Joyeux Anniversaire à Moi

23 years. 

Going fast. 

I see the events and remember the memories of the past and think how far I've come. Both awesome, good, great, sad, frustrating, yet rewarding. 

I've used this blog to express the little things I enjoy with coffee and as most would say, coffee is and can be an addiction. But I see it as a pleasure to hold while the obstacles come at me. 

So Cake Creations, a bakery in San Mateo, has designed this little petite cake for me as a little rewards for putting up with a bunch of &$@# in life. As I see it. 

23 years old and going. 

Thank you for all those who visit and read the little pleasures I share. 

You haven't had Starbucks?? Where have you been??!!

People haven't tried Starbucks?

So I actually didn't start drinking Starbucks until college because it was a treat for me during high school (parents were against it). But to think there are people who haven't had it surprises me a bit because if you Google Starbucks on the map....there will be a hell of a lot of dots all over the nation! 

As always, BuzzFeed does an awesome job in entertainment, so here goes a video about the newbies having Starbucks for the first time...hahaha noobs. 

Credit: http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrislam/watch-people-try-starbucks-for-the-first-time#.atjABYxaV

And of course, we all have these thoughts at the line in Starbucks......
.....darn you interns.......



Credit: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessebenjamin/thoughts-you-have-in-line-at-starbucks#.sqAYE3876

Barista at Home!

"Breville BES870CBXL Barista Express Cranberry Red Espresso Machine"

I wrote this article on my personal experience with this awesome machine!

Wake up and smell the coffee! It’s a busy morning and the hour is already rushing against you. With a hectic schedule and that long morning meeting, there’s only one thing that will spring you up and get you ahead of the game, at least for me. Nothing smells better than freshly grinned coffee beans and listening to that espresso dripping into your coffee cup. There is just something about the smell and process of creating quality taste of perfection in minutes that indulges you in heaven. That first sip of espresso is so defined and pure, even the traffic jam in the morning will not stand a chance or the morning meeting! What makes this so fulfilling and exciting is having that professionally barista espresso quality machine right in your kitchen counter with no lines or hassle from rushing to the nearest café and actually arriving to work on time!

Regardless of your taste, the espresso should be creative at your desired taste for fulfillment and satisfaction.

Espresso Coffee Machine. The Breville Barista Express delivers quality and is built to bring that inner barista in you. Allowing that same café shop environment to your kitchen. Built with high-grade aluminum and zinc die-cast construction it is definitely made for sleek style and durability to last. Every morning you will wake up to that delicious espresso from the elegant Cranberry Red Finish. Not only are you saving time and money, but also you are crafting your espresso with numerous detailed factors and enjoying every sip of it. Like the powerful pump that is designed to pre-infuse grounds and increase that bold taste while the espresso gauge shows the pressure so you can keep monitoring it and showing off your barista skills.  And lets not forget the Stainless Steel Steam Wand that gives you full control of your milk pitcher for that delicious froth, and of course practice designing that flower for your cappuccino. Practice makes perfect.

Espresso Coffee Grinder. With the built in conical burr grinder, you have the power to adjust the grinding levels and even the dose which allows for that exact taste you are seeking and tweak it at any way. One of the key features is the patented razor dosing trims that gives that consistent extraction and a digital temperature control so you don’t have to stress too much about the precise heat that is needed, that’ll be taken care for you. The quality of the beans and the method in which they are grinded is important because that will increase that caffeine needed to take on the day and make business! I love how I can control how strong I want it or not because there is no time to explain that to a barista at Starbucks now is there.

Lattes or Espressos. Whatever sets your mood, whether it’s that daring shot of espresso or the elegant and sophisticated Latte or Cappuccino, the Breville Barista Express will deliver that right to your kitchen and you can even imagine running your own café shop. Features like the Hot Water Dispenser makes crafting the Americano a breeze, or the Hands-Free Grinding that gives you the power of one touch to have fresh grounds in seconds! The overall beauty is you can skip all the lines and have the quality and taste right in your home!  

The Before and After

We all know that we feel that certain something all the time when the first sip of coffee touches our tongues........


Or maybe just me......

We perceive the world differently.....
It suddenly becomes a world of fun and happy little things.....


Your Brain LITERALLY Wakes up!

Your energy levels skyrocket, you can run a marathon.....twice!

Your confidence and directions are impeccable! 

The idea of making plans becomes a breeze you even become super generous! 

And...... you know.........

No Mas 'Americano'?!

Coffee Around the World, in case you are tired of the 'Americano'

Buzzfeed always provides the best hacks and videos for almost anything. I cannot tell you how happy I get and how many times I wanted to run to the bathroom from laughing so much over the most hilarious videos.....ever! 

So as I woke up this morning, and surprisingly I'm up before 10am, I go to my little kitchen and prepare the Italian Espresso. I look out the window and see all the people driving out of their driveways and off they go to be stuck in traffic and rush against time.

I'm lucky I can work from home at times which lets me concentrate on my projects and ideas and drink as much free coffee as I want, and with great quality. 

I open Facebook, Twitter, Emails, and switch the TV on for any updating news. It seems I have an easy life right? I wish... 

No, I just happen to open those websites to procrastinate on some work emails I need to respond and apartment searching on Craigslist. 

So then I run through Facebook and I see this!

I posted an international guide for those of you who are traveling, lucky, but this video shows you how to prepare just a few of the greatest coffee's around the world!!! 

I'm already eyeing the Irish Coffee! 

Four Barrel Resolution

A New Year's Resolution....

I wonder how people can stick to their resolutions without breaking them at some point within weeks? I always said, "No resolutions...I just can't do it." 

My family sets them with much enthusiasm and each year I hear the same thing over and over again....

            1. Lose Weight

            2. Save Money 

            3. Something.....Something....Something

But does it really matter what resolution you set? Does it have to happen during a day of the year, like Valentines when you show how much you love someone?

              ....................I believe a "resolution" should just be any day of the year and anytime the person desires. Not just the Bandwagon of a New Years Eve principle.

I write this to say that I am someone that would like to set personal goals so that I may improve aspects of my self-being, health and overall happiness.

Yes I practically am writing a New Years Resolution when I just typed that I don't follow them.

But I write it with a personal goal that is both long-term and short-term because it is the becoming of me as a whole person and my well-being in life. 

I am 22 years old, Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Social Work, living with my loved ones (hubby and puppy), living in the most expensive county in California (Bay Area), and trying to make a dollars day working with 2 jobs. 

I started this blog about a year ago when my hubby and I explored Europe, I took numerous photos and realized that I need to keep them somewhere other than Instagram or Facebook. Thanks to Google+ here I am, uploaded the photos from Europe plus other cafes I've gotten to explore locally. 

I wrote small descriptions of random things to practically fill up the blog, but little by little I got more intrigued with this little blog I started to develop. Then came articles from Psychology sites I visited, then Buzzfeed, then Huffington Posts, etc.

So now my blog was beginning to be a hobby, a time consuming activity when I wanted to procrastinate from Senior Year of college. 

I graduated college and I continued to use this blog and was getting more into it like editing the page and trying to add Ads (not a success...so far). 

But here I am, 22, with 2 jobs and a blog that I try to keep up day by day.

So my New Years Resolution, or rather Personal Goals for 2015 are as such.

1. Be happy. 

I struggled with changes and let-downs, disappointments and fears. This year I want to smile more

and laugh at anything because Laughing is one of the best medicines out there. 

2. Be Motivated.

With the changes came a lot of struggles and challenges, I want to be motivated and fearless of

handling 2 jobs and still edging for that last cent in rent. Or be motivated to be healthy physically and mentally, with no let-downs of my negative mind set, but to be positive and strive. 

3. Love Others.  

Most important right. I feel guilty at times for not returning emails or phone calls to those that ask for

my well-being. I have a difficult time keeping up with those who care about me in ways I can never repay them for. Family and Friends supporting me on my journeys of which I should return that love and adoration. I want to show my love and care for those much more than I have this past year and continue to show my appreciation to my loved ones. 

              

 Today, hubby and I went on a little date to the city (San Francisco) and stopped at the nationwide famous cafe, Four Barrel Cafe. Ordered a Cappuccino and Macchiato, we took the time to talk about our personal goals and aspirations for the year. Hence the reason for this post.

We spoke about some upcoming changes that may be for the best of us and some changes we should both take.

So yes we did ourselves a New Years Resolution, but as a team we should hit it hard. 

So Enjoy....

 Sip....

 And Smile....

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.