Prize winners . . . from Parisian salons and cafés where the French Revolution was born, to the roadside diners and chain restaurants of the good ol’ U.S.A., where something resembling brown water passes for coffee, Allen wittily proves that the world was wired long before the Internet. And those who deny the power of coffee (namely tea-drinkers) do so at their own peril.

Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/303841.The_Devil_s_Cup

Bubble bath Panda

A relaxing moment to drink Brazilian Coffee Latte. Little Panda is enjoying a warm bubble bath foam. 

This mug was a gift from a very special woman who took care of me and supported me through my college years. She knows and shares my love for coffee and the arts, which makes this the perfect gift. 

Read and Drink

This is something I personally painted a few years back. I enjoy art and I created this image on a hot summer day so then it was al placed on a canvas. 

I do plan to continue painting, working has taken up my time but I'll be back to the brushes and hopefully share more. 

Coffee By Matthew J Dourow

Coffee

by Matthew J Dourow

sip...sip...sip...sip...sip
still too hot, I say to myself
sip..sip..sip..sip
finally cool enough
time to drink the warm elixir
in no time, there is nothing left
I rise to reach
pouring till there is nothing, dregs
even this is too hot
wait...wait...
wait...wait...
finally I may drink
till there is nothing, dregs
lazily floating in my cup
as lethargically as a resorts lazy river
again I rise to reach
there's is nothing left, to show now
but my shaky hands

maybe I should have made tea instead...

Back in the Coffee House by Jasmin Shear

Back in the Coffee House 

By Jasmin Shear

As I sit here, sipping my over-priced latte', I wonder
I wonder about next year
    about next month

    it will be next year
about tomorrow,
and I realize:
  I realize soon

So why is it I'm so infatuated with such a sudden future?
and even sooner, next month
        let alone tomorrow,
 Maybe it's because

    when there is no longer enough time in today,
Tomorrow has the ability to make dreams come true
    It bares a place to reside in,
       It has a  way of making promises

Tomorrow can also pass you by,
that you don't even care whether or not they come true,
         as long as they feel good to hold, for tonight:
  but it seems never to fail
   to come right back, for today.

 A today, tomorrow, just once, forgets to come.
I guess the only reason 
 I spend so much energy imagining
 the possibilities that tomorrow holds
  Is because, I can't help but wonder

what if maybe they'll be a day,

Latte Art

Michael Breach is an international latte artist known for his detailed coffee portraits.

I love to see the art of the imagination come alive in our lattes, don't you think? 

He has dedicated his time at the Ground Central Cafe in New York to create one of the most prestigious art lattes ever! 

Check out my favorite site Buzzfeed.com to see more amazing celebrity latte arts.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliapugachevsky/watch-this-guy-make-the-coolest-latte-art-youve-ever-seen#19c3gb0

I didn't think about it until now...

 Want to take advantage of the javabeans benefits but don't like coffee yourself? No problem! Most coffee shops (including most Starbucks) will give you bags of used grounds for free!


I honestly didn't realize how much you can do with the leftover grinds, and its even better for the environment and everything.
Here are just 5 of the things you can with the Coffee Grounds at home.
1. Unclog Your Drain 

Directions Here 

2. Tenderize Your Meat

Recipe Here

3. Make These No-Bake Energy Bites

Recipe Here 

4. Make a Coffee Candle

Directions Here 

5. Make an Air Freshener

Directions Here 

Go to http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/amazing-things-you-can-do-with-coffee-grounds?utm_term=3p3k085#19c3gb0 for more interesting and surprising uses over Coffee Grounds. 

History of our Powerful and Delicious Bean.

It's a fine history to look over the centuries of how a bean has created an impact so overwhelming to the world, it is one of the most popular iconic images today.
Coffee.
The growth of a green bean and roasted to create a black liquid is sought out by most adult workers and needed to enhance energy to run the day. But why does this Black Cup seem so popular for industries, fashion, and everyday lifestyle?
"Uncommon Grounds tells the story of coffee from its discovery on a hill in ancient Abyssinia to the advent of Starbucks. In this updated edition of the classic work, Mark Pendergrast reviews the dramatic changes in coffee culture over the past decade, from the disastrous “Coffee Crisis” that caused global prices to plummet to the rise of the Fair Trade movement and the “third-wave” of quality-obsessed coffee connoisseurs. As the scope of coffee culture continues to expand, Uncommon Grounds remains more than ever a brilliantly entertaining guide to the currents of one of the world’s favorite beverages." 
You can find more about this at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8598379-uncommon-grounds and find local stores for purchase or online. 

Genres: History

Non Fiction

Food And Drink > Food

History > Microhistory

Food And Drink

Business

Culture

Food And Drink > Food Writing

Anthropology

Food And Drink > Foodie

"Work culture turning coffee into a fashion statement"-- Gulf News

Have you seen lately the fashion statements Coffee is now beginning to part take in Social Medias like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and among those like Tumblr and so forth.
Well as it is being represented, Coffee is becoming a worldwide Fashion Statement with clothing, seasons, accessories, and now in the work culture.
According to GulfNews.com theres a link indicated by medical professionals that addiction is associated with an "unbalanced food diet". Interesting in my case because I sometimes substitute a meal with coffee...guilty.
Similar to the so-called fashion statement, work environments are also taking on the new accessory to carry a mug around to deliver the message of being a hard working employee and are easily peer pressured.

More about the unbalanced diet goes into detail as follows: 
“People who have a balanced diet and eat healthy would be getting all the nutrients their body needs. For these people, drinking coffee would be more of a choice than a necessity.”

“Depending on the body type, it takes around 3 weeks to a month to develop a strong craving or addition to coffee or tea, and just like any other drug, a person will experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches if they decide to stop — even if it’s for one or two days.”

Once the body gets used to high caffeine levels, the effects of coffee, which can include increased attention and memory performance, are no longer experienced. In such a case, a person is in need of even higher doses of coffee or tea to achieve the same effect.

Coffee is not considered harmful however, if consumed in moderation. Along with caffeine, coffee beans also contain antioxidants and nutrients beneficial for the body. The addition of additives, sugar, and milk, however, takes away from its benefits, said Dr Shershad. 

If you want to read more go to:

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/work-culture-turning-coffee-into-a-fashion-statement-1.1292837

Now Y'All know Paula Deen, but no Butter this time!!

Its done, Coffee works magic Y'All!!!

Total Time:
4 hr 40 min
Prep:
10 min
Cook:
4 hr 30 min
Yield:4 to 6 servings
Level:Easy










Ingredients

3 pounds short ribs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup strong brewed coffee
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons hot or mild chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, to taste. Warm the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ribs and brown until golden, turning them once, about 8 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour the wine and coffee into the skillet. Cook over high heat, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom, until the sauce is reduced by one forth, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Put the ribs, onion, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, the chili powder and oregano in a slow cooker. Pour in the wine sauce and cook, covered, on high for 3 1/2 hours. Uncover and cook until the ribs are falling apart, about 45 minutes more. Transfer the ribs and sauce to a serving dish and serve.

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Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/michaels-coffee-braised-short-ribs-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback